(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:38) The importance of following post-op instructions

(00:01:18) Are most complications preventable?

(00:02:27) How to prepare for cosmetic surgery

(00:04:50) Why all nicotine is a no-no before and after surgery

(00:06:18) Why can’t I drink alcohol before surgery?

(00:07:50) Do I need to stop taking supplements before surgery?

(00:09:48) How often do people not read their pre-op booklet?

(00:11:48) When and why do we use drains?

(00:13:41) Helpful activities after surgery

(00:16:14) Activities to avoid after cosmetic surgery

(00:16:50) When will I feel like myself after cosmetic surgery?

(00:17:26) What if I don’t follow post-op instructions?

(00:20:02) One thing every patient should know before cosmetic surgery

(00:21:12) Why you’re the MVP of your recovery

(00:22:00) What to do if you’re overwhelmed about recovery

(00:24:38) Last bits of recovery advice

(00:26:26) Outro

Even when your surgeon is amazing, your results depend on you doing your part too. Taking an active role in getting ready for surgery—and recovery—makes all the difference.

Reading through your pre-op instruction booklet may not be the most exciting thing, but it can really help you know what to expect and what to do. You’re in charge of your recovery, so speak up if something feels off. There’s no such thing as a silly question!

Dr. Koehler shares why he turns down smokers for surgery, why you’ll need to pause the tequila shots for a while, and why it’s so important to be honest about any supplements or medications you’re taking.

You’ll also learn what surgical drains actually do and how to take care of them, why your surgeon’s advice matters more than what you saw on Instagram, and how to set yourself up for a smoother surgery and a better recovery.

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:45) Rebekah’s lifelong weight struggles

(00:01:24) Rebekah’s weight loss journey

(00:07:40) How long it took me to lose 205 pounds

(00:08:22) How I feel after losing 205 pounds

(00:10:08) Why I decided to get cosmetic surgery after weight loss

(00:11:34) How I found Dr. Koehler

(00:13:38) My worries before post weight loss surgery

(00:18:20) How long I waited before skin removal surgery

(00:20:01) Post weight loss surgery: what to expect

(00:22:30) My body lift surgery recovery

(00:25:40) Rebekah’s weight loss and body lift results

(00:27:52) My advice to someone starting their weight loss journey

(00:31:40) How to choose a body lift surgeon

(00:34:45) The highlights of life post weight loss

(00:38:54) Takeaways and outro

Since age 15, Rebekah had tried—and failed—at nearly every diet. After yo-yoing through almost every clothing size and coming dangerously close to a serious health crisis, she chose to undergo gastric bypass surgery, ultimately losing an astonishing 205 pounds.

While she was left with significant excess skin—an issue she insists is much more than just a “vanity thing”—Rebekah found Dr. Koehler and underwent a breast lift along with a belt lipectomy to tighten her midsection.

Rebekah shares how she discovered Dr. Koehler and what her consultation, surgery day, and recovery entailed. Beyond the physical transformation and surgical process, she describes how her mindset has changed in her smaller body and offers crucial advice for anyone considering surgery after weight loss.

See Rebekah’s before and after photos

Learn more about cosmetic surgery after weight loss

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

From sweat-stopping MiraDry to subtle tweaks like brow lifts, lip lifts, and chin augmentations, Dr. Koehler and Kirstin break down their favorite underrated procedures—who they’re best for, what recovery’s like, and why these low-key treatments can have a big impact.

Here in the South, sleeveless season is long, but saggy arm skin can make people cover up. Arm lifts don’t get enough attention, but they can be game-changing for those with “bat wings,” especially since the gym won’t tighten loose skin.

Ear pinning isn’t just for kids. Dr. Koehler shares how people of all ages react when they see their new, more balanced ears.

If you’re after shape over size, the Skinny BBL is all about subtle contouring rather than dramatic curves.

Through it all, Dr. Koehler explains how he finds that sweet spot between taking care of your concerns and delivering a natural-looking result.

Read more about arm lift

Read more about brow lift

Read more about otoplasty

Read more about chin surgery

Read more about MiraDry

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

Kris Jenner’s new face has everyone talking, and Dr. Koehler shares his opinion on the thoughtful combination of procedures behind her refreshed look.

One of the biggest signs of aging? Hollows, bags and sags in the eyelids that make people say, “You look tired.” Eyelid surgery can fix that, and when done right, no one will even know. Combine it with other procedures, and the results are even better.

A brow lift can open up the eyes, while fat removal and repositioning help smooth out puffiness and hollows for a more balanced look.

Sometimes fat is gently taken from the abdomen and placed under the eyes to restore volume. A CO2 laser can then tighten and brighten the skin for a final touch.

