In this episode, I explore one of the most misunderstood molecules in medicine: creatine. Most people think of it purely as a muscle-building supplement, but its real power lies in something far broader. Creatine builds a reservoir of energy that any tissue in the body can draw on when demand spikes, whether that's the brain, the immune system, or the body healing from surgery.

We dive into the science of how creatine restores ATP, why I've come to view surgery as a metabolic stress rather than a purely mechanical event, and how this energy reserve supports recovery, protects the brain around anesthesia, and improves sleep in the postoperative period. I also cover the practical side of using creatine, including dosing, timing, loading, which forms actually matter, and why I now have nearly every patient on it going into a procedure. I share how my thinking has evolved over fifteen years of clinical use, why I take it myself and give it to my kids, and how it fits into my larger philosophy of preparing, executing, and recovering like an athlete. If you're interested in surgical recovery, cognitive performance, longevity, or the science of energy and healing, this episode reframes what creatine really is and why it may be one of the most valuable tools available.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://5c.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Creatine's Branding Problem
02:44 - The ATP Energy System Explained
04:07 - Surgery as a Metabolic Stress
05:28 - Fifteen Years of Clinical Use
07:20 - Dosing and Tissue Saturation
09:51 - Effects on the Brain and Sleep
14:24 - Safe Across Every Population
15:44 - How to Choose and Dose Creatine
20:25 - Preparing and Recovering Like an Athlete
21:21 - Creatine and Inflammation
23:39 - Closing Thoughts

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes Podcast and the founder of 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On the 5 Codes Podcast, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I share the story of the friend surgeon, a case involving a fellow physician who came to me for a complex revision after a procedure performed by a local plastic surgeon she knew and trusted. Her results included asymmetric brows and eyelids, hollowed upper lids, a bony growth on her forehead, and one of the most dreaded complications of all, lower eyelid retraction that required a graft from her hard palate to correct.

We dive into why intelligent, educated people make predictable thought errors when choosing who operates on them, and how the psychology of familiarity, loyalty over objectivity, and the cost of convenience can quietly steer us toward the wrong decision. I also explore why specialization exists, how repetition changes the way a surgeon thinks, and why comfort should never be substituted for competency. If you're interested in facial surgery, revision work, decision making, or the hidden dynamics of choosing a surgeon, this episode offers an honest look at what happens when the easy choice turns out to be the harder one.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://5c.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - The Friend Surgeon
00:33 - What Went Wrong
01:38 - Why Smart People Make Errors
01:59 - The Psychology of Familiarity
02:51 - Loyalty vs Objectivity
04:44 - The Cost of Convenience
05:20 - Why Specialization Matters
05:56 - Comfort vs Competency
07:12 - Why My Patients Travel
08:15 - The Seven Out of Ten Result
09:27 - Choosing the Harder Option
09:42 - Closing Thoughts

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes Podcast and the founder of 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On the 5 Codes Podcast, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends, my business partner, and my training partner, Tyler Alvarado. Tyler is a CPA turned serial entrepreneur who once led a next-level tech startup out of Coeur d'Alene, and he brought that same startup mindset into helping build our practice from the inside out.

We trace how our relationship evolved from two dads crossing paths at a coffee shop and a kids' soccer team, into training partners grinding through the pain cave, into business partners who now do life together. Along the way we get into what it actually takes to build trust, why betting on yourself matters more than waiting for someone to bet on you, and how discomfort in the gym reveals a person's true character. We also dig into faith, marriage, fatherhood, and legacy, plus the aesthetics conversation I care deeply about: why younger patients are chasing procedures they don't need, how fat transfer and natural approaches differ from filler, and how to think about aging the right way. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, high performance, relationships, or the philosophy behind how we practice medicine, this one carries a genuine, unfiltered look at a friendship that turned into a partnership.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://5c.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
02:02 - How We Met
06:20 - From Acquaintances to Business Partners
09:03 - Getting Tyler Into Jiu Jitsu
10:40 - How Trust Was Really Built
12:40 - Bet On Yourself
14:40 - The Asset of No Medical Background
16:30 - What Makes a Rare Friendship
20:30 - Choosing the People Around the Table
25:20 - Priorities and Alignment
27:50 - Rapid Fire: Childhood and Upbringing
32:30 - Fitness, Discipline, and the Labor Day Workout
37:00 - Reflecting on Seven Years of Friendship
43:30 - The Struggles Nobody Sees
44:30 - Aesthetics Gone Wrong: Younger Patients and Filler
50:20 - Fat Transfer and the Natural Approach
53:20 - Why People in Their Thirties Reach Out
56:40 - Boats, Family, and Doing Life Together
01:04:30 - The Invitation That Changed Everything
01:07:20 - Curiosity, Growth, and the White Belt Mindset
01:12:20 - Tyler's 5 Codes
01:16:50 - Earning It and Pushing Each Other
01:19:40 - One Plus One Equals Three
01:21:30 - Closing Thoughts

