The 1 Thing You Can’t Live Without After Plastic Surgery

Monique Ramsey (00:01):
Welcome everyone to The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast. I'm your hostess, Monique Ramsey. And today on the podcast I have a mother-daughter duo, and I'm super excited about this. So I have Alexis, who's a patient of Dr. Swistun and had her dream procedures done, and then her mother, Regina, and we actually have another episode about her that you'll have to listen to. And she also had some wonderful little procedures by Dr. Swistun. And so it's kind of fun to have a mother-daughter duo and talk about why and how that relationship was during surgery and with each other's surgery. So welcome.

Regina (00:46):
Thank you.

Alexis (00:46):
Hi. Thank you.

Monique Ramsey (00:47):
Yeah. So let's start with you, Alexis. Start by telling us the procedures you had and you sort of had an extra step before you came to have surgery, and tell us about that.

Alexis (00:59):
Yeah, so I met with Dr. Swistun and I told him that I was currently taking Wegovy, so I was planning on trying to lose all that baby weight and the covid weight before I had some procedures done. And then after, I think it was about nine months, then I felt like I was ready to go and I had a tummy tuck along with a 360 lipo, a brachioplasty, which was actually something that I had wanted pretty much my whole life. And then since I was there, just a little bit under the chin taken out just to define my face shape a bit.

Monique Ramsey (01:36):
And so for the people in the audience, if you haven't heard of a brachioplasty, it's an arm lift. And normally the scars are kind of between your armpit and your elbow because it's that extra, that little extra that if you're shaking the pompom at the football game and it wiggles or waggles, sometimes it's just extra skin, not necessarily fat. So tell us about your weight loss journey a little bit, because we do the Skinny Shot at the center, and a lot of people do want maybe a body contouring procedure like a mommy makeover, but maybe they're not quite at their weight and they wouldn't have the best result. So a lot of times the doctors want to get you as close to that weight as you can get. Tell us about that journey a little bit.

Alexis (02:21):
Yeah, I find that drug just absolutely amazing. I always was someone who struggled with my weight. I was never the small little cheerleader in high school or anything. I was always kind of the taller, bigger girl. And so when my doctor said this could be an option for you, I started it and the results were pretty much almost immediate. I think I average about one or two pounds a week on it. So the weight loss was very obvious, very clear, very fast, and I really didn't find it that big of an imposition, just one shot a week, a little bit of maybe nausea and tiredness, just like that night that I take it. But the rest of the week just fine. And it's really incredible how it really, the idea of like, oh, I'll go eat a little snack, or I could use a little treat. That noise in your head just quiets down a lot. You eat your meals, but they're much smaller because you can really feel your body telling you we're full, we don't need anymore.

Monique Ramsey (03:28):
And how long before you had your consult or your surgery and how much weight had you lost at that point?

Alexis (03:36):
So when I had my consult, so I got Wegovy with insurance, and there's a couple steps you have to go through before you can get insurance to approve it. At the time, there wasn't really any med spas offering it. It was through insurance or through med, through your doctor, or not at all. And so first I was on an initial drug and to prove that I could lose the weight, and so I lost about 20 pounds on that drug and then got into the Wegovy shortage, so I kind of had to wait until it was back in stock. So it took about six to seven months. And between the 20 pounds and the Wegovy weight before I came back to have another consult with Dr. Swistun, I was at around, I want to say 70 or 75 pounds.

Monique Ramsey (04:24):
Wow. Wow. Huge difference. Huge difference. So probably you went from not even being a candidate yet to being a candidate, or did you have a consult first?

Alexis (04:38):
Yeah, so I had an initial consult and he was like, we can start right now if you want. He's like, some people want to lose weight, some people want to just get it done now, it's really up to you. So I was like, let's wait and see what those drugs will do and what will happen with it. And I think I'm very glad I waited because I think it was summer that we went in, and then when I came back it was spring and everyone was like, oh my God, different person. Who are you? But then it was really good. And actually, so I went from having the large liposuction designation to just a medium because of that, which saved me a little money. It was just nice.

