The star of an upcoming WE TV soap opera, a cosmetic surgeon named “Dr. Miami” spoke to students Friday about how he finds compatibility between Judaism and plastic surgery.
Dr. Michael Salzhauer, who goes by Dr. Miami on social media and television, spoke to a crowd of about 200 at UF’s Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Center.
An Orthodox Jew, he told the crowd plastic surgery embodies Jewish ideals, such as finding harmony between one’s body and soul and being comfortable in one’s body in order to live life to the fullest.
Salzhauer, known for posting videos of cosmetic surgeries live on Snapchat, has used social media to promote and explain plastic surgery. He said he believes operations are permissible for health reasons and to aid in finding a spouse.
“Getting Instagram followers isn’t a reason to get plastic surgery,” Salzhauer said. “A lot of people look at plastic surgery as the least religious practice. Vanity has nothing to do with godliness.”
Finding a spouse is good for mental health, he said, and if someone wants to have surgery for the purpose of becoming more attractive, Salzhauer will willingly guide them through the process.
Chabad Rabbi Berl Goldman said he invited Salzhauer because of his following on social media. He wanted to show students they can live a life balanced between religion and work, noting Salzhauer’s discussion about how he has stayed at the hospital Saturday because, if needed for a surgery, he wouldn’t be able to drive to the Hospital on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.
For Arik Maurice, a UF mechanical and aerospace engineering senior, seeing Salzhauer discuss his career success and his background was inspirational.
“You don’t alter the creation of God, but if you’re bettering the people around you, that’s a good means to that end,” the 22-year-old said.
Dr. Michael Salzhauer