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes Podcast and the founder of 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On the 5 Codes Podcast, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I take a deep focus on one of the most controversial topics in aesthetics: dermal filler, and specifically the hyaluronic acid gel fillers that have exploded in popularity over the past decade. These products were long sold on a set of assumptions that they were temporary, inert, stable, and easily reversible, but nearly all of those assumptions have turned out to need serious qualification.

I walk through what recent research and my own daily observations have revealed about how long filler actually lasts, how it migrates across anatomic planes years and even decades after placement, and why dissolving it with hyaluronidase is far messier than most people believe. I also get into how filler interacts with the immune system, the inflammatory reactions that can surface long after injection, and why so much of what gets blamed on bad surgery is actually bad filler. I share how this understanding has shaped my own practice, what I wish every future patient knew before their first syringe, and my honest, practical advice for anyone who already has filler and is wondering what to do next. If you're interested in facial aesthetics, longevity, or the real science behind what happens beneath the skin, this episode offers a candid perspective from inside the debate.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://5c.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - What I Wish Everyone Knew About Filler
00:38 - The Debate That Sparked This
01:39 - Filler's Rise and the Assumptions We Built
03:58 - Assumption One: It's Only Temporary
07:39 - "I've Had Tons and I Look Great"
14:33 - Assumption Two: It Doesn't Move
17:32 - Ultrasound, MRI, and the Limits of Imaging
18:31 - The Next Frontier: Migration Over Time
19:46 - Dissolving and Post-Hyaluronidase Syndrome
25:50 - Why Hyaluronidase Doesn't Fully Work
34:41 - The "Stimulates Collagen" Myth
40:48 - Filler and the Immune System
46:25 - It Is Not Inert, and We Have to Stop Saying It
52:17 - Bad Filler Gets Blamed on Bad Surgery
57:50 - Why I'd Rather Operate Without Filler Present
58:45 - Should You Get Yours Dissolved?
59:47 - Closing Thoughts and Disclaimer

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes Podcast and the founder of 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On the 5 Codes Podcast, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I explore the counterintuitive ways certain treatments people turn to for anti-aging can actually accelerate the aging process. I use a real patient story, a woman in her early forties who ended up needing surgery earlier than expected, to walk through how filler, tightening devices like ultrasound and radiofrequency, liposuction, Kybella, and weight loss peptides can all leave lasting structural changes in the face and neck.

I get into why a youthful face is elastic rather than shriveled and tight, how a subtractive mindset toward fat removal often backfires, and why repositioning and replacing tissue tends to produce better long term results than taking it away. I also touch on the epigenetic and metabolic benefits of weight loss peptides alongside their structural downsides for facial fat, and why genetics, inflammation, and metabolic health all play a role in how quickly someone ages. If you're interested in facial surgery, longevity, or understanding what actually drives premature aging versus true rejuvenation, this episode breaks down what I see in practice every week.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://clinic5c.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:12 - Things That Age Us Faster
00:57 - A Patient's Story
01:40 - The Real Drivers of Aging
02:36 - The Anti-Aging Checklist
03:31 - Seeking Surgery Young
04:08 - What's Going On Underneath
04:54 - Filler and Aging
06:52 - Tightening Devices
08:04 - Lipo, Kybella, and GLP-1s
09:01 - The Subtractive Effect
09:34 - Repositioning vs. Removing
10:39 - The Neck Lipo Problem
11:45 - Peptides and Facial Fat
13:28 - Younger Patients, Bigger Pattern
13:46 - Fixing It the Right Way
14:58 - A Definitive Answer
15:14 - Mirror vs. How You Feel
16:31 - The Future of Peptides
17:30 - Closing Thoughts

