Tummy Tuck : Abdominoplasty
Testimonials

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Breast Augmentation/ Breast Lift/ Tummy tuck
I never really thought that I was the type of person who would get plastic surgery done. My body was far from being perfect, but I was comfortable with the way that I looked and never saw the need for surgical intervention. Having four kids completely changed that.
My once flat stomach had turned into a wrinkly mess. My abdominal muscles had completely stretched so it looked like I had a big belly, even though I had lost all of my pregnancy weight. I breastfed all four of my children so my breasts looked deflated. Prior to having children, I never had to worry about clothes – but now I had to think about how best to hide my stomach or pick tops that didn’t accentuate my saggy breasts. I was exercising every day, eating only healthy foods and soon was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I was thrilled but still so disappointed because there was nothing I could do about the extra skin on my stomach or my saggy breasts. Even my doctor said that I could do a million sit ups a day but nothing but surgery could get rid of the wrinkles and extra skin on my stomach. So, after discussing it with my husband, I decided to have plastic surgery.
I had heard about Dr. Pousti through a friend of mine. After meeting him I knew that he was the right doctor for me. He was extremely professional and understanding. His staff was all so friendly. One of the things that helped me in choosing Dr. Pousti as my surgeon was the fact that he introduced me to previous patients who had had similar surgeries done. I was able to see actual patients and not just pictures. It was so helpful to see his work and talk to patients about their experiences. After leaving Dr. Pousti’s office after that first visit, I knew that he was the doctor for me.
I ended up getting a tummy tuck, breast lift and breast augmentation. The surgery itself was uneventful. Everything went smoothly and I had no complications. The hardest part was not being able to pick up my children for almost 4 weeks after the surgery. Dr. Pousti and his staff were absolutely amazing. They walked me through the whole process and followed up with phone calls almost twice a week. They were sincere and genuine in their concern for my well-being. The girls in his office are so warm and caring – I actually looked forward to my follow-up visits – his staff made the appointments so enjoyable.
It’s been 4 months since my surgery and I can honestly say that it’s been life-changing. I was prepared for the physical changes that occurred but was not at all prepared for the emotional changes. I have so much more self-confidence than I had after having my children. Even my husband noticed and said that I exuded a confidence that he hadn’t seen in a while. I know that a person’s self-worth shouldn’t be found in one’s physical appearance. However, I think that if you’re unhappy about something about yourself (whether it be a physical or character trait) you should work to change it. I had done all that I could to change my problem areas – I just needed a little assistance to complete it. I’m absolutely and completely thrilled about my new body. I feel just like I did before having kids.
I owe everything to Dr. Pousti and his wonderful staff. I feel completely indebted to him for giving me a part of my identity back.
Thank you Dr. Pousti. Your kindness, hard work, and professionalism will forever be appreciated.

Breast Augmentation / Abdominoplasty:

I am a long time patient of Dr. Tom Pousti. I have lived in La Jolla for over 10 years and am very excited that Dr. Pousti has opened up an office in La Jolla. I had always had small breasts and thought of getting breast implants for many years. I moved from Orange County, California to La Jolla, California after my 2nd child was born and that is when I first visited Dr. Pousti. My breasts were small to begin with but after nursing 2 children, there wasn’t much left. Dr. Pousti made me feel very comfortable with my decision to proceed with breast augmentation surgery. I had seen many plastic surgeons in Southern California, La Jolla, Orange County, Los Angeles but no-one made me feel as comfortable as Dr. Tom Pousti. He discussed the procedure with me and I had my surgery with no regrets!! After 5 years and 2 more kids, I decided to have an abdominoplasty surgery (tummy tuck). My skin and muscles had stretched out so much that my daily exercise routine was not helping. I am now 3 years out from my tummy tuck surgery and I look and feel great!! My stomach is tighter and flatter than ever. This surgery jump started my exercise routine (because I LOVE the way I look, I exercise and eat right to keep it looking great!!). I heard from friends that Dr. Pousti was now opening up an office on Girard Avenue in La Jolla and I was sooo happy. My kids go to La Jolla Elementary School and the office location is so convenient for me. I plan on returning to the office very soon to ask about replacing my saline breast implants with silicone gel breast implants (since they have been FDA approved). I have seen other La Jolla patients of Dr. Pousti who have the silicone gel implants and they look and feel AMAZING.