Dr. Koehler explains how the eyes change with age, why filler doesn’t mix well with eyelid surgery, and whether men are as bothered by tired eyes as women.

Read more about eyelid surgery, facial fat grafting and brow lift

Read more about Kris Jenner’s new face lift

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

Is liposuction a weight loss fix? Do breast implants really need to be replaced every 10 years? Can you still breastfeed if you have breast implants?

Dr. Koehler and Kirstin are here to clear up the top 10 cosmetic surgery myths and set the record straight on liposuction, breast implants, rhinoplasty, non-surgical treatments, and the risks.

They tackle the stigma too, like the idea that cosmetic procedures are only for the rich or always lead to an overly “done” look.

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

People trust Dr. Koehler so much they’re willing to travel for surgery—and the peaceful, private vibe in Fairhope makes recovery even better. After more than a decade away from Tulsa, his Oklahoma patients still come back to him for expert care and a familiar face.

If you're thinking about traveling for cosmetic surgery, planning ahead is key. That means locking in your accommodations and travel plans well before your surgery date.

Dr. Koehler explains why having a support person is a must during recovery, why traveling too soon after surgery is a bad idea, and why flexible return flights are a smart move.

He also shares his go-to tips for navigating Fairhope, like local amenities and transportation, to help make your surgery and recovery as smooth and stress-free as possible.

View our out-of-town patient resources

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io


Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

Dr. Koehler and Kirstin bust the most common myths about recovering from cosmetic surgery. If you’ve got surgery scaries, they’re here to calm your nerves, from setting realistic expectations to being totally ready for surgery.

Recovery can be an emotional rollercoaster, but with the right support system around you, you'll breeze through it and come out looking better than ever.

Find out what recovery timelines REALLY look like (and how to plan), how much bruising and swelling is normal (and when to worry), and what’s actually scary and what’s just part of the process. 

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io


Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

Dr. Koehler and Kirstin demystify the decision-making process behind combining vs. staging breast lifts and augmentations. 

A breast lift (or as Dr. Koehler calls it, a “de-sagging” procedure) reshapes and lifts the breasts but doesn’t add fullness. That’s where implants come in.

But here’s the catch: combining both procedures has a 25% revision rate. It’s one of the most complex breast surgeries, requiring precise alignment to get the best results.

So, should you do both at once or stage them separately? What are the pros and cons? Who’s a good candidate for each approach? Dr. Koehler tailors his recommendations based on your anatomy and goals—but he won’t budge when it comes to patient safety.

Find out why some people must stage their procedures, no if’s, and’s or but’s about it, the risks of combining a lift and augmentation, and how long you need to wait between surgeries.

Read more about breast augmentation and breast lift

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

The best way to avoid revision surgery is a solid game plan from the start, but sometimes revision is necessary.

Dr. Koehler and Kirstin break down the ins and outs of revision surgery, from why patients change their minds to the unique challenges that come with do-overs. 

Find out what leads women to swap or remove their breast implants, why revision surgeries can be riskier than the first procedure, the limits of surgical reversibility, and the unique challenges certain scars can present.

Learn about breast implant revision, a procedure Dr. Koehler specializes in

Request a consult for revision surgery

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io

Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends

Nobody likes hearing “no” from their cosmetic surgeon, but sometimes it’s the best thing for them. In fact, a little tough love can lead to better results in the long run.

Alabama cosmetic surgeon Dr. James Koehler knows that saying no isn’t always easy, but it’s an important part of responsible patient care. He explains why he sometimes turns down requests for cosmetic procedures, whether it’s due to health concerns, smoking, unrealistic expectations, or outside pressures.

At the end of the day, good surgeons think beyond the here and now. Dr. Koehler is all about long-term patient safety and well-being, even if that means passing up a procedure (and a paycheck!).

Alabama the Beautiful is the cosmetic surgery podcast co-hosted by Dr. James Koehler, a surgeon with over 2 decades of expertise in cosmetic surgery and his trusty co-host Kirstin, your best friend, confidante, and the snarky yet loveable “swiss army knife” of Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

Have a question for Dr. Koehler or Kirstin? Record your voicemail at alabamathebeautifulpodcast.com and we’ll answer it on the podcast.

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery is located off Highway 98 at 7541 Cipriano Ct in Fairhope, Alabama.

To learn more about the practice or ask a question, go to easternshoreplasticsurgery.com 

Follow Dr. Koehler and the team on Instagram @easternshorecosmeticsurgery

And on TikTok @jameskoehlermd

Watch Dr. Koehler & Kirstin on YouTube @JamesKoehlerMD

Alabama The Beautiful is a production of The Axis:theaxis.io


Theme music: Never Need a Reason, Guy Trevino and Friends