Monique Ramsey (05:21):
Well, yeah, and I think it's less risky too, the more you're closer to your weight, the way less chances for complications in a lot of different ways. And so plus you'll just have a better result to your mother. So Regina, so what were your initial thoughts when Alexis told you at first that she was thinking about having a cosmetic procedure, and especially because you had gone through it yourself?

Regina (05:47):
To tell you the truth, I kind of was the one that really encouraged her because I knew how unhappy she was with certain parts of her body, particularly her arms, and that was the major thing she was focusing on. And I was like, no, do it, do it, do it. And I told her, if you do it now, you'll enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Monique Ramsey (06:07):
I love this because this is what I've noticed myself by having certain procedures at certain ages because then you do, you enjoy it longer, but that's not the normal thought process, I'm going to be honest, Regina. A lot of people think, oh, I'm too young, or you're too young, or you don't need it. And you're exactly right. And that's, isn't that nice, Alexis, that your mom would encourage you to, yeah, go ahead and do it.

Alexis (06:33):
Speaking of the normal thought process, I always had this idea that plastic surgery was something that really vain people do, or celebrities, movie stars. I didn't know how common it was. It doesn't seem like it's something people share with each other. Because once my mom had her procedure and then we were talking about doing my procedure, all these people were like, oh yeah, I've had a tummy tuck, oh yeah, I've had my eyes done. And I was like, well, I wish I would've known because I would've thought of it earlier maybe.

Monique Ramsey (07:03):
Right. Well, yeah, it is helpful to know that you're not out on an island by yourself and your own thoughts about your body or how, and it doesn't matter when anybody else thinks, it only matters what you think, but at the same time, it's kind of nice to know that you're not alone and that there's other people in your friend group, or in your family, with mom, that have done it before. And it is normal, it really is. I mean, in the 36 years we've been around, I mean, we've got thousands and thousands and thousands of patients and normal people just, it's not the celebrities. I mean, I'll never forget, we had a cement truck driver who came in and she wanted a breast aug. That was her profession. I was like, oh, okay, everybody does this, literally, everybody does this. So Regina, tell us about, you went first and we have an episode about this, so we'll put it in the show notes so everybody can hear your full story, a very interesting story, very interesting. You had had surgery at another place and had a complication. So tell us about why you initially came to La Jolla Cosmetic to fix that result.

Regina (08:14):
Well, it turned out that after, I think it was at least six months or eight months, I would look at myself in the mirror when I would be dressing, and every time I looked, I was like, oh, I had this tummy tuck fail. I had some lumps, and then I had had an infection in my incision, and there were two spots where that was visible. And then I had the side things that they call dog ears. And I just really would look at myself and was just unhappy. And I thought I went through a lot with my first surgery, and then I just decided I just didn't want to look at myself like that every day forever. And I would talk some of my doctors, and one day I was here in this building at my endocrinologist and in their office they started talking about La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery, I was just like, oh. Then they mentioned Dr. Swistun, and I was like, oh. So. I did my initial booking. And then Alexis actually came with me, we went to all our appointments together, so we almost had a double getting to know Dr. Swistun and La Jolla Cosmetic. And so that was really great. That gave us each very good confidence.

Monique Ramsey (09:27):
That's neat. Okay, so Regina, you had surgery first, and I love that you both went to all each other's appointments because not that you need a person with you, but it really helps because there's a lot of information and you're getting to know the doctor, and you're getting to know the staff, and you're getting to thinking about that procedure for the first time and maybe learning about it for the first time. There's so much to process and it's a little intimidating. And to have another person with you if you ask a question, is the doctor hearing your question the right way? And it's helpful to have a nurse there because they're making sure everybody's translating the same, the intent of the question. But even when you get home, it's like that other person who's with you can remind you of certain things that might have been said. And did you find that for each other, Alexis, did you find that helpful?