~M.A.P.
A very happy La Jolla patient.

Breast Augmentation / Abdominoplasty:
I am a 31-year-old wife & mother of two boys. After having our two kids, my husband and I agreed that we were done having biblical children. Now it is time for me to get my body back! Dr. Pousti and his staff are the best. They made me feel so comfortable from the first time I met them. What really won me over was seeing the web pages of photos of people who had corrective surgery and how good they looked afterwards. I decided to have both the breast augmentation and tummy tuck. I am soooooo glad I stayed at the Hide Away. I did feel nauseous that first night, but was absolutely amazed that I could walk to the bathroom (with assistance). Having to sleep in a chair was not fun but my husband and boys (3 & 5) were a great help. The best thing I clung to was a neck pillow. It helped me stay comfortable….that and back massage.
I am glad I did both procedures together. I just had to endure the long recovery once. It’s amazing to see how the body recovers week by week.
I am now 6 months out and loving my body. I had the surgery in January and I’m always joyful whenever I leave the office. Dr. Pousti and his staff are genuinely thoughtful and kind. Thank you for caring.
Dr. Pousti you are my Husband’s FAVORITE MAN!

From my Heart,
K. L.

Dr Pousti and office staff,

I just wanted to send an email off to the office to let you all know how happy I am and how wonderful the results of my surgery have been.

From the beginning, just making the appointment for the consultation with Dr., things just went so smoothly. The office staff were friendly and as I came in for my appointment, I was greeted with smiling friendly faces. They made me feel very comfortable, it was almost like they already knew me, like I was an old friend, even though I was a new patient. My consultation was very informative and comfortable. I had been visiting with other plastic surgeons, always with my husband, and had met with a few that were almost upset that my husband was there. Dr. Pousti, on the contrary to those other surgeons, was very friendly and warm and answered all of my and my husbands questions and concerns assuredly and professionally. We talked openly about the procedures we wanted and expectations of the surgery were understood. The experience was so positive and we both felt so relaxed in our choice with Dr. Pousti with his professionalism and knowledge, we scheduled the surgery the same day.

Although we had to change the surgery date from its originally scheduled date, Dr. called me at home on a Saturday afternoon to talk with me about having to reschedule. He was able to perform the procedures, a tummy tuck and breast augmentation, on the 29th of October at 11:00am. The staff at HealthSouth were great. Pre and post operatively, the nurses took very good care of me and the anesthesiologist, Dr. Rose, was a very sweet man. They all had wonderful things to say about Dr. Pousti.

Post operatively, my first memory is Dr. Pousti standing near to me telling me that everything went beautifully. In a line I have no idea where it came from, my response was, "Yes, but will you still love me tomorrow." A line Dr. will never forget…. it still makes me smile just thinking about it. Again the nurses there were very attentative to my pain needs and helped answer any question my husband had. Everything was thouroughly discussed prior to my discharge from the surgical center and the directions were clear.

We had the pain medication filled prior to surgery, as was directed, and the pain was nicely controlled by the medications prescribed.

As the weeks seemed to fly by, each post operative appointment was met, the results of Dr. Pousti’s surgical expertise became more and more evident. As with my first consultations, the staff were wonderful and helpful. Dr.’s professionalism and warmth were there each and every time.

I remember the first time I really looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe what I was looking at. The breasts that were once uneven and flat, after years of being overweight and breast feeding, were now better than they ever were as a teenager, and then some! The stomach that was once hanging and in the way, was completely gone. I had a flat stomach for the first time ever! I couldn’t stop saying "WOW!" My husband was almost in tears because he saw how happy I was…finally.

I am now at about 6 weeks post operative and I feel really good. I have "shown" family and friends and all are very impressed with the results and Dr. Pousti’s work. I couldn’t be happier with the work that Dr. has done and the professionalism he and his entire staff have showered me and each one of their patients.

Thank you Dr. Pousti for all your professionalism, attention, smiles, and having such an awesome staff there to help you help your patients! If I should decide that I need anything else, you will be the one I turn to. As friends and family ask, your name will be the one I gleefully and confidently give to each and every one of them.

Happiest of Holiday Greetings and May 2005 Be Wonderful!

