Cosmetic Surgery

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 https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/body/prescription-weight-loss-programs/
Get to know San Diego skinny shot director Dr. Gerald Haas https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/gerald-r-haas-md/
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
00:29 - Welcome Dr. Jerry Haas, weight management director
01:32 - How do GLP-1s work?
02:30 - Mastering GLP-1 dosing
03:42 - Weight loss vs. maintenance doses
07:08 - The benefits of weight loss check-ins
09:41 - Misconceptions about GLP-1 medications
12:20 - How the skinny shot changes lives
13:20 - GLP-1s to reach goals before plastic surgery
15:10 - Transitioning off of GLP-1s
17:32 - Microdosing weight loss medications
19:28 - How fast will I lose weight on GLP-1s?
22:10 - GLP-1s and the brain
23:04 - GLP-1 side effects and how to manage them
25:40 - How to maintain muscle on GLP-1s
27:24 - Where do our GLP-1s come from?
29:06 - Clearing up misconceptions about weight loss
30:45 - Why choose LJCSC for the skinny shot?
32:54 - How much does semaglutide cost?
35:05 - How long will it take to reach my goals?
36:35 - Links and outro
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/face-hair/eyelid-surgery/
Plastic Surgery Practice, This Plastic Surgery Procedure Quietly Took the Top Spot in 2024 https://plasticsurgerypractice.com/treatment-solutions/innovations/industry-trends/plastic-surgery-procedure-quietly-top-spot-2024/?utm_term=PSP%20eReport%20June%202025&utm_campaign_type=newsletter&utm_hsid=251689&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=369072469&utm_source=newsletter
Read more about San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kiersten Riedler https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-kiersten-riedler/
Book a free 15-to-30-minute complimentary phone call with one of our expert patient coordinators https://calendly.com/bookmeljcsc/concierge?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes
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
00:18 - Welcome Dr. Kiersten Riedler
00:44 - Why is eyelid surgery more popular than lipo now?
01:49 - The first area that shows aging changes
03:37 - Functional benefits of eyelid surgery
04:26 - Reasons people get eyelid surgery
05:30 - Does forehead Botox cause droopy eyelids?
07:07 - Who gets eyelid surgery?
08:24 - Lifestyle reasons to notice aging eyes
09:52 - What to do if you’re considering eyelid surgery
11:00 - Treatment options for aging eyes
12:58 - Fat vs. filler for the eye area
15:55 - What to expect after eyelid surgery
17:38 - What to expect on your eyelid surgery day
18:40 - Predictions for eyelid surgery popularity
19:40 - Links and outro
Most BII patients feel dismissed before finding the right surgeon.
Here’s how Dr. Swistun flips that script by listening deeply, asking the questions others miss, and delivering care that makes patients write paragraphs-long reviews.
Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-luke-swistun/
Learn more about breast implant removal https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast/breast-implant-removal/
From supplements to lymphatic massage, what’s really worth it after explant surgery?
Dr. Swistun shares what he recommends, why less is often more, and how integrative care can support your healing.
Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-luke-swistun/
Learn more about breast implant removal https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast/breast-implant-removal/
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/blog/podcast-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 https://www.ljcsc.com/blog/podcast-happy-wife-happy-life-a-husbands-perspective-on-breast-explant-surgery/
Meet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-luke-swistun/
Learn more about breast implant removal https://www.ljcsc.com/procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast/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 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
00:05 - Welcome sisters Jennifer and Laura
00:56 - Why Jennifer is getting an explant
04:42 - Why I chose Dr. Swistun and LJCSC
07:44 - Why I chose auto-augmentation instead of new implants
12:49 - Dr. Swistun’s educational videos post explant
15:56 - My breast implant removal plan
17:50 - Seeing auto-augmentation before and after photos
19:10 - How my boyfriend feels about my explant
21:20 - Looking forward to Jennifer’s results
22:40 - Breast implant removal recovery plans
24:03 - How I’m preparing myself for explant surgery
25:12 - What I’m most excited for after my explant
26:16 - Going through this journey with my sister
27:42 - Takeaways and appreciation
30:39 - Outro
Want a smoother recovery after plastic surgery? It’s not about stronger painkillers; it’s about smarter strategies.
Dr. Swistun shares the small touches that make the biggest difference.
Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-luke-swistun/
Your results should last, not lead to surgery after surgery.
Learn how Dr. Swistun helps you future-proof your plastic surgery choices for long-term happiness and function.
Read more about San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Luke Swistun https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/plastic-surgeons/dr-luke-swistun/
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 https://www.ljcsc.com/about/meet-the-team/clinical-operating-room-team/kayla/
CNN Health, Man loses hands and feet after dog-related infection https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/18/health/dog-saliva-infection-capnocytophaga

Bedluxe Wedge Pillow https://a.co/d/igSiZlm
Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow https://a.co/d/0sLFU5Z
Hanes Boxer Briefs https://a.co/d/5LzGAus
Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle https://a.co/d/a8Bfu1e
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
00:22 - Welcome Kayla, clinic manager and lead nurse
00:50 - Why should you keep a distance from pets after surgery?
06:20 - What to plan for before plastic surgery
08:52 - What NOT to do while recovering from plastic surgery
11:30 - Kayla’s plastic surgery recovery hacks
13:54 - What should friends help with after surgery?
15:00 - What NOT to forget before going into surgery
16:35 - Myths about plastic surgery recovery
19:25 - Being prepared mentally and physically for surgery
21:20 - Links and outro