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 healthcare providers. 

Beyond the physical symptoms, the emotional toll is huge. Once treated, many women celebrate simple wins like finally zipping up a pair of boots.

San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar and massage therapist Linda-Anne Kahn explain what lipedema really is, how it differs from obesity, cellulite, and lymphedema, and why early diagnosis and treatment make such a difference. 

With over 40 years of experience working in integrative health, Linda-Anne shares how being diagnosed herself inspired her to help other women find relief through manual lymphatic drainage and holistic care. 

Dr. Salazar explains how he treats it surgically with liposuction, and how combining surgery with massage therapy, nutrition, and lifestyle changes can improve symptoms at every stage.

Together, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and why awareness of lipedema matters for patients, families, and providers alike.

Links

If you have lipedema and want to learn how we can help you get the answers and treatment you deserve, request a free consultation with Dr. Salazar

Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes

Learn more about San Diego lymphatic drainage massage therapist Linda-Anne Kahn

Check out the book Linda-Anne co-authored, Lymphedema and Lipedema Nutrition Guide

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

Considering any kind of cosmetic change to your face is a deeply personal decision, and your nose is a complex feature right in the center of it. 

San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler knows this, which is why her rhinoplasty consultations always include a photo simulation, built from your own goals and her experience, to bridge the gap between hope and reality.

That's her secret for confident decisions and a smooth journey, especially in a filter-happy world where beauty standards can skew expectations in an instant.

By editing a before photo, she shows whether your goals are realistic, sparks honest conversations about expectations, and makes sure you’re seeing eye-to-eye.

Hear how photo simulations help people better articulate their goals, and the key questions Dr. Riedler asks during consultations to create the most accurate simulation.

Links

Learn more about rhinoplasty

See rhinoplasty before and after results by Dr. Kiersten Riedler

Read more about San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler

Book a free 15-to-30-minute complimentary phone call with one of our expert patient coordinators

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

Dr. Jerry Haas, director of our weight management program, is back with an update on the Signature Skinny Shot. After nearly two years, he and patient coordinator Lauren have fine-tuned the program with monthly check-ins, dose adjustments, and ongoing support.

Dr. Haas explains how GLP-1 medications work and clears up TikTok myths with real medical data. He shares the benefits he’s seen in our patients so far, from better energy and healthier blood sugar levels to being able to enjoy exercise again.

He also talks about what happens once you start hitting your goals, like how to protect your muscle mass, when to shift to a maintenance dose, and what it looks like to eventually come off the medication while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

This isn’t a quick fix or a magic wand, but with the right guidance, it’s a powerful tool to help you feel healthier, stronger, and more in control of your weight than ever before. Find out the perks of getting your weight loss meds through a plastic surgery center instead of your primary care doctor.

Links

Learn more about the Signature Skinny Shot prescription weight loss programs

Get to know San Diego skinny shot director Dr. Gerald Haas

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

Eyelid surgery just snagged the top spot as the world’s most popular plastic surgery procedure. And it makes sense: the eyes are usually the first place people notice signs of aging, often as early as their late 30’s and early 40’s. 

From smoothing out droopy lids to improving vision, eyelid surgery isn’t just about looking refreshed—it can be functional too.

San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler explains why more people (including men) are choosing it, what recovery looks like, and how social media, Zoom calls and FaceTime have us all a little more eye-obsessed. 

Links

Learn more about eyelid surgery

Plastic Surgery Practice, This Plastic Surgery Procedure Quietly Took the Top Spot in 2024

Read more about San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler

Book a free 15-to-30-minute complimentary phone call with one of our expert patient coordinators


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

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 mean another surgery down the road, and her own tissue could be sculpted into a beautiful, natural shape without any implants. That was all it took to change her mind and move forward with an explant with auto-augmentation. 

Jennifer is now looking forward to lighter, more natural breasts and the freedom to finally wear tube tops and spaghetti straps with confidence. 

With her sister Laura by her side, she shares her journey to show other women the power of being informed and choosing what feels right for their body.

Links

Listen to Laura’s latest update on her breast augmentation, How Laura Cain Really Feels About Her Breast Implants 2 Years Later

Listen to our previous episode, Happy Wife, Happy Life – A Husband’s Perspective on Breast Explant Surgery

Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun

Learn more about breast implant removal

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

You’ve stocked the fridge, cleared your calendar, and read every page of the pre-op packet. But a smooth plastic surgery recovery comes down to the little things you didn’t think of, like why your pets need to stay out of the room or how chores around the house can set you back.