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck):

I have been on a very long journey of weight loss and physical self improvement. After maintaining a 120 pound weight loss for 5 years, I had more than a little unwanted loose skin. I’ve dreamed of plastic surgery but never really thought it would be a reality for me.

Finally I was ready to start seriously considering it. I interviewed several doctors but none really fit for me. Then I found Dr. Pousti on the Internet. I set a consultation appointment for a tummy tuck with a guy I found on the internet. What was I thinking?!?! Anyway, I am so glad I found him. Dr. Pousti immediately made me feel comfortable. I was impressed at the genuine greetings from his staff as well as from Dr. Pousti himself.

Dr. Pousti introduced me to several of his post-op patients so I could ask questions and get answers from their perspective. At first I thought this was weird. These very nice ladies were just willing to show their “stuff” to a perfect stranger. After I got over myself, I found this to be very helpful in my efforts to learn more about my surgery.

My goals for surgery were a bit lofty and Dr. Pousti made that very clear. I wanted a full circumferential belt lipectomy, in one surgery. Dr. Pousti said no. I liked his conservative approach. My husband was very concerned about the idea of surgery and I explained this to Dr. Pousti. He said I needed to come back for another consultation and bring my husband with me. I did just that. Dr. Pousti was amazing with my husband. He took all the time we needed and answered every question in depth. He did not minimize our concerns and made us feel totally confident in his ability as a physician and surgeon. I knew that this was the man I wanted to operate on me. His caring demeanor and calmness were incredible.

Surgery day arrives and I was excited! I would no longer have this appendage hanging from my torso. Wooo Hooo! Then as I was waiting to go into the operating room, from out of no where comes this bundle of nerves and I started bawling. Oh my goodness, where did this come from? I couldn’t believe I was falling apart! I’d wanted this for so long. Dr. Pousti was right by my bedside and he saw that I was coming undone. He calmly, very calmly reassured me that my feelings were normal and that I would be okay. He had his assistant Michelle come and chat with me while I waited. She totally distracted me and I appreciated that so much. Then Dr. Pousti came in with music for me to listen to and help me calm down. Amazing! His bedside manner is simply the best.

Time for surgery. Dr. Pousti has this thing for not wanting his patients to get blood clots. Imagine! So he has this mantra that he keeps saying until you’re knocked out. “Flex your feet, flex your feet.” So I drifted off to sleep with Dr. Pousti holding my hand telling me I’m going to be okay and flexing my feet. What a way to go “out”!

I went to Julie Sinha’s Hideaway Recovery Retreat after my surgery. Julie is a very nice lady and her facility is top notch. Her staff was so caring and attentive. It was like being at a spa resort. They took such great care of me there. I was able to stay there for 3 nights which made it so much easier on my family.

It wasn’t until the day after my surgery that I questioned why I let Dr. Pousti do this to me!?!?!? The first day I was too looped to know what happened. The pain was a tad bit more than I’d imagined but not too bad. Every day it improved.

At every post-op visit I questioned Dr. Pousti as to whether or not I would ever stand up straight again. He assured me that I would, but by week 4 I was really beginning to wonder. At each visit Dr. Pousti and his staff were so great. They made me feel so welcome and were totally encouraging in my progress. Then it was my turn to show my “stuff” to perfect strangers. I was happy to oblige. If I can help someone else with my experience, I am delighted to do so.

I am now 8 weeks post op and feeling great. I am back to my old self, working out and able to ride my beloved bicycle. My tummy is so flat, I can’t even believe it. I have never had a flat tummy. I have a really cute belly button now too! This is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Dr. Pousti did an amazing job.

After my experience with Dr. Pousti and his staff, I would (and have) highly recommend him to anyone. Hands down, the treatment provided was unbelievable.

