Episodes

Filler is an easy first step — quick, pretty much reversible, affordable. But there’s a moment patients know well: you’ve been filling the same area for years, and something still isn’t quite right. Dr. Kiersten Riedler, faci...

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 physica...

After his César Awards appearance, the internet decided Jim Carrey might be a clone and honestly, the reaction wasn't totally unwarranted. Dr. Johan Brahme, a San Diego plastic surgeon who has helped well over one thousand pe...

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...

Lipo or tummy tuck—how do you know which one you need? San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar and Monique talk through the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck, and why the right choice isn’t always obvious. Skin quality, muscle...

More than half of people who travel abroad for cosmetic surgery end up needing additional medical care when they return home. Monique and Hannah discuss the hidden risks of medical tourism, from missing post-operative care an...

Dr. Salazar returns to share how HD Lipo has evolved over the last five years and why realistic expectations are just as important as technology. Learn about HD Lipo recovery timelines, the importance of compression, how long...

One in seven Americans plans to use a GLP-1 by 2026—and it’s already changing plastic surgery. Monique talks with Janelle, COO of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, about how GLP-1 medications are reshaping weight loss, surgical planning, and...

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 i...

Surgery doesn’t end when the procedure is over—and that’s the part most people don’t hear enough about. San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar explains why what happens after can be just as important as the surgery itse...

You get a full pre-op booklet and a nurse walks you through every detail, but when surgery day is getting close, it’s easy for things to go in one ear and out the other. To help make sense of it all, Jocelyn, one of our trust...

Meet Jocelyn, a clinical nurse at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre who helps guide patients through surgery and recovery. With more than 16 years of experience, Jocelyn has a calming, confident presence that instantly puts pe...

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 ...

Fat might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to looking younger, but in the world of facial rejuvenation, it’s basically gold. According to Dr. Johan Brahme, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for rest...

The deep plane facelift is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after procedures in facial rejuvenation—and for good reason. Unlike traditional facelifts, it repositions the deeper layers of the face, delivering natural-lo...

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. ...

Who says plastic surgeons can’t rock out after hours? For Dr. Johan Brahme, music isn’t just a hobby—it’s part of how he approaches life and surgery. He shares how growing up in a musical family inspired him to play bass in m...

I n this festive holiday episode, Monique chats with friends from the LJCSC Dream Team about all the little things that make Christmas feel special, from favorite songs and decorations to family traditions and must-have holid...

LJCSC’s expert baker Dr. Kiersten Riedler takes us into the cozy world of holiday baking, sharing her tips and tricks for making the perfect gingerbread cookies. From rolling the dough just the right thickness to using fresh,...

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 p...

With over a decade of experience in cosmetic surgery, Jillian combines professionalism with creativity and compassion to make every patient feel comfortable and confident. She believes that research and education are key to f...

Meet Gretchell, LJCSC’s talented video content specialist and the creative mind behind so many of the stories you see on our social media. She started here as a medical photographer, capturing before-and-after photos, but her...

Most plastic surgeons work alone, but Dr. Hector Salazar shares what it’s like to be part of something different: a six-surgeon practice built entirely on collaboration and patient-centered care. At LJCSC, individuality and a...

Lipedema is one of the most misunderstood conditions women face. It shows up as uneven fat in the lower body that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise, often leading to frustration, pain, and a feeling of being dismissed by he...