Monique and Kayla share the recovery hacks that don’t always make it into the official instructions—like why boxer briefs beat fancy underwear after a tummy tuck, how wedge pillows can save your sleep, and why that postpartum “squeeze bottle” might be your best friend when you can’t shower.

They also cover the less glamorous (but essential) realities: planning for constipation, setting alarms for meds, prepping high-protein meals, and giving yourself emotional grace while your body does the hard work of healing.

Recovery isn’t just about following doctor’s orders. It’s about setting yourself up with the right tools, support, and mindset so you can actually rest, heal, and see the results you’ve been waiting for.

Links
Read more about Kayla, Clinic Manager and Lead for Dr. Swistun

CNN Health, Man loses hands and feet after dog-related infection

Bedluxe Wedge Pillow

Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow

Hanes Boxer Briefs

Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle

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

Breast implants don’t just change your body. They can impact your mind too.

For many women, removing implants brings unexpected relief: less anxiety, deeper sleep, clearer thinking, even a sense of liberation they didn’t realize they were missing. Patients often say, “I got my life back.”

San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun and his wife, clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Dominika Swistun, explain how implants can fuel anxiety and disrupt sleep, and why explant surgery often lifts both physical and emotional weight.

From the story of a woman who was placed on full disability for panic attacks and immediately felt like herself again after explant surgery to research showing how sleep quality shapes mental health, the Swistuns reveal the powerful—and often overlooked—connection between implants, the body, and the mind.

Links

Listen to our previous episode, A Sleep Specialist’s Secrets for Better Mood, Skin & Energy

Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun and schedule your complimentary consultation

Follow Dr. Swistun on Instagram @swistunmd to see his explant results

Learn more about breast implant removal

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

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 question feels rushed, to collaborating with naturopathic doctors for whole-body healing, Dr. Swistun believes in treating patients the way he’d want his own family treated.

You’ll hear how he supports women navigating breast implant associated illness, why emotional recovery matters just as much as physical healing, and how his philosophy of lifelong aesthetic health means never closing doors on your future options.

Links

Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun and schedule your complimentary consultation

Follow Dr. Swistun on Instagram @swistunmd to see his results and learn more about his approach to care

Learn more about breast implant removal


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

When Jamie Lee Curtis called plastic surgery “the genocide of a generation of women,” it sparked backlash—and for good reason.

It’s a strong, loaded word to use, and it misses the reality for so many people.

Celebrity opinions like this can be damaging and fuel misconceptions about plastic surgery, feed harmful stereotypes, and erase the deeply personal reasons people choose it in the first place.

Most people aren’t chasing Hollywood beauty. They’re everyday individuals seeking confidence, comfort, or relief from conditions like lipedema. 

Monique and Hannah share procedures that have little to do with “societal pressures” and everything to do with feeling good in your own skin.

Links

The Guardian, ‘Generations of women have been disfigured’: Jamie Lee Curtis lets rip on plastic surgery, power, and Hollywood’s age problem

CBS News, Jamie Lee Curtis: The 60 Minutes Interview

NewBeauty, Jamie Lee Curtis Revealed the Dark Reason She Chose to Get Plastic Surgery at 25

Vanity Fair, Jamie Lee Curtis Loves Being a Nepo Baby

Follow Dr. Hector Salazar’s lipedema Instagram @lipedemasandiego

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

In 2019, Kayla joined the LJCSC dream team as a patient care coordinator and quickly grew into leadership roles thanks to her strong clinical background and deep empathy for patients. Today, she’s the Clinic Manager and Lead for Dr. Luke Swistun.

Fun fact: before Kayla joined us, she was a patient of Dr. Swistun. Her firsthand experience as a former patient herself gives her a unique perspective that patients instantly connect with.

Kayla is passionate about helping you feel confident in your decisions and supported throughout your journey. For her, it’s incredibly meaningful to see you reach your goals—whether that means feeling more like yourself, improving your health, or stepping into a new chapter with confidence. 

Links

Read more about Kayla, Clinic Manager and Lead for Dr. Swistun

Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun

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