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the Five Codes podcast and the founder of Clinic 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On Five Codes, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I share a rare and revealing case: a patient I've followed for ten years, with over twenty sets of high-quality photos documenting her natural progression from filler to full surgical rejuvenation. Through her story, I break down what actually happens to hyaluronic acid filler over time - including uncomfortable truths that challenge some long-held assumptions in our field: that filler doesn't just sit still, that dissolution doesn't make it disappear, and that "poor placement" isn't always the explanation when filler signatures show up years later. Getting to directly observe this filler during her surgery gave me some of the most valuable, real-time data I've encountered, and it reframes how I think about managing prior filler in my surgical patients going forward.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://5c.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Today's Case Setup
00:31 - Meet the Patient
01:03 - A Decade of Photos
01:31 - Filler Made Her Look Better
02:07 - Still Wanted Surgery
02:20 - Watching the Filler Signature Emerge
03:16 - Debunking "Poor Placement"
04:53 - Surgical Journal Entries
05:37 - What Surgery Revealed
06:52 - A Pattern Across Patients
09:09 - Candidate for Surgery at 40?
10:01 - The Dissolution Myth
11:22 - Managing Old Filler in Surgery
13:22 - Old Filler vs. New Anatomy
14:03 - Does Filler Move Over Time?
16:52 - Before & After Photos Coming
18:07 - Closing Thoughts

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes Podcast and the founder of 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On the 5 Codes Podcast, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Aubree, for a candid and fun conversation answering your most requested questions. We share the story of how we met, what we've learned through marriage and parenthood, our perspectives on health, beauty, and family life, and the daily habits that help keep us connected and growing together.

From relationship advice and parenting lessons to rapid-fire questions and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode offers an authentic look into our life beyond the clinic. Whether you're looking for practical insights, a few laughs, or simply want to get to know us better, this conversation is packed with honest reflections and memorable moments.

CONNECT WITH AUBREE CHESNUT
Website: https://clinic5c.com/providers/aubree-chesnut
Non-Surgical Cosmetics: https://clinic5c.com/contact/non-surgical-form

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://clinic5c.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
02:18 - How It All Started
08:45 - Marriage Through Medicine
28:12 - Parenting and Family Life
48:38 - Being Married to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
58:20 - Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle
1:04:36 - Rapid Fire
1:13:52 - A Message to Our Kids
1:17:09 - Outro

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the 5 Codes podcast and the founder of Clinic 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On 5 Codes, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.

In this episode, I explore one of the most important and often overlooked factors in aesthetic surgery: the relationship between surgeon and patient. Through a personal story about a patient I initially declined to operate on, I break down how expectations, recovery readiness, trust, communication, and long-term alignment can ultimately determine the success of a facial rejuvenation journey.

CONNECT WITH HOST
Website: https://clinic5c.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesnut.md/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chesnutMD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-chesnut-a6910baa/

WAYS TO WATCH/LISTEN
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@5CodesPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FZ7vpmq21iA1noPcFhixb?si=992ef6c8d859463f
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-codes-podcast/id1866214238
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5codespodcast/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - The Importance of Relationships
01:08 - My Consultation Process
02:50 - What Happens During a Patient's First Consultation
04:42 - The Patient's Second Consultation
08:34 - Bedside Manner vs. Reputation
11:00 - Why They Don't Need to Be Mutually Exclusive
13:15 - Outro

ABOUT HOST
Dr. Cameron Chesnut is the host of the Five Codes podcast and the founder of Clinic 5C, where he leads a team dedicated to integrative cosmetic surgery, regenerative medicine, and functional health. An internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chesnut is known for producing natural, refined results that enhance rather than alter one’s appearance. His approach blends surgical precision with biological optimization and disciplined restraint, drawing patients from around the world who value excellence, longevity, and holistic care. On Five Codes, Dr. Chesnut uncovers the mindsets and evidence-backed strategies he lives by, helping high performers perform better, recover smarter, and feel their best in every area of life.

DISCLAIMER
The views shared on this podcast are my own and are not associated with, affiliated with, or representative of my clinical teaching role at the University of Washington School of Medicine. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized medical advice.