Alexis (10:24):
Yeah, a lot of my questions really were focused on the more medical aspect of it. Because of my mom's initial experience, I wanted to know, what do I look for? What issues should I be watching for? So it was good because then also I could carry all that information onto my own surgery as well. And it's also really nice in that you do get a bit overwhelmed when you're thinking about doing this. It's a big thing. And so sometimes things that you wanted to ask or should have asked you might forget about, and then you're like, oh, I have to wait until the next one. But since the other person isn't in that same mental state as you, they're a little more objective, they're not feeling that pressure. Then they remember to ask those questions or to come up with the questions that you're like, oh, I really should have asked that.

Monique Ramsey (11:13):
Right. Or if you don't remember something they told you. And then, and so what were your initial thoughts, Regina, when you met Dr. Swistun, especially having been through not kind of a very negative experience from your first surgery with another doctor?

Regina (11:31):
Well, it was like night and day personality difference. Dr. Swistun isn't the, what I would call typical plastic surgeon. He's very, humble is a really good word to describe him. He's not overly into himself. And actually what he does is he's asking you what do you want? And then he looks you and says, this is what would be good for you. And you can tell that he really cares. And it's not about him and what he can do and how great he is. It's about what will make you feel better, what do you need to improve and how can he help you? And I really was, I dunno, taken aback by the difference in personalities from my original doctor to Dr. Swistun. And so right away when I knew that, and Alexis was with me at that appointment too, and she said, oh yeah, mom, he is just really a good guy, je cares. And so both of us kind of fell in love and that was the end of that.

Alexis (12:34):
We have a word for him.

Monique Ramsey (12:37):
Do you? Okay, let's hear it.

Alexis (12:38):
Yes. So the first time we were there, there's a phrase for him. And then when the second appointment we had as we were driving, and I was like, I hope he's still that. So there's a personality type called a cinnamon roll where they're just so sweet and warm and kind and nice. And so then I always call him a cinnamon roll because that's what he is.

Monique Ramsey (13:02):
I love that. I love that. Oh my gosh, that's the cutest thing. I love cinnamon rolls, so what's not to like, right. And I already love Dr. Swistun, but I think, so Alexis, did you kind of have the same perception as your mom? And especially because I think you'd met obviously your mom's former doctor, so you also had the comparison. So what were your thoughts about Dr. Swistun besides the cinnamon roll?

Alexis (13:30):
Starting with her first doctor, the first time I met him was when she was going into her appointment, and I was just immediately, I don't vibe with this guy to put it mildly. And so I was kind of like, I'm not going to have anything done because I am not comfortable with this guy. I don't want to do anything there. And so I was very, very apprehensive when going to meet Dr. Swistun because I was like, I'm really particular. And I was like, if I am not going to feel it, then I'm not going to do anything. But he is the best listener I think I have ever encountered. He asks you a question and he sits there and you can see him listening and letting you finish every thought that you might have in your head. And he absorbs it all. It's just really amazing.

Monique Ramsey (14:19):
I think you can pick up on fake in a millisecond. We can tell if somebody's being authentic, whatever the cues are, who knows? But we know it. And so it seems like both of you kind of knew it.

Alexis (14:34):
Yeah, he is really the most genuine person. He really loves what he does. He is really invested in doing the best possible job, not because for his own ego, but because he wants you to be happy. He wants to see you come back with a big smile on your face and wearing all the pretty clothes and everything. That's what he's looking for.

Monique Ramsey (15:00):
So as a Mother-daughter duo, how did you both support each other along your journeys? And I'll start with Regina.

Regina (15:07):
Alexis was really great, and like I told you, she helped me with my first one, and that was when I got septic and then went to the hospital. And so the initial few days were very nerve wracking for her. And finally when she got me to the hospital, then I think she could relax, but then she was nervous in a different way because she didn't know the outcome. The second surgery started, and again, she was taking care of me spending the night and everything, but I think she was waiting for some symptoms or signs and nothing happened. And so I think each day she relaxed and it got better. So then after I was good, then it was her turn to do the surgery and we just kind of flipped and I became the caregiver and she was the patient. So it actually really worked out. We were very supportive of each other.