An Incredibly Satisfied “Body by Pousti”
La Mesa, CA

Dear Dr. Pousti,
I wanted to write this letter to thank you and let you know how much this surgery has changed my life. It has been nine weeks since the surgery and every day it gets better and better. I felt I needed to share my whole story with you, so that you can understand how much this experience has meant to me.
I got pregnant for the first time in 1993. I had always been thin and weighed 93lbs when I got pregnant. I gained over 100lbs during that pregnancy, a little more with my second son and inched up to 300lbs over the next 8 years.
At the end of 2001, I was fed up and decided to do something about my weight. I spent the next 5 years eating right and exercising and lost 145 pounds.
I was very happy at my new size. However, I had so much loose skin that I had to wear very long shirts and larger pants to hide the roll of skin that hung in front of me. I had worked so hard and still didn’t have the body I wanted. There was nothing more I could do with diet and exercise.
I decided that I deserved a Tummy Tuck and began looking for a doctor. I visited tons of web sites and spoke to friends who had had plastic surgery and chose to contact Dr. Pousti.
I came in for the consultation and was immediately comfortable with my choice. The office was beautiful, the staff was very kind and Dr. Pousti was wonderful. He took the time to speak with my husband and I, answering all of our questions and putting us at ease. I left completely trusting that my surgery would turn out fabulously!
The day of the surgery went smoothly and as expected. I followed the Doctor’s instructions and took the medication he prescribed. I was never in pain or disappointed for a minute. I could immediately see the difference, and every day I see even more improvement.
For the first time in 13 years, I was able to go to a store and pull a shirt off the rack without measuring the length. My body is not only normal size now, its also normal shape! My husband feels like we are sixteen again. He keeps telling people it’s like getting a whole new wife.
Thank you so much, Dr. Pousti. The results are better than I had hoped for and I am so grateful to you.
Sincerely,
Heather

Dear Dr. Murphy,

After my gastric bypass, I lost so much weight and looked so much better, I decided to have a tummy tuck. I am so pleased to have a smooth, flat belly for the first time in my life. Thank you fo much for referring me to Dr. Tom Pousti, who performed the surgery in San Diego. His team was very professional and caring and my results are fantastic. It has been a month since the tummy tuck and I am fully recovered and even working out at the gym again. I can’t thank you both enough for the positive changes you have made in my life.
~G. Tingley

I am and have always been very athletic – walking, swimming, hiking, crunches, pushups, etc., and yet while my muscles are and were taut… the skin over the muscles, that had originally held all of my extra weight (mostly my breasts and belly), just stayed there. Strange as it sounds, the more weight I lost (35 lbs recently, but years ago 65 lbs after pregnancy) the worse my front side looked. I was and am at my ideal weight, yet my breasts were flat and hung down without any real mass to them, and the skin on my belly skin was marred with stretch marks which extended both over and under my natural "waste" line. When wearing anything other than granny underwear, the underwear would simply roll under my belly and stay there. And, although this is kind of personal it probably applies to at least some of you considering the procedure, I had a pooch of fat over "that" area… the pubic hair area. Nothing I did could get rid of the skin, the scars, and the sagging that started at my breasts and continued down my front side.

On my first visit, Dr. Pousti asked then really listened to my requests. I knew what I wanted done. I wanted all of my loose skin and flab removed, and nice natural B cup breasts with the fullness in the bottom, not the top. I brought in pictures of the big No-Nos, such as those huge bulbous breasts sitting on top of chests looking like hard immobile rocks, and I brought in pictures of natural looking breasts (some of which were the "before" pictures in Dr. Pousti’s albums). I brought in pictures of women with flat stomachs. Dr. Pousti was very patient with me and explained everything about each procedure. He kindly suggested/insisted that I come in and talk with other patients who had undergone the same procedures. On several more visits, I came in and talked privately with other women who had been through the various procedures. Every single patient I talked to had nothing but good words for and about Dr. Pousti and every single patient was happy with their results. Every visit with Dr. Pousti and his staff was positive and personal, and I never, ever felt like just another patient nor a dollar sign.

The week before surgery I was very, very excited and very, very scared. Scared that I would come out a surgical nightmare… what if my breasts were too high, too fake looking or lopsided… what if I ended up with a horrid scars under my breasts or on my belly or had lumps of fat here and there that the doctor couldn’t get rid of… what if I got infections… what if I ended up with ugly puckers on the ends of the scars… what if the results of the surgery were such that I STILL had to hide my body while naked??? Two days before my surgery was scheduled I almost canceled. I was a mess and, well, I was a big-old-baby (or perhaps a different "B" word would be a more accurate description, depending on who you ask). However, the feelings passed and I had surgery as planned. I woke up and it was as if the good-fairy had waived her magic wand over me. I could not be happier, and none, not one, of my pre-surgery fears came to fruition.

