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

Go beyond the surface with insights from the plastic surgery experts at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. Dive deep into the latest advancements, patient stories, and the artistry behind cosmetic surgery from a globally recognized practice, the 12x winner of the San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego Awards. With your hostess Monique Ramsey, we take you inside LJCSC, the place where dreams become real, featuring San Diego’s most loved plastic surgeons as our cosmetic surgery experts. Johan Brahme, MD, Plastic Surgeon: Practicing at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre since 2004, Dr. Brahme is a double board certified plastic surgeon with a stellar reputation for his kind bedside manner, commitment to safety, and beautiful aesthetic surgery results.  Dr. Brahme is a past president of the San Diego Plastic Surgery Society and a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society (formerly ASAPS). John Smoot, MD, Plastic Surgeon: During his 30+ years as a board certified plastic surgeon in San Diego, Dr. John Smoot has earned a reputation for providing excellent care & beautiful cosmetic surgery results. With an extraordinary depth of skill and experience in plastic surgery, he well-known for advanced scar-reducing techniques with breast lift surgery and the highly effective internal bra technique for revision breast surgery.  Dr. Smoot is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he is also on staff. He’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, Plastic Surgeon: As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes has a passion and respect for the field of cosmetic surgery and is well-regarded known for his exceptional patient care. Dr. Salazar completed his general and plastic surgery residencies at the world-renowned Houston Methodist Hospital, where the first silicone breast implants were developed. During this time, Dr. Salazar served as chief resident in both specialties and was recognized with service and most professional resident awards from Houston Methodist Hospital. He is proud to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Board of Plastic Surgery of Mexico—and to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).  Luke Swistun, MD, Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Luke Swistun is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a background in visual arts and medical military service. He’s known for his artistic approach to plastic surgery and for the close, supportive relationship he forms with every person he treats. He is known nationally and internationally for his expertise in breast implant removal and his compassionate approach to patients experiencing breast implant illness. Kiersten Riedler, MD, Facial Plastic Surgeon: San Diego native Dr. Riedler brings dedication to all she does here at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. Double board certified in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, she prioritizes communication, trust, and building relationships with everyone she treats.  Diana Breister-Ghosh, MD, Plastic Surgeon: A board-certified plastic surgeon and San Diego native, Dr. Breister Ghosh delivers exceptional results and care to local women and men. She is known for the personal relationships she builds with her patients and her work to empower women through confidence-building plastic surgery.Though skilled at several types of procedures, she is most known for excellence in performing face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery, feminine rejuvenation, breast aug

  1. 1d ago

    Recovery: A Complete Guide to the Second Half of Your Surgery

    Monique Ramsey gathers years of recovery answers into one guide that follows the whole arc — the mindset going in, the first hard days, and what healing actually feels like procedure by procedure. Along the way the LJCSC surgeons and team get specific: why a breast augmentation under the muscle aches more than one placed over it, how long eyelid swelling really lasts, when it's safe to drive again, what a 360 liposuction recovery involves with drains and compression, and the clean-sheets-and-no-pets rule nobody thinks about until they're already home. There's also the part people forget to plan for — where to stay those first nights, the lymphatic help that opens women's eyes the day after their drains come out, and one surgeon's answer to a golfer who wanted to hit balls two days post-op. (It's no.) Links Meet the San Diego plastic surgeons at La Jolla Cosmetic: La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre Learn more about surgery recovery and aftercare: recovery at La Jolla Cosmetic Please request your free consultation online at https://www.ljcsc.com/ or call La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, San Diego, at (858) 452-1981 for more information. Questions answered by this episode Why shouldn't you use ice after plastic surgery?How long does swelling last after eyelid surgery?Do you need someone to stay with you after outpatient surgery?What is recovery like after a breast augmentation under the muscle?When can you drive again after cosmetic surgery?How long before you can exercise again after surgery?What does recovery from a 360 liposuction or BBL involve?Why do surgeons use drains, and what happens when they come out?Can lymphatic massage help with swelling after a tummy tuck?How should you prepare your home before plastic surgery? About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  2. Jul 14