Monique Ramsey (15:55):
I like that. And I think mother, daughter, husband, wife, best friends, think about your support systems because really you don't have to go at it alone. And some people like to hire a nurse and maybe if they're having really extensive procedures or they live alone, but think of the people in your life because it is so much better to feel like that you've got the support emotionally, where a nurse is wonderful, you have the support, you have the confidence in a nursing way, in a medical way, but you don't know them. And so I feel like if you can have a friend or you can have a family member, sister help you, as long as they're good with it. I've seen, I have to say, it's the funniest thing, I've been in the recovery room and where the husband or boyfriend comes to pick up the girl and from whatever she's had, and their eyes are like, you can tell they, they're like, oh my God. And they're trying to hear all the instructions and they're just deer in the headlights like, oh my gosh, what am I going to do? And in that case, if you don't think they can handle it, get a friend.

(17:12):
Because sometimes some men can handle it or girls, but yeah, I think having, it must have felt really good that if you're crabby and you're crabby to your mom or your mom's crabby to you, you love each other at the end of the day. So were either of you nervous at any point kind of going into your own surgery? Oh, Alexis is laughing. Okay. We'll start with you.

Regina (17:37):
Let Alexis have that one.

Alexis (17:41):
I'm pretty high strung.

Regina (17:44):
Really?

Alexis (17:46):
I'm a very nervous person.

Monique Ramsey (17:48):
Are you really? Okay.

Alexis (17:49):
Oh yes. Yeah. I think on the initial appointment with Dr. Swistun, I sat down and I'm like, so I'm going to cry a lot because that's how I process feelings. But yeah, so it, I kind of put it out of my mind while on the Wegovy, it was just like, okay, that's some point in the future. You don't have to think about it, cuz no date on it. But then when I got that date of when it was going to happen, it kind of every day was just inching a little bit more towards total breakdown basically. And then once I was in there, sitting in the room waiting for the nurse to come and just take me to the OR only thing going through my mind was like, you can just leave. This is not going to save your life or anything. Nobody's keeping you here. And it took everything in me to sit and not walk out the door.

Monique Ramsey (18:51):
Wow. Okay. But that's good to know that, I mean, that's a valid feeling and I bet you other people in the audience have had that feeling too. So I had that feeling with my first son and he was eight days late, and I wanted him the heck out of my body. And I got to the hospital to get induced and all that. I started bawling because as much as I wanted it, I was terrified of the whole thing. And I was like, what do I do? I can't do this. So all of us have that. And at some point, whether it's with cosmetic surgery or the dentist or pushing out a baby. Okay, so you wanted to leave?

Alexis (19:35):
I did. I know my mom's like,

Monique Ramsey (19:37):
And your mom's like, no, sit down. Sit down.

Alexis (19:41):
Yes. And then when she had to go, actually the nurse was Rachel, and I looked at her and I'm like, you're my mom now. I was like, since my mom had to go, you're my mom for right now. I need someone in here to be my mom.

Monique Ramsey (19:58):
Oh, that's nice. And the nurses are so sweet. They're so nice, and they have so much experience. And Regina, you and I talked about that on your podcast, is that the experience level and knowing that they've been there, done that and seen it, and they're going to give you the confidence to help you through it, whatever it's, whether it's emotionally, whatever, and to answer the questions, all of it. So did anything surprise either of you throughout the process? And I'll start with you, Regina.

Regina (20:28):
The only thing that actually surprised me was for myself how well it went. And then that Alexis got through it. And then once we knew that the hard time was over, and then actually the results for Alexis, they just, it's better than what I could have expected. And I am so beyond happy for her. And every time I look at her, I'm like, I'm really grateful to Dr. Swistun and that we found him because she's become so happy. And she has an adorable little daughter, of course, my granddaughter, but she's just become a different woman. She's lighter, she's happier, she's more into how she looks. And Dr. Swistun gave her that gift, and I will never be able to forget that. So that was what surprised me, how wonderful she looks after all that.

Monique Ramsey (21:24):
Aw, are we going to cry? Are we all going to cry?

Regina (21:27):
I think so.