I now have a perfect set of natural looking full size B breasts, a completely flat stomach and a belly button of perfection! I wear a bikini (in public), can wear low-rise pants and shorts with tank tops, and can tuck in my shirts without seeing the usual middle-aged mom "tri-fold" (you know, bulge from boobs followed by bulge above the belt, followed by bulge below the belt). I can look down and SEE my pubic area – even when sitting!!! Please feel free to look at the pictures on the web site (I’m in the bikini "after" shot), but keep in mind that the pictures alone can not tell you how much my self-esteem has changed, or how much I now enjoy putting clothes on, or how much I now enjoy looking in the mirror every morning, or how much I love not having to grab something to cover myself up when naked so no one would see my embarrassing body.

The only thing, and I mean the ONLY thing that I would say to any woman considering the procedure is to realize that as you are talking to those of us who have gone through the procedure and who are (all of us) giddy with our new bodies and boosted body image – is to remind us to tell you about the surgery itself and the recovery. The actual surgery is a breeze from the patient’s standpoint. Everyone at the surgery center is sweet as can be and understanding, and you really won’t remember much about the ride home. The next day, however, is a different story. When the meds wear off – holy cow – it hurts ferociously. (Take the pain meds before you feel the excruciating pain come back.) The first three weeks are very, very, very painful – more than I had expected. You have to sleep sitting up with pillows behind you and under your legs for the first two to three weeks, then you have to lay flat on your back for another few weeks. You can’t stand up completely straight for many weeks. You have to be helped to get out of bed for the first several days. You will have disgusting drainage tubes sticking out of you which can pinch and pull, and when the Dr. removes them, it really hurts bad! But, as with childbirth, you sort of forget about it because you have something so special and so fantastic that the pain fades from your memory. With childbirth you have the miracle of a new and beautiful baby. With Dr. Pousti’s surgery, you have the miracle of a new and beautiful body. It is well worth it, and the pain just passes from memory. Yes, the recovery is slow, slow, slow – but then you wake up one day and find you are back to normal. Two weeks ago (at 7 weeks post surgery) I still couldn’t completely stand up straight, couldn’t walk more than a few blocks, and was certain that I would never be back to participating in athletics. Then, during my 7th and 8th week I recovered so fast and so completely that just two days ago, at nine weeks post tummy-tuck, breast lift, breast enhancement and liposuction – I successfully completed an eight-mile mountain hike. I’m back to doing everything I was doing before surgery. So, if you have the tummy-tuck with or without other procedures – be patient, baby yourself for the first two months, relax and it will all fall into place – and you will be happier than you can imagine.

Oh. The only other downfall is that you will need new clothes. Bummer. You’ll have to shop for new pants and jeans. Tee shirts and spaghetti strap tops. Shorts without pleats. Bathing suits. You will have to donate your long and loose fitting shirts and your pleated trousers (as you will have nothing left to fill in those pleats anymore). You have to start borrowing clothes from your high school or college-age daughters or nieces. You may have to go to Victoria’s Secret. And (after a full 6 weeks, so don’t bother thinking you will even consider it before then), you will have to fend off copious amounts of attention that your husband or partner will shower you with. You will have to "suffer" through the daily compliments from co-workers, friends, family and strangers on the street, such as, "Have you lost weight?", "Are you working out?", "My god, you look great!". Lastly, though loath to admit it… before my surgery, not in my craziest dreams would I have imagined that a rude cat-call from a construction worker (one, that had it been made toward my daughter, would have made me seethe with anger) would later secretly make me smile in awe that I actually somehow looked attractive enough to warrant such rude behavior!

Dr. Pousti is the best. His staff is the best. His work is the best. I never, ever felt like just another patient. His staff was professional and treated me with respect (which isn’t easy when you are standing naked in front of the doctor and staff, with all of the flab and skin that you have spent years trying to hide just hanging out for inspection). I never ever felt in any way that Dr. Pousti ever touched me in an inappropriate way, nor that my privacy was disrespected. I have come in for multiple post op visits and he spends as much time and consideration with me as with any of my pre-surgery visits. He is a truly kind and thoughtful person, as well as an awesome surgeon and artist. I strongly recommend Dr. Pousti, and would be happy to speak with or show you the results of his skill in reshaping this middle-aged mom’s body into a very nice figure.