    Why AI Search Sometimes Recommends the Wrong Plastic Surgeon

    AI search can confidently send someone to a surgeon who's retired, connect them to a competing office's phone number by mistake, or invent a reputation out of two or three scattered reviews.  None of it happens because the system is trying to deceive anyone — it happens because these tools are built to sound certain, not to be accurate. Monique talks with Ryan Miller, CEO of Etna Interactive, a digital marketing agency that works with hundreds of plastic surgery practices nationwide, including LJCSC. Ryan recently spoke to hundreds of surgeons on this topic at the Aesthetic Society's annual meeting, sounding the alarm about a wave of practices gaming AI search and claiming to be “ranked number one” with no defined scale to back it up. He walks through why AI search compresses the old click-and-read research cycle into one confident answer, why ChatGPT leans on a certain site’s reviews, and why enforcement against false claims is so rare that bad actors are currently being rewarded for it. Ryan also shares the three questions worth asking in a live consultation, why a surgeon willing to say “no” deserves more trust than one who never does, and how to fact-check an AI recommendation before it becomes a decision with lifelong consequences. Learn more about Ryan Miller, CEO of Etna Interactive Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn Learn more about La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre Questions answered by this episode How is AI search different from a regular Google search?Can a plastic surgeon legally claim to be “ranked number one” online?Why would a practice with a perfect five-star rating actually be rated lower everywhere else?Does ChatGPT use Google reviews to recommend a plastic surgeon?Can AI recommend a surgeon who has retired or passed away?Who regulates false advertising by plastic surgeons?How fast can misinformation about a practice spread through AI search?What questions should I ask a plastic surgeon during a consultation?Should I trust an AI recommendation when choosing a plastic surgeon?What's the best way to verify a surgeon's credentials before booking a consultation?About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  3. Jul 7

    The Facelift Masterclass: Deep Plane, SMAS, Mini, Neck, and Eyes Explained

    A well-done facelift should hold for 10 to 12 years, sometimes 15 — but only if a surgeon steers a patient toward the right depth from the start. Here's how four surgeons actually make that call. Dr. John Smoot has a two-second move he runs in nearly every consultation: he tugs the skin back near a patient's temple and watches what happens next. If it bunches or pleats, a short-scar mini lift won't hold — full stop, no matter how badly someone wants the smaller procedure. Dr. Johan Brahme breaks down the real difference between a mini, a SMAS, and a deep plane facelift — not marketing names, but how deep into the face each one goes and why that depth changes both the results and the risks.  Dr. Kiersten Riedler explains who benefits most from the deep plane approach and walks through eyelid surgery recovery in detail, down to the actual pain scale patients report.  Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes maps out every option for treating an aging neck, from non-surgical energy devices to a full neck lift, including a procedure that's traditionally been requested almost exclusively by men. Monique Ramsey curates the best conversations with the plastic surgeons of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre into one facelift masterclass covering the questions people actually ask before a consultation.  Links Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Johan Brahme Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. John Smoot Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes Learn more about facelift surgery Questions answered by this episode What's the difference between a deep plane facelift and a SMAS facelift?How do I know if I need a mini facelift or a full facelift?How long does a facelift actually last?What are the risks of a deep plane facelift?Can a deep plane facelift affect the nerves in my face?What are my options for tightening a sagging neck without surgery?What is a T-Z plasty and who is it for?How painful is eyelid surgery recovery?How long does bruising and swelling last after eyelid surgery?Should I combine lower eyelid surgery with fat transfer?About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  4. Jun 30

