Treatment Provider

Tom J. Pousti, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Recovering nicely thanks to Dr. Pousti

I am so please with my recovery so far. Today is day 4 and I feel that I am getting better every day. The pain is manageable but I still am the most uncomfortable about one hour before it is time to take the pain medication. I am absolutely following my Doctors orders . The first night I had a nurse, she was extremely helpful and helped to acclimate my husband to the routine. By day two I had my husband, daughter and son-in -law helping. I am now able to get in and out of bed every so slowly by myself! I also am not nearly in as much pain as I had imagined that I would be. I have been told that The Doctor removed about 10lbs! I have got to tell you that Dr. Pousti is not only a very skilled artist, but he is as genuine as they come! When I first met with him I had been to three other PS. I had a plan other procedures besides the tummy tuck at the same time. He refused! He explained to me that he just did not feel that it would be safe! And that my safety came first! This sealed the deal with me, I was convinced that he had a sincere heart for his patients and although of course he is running a practice which needs to be making money, his first priority is not the money but the well being of his patients! I am a 53 year old Grandma that was scared to death about getting this done. Four children and seven operations over my lifetime had left my stomach pretty much a wreck! In addition I had lost 72 lbs over the last three years. The peace of mind that I feel is unsurpassed by any other medical experience. Dr. Pousti has called me every day since my surgery and I understand that he plans on paying me a home visit before I am scheduled for my first follow up visit at his office. Who does that really? Well I guess Dr. Pousti does! Although I have not taken of my binder or any bandages per the Doctors instructions yet, I have seen my post op pictures that Dr. Pousti sent over to me. I do not even recognize myself! I am blessed with a life that is surrounded by the love of my husband, four children that I birthed, a wonderful step-son and a beautiful granddaughter. I keep an active lifestyle with working out, being the owner of a small technology company and going to college full time working on my retirement career as a social worker. I have manged to get myself in the best shape of my adult life and now Dr.Pousti has taken away the one negative cloud that had been following me for years! Words simply cannot express my gratitude! Thank you again Dr. Pousti!

Nervous Nilly

Okay well I am now only a day and a half away from my tummy tuck. Any advise for calming the nerves and anxiety? I am well prepared and confident that I will do fine but still can't help but feel pretty anxious. Is this normal? Any advise or last minute preparation tips?

Dr. Pousti's pre op bedside manner

Well I am 5 days out from my tummy tuck surgery and I am keeping my sanity by my continued faith in and impressions of Dr. Pousti. He has called me twice in the past week to see how I am doing and to assure me that he is going to take good care of me. Knowing that I am concerned about nausea post surgery he is going to use an advance form of nausea control called emend. When I start to get the normal set of nerves I remind myself that I will be in the best hands possible.

Provider Review

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
8851 Center Dr., La Mesa, California
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Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
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The decision to have my extended tummy tuck was something that I had contemplated for 37 years. As a 53 year old mother of 5 and grandmother of one and wife to the finest man in the world, I have much to be grateful for. But my ugly stomach really haunted me. Finally, in 2013 after losing 70lbs I decided that this was the year. Then came the hard part, choosing a Plastic Surgeon. I originally wanted to have an extended tummy tuck, breast lift, upper eye blepharoplasty and the "buffalo hump" removed from my back. I met with and was examined by four surgeons in the San Diego area. 2 of the surgeons were more than happy to oblige my request of having all of these procedures done at the same time. The third PS wanted to break these out into 2 procedures that would be approximately 5 hours each. I spent months researching online the credentials, patient history’s and looking at the outcomes and reviews of various Plastic Surgeons. Hands down my research convinced me that Dr. Tom Pousti was the best of the best. This was prior to ever visiting his office. I decided to make an appointment with his office fearing that I might not be able to afford him but felt that I owed it to myself and family to put myself in the best hands possible if I was going to do this. I was immediately met by staff that seemed pleasant and caring upon entering his office. After sitting down with Dr. Pousti and sharing my procedure desires I was astonished to hear him turn me down! He was extremely professional and caring in his delivery of the news but told me that frankly he would not perform all of these procedures at the same time as he simply did not feel that it would be safe and my safety and well-being to him was the first consideration. I was convinced from that moment that he was not primarily concerned with how much money could be made but rather how to get me healthfully through a procedure. We together decided on my priories which was the extended tummy tuck and the buffalo hump removal. I scheduled the procedure but was just about shaking from nerves as I was leaving his office. Dr. Pousti discretely called me back into his office and said he could tell by the look on my face that I was very nervous and he assured me that he would take the utmost care of me and he has certainly held true to his word. Through this entire process he and his staff have been extremely communicative. Letting me know every step of the way what to expect. He does not tell you what you want to hear but rather what the potential realities are. One example that comes to mind is when I asked how soon I could take a shower. He is quite frank and lets you know that it could be a month! Then further explains why it is in the interest of your safety to follow those instructions! His office called me every single day to follow up on me post-surgery. Dr. Pousti even called me on Christmas Day to see how I was doing 5 days post-surgery! I can whole heartedly tell you that this man is not only an expert craftsman, an honorable family man that is as ethical and sincere as they come! I cannot come up with enough words to endorse Dr. Pousti. I am only 12 days post op and have had zero complications and have followed his instructions to the tee! I love my results!