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

Two years after her breast augmentation, San Diego radio personality Laura Cain returns with an update on how her breast implants have changed her life. Before her breast implants, Laura was wearing padded bras and chicken cutlet bra inserts to hide her flat chest. Now her wardrobe options have changed and her confidence has skyrocketed, both personally and professionally. What’s next for Laura? H...

Before having a tummy tuck, one of the biggest worries our patients have is “what is my belly button going to look like?” No one wants an ugly belly button, or for it to be a dead giveaway that they had work done. Because so much extra skin is removed during tummy tuck surgery, the original belly button often goes away with it. But during a tummy tuck using the BellaButton technique, Dr. Salazar c...

As the co-host of San Diego’s favorite country morning show, Tammy wanted to look high-spirited and full of life, but her eyelids made her look tired or mad all the time and her neck made her look older than her age. Opening up about her reasons for getting eyelid surgery and a neck lift, Tammy shares why she wanted to improve upon the things that she felt were detrimental to her appearance. With...

17 years ago, Jaime had a breast augmentation and lift after breastfeeding her three children. Back then, she spent a lot of time vacationing on the river and wanted to feel confident in a bikini. Fast forward to 2023, Jaime came back to LJCSC because her breasts had gotten larger. Since her initial surgery, she felt like she looked too big, so she opted for breast implant replacement (for much sm...

It might be your first time getting a breast augmentation, but it’s by no means our first time! From your first phone call to your pre-op appointment, we tell you exactly what to expect so there are no surprises. Filling us in on all things breast surgery, Dr. Hector Salazar shares all there is to know about breast augmentation recovery, from how long you’ll need to be away from work and the gym t...

Sharing his unique expertise with HD Lipo, Dr. Hector Salazar explains how this technique eliminates stubborn areas of fat, and highlights your natural muscle definition. Combining his artistic eye with his rich knowledge of anatomy, Dr. Salazar uses this specialized liposuction technique to precisely sculpt your body following the natural lines of your musculature. Find out all there is to know a...

Dr. Jerry Haas has been at LJC helping patients feel comfortable and well cared for before, during, and after surgery for over 25 years. When Dr. Haas isn’t by patients’ side during surgery, he’s there throughout their weight loss journey to help them safely reach their goals as the director of our medical weight loss program, Signature Skinny Shot. While serving the Navy on an aircraft carrier as...

Long before having children, Kayla wanted breast implants. She never felt confident in a bikini, or in certain tops on date nights with her husband. When her daughter was 4, she decided it was the perfect time to do it. She thought she might need a breast lift, but Dr. Swistun reassured her that all she needed was an augmentation with high profile implants. Kayla opens up about how she decided on...

When Marissa, lead patient coordinator at LJC, moved to the beaches of San Diego from the small town of Bakersfield, she discovered her bikini top was a little less full than she’d like it to be. Starting as a small A cup, Marissa was looking for a subtle boost and nothing over-the-top. Plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun recommended silicone gel implants and helped her find a size that fit her petit...

Many women, often after having children, seek ways to make sexual intercourse more comfortable for themselves and their partners. Dr. Johan Brahme answers all the questions women have about vaginoplasty to demystify this procedure. Often included in a mommy makeover, the pelvic floor is one of the main areas that needs rejuvenating after childbirth. Kegels can strengthen muscles, but a vaginoplast...

Yes, motherhood is beautiful. But bringing children into the world wreaks some havoc on the body! A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures designed to address areas that need lifting and tightening after having children. Plastic surgeon (and mom) Dr. Diana Breister Ghosh shares the advantages of combining body restoration procedures into one surgery. While the classic mommy makeover include...

Dr. John Smoot knew from the time he was a teenager that he wanted to be a doctor and work with his hands. Today, the highlight of his work is the confidence he brings to people who felt like their outer appearance could match their self-image better. When the Vietnam War began, Dr. Smoot joined the Utah National Guard as a scrub tech and a medic—the start of an unconventional road to becoming the...

n this showcase episode, Monique highlights four small but mighty facial rejuvenation treatments you’ll want to add to your wish list. To showcase these powerful options, surgeons Dr. Kiersten Riedler, Dr. Johan Brahme, Dr. Jason Pozner, and Dr. Hector Salazar share their expertise covering eyelid surgery, endoscopic brow lift, Ellacor microcoring for skin tightening, the T-Z Plasty, and submental...