    After the Skinny Shot: What to Do Next When You Lose Weight on a GLP-1

    The number on the scale went down, so why does everything still feel soft, loose, and unfinished? Monique Ramsey curates the best moments from conversations with the LJCSC team to answer the question that lands in consultations almost every day. Janelle Robinson, who leads the practice and has used the medication herself, explains who's actually showing up for the medical weight loss program at LJCSC — and it's not people with 50 pounds to lose.  Dr. Gerald Haas educates us about what the medical literature actually says versus what TikTok is selling. Dr. Hector Salazar lays out the tummy tuck decision framework — four separate benefits that stack on top of each other, and why a perfect candidate earns a spot in the textbook.  Dr. Luke Swistun adds the 360 lipo argument: why three positions instead of two, and what the back's adherent zones actually explain about those mid-back rolls.  Dr. Johan Brahme addresses the sequencing question — why the abdomen almost always comes first when someone needs multiple areas done. Dr. Salazar has a phrase for the moment a candidate checks every box: they'd be "figure 1A" of a textbook chapter on tummy tucks. If you've heard something like that from your own surgeon, this episode explains exactly what they mean. Links Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Johan Brahme Learn more about liposuction in San Diego Learn more about tummy tuck in San Diego Please request your free consultation online at https://www.ljcsc.com/ or call La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, San Diego, at (858) 452-1981 for more information. Questions answered by this episode What happens to your skin after losing a lot of weight on GLP-1 medications?Is liposuction enough after major weight loss, or do I need a tummy tuck?What is 360 liposuction and why do surgeons do it in three positions?What are the benefits of a tummy tuck beyond just removing extra skin?Can liposuction make loose skin look worse?What causes the mid-back rolls that don't go away with weight loss?What is muscle diastasis and how does a tummy tuck fix it?What is a belt lipectomy and who needs it?How long does recovery take after 360 liposuction?What order should I do procedures in if I need liposuction and a tummy tuck? About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego’s most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  5. Jun 23

    How to Find Out What Your Surgery Costs Before You Ever Come In

    For a lot of women, the most intimidating part of a cosmetic procedure isn't the operating room. It's the money, and the quiet worry that asking about it makes you look like you can't afford it. LJCSC built its whole intake process around taking that fear off the table long before you walk through the door. Janelle Robinson returns to show how the LJC team takes the mystery out of the price from the very first phone call. Ballpark pricing is published online and quoted right over the phone, so you can picture the real number before you ever book a consult, and a trained coordinator like Marissa can map a likely surgical plan and monthly payment scenarios on the spot.  Janelle also makes the case that a payment plan is not a fallback for people who are short on money. Nearly one in three of the women at LJCSC choose one, plenty of them with the cash already saved, simply because it keeps that money free for the family while they pay over 6, 12, 18, or 24 months at no interest. Janelle walks through the soft check that won't touch your credit and takes about a minute, why there's no penalty for paying early, and how a woman who came in for just her eyes ended up doing a full facial rejuvenation under one recovery once she saw how the numbers actually worked. Links See La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre payment plans and ways to pay Browse La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre ballpark pricing Questions answered by this episode 1. How can I find out what plastic surgery costs before I book a consultation? 2. Does La Jolla Cosmetic publish its pricing? 3. Can a patient coordinator give me a price estimate over the phone? 4. Will checking my payment options affect my credit score? 5. What's the difference between a soft credit check and a hard credit check? 6. How many people use payment plans for cosmetic surgery? 7. Can I pay off a cosmetic surgery payment plan early without a penalty? 8. How long are the no-interest payment plans at La Jolla Cosmetic? 9. Is it cheaper to combine multiple procedures into one surgery? 10. Should I use a payment plan even if I already have the money saved? About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  6. Jun 16