Monique Ramsey (21:27):
Regina. Okay. So what about you, Alexis? Anything surprise you through the process?

Alexis (21:35):
I had a little bit of a joke and I don't really want to make it after that. Well, mine was my big one was the location of one of my drains was very surprising for me. It was in the back right at my tailbone, which I was not expecting.

(21:51):
But for me, being more serious, I'm really surprised at how fast the recovery is. Not to say that it's not hard, but I was expecting like, oh, you're laid up for months, you can't do anything. And by the end of the first week, I was going to the store really slowly and everything and being very careful, but I couldn't believe it. I was up walking around, getting in the car, going grocery shopping and everything. And then now when I think it's like I'm a little over three months out and I have absolutely no real body restraints of like, oh, I had this big surgery just that short amount of time ago.

Monique Ramsey (22:37):
Yeah, it is. I mean, you had extensive surgery, a lot of incisions, and so it's just a lot of stuff to heal and it is hard, but I think it's the hardest part is usually the first couple days and just getting comfortable, getting comfortable, and then it's like you can turn a corner. But I feel like there's an emotional part of it too. Like getting the drugs out of your system from the anesthesia and that hump of, and swelling and bruising, depending on the procedure can kind of max on the third day. But we're all different. And I think the biggest thing is just no matter how good you feel, let your body heal because you can put yourself backwards. So Alexis, for yours, did you feel, when did you kind of feel like you were turning a corner in your healing? How long into the healing?

Alexis (23:39):
So my surgerys was on a Friday, and I'd say by the next Friday I was definitely feeling a lot better, not wanting to sit on the couch. I wanted to go out and do things. I got tired very quickly and everything, but it's mentally, I was like, I feel that I'm feeling better and I want to be sure that I'm not just kind of letting myself atrophy. And I had the energy and the desire to go out and do things. And then by the second week, other than maybe struggling a little bit to get out of bed because of the tummy tuck, I felt pretty normal, maybe a little more tired than I would have normally, but it's just really surprising how quickly I felt like it went.

Monique Ramsey (24:28):
Yeah, it's actually good to be moving a little bit, even if it's not a lot. Well, I love going back Regina, to your thoughts about Alexis and the surgery and her results. And when you were saying that it made me think Dr. Swistun helped bring out what was there inside, right? It is like she blossomed and I'm seeing her in this beautiful floral top. And as you were saying that, I was thinking that she blossomed into the woman that she's supposed to be, and that was in there all along. And I think all of us, when whatever we have that's maybe holding us back that we're not confident about, whether it's our profile or the little stuff under the neck or whatever, the arms, all the things that it's like once you fix it, do you feel like then you can just go on your happy way, do your thing.

Regina (25:28):
Like I said, for me watching her, I mean, I was very happy with my results after Dr. Swistun did my revision. But watching Alexis and what happened with her and her increase in self-confidence, her increase in wanting to wear makeup more and wear, not prettier or sexier clothes, but you know what I mean, just more tailored clothes maybe. And that's just been really great to watch. And I am just grateful every day that she has that, it's just the best thing ever. I couldn't get a better gift.

Monique Ramsey (26:10):
And look at, you guys are going to be out on the town together and slaying, as they say. So Alexis, what would your advice be to somebody who's considering the skinny shot to get themselves to a goal like yourself, to get yourself to being a better candidate for surgery?

Alexis (26:33):
I think a lot of it is listening to your body. It's very easy to over eat and then give yourself stomach problems when you're on the Skinny Shot because your body is working differently. So a lot of it was being more cognizant and eating more slowly, just drinking a lot more, making sure that I wasn't just being mindless. It's much easier to be, so there is a lot of, it's not just, oh, you take a shot and then everything happens and it's great. There's a lot of just being sure you're paying attention and then being sure you're staying active and everything. I walk with my mom every night nice for about four miles. And so I think that really contributed to helping the process go a little bit faster maybe.

Monique Ramsey (27:27):
Yeah.

