PLASTIC SURGEON AND LGBTQ PIONEER by joshua ryan
Dr. Nikolas Chugay, with offices in Long Beach and Beverly Hills, is one out- standing surgeon and the reasons are clear: experience, understanding of the LGBTQ community, compassion and, did we say, experience? Make sure the surgeon you select is qualified, properly trained and certified to
perform your procedures. A lot of non-plastic surgeons advertise that they are “cosmetic surgeons” when they can be everything from optometrists to dentists. The American Board of Plastic Surgeons certifies the only real plastic surgeons.
DR. CHUGAY IS THE REAL DEAL Chugay has practiced for 37 years and his son, Paul, recently become a second-
generation plastic surgeon as well. Dr. Chugay is an LGBTQ pioneer in plastic surgery, accepting his first gay and transgender clients over 37 years ago. “At that time, a lot of people did not like gays and would not accept them as clients,” shared Chugay. Dressed in a suit with a crisp shirt and matching tie, Chugay’s fine, small hands seem like a master surgeon’s. On his long list of accomplishments, he is considered
62 RAGE monthly | JULY 2014 RAGE monthly | JULY 2014
DR. NIKOLAS CHUGAY:
the “godfather of implants.” He explained, “Twenty five years ago it was common practice to place an implant—at the time, silicon was most popular—on top of muscle. I helped to develop new procedures which are now considered ‘best practices’ for plastic surgeons worldwide.” When considering factors like experience, it’s comforting to know he pioneered
such practices as used by plastic surgeons today. “The implant field has been revolutionized,” explained Dr. Chugay, “We now offer implants for calves, biceps, pectorals and more. Want six-pack abs? Done. Want a J-Lo booty? It can be yours with buttock implants. Breast augmentation? No problem.” Dr. Chugay is also a pioneer in the transgender community, accepting his first
transgender patient almost 30 years ago. “I was a doctor, transgender people came to me for help…so, I helped,” said Chugay modestly. “I used to share an office with another Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. He didn’t like gays and especially trans- gender people in our practice,” said Chugay with disdain in his voice. “He felt it was ‘bad for business’, so I said, forget him.” Currently, nearly 50 percent of Chugay’s male clientele are LGBT.
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