M.S.

For as long as I can remember, I have been self conscious about my body…primarily my stomach. I always felt that clothes didn’t look quite right on me because my pants always had that “roll” and my shirts always clung to “the other roll”. When I got pregnant, I was elated for the most obvious of reasons…but I was also excited to start growing my baby belly so I had a “reason” to have a large stomach!! When I came to that realization, I realized I had sunk pretty far in the self-esteem category. After going through weight loss and then gain over and over, my stomach had gotten quite significant and the skin had lost a lot of its ability to “bounce back”. I have also had 2 c-sections (which gave me two of the greatest loves of my life!!!), and had my gall bladder taken out. My abdominal area has been through the ringer!

After my daughter was born, I lost 50lbs. and decided that I wanted to have a tummy tuck done. My OB/GYN recommended Dr. Pousti to me and after my initial visit, I felt very comfortable with him. Dr. Pousti was very kind, but he was also very honest with me. I was trying to have realistic expectations of what the outcome would be…I knew I wasn’t at my “optimum” weight, but I was ready to go forward!! Dr. Pousti agreed to do the surgery for me and it was the best decision I have ever made in regards to my personal well-being.

After the surgery, the recovery was more than I had expected…I figured I would bounce back like a champ! However, I would say to anyone that asked, “YES! IT’S WORTH IT ALL!!!”. I feel so much more confident now, I love trying on clothes (especially shirts because they actually lay flat now!!!), and I now wear a bathing suit for the first time in 5 years!!

My husband has been so supportive of me throughout the whole procedure, and I know he loves the “new” me…because I feel so much better about myself! Dr. Pousti did more for me than I could have dreamed of and I can’t thank him enough for the wonderful job he did for me! The ladies in Dr. Pousti’s office are all incredible…very supportive, caring, and personable. All the ladies know me by name on the phone and in person (just about from day 1) and that personal touch helps make the whole process so much more comfortable.

Again, thank you Dr. Pousti, and all the ladies that work in your office. You have all changed my life for the better and I will always be thankful to you!

From the bottom of my heart, and from my incredible and wonderful family, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Molly Kay

I was very thin and young when I had my first 10 lb son. Three more where to follow. I always lost my baby weight after pregnancy and always worked out. But no matter what I did, I still had that sagging extra skin on my abdomen. It was so bad that I couldn’t even wear a 1 piece as the skin would hang down out the bottom. Needless to say, I hid my naked body for 23 years.

I had 2 other consultations before my first contact with Dr. Pousti’s office and wonderful staff. During my first phone call to the office, all my questions were answered and I felt very comfortable and anxious for my consultation.

Myself and my husband met with Dr. P. and right away knew he was the right Doctor. I was very nervous about the surgery itself and the recovery time. I was also worried about the scarring.

Well to get to the good stuff. It has been nearly 12 weeks and I am a new woman! I am always starring at myself in the mirror in disbelief. My 13 year old is bummed my stomach is flatter then hers now. It’s hard to put into words the weight that is lifted off my shoulders. I remember for the last 23 years not a single day went by that I didn’t wake up wondering what to wear to hide my stomach today. Now I wake up excited to play "Dress Up". I wear belly tops and low rise jeans. My husband can’t believe how, ummm uninhibited I am now. (Lucky Man)

I am so very happy I did this for MYSELF. I only wish I had done it sooner. Not only did Dr. P. get rid of my icky skin and almost all my stretch marks, he sculpted the sides of my waist (Unexpected to me) so perfectly that now my torso seems longer. I love my new body. I just need to be a good girl and do my part and get in the best shape I have ever been in. Oh yes, also the wonderful tightening of the tummy muscles. I didn’t realize that during a TT Dr. P. repairs your muscles also. So just like magic, you have a six pack. Thank you Dr. P. and your staff. I had a wonderful experience thanks to all of you.

Only 1 last thought. Yes the recovery time is long and hard but truly every bit worth it.

Thank you again!

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Click here to learn more about San Diego Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti. To schedule your cosmetic surgery consultation in our San Diego office, call (619) 466-8851 or email appointments@pousti.com.

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