Alexis (27:27):
So it really is you get out what you put in to taking the shot. I think you can really maximize your results if you want to. And I think because you're seeing it happen so quickly and the numbers and the scale going down, it really keeps your motivation very, very high.

Monique Ramsey (27:45):
Absolutely. I can agree with that completely, because especially if you're somebody who struggled with weight for a long time, you can try something. And if you don't see it working and you're putting in all this effort, it's so frustrating. It's like, what's the point? And where I agree with you that these shots are so different in the way that they work on your brain and help you not have all that food noise and to the point where it's almost like a little bit of a habit when you eat more. And I remember really for months at the beginning, having a hard time with portion control because I was used to putting a certain amount on my plate or used to having two pieces of toast, not one. Or it's just certain things that you just do without thinking, and then you're like, oh, I don't, I need that. I kept thinking, I need that. No, you don't. But getting yourself kind of wrapped around a new lifestyle, and I love that you do have to put in some work, but it is the easiest thing I've ever done, I have to say. But having enough hydration, keeping exercise in there, eating enough protein, I think the big, this is for me, sometimes one of the harder things to do is to make sure I'm getting enough protein.

Alexis (29:02):
The protein is hard because you don't have that appetite you used to. So you might have a couple bites, something small, and then you're like, well, but that's not a lot of protein that I just ate.

Monique Ramsey (29:15):
Yeah. So tell me a little bit about why the support system is important when you're getting cosmetic surgery. And I'll start with Regina.

Regina (29:25):
Well it's nice to know that somebody's backing what you want to do. And when you don't have that, if you have people discouraging you or saying, oh, maybe you shouldn't be doing this, maybe it's wrong, it's too expensive or whatever, it's kind of a downer. But if you have that support and somebody, and you know that person's going to be there and encouraging you to walk or encouraging you to watch what you're eating or maybe not have that last french fry or whatever it is, it's pretty amazing. And to know that you can depend on them if you're not feeling good or when you come home and they're there and they're watching you and they're making sure nothing bad is happening to you, it's really incredible to experience them.

Monique Ramsey (30:05):
Alexis, I'll have the same question for you about a support system.

Alexis (30:11):
I think having someone that you can kind of unload those negative feelings that you're feeling at the certain time because you're uncomfortable or you can't move very well right now, and knowing that they're not going to hold it against you. Sometimes, my mom and I, we swapped, she unloaded on me when it was her surgery, and then I could unload on her because it is hard. The surgery, they give you that graph that shows how your feelings will be with the surgery. And I definitely was like, that's not going to be me. I'm going to handle this. I've got this. And I cannot tell you how accurate that graph was of you're going to get really low for a little bit, and it's okay because then you're going to build yourself back up. But to have somebody, when you're at that really low point of telling you it's okay, you don't feel good now, but you're going to feel better soon.

Monique Ramsey (31:11):
Yeah, because all of it, it's normal. It's so normal. The one thing that graph shows, it's like right at the beginning you're like, why did I do this? I mean, even if you know that the graph says that, you're like, and then you're there, you're like, yesterday I was normal. I was fine. And today I can't even move. What have I done? Totally normal. But you're right. Having somebody who's going to forgive you if you're crabby, but having somebody, like I said, who's in that emotional connection, I think especially what you went through Regina in the first surgery, I mean, Alexis was invaluable because she took you to the ER.

Alexis (32:01):
Yes she did.

Monique Ramsey (32:01):
And when you stop having this office telling you things that when it's not making sense, and you finally are like, I got to make this call and we need to do this, having that trust, having that support system, you couldn't have been alone. And I don't know what day that was for you when you ended up going.

Alexis (32:23):
It was about four or five days after when I was actually able to convince her to go. She was just so far gone that she was telling me to go home. She was telling me, I'm fine, I don't need anything. And I think I spent almost two hours convincing her to go to get in the car to go to the ER.

