The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast - With San Diego’s Most Loved Plastic Surgeons

Picking the right place to recover after plastic surgery is key to a smooth, stress-free experience.  Whether you're traveling from out of town or just need a peaceful spot away from home, Dr. Salazar talks through some of the best hotel options in La Jolla. He explains why staying close by can make a big difference in both comfort and safety. Find out: Which surgeries require a longer recovery ti...

The timing of your surgery can make a big difference, and some seasons are just easier than others.  Winter is often ideal for body contouring procedures. Why? For starters, you don’t have to worry about overheating in snug recovery garments, and by the time summer rolls around, you’ll be ready to show off your results. For Dr. Breister, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is one of the busi...

There’s a ton of buzz around awake liposuction, but is it really a good idea?  Being comfortable during the procedure is absolutely essential for the best results. Although less expensive, Dr. Swistun warns that awake lipo has its downsides and saving money upfront could cost you more in complications. Dr. Swistun shares what you need to know about awake lipo: Risks of awake liposuction, especiall...

At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, we know your cosmetic journey is personal, and every step matters.  That’s why we offer two options: the Signature and Concierge experiences. Think of them as business class and first class—both elevated and never ordinary. No matter which you choose, our award-winning care stays the same. With 36 years of experience and tens of thousands of 5-star reviews, fin...

Jessica’s philosophy is simple: if something bothers you and you can change it, why not? She loves seeing people’s confidence blossom after their procedures. As a Patient Care Coordinator, Jessica is the friendly voice you’ll hear first when you reach out to LJCSC. She’ll listen to your goals, answer your questions, and make sure you’re feeling great about your consultation. And she’ll be there ev...

13 years after Danielle switched from saline to silicone breast implants, something felt off. When it felt like one of her implants was playing hide and seek during mammograms, she knew something needed to be done. When she met with Dr. Salazar, he found that her right implant shifted out of place and the crease under her breasts disappeared. He decided to swap out the old implants for new ones an...

Now that Regina and Alexis have each shared their individual before and after stories, they’re together to recap what happened and how their plastic surgery experiences continue to impact their lives.  For anyone considering plastic surgery, hear firsthand how important it is to have someone in your corner throughout your whole aesthetic journey.  Whether it’s a bestie, family member, or partner,...

After losing 70 pounds, Alexis decided to take her body transformation to the next level with a tummy tuck, arm lift, 360 lipo, and chin lipo.   Arms were always Alexis’ biggest insecurity. Finding clothes that fit around them was a nightmare. Now, she wears long sleeves and sexy dresses comfortably and confidently. Anxious by nature, her mom's bad surgery experience with another doctor hung over...

San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar shares a new update on the T-Z Plasty, a targeted neck lift procedure with the potential to help a wider range of patients than he initially thought. This innovative surgery tackles the "turkey neck" directly, avoiding the extensive incisions of a full face and neck lift.  Find out who can benefit from this unique neck lift surgery and how it works. Lin...

Regina had a nightmare experience after her first tummy tuck and liposuction with an unqualified surgeon elsewhere, landing in the hospital for two weeks with an abscess followed by home nursing, and then requiring a walker and cane to get around. When it came time to fix the mess, she was understandably worried. LJCSC plastic surgeon Dr. Swistun removed her dog ears, tightened and smoothed out he...

You can have a nipple or areola reduction on its own, but these procedures often go hand-in-hand with breast reductions, lifts, or implants.  Dr. Salazar breaks down the difference between your nipples and areolas, how surgery can make them smaller, and what to expect with scars and aftercare. Find out if you can breastfeed after a nipple reduction, whether men can get these procedures, and what a...

The term “en bloc” floats around online in breast implant associated illness circles, but this actually refers to cancer surgery where healthy tissue around a tumor is removed. To update the terminology and clear up any confusion about capsulectomy, plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun explains the definitions and differences between the specific explant procedures.  For his usual breast implant remov...

After 8 years of living with 400cc silicone implants, Caroline started feeling differently about them. Later on, seeing coworkers rave about their explants inspired her to seriously consider removing hers. It wasn't an easy decision, as those implants had been part of her for a whole decade. Caroline shares the emotional rollercoaster leading up to her explant surgery and how she found support fro...

