Dr. Gary Motykie may very well be one of Beverly Hills’ most eligible bachelors. At 36, this charming plastic surgeon runs a wildly successful practice, helping women and men feel better about their appearance every day.
Years ago, when still in high school, young Gary already had plans to become a doctor. Later, while attending Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, he decided to specialize in plastic surgery and made it his ultimate goal. “My dream job, or the pinnacle of being a plastic surgeon, was to become a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon,†he said.
Five years ago, Dr. Motykie’s dream came true when he moved his practice to Beverly Hills. The Midwest boy, as he calls himself, left his family and friends behind to discover what the City of Angels had to offer. “It was a big sacrifice to give up my family in Chicago, but when they come here to visit, there’s a lot for me to show them,†he said.
Soon after his move Dr. Motykie was approached by E! Entertainment to appear in a reality show that followed plastics surgeons and their patients in their everyday life. At the time, the network was looking for the next up-and-coming, young and good-looking surgeon, and Dr. Motykie found himself at the right place, at the right time. Dr. 90210 became a hit and so did Dr. Motykie’s practice. “I think they liked my personality and what I brought to the table, as far as my different viewpoint on plastic surgery,†he said. “The show skyrocketed my business. It’s all been positive.â€
Dr. 90210 showed Dr. Motykie in his Beverly Hills office with real patients. According to viewers who became his patients after the show first aired, the doctor genuinely cared for people who came to his office. He takes time to listen and talk to them, making them feel comfortable and well cared for. “Patients seem to open up to me more than to the other doctors on the show,†Dr. Motykie said.
Dr. Motykie believes that the concept of the reality show has had a tremendous effect on how the general population perceives cosmetic surgery. “Before the show, people thought plastic surgery was mainly for movie stars and didn’t know what could be done for everyday people,†he said, “But now they watch housewives, young girls and men getting surgery and realize ‘wow, I can do it too.’â€
Everyday people seeking cosmetic surgery means procedures that are less extravagant than a Hollywood star’s. Dr. Motykie is an advocate of a more natural look. “Plastic surgery has come a long way in the past 10 or 15 years. Before, you could see the people out here who had stuff done. Now, the philosophy is to look much more natural,†he said.
And giving their natural beauty back to women is what this talented doctor aspires to do. One of the Dr. 90210 episodes showed his life-changing work as he performed breast reconstruction on a cancer survivor. Viewers experienced the emotional side of the show as Dr. Motykie gave the woman back her sense of confidence and femininity.
Realizing how satisfying it was for him to help change someone’s life, the doctor founded an organization called The Healing Curve which will officially launch this fall during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The money donated to the charity will go toward reconstructive surgery for breast cancer survivors. Dr. Motykie acknowledges the fact that he can’t help every woman who needs the procedure, but hopes that soon doctors across the nation will join the effort.
In the meantime he continues to change one life at a time, specializing in revision surgery: Repairing other plastic surgeon’s work. This, he says, is his most gratifying work.
When he’s not operating, Dr. Motykie keeps himself busy and active. The former personal trainer and bodybuilder loves outdoor activities and taking his long board to the waves of Malibu. His next project? To surf and snowboard in the same day. “Only in L.A. can you do that, surf in the morning and head to Big Bear in the afternoon,†he said.
As for romance, the charming doctor admits the show has not made dating any easier. “My job helps me understand women better, but I’d rather meet someone who doesn’t know what I do, just who I am. Not Dr. 90210, not Dr. Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, but a just regular guy.â€
Dr.90210 will return this summer on E! For more information, visit www.drmotykie.com