Monique Ramsey (32:44):
Wow. Wow. I mean, because at day four or five, most people, you have your friend there, usually a day or two, and then you're like, okay, I'm fine. Yeah, I'm fine. But things can go bad really fast if they're going bad. And in your case, I mean, I've never heard this story like yours all my years in 33 years almost. I've never heard a story like yours, Regina, and I'm glad that I've never heard a story like yours until now, honestly. But for everybody in the audience, you have to listen to her episode and hear this story, cua you've come so far and you've been so brave. And so, okay, final results. Okay, so Alexis, you said it's been three months, and Regina, how long has it been for you?

Regina (33:26):
March 31st was when I had my revision.

Monique Ramsey (33:29):
Okay, so almost six months, right. All right. So how are you ladies liking the results? I'll start with Alexis.

Regina (33:36):
Well, for me, I'll start. I love mine, but I'm over the moon about hers. I look at her and I look at pictures from a year ago, and then I look at her with her daughter and it's like, oh my God. They look like the same person except one's mini and one's big. Because they much more resemble each other now, my granddaughter's very tall and thin, and now Alexis is very tall and thin. Don't get me wrong, I love my results. They did what I wanted. I don't have to look at myself in the mirror and see a mistake, which is what I was seeing every time I looked from my first surgery until Dr. Swistun revised me. It was a mistake. I wish I wouldn't have done it. It didn't really do me any good, but now I'm really great. But when I look at Alexis, it just gives me unbelievable joy to see what she looks like, because I think her on a scale, she's off the scale as far as how great her results are. So that's my take on it.

Monique Ramsey (34:39):
Okay. Alexis, what's your take?

Alexis (34:40):
I mean, I'm really, really happy with the tummy tuck and everything because after having a baby, you never get that. It's so hard to get that flat stomach back, especially because she was eight and a half pounds, so she was really chilling in there. But if I want to say I like my tummy tuck, I don't even know how to describe my arms. Even when I was at my best weight before this, my arms were always disproportional. I couldn't wear a lot of clothes because it would fit my torso, but I couldn't get my arms through it. And they've always been bigger. I told Dr. Swistun, I have not liked my arms since I was aware enough of my body to see that they looked wrong on me. And to have them where I can put on just any shirt or any dress at the store is just, I still kind of don't get it when I do it.

Monique Ramsey (35:44):
How did that just happen? The laws of physics have changed.

Alexis (35:48):
He was like, oh, you're going to have these scars. They, they're relatively well hidden, but you can see them from certain angles. And I kept telling him, I don't really think you understand how much I hate my arms, that these scars are nothing to me, compared to being able to go to a store and put on a T-shirt and not have to stretch out the arms to get my arm through it.

Monique Ramsey (36:18):
That's an enormous, enormous thing. And especially I think for somebody who's young, and like you said, you had this issue your whole life. I think as we women age, things get loose, but you kind of expect it. It's like, okay, but I'm getting older and my skin is flabbier and okay, that's one thing. But to be young, and I think your mom's point earlier was really, really good. The sooner you do it, the more you can enjoy it. And that freedom of being able to put something on and have it fit, it's a big thing. That's a big thing. Alright, well ladies, this was so much fun. So much fun.

Regina (37:01):
Thank you.

Monique Ramsey (37:01):
And everybody in the audience listen to Regina's episode. And Alexis and I are going to do an episode as well, so we'll have more detailed episodes. But I love this kind of Mother-daughter duo support system. And for anybody out there who's thinking about doing something, think about the people in your life who can help you through it and how you can be an encouragement to each other and be that your surgery buddy. So thank you again and we'll have links in the show notes for everybody and we'll see you on the next episode.

Regina (37:40):
Thank you for the opportunity to share.

Monique Ramsey (37:42):
Thank you.

Alexis (37:43):
Yeah, thank you so much.

Announcer (37:44):
Take a screenshot of this podcast episode with your phone and show it at your consultation or appointment or mention the promo code PODCAST to receive $25 off any service or product of $50 or more at La Jolla Cosmetic. La Jolla Cosmetic is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway in the Ximed Building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus. To learn more, go to ljcsc.com or follow the team on Instagram @ljcsc. The La Jolla Cosmetic Podcast is a production of The Axis, theaxis.io.