    Why Working Out Can Make “Man Boobs” Worse

    There's a reason a lean, sculpted chest can still carry a stubborn bit of fullness right behind the nipple — and it's the one spot a thousand reps will never flatten. Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes explains why glandular breast tissue in men sits exactly where it's hardest to hide, and why building up the muscle around it can make it stand out even more. Across the conversation with hostess Monique Ramsey, Dr. Salazar walks through the “polo shirt test” that tells most men whether they're a candidate, how he separates true glandular tissue from fat during the exam, and why steroids, certain medications, and even marijuana can trigger the condition long before middle age.  Dr. Salazar divides the fix into two worlds: liposuction — including the high-definition version that helps the skin shrink and tighten — and direct excision, where the tissue comes out through a small incision around the areola. For the most severe cases, he reveals the “secret weapon” that flattens the chest completely and rebuilds the nipple from scratch. Hear what recovery really looks like, from compression garments to when weightlifters can pick the bar back up, and why nearly every man who finally does this says the same thing afterward: he should have done it years ago. Links Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes Learn more about male breast reduction in San Diego Questions answered by this episode What is gynecomastia, and what causes it?What's the difference between true gynecomastia and chest fat?Can working out get rid of man boobs?Why does my chest look worse after I lose weight or build muscle?What is the “polo shirt test” for gynecomastia?Can steroids, marijuana, or medications cause gynecomastia?What's the difference between liposuction and excision for male breast reduction?How much does male breast reduction cost in San Diego?How long does it take to recover from gynecomastia surgery?When can I lift weights again after male breast reduction?About this podcastLearn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  7. Jun 9

    What You’ll Actually Look Like After Explant: The Two-Year Timeline

    A woman walks into the office holding her phone, points at a stranger’s before-and-after, and says she doesn’t want that result. Dr. Luke Swistun’s answer is almost always the same: that isn’t you. The photo shows someone with different tissue, different proportions, and usually a different surgery — none of which predicts where her own breasts will settle. Dr. Swistun is the explant expert at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, and women fly into San Diego from all over to see him. With hostess Monique Ramsey, he walks through a single real before-and-after — the same woman at two months, six months, and two years — and explains what’s swelling, what’s final shape, and where the nipple sits relative to the breast fold (the landmarks that drive every decision).  He covers why some women need a lift, some need fat grafting, and some need nothing at all, plus a delayed lower-pole skin excision done under local in about an hour, and serial fat grafting that builds a full B with no implant at all. The conversation lands on the part most women aren’t ready for: how different they feel once the implants are gone. His rule for anyone afraid of the scars: do less, because you can always do more. The woman in that progression took it — removed the implants, waited, then tightened a little skin under local — and told him afterward they look exactly like they did in high school. Links Listen to more breast implant removal episodes: Fat Transfer, What Could Go Wrong? with Dr. SwistunPlastic Surgeon Clears Up Capsulectomy Confusion with Dr. Swistun Patient Janelle: Why I Had My Implants Removed After 22 Years Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun Learn more about breast implant removal (explant) Questions answered by this episode 1. What will I actually look like after breast implant removal? 2. How long does it take to see the final result after an explant? 3. Do I need a breast lift when I have my implants removed? 4. What is a delayed lower pole skin excision, and when is it used? 5. Can fat grafting restore breast volume after explant without implants? 6. How much transferred fat actually survives after fat grafting to the breast? 7. Why do explant results look so different from one woman to the next? 8. What are breast landmarks and why do they matter when planning an explant? 9. Is it better to remove the implants first and decide on a lift later? 10. How do women feel about themselves a year after explant? About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego’s most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

  8. Jun 2

    Why Day Three Feels Like a Mistake (But Usually Isn't)

