Real Patient Stories Episodes
Feb. 4, 2025
How Amie Got The Body Of Her 20’s Back (At 40-Something)
A poolside photo of Amie’s backside from a trip to Mexico forced her to ask, “Where did my body go?” Then realizing how difficult it is to get rid of back fat once you’re over 40, she turned to San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun who...
Sept. 24, 2024
Third Time's The Charm? Why Danielle Needed a 3rd Cosmetic Breast Surgery
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 m...
Sept. 10, 2024
How Alexis Conquered Her Panic Attacks & Biggest Insecurities: A Mommy Makeover Story
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 ...
Aug. 27, 2024
I Can Finally Look in the Mirror Again: Regina’s Tummy Tuck Revision Experience
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 a...
Aug. 6, 2024
I Broke Up With My Breast Implants: Caroline’s Explant Experience
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 d...
July 16, 2024
Flat is Kind of Cool: Amie’s Breast Implant Removal
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 breas...
April 9, 2024
How Laura Cain Really Feels About Her Breast Implants 2 Years Later
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 cu...
March 26, 2024
Patient Tammy: I Don’t Look Mad Or Sad Anymore (Unless I Really Am)
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 ...
March 12, 2024
Patient Jaime: Why I Decided To Replace (Not Remove) My Breast Implants
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 ...
Jan. 30, 2024
Patient Kayla: Moms Can Get Breast Implants Too
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 t...
Jan. 23, 2024
Patient Marissa: Filling Up the “A” Cups
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, Ma...
Nov. 7, 2023
Patient Eric: Why I Came Back To the Same Plastic Surgeon Over 10 Years Later
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....
Sept. 19, 2023
Patient Kaylie: My Skinny BBL Experience + Tips For Fast Recovery
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...
June 27, 2023
Patient Destiny: Chemical Peels Saved My Skin & Self Esteem
Struggling with acne breakouts since high school, 30-year-old Destiny went through numerous trial-and-error attempts at improving her skin on her own. As a person of color, scarring and pigmentation became increasingly diffic...
May 23, 2023
Nicole’s Mommy Makeover: Even Better Than My Pre-Baby Body
Nicole knew she would look good after a mommy makeover with Dr. Brahme, but she had no idea it would turn out even better than her pre-baby body. After years avoiding form-fitting dresses, she now has the confidence to wear t...
April 18, 2023
Happy Wife, Happy Life: A Husband’s Perspective on Breast Explant Surgery
When Candy first started experiencing strange symptoms, her husband Michael thought it was just an aging thing. Even as she met with plastic surgeons doctors to discuss having her breast implants removed, he was supportive bu...
April 11, 2023
Phoebe Davis Takeover Pt. 2: My Plastic Surgery Bestie, Nurse Carmen
During cosmetic surgery, the relationship with your nurse is so important because they hold your hand as you take this big step for yourself. In part two of Phoebe Davis’ series with her breast augmentation surgery team, she ...
Jan. 31, 2023
Patient Phoebe: Cosmic Love Star Shares Her Breast Augmentation Story - Part 1
Phoebe Davis is a former competitive bodybuilder, influencer, signed model, and reality TV star from the hit dating show Cosmic Love. Hear how she’s feeling just one week after her breast augmentation with LJC plastic surgeon...
Jan. 3, 2023
Patient Julia: I Never Have to Worry About Sweat Again
6 months after her first miraDry treatment, we check in with Julia to hear what’s changed for her and discuss why a second treatment is on the schedule. After her first treatment, Julia told others about her experience and wa...
Dec. 20, 2022
Patient Tati: Breast Implant Revision
When jumping off a boat at a party ends with the demise of Tati Santiago’s left breast implant, the time for replacing her big old implants with smaller ones arrives. As the co-host of Star 94.1’s Jessie and Tati in the Morni...
Oct. 11, 2022
Patient Janelle: Why I had my breast implants removed after 22 years
Twenty-two years ago at the age of 22, Janelle got her first set of saline breast implants and she was ecstatic. Right on schedule, ten years later she had them replaced with silicone gel. Janelle loved how she looked with br...
Sept. 6, 2022
Patient Maria: Botox is Better For Your Mental Health Than Therapy
While looking at photos of herself about five years ago, Maria noticed that an “11” had appeared between her brows. Those pesky parallel lines were so deep that they didn’t tan with the rest of her face. That was the moment s...
Aug. 23, 2022
If You’re Waiting to Take Care of Your Face, You’re Doing it Wrong
If you think the treatments available at a medical spa aren’t for you because you’re not old enough, think again. Autumn’s story will change how you think about those barely visible fine lines between your brows, around your ...
Aug. 2, 2022
Patient Taylor: Surprisingly Smaller Than Expected
Taylor’s least favorite body part has always been her arms. Working in the medical spa at La Jolla Cosmetic, Taylor knew there were a lot of ways to approach body contouring, including those arms. She had already lost 30 lbs,...