Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Salzhauer, MD Aka Dr. Miami.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Everything changed the day I sat in the waiting room of a plastic surgeon’s office. I was flipping through one of those classic “before and after” books, and I was floored. The transformations were incredible — not just physically, but emotionally. You could see people’s confidence being rebuilt, photo by photo. That was the moment it clicked. I wanted to be the person behind those results — to use my hands and training to change lives.
So I pursued it. Medical school, residency, years of training and hard work. I opened my practice in Miami and started building a name. I loved what I did — the art, the science, the personal impact. But by 2015, I felt like something was missing from the industry: transparency. Plastic surgery was still this hush-hush topic, and I thought, “Why not show people what really goes on in the OR?”
That’s when I made a decision that would change everything. I picked up my phone, opened Snapchat, and started live-streaming my surgeries. Raw, unfiltered, real-time plastic surgery. People couldn’t look away — and overnight, it blew up.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just a plastic surgeon. I was Dr. Miami. The guy who brought the BBL to your phone screen. The guy who rapped in scrubs, danced in the OR, and showed the world that plastic surgery could be educational and entertaining.
But underneath all the buzz, I never lost sight of what started it all: those before and after photos in that waiting room. Proof that transformation is possible — and that if you’re lucky enough to have the skills to help people become who they were always meant to be, you do it.
That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’ll keep going.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To be honest, the journey hasn’t been filled with many challenges — and I say that with a lot of gratitude. I’ve been lucky to have a strong team, loyal patients, and a clear sense of purpose from early on. The only real disruption came during COVID, when we were forced to revisit our entire schedule, postpone surgeries, and navigate a lot of uncertainty. It was a humbling moment — a reminder that no matter how smooth things may seem, you’re never fully in control. But even then, we leaned on each other, adapted, and came out stronger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Miami, best known for combining high-level surgical work with transparency, education, and a little bit of entertainment. I specialize in body contouring procedures — Brazilian Butt Lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction, and mommy makeovers — and I’ve built a practice that focuses not just on physical transformation, but on helping patients feel more aligned with how they see themselves. What sets me apart isn’t just the surgeries I perform — it’s how I approach them. My team and I treat every patient like family. We make sure people feel safe, informed, and seen. I’m proud of the results, of course — but I’m even more proud of the culture we’ve built in our practice. We’ve helped thousands of people take back ownership of their bodies, their confidence, and their stories.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to pick one quality that’s been most important to my success, it would be authenticity. I’ve always stayed true to who I am — as a surgeon, as a person, and as a brand. Whether I’m in the OR or on social media, what you see is what you get. I think people connect with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drmiamiconnect.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/therealdrmiami
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealdrmiami
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmiami/
- Twitter: https://x.com/therealdrmiami
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/therealdrmiami
- Other: https://therealdrmiami.com