Because labia come in all shapes and sizes, there’s no such thing as “normal.” But when tissue or skin in this area makes you uncomfortable in certain clothes or causes insecurities, there is a solution. Plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Breister shares 2+ decades of expertise in feminine rejuvenation to answer your biggest questions about labiaplasty, including: What can you expect during recovery? How l...

If you have a low body fat percentage, you might think the BBL is out of reach, or even worse – that you must first gain weight to make it possible. Neither is true! There is a backside-enhancing surgery that creates curves for those who don’t have much body fat to spare. Plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun lets us in on how the popular “Skinny BBL” works, where he gets fat from thinner patients, how...

There’s a wide world of lasers out there, and not everyone wants the recovery that comes with the most intense treatment. But there are a few laser treatments that are quick and easy that also deliver life-changing results. LJC’S laser specialist Amy Biggs, PA-C, runs us through the top three: Laser hair removal BBL HERO (BroadBand Light) MOXI laser skin revitalization Find out what each of these...

Large breasts cause women of all ages to have back pain, difficulty exercising, and self consciousness. Dr. John Smoot’s breast reduction patients are always thrilled to get rid of the weight and improve the size and shape of their breasts. Breast reduction surgery transforms both confidence and comfort. Dr. Smoot relies on his three decades of experience helping women with this life-changing surg...

Over a decade after Eric’s first visit to Dr. Johan Brahme to address his aging eyes, he returned to LJC to address his “turkey neck.” Back then, Eric discovered Dr. Brahme while looking to get rid of the bags under his eyes. When Dr. Brahme suggested addressing all of his concerns at once by combining his eyelid surgery with male breast reduction and liposuction to his flanks, he was all for it....

Khanh Nguyen, FNP-C, shares the big no-no’s before and after lasers, and what steps to take to ensure you get the most out of your treatment. Khanh covers everything you need to know to feel prepared going into your laser treatment, including: What medications not to take before lasers What products not to apply to your skin before lasers What to tell your laser specialist before your treatment to...

LJC patient coordinators Hailee and Carrie reveal valuable insider tips on how to save the most and have the best treatment experiences possible in the medical spa. Find out how the LJC GLAMfam VIP loyalty membership lets you save on the treatments you want the most all year long and all the other ways to stack savings on top of GLAMfam membership perks. Links Learn more about GLAMfam, our VIP loy...

We ask licensed aesthetician Cameron if popular at-home devices and DIY skin care treatments are a waste of money or the best thing ever: Cleansing wipes Extraction tools Individually packaged masks & peels Light therapy At-home hair removal devices BioRe pore strips Microcurrent devices Clarisonic Dermarollers Jade rollers From chemical peels to microneedling, Cameron runs us through which in...

Although laser treatments are popular, there are common fears people have when trying them for the first time. LJC’s laser specialist Brittany Haley, RN is here to help! Will it hurt? Will I be wasting my money? What if it doesn’t work? Will I be trapped inside as my skin heals? Brittany answers these scary (but totally common) questions and reassures us by sharing stories of patients who started...

Dermaplaning might be trending, but it isn’t new. This non-invasive exfoliation technique for removing dead skin cells and pesky peach fuzz has been a go-to treatment of professional estheticians for decades, and LJC’s licensed aesthetician Janine swears by it. When combined with a HydraFacial, Janine considers this pairing the “happily married couple” of skin care treatments, as they complement e...

As a hairdresser, Kaylie sees herself in the mirror all day every day. For many years, she relied on trickery with clothing to hide her “square” backside, wearing baggy tops and short shorts to give the illusion of curves and draw attention to her other features. After three long years working with a trainer and seeing little progress, she started considering body contouring. When Dr. Brahme told...

Although there are multiple options available for rejuvenating the neck, Dr. Salazar considers the T-Z Plasty to be the ultimate weapon against the “turkey gobbler.” For patients who specifically want to address excess skin and fat in their neck, but aren’t ready for a full face and neck lift, the T-Z Plasty is the preferred technique. Dr. Salazar answers our biggest questions about this not often...