    Around 48 to 72 hours after surgery, swelling peaks, the anesthesia haze lifts, and a lot of women look in the mirror and feel like they've made a mistake. Dr. Diana Breister has been in plastic surgery long enough to know that feeling almost never means what people think it means. Most of the time, it's not regret — it's chaos. Dr. Breister, who came to La Jolla Cosmetic after years of reconstructive work at City of Hope, walks Monique through what's actually happening between day one and day fourteen. The first 48 hours are what she calls a “pink bubble” — anesthesia still on board, surgery behind you, mostly relief.  Then comes the crash: maximum swelling, pain pills affecting mood, a body shape that doesn't look like the final result yet, and the strange weight of doing nothing while everyone else is productive.  They get into the difference between regret and shock, why facelifts feel harder than mommy makeovers, the mean-girl moment that derailed a breast reduction recovery, and what to do when your partner isn't showing up. Three words anchor the whole conversation: trust the process. Dr. Breister explains why she can promise, with 200% certainty, that the feeling will pass — and why the women who say “what did I do” at week one almost never remember saying it by year one. Links Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Breister Learn more about facelift surgery at LJCSC Questions answered by this episode Why do I feel sad or emotional after plastic surgery?When does swelling peak after cosmetic surgery?Is it normal to regret plastic surgery in the first two weeks?What is post-surgery depression and how long does it last?Can anesthesia and pain medication change how I feel emotionally?Why does my face or body look so different right after surgery?How should a partner or family member support someone recovering from cosmetic surgery?Why do facelifts feel harder emotionally than other procedures?What are the biggest mistakes people make in the first two weeks of recovery?How do I tell the difference between normal swelling and a real problem? About this podcast Learn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards. Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty. La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSC Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io Theme music: Busy People, SOOP

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About

Go beyond the surface with insights from the plastic surgery experts at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. Dive deep into the latest advancements, patient stories, and the artistry behind cosmetic surgery from a globally recognized practice, the 12x winner of the San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego Awards. With your hostess Monique Ramsey, we take you inside LJCSC, the place where dreams become real, featuring San Diego’s most loved plastic surgeons as our cosmetic surgery experts. Johan Brahme, MD, Plastic Surgeon: Practicing at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre since 2004, Dr. Brahme is a double board certified plastic surgeon with a stellar reputation for his kind bedside manner, commitment to safety, and beautiful aesthetic surgery results.  Dr. Brahme is a past president of the San Diego Plastic Surgery Society and a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society (formerly ASAPS). John Smoot, MD, Plastic Surgeon: During his 30+ years as a board certified plastic surgeon in San Diego, Dr. John Smoot has earned a reputation for providing excellent care & beautiful cosmetic surgery results. With an extraordinary depth of skill and experience in plastic surgery, he well-known for advanced scar-reducing techniques with breast lift surgery and the highly effective internal bra technique for revision breast surgery.  Dr. Smoot is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he is also on staff. He’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Hector Salazar-Reyes, MD, Plastic Surgeon: As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes has a passion and respect for the field of cosmetic surgery and is well-regarded known for his exceptional patient care. Dr. Salazar completed his general and plastic surgery residencies at the world-renowned Houston Methodist Hospital, where the first silicone breast implants were developed. During this time, Dr. Salazar served as chief resident in both specialties and was recognized with service and most professional resident awards from Houston Methodist Hospital. He is proud to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Board of Plastic Surgery of Mexico—and to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).  Luke Swistun, MD, Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Luke Swistun is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a background in visual arts and medical military service. He’s known for his artistic approach to plastic surgery and for the close, supportive relationship he forms with every person he treats. He is known nationally and internationally for his expertise in breast implant removal and his compassionate approach to patients experiencing breast implant illness. Kiersten Riedler, MD, Facial Plastic Surgeon: San Diego native Dr. Riedler brings dedication to all she does here at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. Double board certified in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, she prioritizes communication, trust, and building relationships with everyone she treats.  Diana Breister-Ghosh, MD, Plastic Surgeon: A board-certified plastic surgeon and San Diego native, Dr. Breister Ghosh delivers exceptional results and care to local women and men. She is known for the personal relationships she builds with her patients and her work to empower women through confidence-building plastic surgery.Though skilled at several types of procedures, she is most known for excellence in performing face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery, feminine rejuvenation, breast aug

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