Successfully moving fat requires finding the sweet spot – not too much, not too little. Dr. Swistun explains the art of transferring fat: you want enough fat to stick after healing, but not too much that it causes issues. Dr. Swistun explains the patient-specific and surgeon-specific factors in getting the right amount, what can happen if too much fat is used, and post-op care tips to avoid compli...

Your 20’s are a time for adventures, not wrinkles. But we see plenty of young people wanting to enhance their natural beauty. Plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar shares the best procedures for this age group. From breast implants to liposuction to addressing facial features that have always bugged you, hear Dr. Salazar’s expert advice for the best ways to love the skin you’re in during this decade....

Amie had her first breast augmentation with saline implants at age 21 (back in 1998 when Pamela Anderson was the “it girl") and 13 years later switched to silicone.  When unexplained symptoms emerged, she wondered if her breast implants were the cause. Feeling lost, she found an online community focused on breast implant illness (BII). It was in this group where she heard about LJC plastic surgeon...

Complications from breast implant surgery are rare, and surgeons keep a close eye on patients to catch and prevent any issues.  LJC plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar takes us through the most common complications: capsular contracture, implant rupture or deflation, and the need for revision surgery.  Dr. Salazar explains what these complications are, how to tell if they’re happening to you, and t...

Regardless of your motivation, it’s totally normal to think about cosmetic procedures but not know how to get started. Plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Breister gives us an overview of the most popular body procedures for women. Ideal body trends change over time, and so do our personal preferences. Women in their 20’s and 30’s tend to do liposuction and breast augmentation, while those in their 40’s and...

Like flying a plane, working in an operating room means you’re in charge of keeping other humans alive. The job is not just to complete your pre-op checklist, but to be prepared for every possible thing that could go wrong, as rare as it might be.  For over 20 years, nurse Ruth has been the calming presence in the LJC operating room. From what to expect when you arrive for your surgery to waking u...

By your 50’s, for most people the natural changes of age are noticeable. Plastic surgeon Dr. John Smoot shares the best procedures for combating aging and reversing the effects of gravity in your 50’s. From removing or replacing fallen breast implants to opening up tired eyes, hear Dr. Smoot’s expert advice for the best ways to tackle aging and be prepared for a smooth recovery in this decade. Lin...

360 liposuction, often paired with a BBL, is a major transformation that requires a demanding recovery, both physically and emotionally. Dr. Luke Swistun breaks down what to expect and how to bounce back after 360 lipo. Make sure you have everything from child care to time off work set up and your support system ready ahead of time to avoid extra stress during recovery.  Find out what’s normal to...

Who qualifies for liposuction vs. a tummy tuck? What are the different options available for enhancing your lips? Dr. Johan Brahme brings his 30+ years of experience as a plastic surgeon to answer patient questions live, including: When non-invasive treatments aren’t enough and a facelift is necessary Why addressing the face and neck together is best The risks of going abroad for cheaper surgery W...

Amy brings passion to everything she does at LJC. From the front desk to managing accounts to IT support, she's our go-to guru for everything.  Amy’s expertise in plastic surgery goes beyond her two decades of experience at work, she’s also a seasoned patient herself. Over the years, she’s had a tummy tuck, breast lift with implants, and feminine rejuvenation and knows firsthand how life-changing...

Don’t let anything you hear about recovering from eyelid surgery scare you away. While some people may initially look like they took a punch to the face, it's not as bad as it looks.  Specializing in all things facial plastic surgery, Dr. Kiersten Riedler shares the details on what to expect during eyelid surgery recovery.  From how to take care of your incisions and when it’s safe to wear makeup...

To honor his 20th anniversary with LJCSC, plastic surgeon Dr. Johan Brahme shares his perspective on how the specialty of plastic surgery has evolved throughout his three-decade career. Hear how techniques have advanced to help patients get the most impact in the safest way possible, from face lifts, brow lifts and lip lifts to tummy tucks, liposuction and breast augmentation, and how the constant...