Cosmetic Surgery

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 restoring youthful volume in a way that looks soft, natural, and unmistakably you.
He explains what areas of your body he takes the fat from, why your own fat is such a valuable resource, and how modern techniques have made fat transfer safer, more predictable, and longer lasting than ever.
He clears up some of the biggest misconceptions people have—what lasts, what doesn’t, and why the quality of the fat harvested matters more than you realize.
Dr. Brahme also shares what decades of experience have taught him about achieving natural results, the science behind graft survival, and the small technical details that make a big difference in your outcome.
Links
View Dr. Brahme’s facial fat transfer before and after photos https://www.ljcsc.com/gallery/face/facial-fat-transfer/?Provider=Dr.%20Brahme
Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Johan Brahme https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-johan-brahme/
Schedule a meeting with Dr. Brahme’s patient coordinator to get started on your facial rejuvenation journey https://b.link/johan-brahme-md
Learn more about facial fat transfer https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/face-hair/fat-transfer/
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/or follow the team on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ljcsc/
Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre/
The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: https://www.theaxis.io/
Theme music: Busy People, SOOP
Contents of this video:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Where does fat go after lipo?
02:44 - How much fat sticks around after being transferred to the face?
03:40 - Other areas fat can be transferred to
04:40 - What areas is filler worth it for?
05:10 - Why get lipo without fat transfer?
05:50 - Can both men and women get facial fat transfer?
06:30 - How long does fat transfer last?
06:50 - Does facial fat transfer migrate?
07:30 - Why I love doing both face and body plastic surgery
09:20 - Kris Jenner leading the natural facelift charge
11:00 - Where does fat come from for facial fat transfer?
12:02 - What areas of the face can I transfer fat to?
14:48 - What is nanofat?
15:55 - The quality of fat and why it matters
17:00 - My artistic philosophy behind lipo with facial fat transfer
18:00 - Managing expectations
20:06 - Does fat transfer make facelift recovery longer?
21:08 - Using before and after photos to set expectations
22:24 - Biggest misconceptions about fat
24:00 - Examples of success stories with fat transfer
25:50 - Closing and outro
Not all facelifts are created equal. Dr. Riedler explains how every deep plane facelift is customized for your anatomy, hairline, and even gender, revealing the hidden details that make a facelift look natural.
Full podcast episode: https://youtu.be/-9yqgE9bT4I
Meet San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-kiersten-riedler/
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-looking results that last a decade or longer.
Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler explains the ins and outs of this technique, from who it’s best for to what recovery looks like. Men and women often see changes in both the lower face and neck, so Dr. Riedler almost always includes a neck lift for the most balanced results.
She shares what to expect during recovery, including tips for keeping your head elevated, gentle skincare, and using makeup to conceal initial scars.
Links
Book a free 15-to-30-minute complimentary phone call with Dr. Riedler’s patient coordinator https://b.link/kiersten-riedler-md
Meet San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-kiersten-riedler/
Learn more about facelift surgery https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/face-hair/facelift/
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/ or follow the team on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ljcsc/
Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre/
The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: https://www.theaxis.io/
Theme music: Busy People, SOOP
Contents of this video:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Facelift types overview
01:50 What is a deep plane facelift and how does it work?
03:50 What areas does the deep plane facelift address?
04:54 Combining procedures for upper face aging changes
06:13 Customizing facelifts for each patient
07:09 Deep plane facelift incision options
09:01 Deep plane facelift recovery timeline
13:13 Best candidates for deep plane facelift
13:39 How long does a deep plane facelift take?
14:23 Pain management after facelift
16:04 How long does a deep plane facelift last?
17:16 Can a deep plane facelift be a secondary facelift?
18:59 Deep plane facelift risks
20:06 Trust the process
23:09 Why are deep plane facelifts so popular?
25:08 Wrap-up and outro
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.
Dr. Smoot looks back on how the field has transformed since he first scrubbed in, from evolving techniques to the rise of natural, proportionate results and the growing acceptance of cosmetic procedures. He shares what’s surprised him, what’s stayed the same, and what he believes is coming next as less invasive treatments continue to take over.
Hear why he’s always chased improvement, how he balances artistry with science, and the traits that he believes every great surgeon has to develop.
Plus, he opens up about mentorship, the relationships that shaped his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave as he heads toward retirement.
Links
Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. John Smoot https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-john-smoot/
Book a consultation with Dr. Smoot before he leaves https://b.link/john-smoot-md-facs
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/or follow the team on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ljcsc/
Watch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentre/
The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: https://www.theaxis.io/
Theme music: Busy People, SOOP
Contents of this video:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - How it feels to be retiring as a plastic surgeon
01:35 - Biggest highlights of my career
02:30 - How the National Guard shaped my approach to surgery
03:50 - Serving others as a plastic surgeon
05:20 - How plastic surgery has changed since I started practicing
06:35 - Lessons learned in 40 years as a plastic surgeon
08:00 - Advice for plastic surgeons starting their career
08:40 - Combining artistry and science
09:20 - Focusing on advanced breast lift and breast revision techniques
11:00 - Grafts for breast surgery
12:00 - How my research shaped how I operate
12:25 - What separates a good plastic surgeon from a great one?
13:00 - Surgeries that still excite me
13:50 - Proportion and balance over dramatic change
15:10 - Patient stories that still move me today
15:58 - The legacy I hope to be remembered by
16:45 - Qualities I hope the next generation of plastic surgeons continues
17:30 - The advantages of working in a group practice
19:55 - Music in the OR
20:50 - What excites me about the future of plastic surgery
22:40 - The most rewarding part of my daily routine as a plastic surgeon
23:45 - How I plan to spend my time in retirement
25:05 - Summary of my career as a plastic surgeon
28:02 - Wrap-up and outro