Episodes

  • Lipo vs. Tummy Tuck: Which Will Actually Flatten Your Stomach?

    Lipo vs. Tummy Tuck: Which Will Actually Flatten Your Stomach?
    Mar 24 2026
    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 separation, and deeper layers like fascia all play a role in what will give you the result you want.

    They get into body contouring scars, recovery, why “less invasive” doesn’t always mean better, and where options like Renuvion and fat transfer come in.

    If you’re trying to figure out what you really need to make your tummy flatter, this conversation is a good reminder: it’s not one-size-fits-all, and having a surgeon you trust makes all the difference.

    Links

    Read more about La Jolla plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes

    Learn more about tummy tuck and liposuction

    Listen to our episode about Dr. Salazar’s signature BellaButton tummy tuck technique Why Your Belly Button is the Most Important Part of a Tummy Tuck

    Listen to our episode about plastic surgery incisions Why Scars are a Trade-Off You Won’t Regret

    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
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    33 mins
  • The Hidden Dangers of Going Outside the US for Plastic Surgery

    The Hidden Dangers of Going Outside the US for Plastic Surgery
    Mar 18 2026
    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 and limited follow-up to the financial fallout when complications happen back in the U.S.

    They also talk about why social media is driving more people to consider surgery overseas, what most people underestimate about recovery, and why researching your surgeon, your facility, and your post-op plan matters just as much as the procedure itself.

    When it comes to plastic surgery, the cheapest option can quickly become the most expensive.

    Links

    Listen to our previous episode, Plastic Surgery Doesn’t End When the Procedure is Over

    American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Medical Tourism for Cosmetic Surgery High Risk of Complications, High Costs for Treatment

    American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Will economic uncertainty drive more patients overseas for plastic surgery? What to consider and how to stretch your dollar back home

    The Guardian, NHS spending up to £19k a time treating people suffering after overseas surgery, research finds

    PubMed Central, Costs Versus Complications: Public Perspectives on International Cosmetic Surgery Tourism

    UT Southwestern Medical Center, Risks to consider before getting plastic surgery abroad

    Learn more about patient safety

    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
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • How Today’s HD Lipo Is Not What It Was Five Years Ago

    How Today’s HD Lipo Is Not What It Was Five Years Ago
    Mar 10 2026
    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 it takes to see results, and why choosing an experienced plastic surgeon is critical for outcomes that look natural.
    From candidate selection to long-term maintenance, hear Dr. Salazar’s honest look at what HD lipo can and can’t do.

    Links

    Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes

    Learn more about HD lipo

    Listen to our previous episode, Plastic Surgery Doesn’t End When the Procedure is Over

    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
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • How GLP-1s Are Changing Plastic Surgery

    How GLP-1s Are Changing Plastic Surgery
    Mar 3 2026
    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 long-term results.

    Janelle shares her personal experience using low-dose GLP-1s for maintenance, and why they can make weight management feel more sustainable rather than mentally exhausting.

    They discuss why customization matters, how microdosing fits into real life, and what people often get wrong about side effects and stigma. Hear how weight loss ties into surgical outcomes and why physician-led programs make a difference.

    Links

    Read the full story discussed: Plastic Surgery Practice, 1 in 7 Americans Plan To Use GLP-1s in 2026, Survey Finds

    Learn more about the Signature Skinny Shot

    Read our prescription weight loss program reviews

    Watch our silly office video of the Dream Team turning down Crumbl cookies thanks to the Skinny Shot

    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
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Why Taking Breast Implants Out Can Cost More Than Putting Them In

    Why Taking Breast Implants Out Can Cost More Than Putting Them In
    Feb 24 2026
    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 implants are removed and why removal alone doesn’t always deliver the look women want. Hear how lifts, auto-augmentation, and fat transfer can help restore shape using your own tissue.

    Dr. Swistun walks through how to think about long-term goals, costs, and recovery, and why doing it right the first time can mean fewer surgeries down the road.

    Links

    Meet San Diego explant surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun

    View cosmetic surgery prices and before and after photos at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre

    Listen to our previous episode, Fuller Breasts Using Your Own Tissue? Auto-Augmentation
    Explained

    Listen to our previous episode, What Really Happens to Your Breasts After Implant Removal

    Listen to our previous episode, “Holistic” Explant Surgery: Buzzword or Reality?

    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
    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Plastic Surgery Doesn’t End When the Procedure is Over

    Plastic Surgery Doesn’t End When the Procedure is Over
    Feb 17 2026
    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 itself.

    Follow-up visits are a critical part of healing safely and confidently, not just a formality. He walks through what to expect during recovery, why open communication with your surgeon matters, and which warning signs should never be brushed off.

    Dr. Salazar shares how to choose the right surgeon, from board certification and hospital privileges to the years of training required to manage complications if they arise. He explains why not every provider offering cosmetic surgery has the same level of expertise and why safety should always come before cost.

    From recovery houses and local support to the realities of medical tourism, Dr. Salazar emphasizes the importance of having a real safety net in place, because feeling supported shouldn’t stop once surgery is over.

    Links

    Plastic Surgery Practice, After Outpatient Cosmetic Surgery, They Wound Up in the Hospital or Alone at a Recovery House

    NBC News, When a cosmetic surgery chain arrived, lawsuits alleging shoddy care followed

    Learn more about patient safety

    Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes

    Listen to our previous episode, What NOT To Do During Recovery After Plastic Surgery

    Learn about the best hotels in San Diego if you’re considering traveling to see Dr. Salazar
    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
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • The Plastic Surgery Recovery Rules You Can’t Ignore

    The Plastic Surgery Recovery Rules You Can’t Ignore
    Feb 10 2026
    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 trusted LVNs, walks through the parts patients tend to skim: stopping certain meds, what anesthesia does to your body, why you need a responsible adult after surgery, and how simple things like pets, sleep position, and meal prep can make or break your recovery.

    You’ll also learn about the emotional side of it all—how nerves and excitement show up together, why asking questions matters, and how being prepared helps you feel calmer, safer, and more confident heading into surgery and healing.

    Links

    Read more about Jocelyn

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

    Hear 360 lipo patient Amie’s smart recovery tips on How Amie Got The Body Of Her 20’s Back (At 40-Something)

    Check our our plastic surgery recovery 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
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Meet Jocelyn, Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse

    Meet Jocelyn, Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse
    Feb 3 2026
    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 people at ease. From pre-op prep to post-op check-ins, she’s right there making sure you feel safe, supported, and truly heard.

    Before joining LJCSC, she worked in compliance overseeing dozens of clinics, but she quickly realized her heart belongs at the bedside, building real connections with patients during some of their most vulnerable moments.

    Jocelyn loves being part of the emotional side of transformation just as much as the physical, and she believes great care starts with trust, communication, and a little bit of laughter along the way.

    Links

    Read more about Jocelyn

    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
    Show more Show less
    25 mins