Breast Episodes

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 ...

Most patients walk into a breast augmentation consultation hoping to leave with answers. Ella walked in with research, reference photos, and a clear vision — and then made the deliberate decision to trust her plastic surgeon’s judgment in the operating room. Born and raised on Oahu and a self-described petite, very active person, Ella spent over a year researching plastic surgeons in Hawaii and San Diego before booking a consultation at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre with Dr. Hector Salazar-R...

Nearly four years ago, Janelle woke up from breast explant surgery, placed her hands on her chest, and felt free for the first time in 22 years. She's back to share what life looks like on the other side: not just the physical recovery, but the emotional unraveling that came with it. A divorce, a new body, a whole new wardrobe, and a complete reimagining of what confidence even means. Hear how Janelle went from daily naps and mystery joint pain to “vibrating really high” at almost 48. Listen f...

Bigger isn’t always better, and women are realizing it after living with breast implants. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun talks about the shift toward smaller, more natural-looking breasts. Everyone on social media is calling them “yoga...

Why does breast implant removal sometimes cost as much—or more—than getting implants in the first place? It sounds backwards… until you hear what actually goes into explant surgery. Explant surgery isn’t just about removing implants; it’s often about correcting the changes implants cause over time. While simple removal can be straightforward, adding capsule removal requires far more precision and time. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun explains what happens to the breasts after implan...

Are Motiva breast implants living up to the hype? When San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Breister first started using them, they were brand new to her. Now that they’ve become part of her regular go-to, she’s back to share the results. She talks about what makes Motiva implants different, from their softer, more natural feel to the innovative Monobloc technology that helps them move and settle more like real breast tissue. Hear how patients are responding so far, how she chooses between Moti...

Nearly 40 years, thousands of patients, and a career that started unexpectedly in a National Guard medical unit—Dr. John Smoot’s story is full of the wisdom, wins, and lessons you only get from a lifetime in plastic surgery. Dr. Smoot looks back on how the field has transformed since he first scrubbed in, from evolving techniques to the rise of natural, proportionate results and the growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures. He shares what’s surprised him, what’s stayed the same, and what he be...

Many women think implants are the only way to get fuller, perkier breasts, but there’s another option. Breast lift with auto-augmentation uses your own natural tissue to restore shape and lift, no implants needed. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun explains how this underused technique works, who it’s best for, and how his patients feel about their results so far. By reshaping and “restacking” existing tissue, he creates long-lasting, natural results that look and feel completely your o...

After 21 years with implants, Jennifer has reached her limits with the pain, scar tissue, and breasts that stretched far beyond what she ever imagined. What started as 420cc implants have grown from a D cup to triple Ds, leaving her hunched over with aching joints. At first, she considered swapping them out for smaller implants, but during her consultation, breast implant removal expert Dr. Luke Swistun reassured her that she had plenty of natural tissue to work with. Simply downsizing would m...

What if lowering your anxiety helps your body heal better? That’s exactly why Dr. Luke Swistun gives every patient his personal cell phone number. Knowing you can reach him anytime keeps worries from spiraling, so you can stay calm and focused on recovery. But that’s just one of the many ways he makes sure every patient feels heard, validated, and cared for from day one. He shares how his concierge-style approach goes far beyond surgery. From blocking out extra-long consultations so no questio...

Since silicone gel breast implant ruptures are silent and don’t cause symptoms, they can go undetected for a very long time. Even though an MRI is recommended to check for ruptures three years after surgery and every two years after that, most people don’t do it because MRIs are pricey and not exactly convenient. High-definition ultrasound is a more accessible, affordable alternative to an MRI. Routine ultrasounds every 2 to 3 years are a smart way to stay ahead of any issues with your breast ...

Motiva breast implants are now available at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre! San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Breister explains what makes these breast implants such a game-changer. From the lower risk of capsular contracture and rupture to the...

Here’s the answer to the question every woman considering implant removal surgery asks: “What will my breasts look like after I remove my implants?” Achieving a beautiful shape after saying goodbye to implant volume takes a skilled surgeon. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun explains everything you need to know about breast auto-augmentation, a technique that restores breast shape and volume using your own natural tissue. For most women (about 80%), auto-augmentation is all that’s need...

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 and give her a breast lift while he was at it. Safety was huge for Danielle, so she did her research...

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 her head. Hear how she faced her fears and is absolutely loving her new body. Find out why she chos...

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 accessory nipples, supernumerary nipples, and ectopic nipples are and how we remove them. Learn mor...

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 removal procedure, “total intact" is the most accurate term, which involves carefully removing the entir...

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 from Dr. Swistun and other women who had been through it. Find out what motivated Caroline to book he...

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 Dr. Luke Swistun. After her capsulectomy & explant surgery, Amie learned from Dr. Swistun that her...

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 the steps he takes before, during, and after surgery to minimize risks. Find out if it’s safe to get...

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? Hear what new treatment is on her wish list that she says is, “right up her alley.” Links Listen ...

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 smaller implants) and another lift. Find out why she decided against explanting and hear how her sur...

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 to how much pain you'll be in and how it’s managed. Links Read more about San Diego plastic surgeo...

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 size, how it felt to wake up looking different, and how Dr. Swistun handled her post-surgery hemat...