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Dr. David Stoker's Blog

Let’s Face It: The Realities of Facelift Recovery

Posted on May 27, 2019 by David Stoker

When facelift patients at my Los Angeles practice ask about the recovery process, many are concerned about the amount of discomfort involved and they’re pleasantly surprised when I say it’s relatively painless for most people. What I believe is more important is the timing of their procedures, especially if they’re planning to attend a social event. Recovery following a facelift varies from patient to patient, and the most important factor influencing the timeline is the quality of a person’s skin before the surgery. Also important is the extent of the procedure. All facelifts aren’t created equal. I use several different techniques to … Continue reading »

How Soon After Giving Birth Can I Get a Mommy Makeover?

Posted on May 16, 2019 by David Stoker

Stories about celebrity moms “bouncing back” from pregnancy and wearing bikinis weeks after delivery put unrealistic pressure on women who have recently had children. Many of these non-celebrity moms exercise and eat right, but can’t regain their pre-pregnancy shapes within just a few months. That’s because it’s one thing to lose weight gained during pregnancy, but other physical changes such as excess abdominal skin and saggy breasts can only be corrected with surgery. Enter the Mommy Makeover. At my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, I offer women the option of combining multiple procedures in a single operation that addresses the … Continue reading »

Is There a Season for Facelift Surgery?

Posted on May 4, 2019 by David Stoker

People considering facelifts in Los Angeles may not think it matters what time of year you get a facelift. The optimal time for facial plastic surgery depends primarily on your lifestyle and preferences, but there are some reasons why women and men schedule their surgeries during certain seasons. In this blog post, I’ll explain why getting a facelift when the weather is normally mild is a good idea. Summer Facelifts? It seems like a convenient time for many patients, some of whom may have time off from work during the summer months. But if you live away from the coast … Continue reading »

What to Know Before You Get Breast Augmentation

Posted on April 30, 2019 by David Stoker

Even though breast augmentation patients at my Los Angeles practice ultimately love their results, the initial changes after surgery can sometimes take them by surprise. The results they see in the first few days of recovery often don’t reflect the vision they had in mind, which can take a few weeks to fully develop. It’s important for breast augmentation patients to be aware of what they can expect after the procedure. I do my best to eliminate any surprises when it comes to plastic surgery, and that includes setting clear expectations for the recovery period. In this blog post, I’ll outline … Continue reading »

Post-Weight Loss Surgery: Effective Treatment Options & Recovery

Posted on April 24, 2019 by David Stoker

Losing weight is a major life change, and it can be frustrating to put in all that hard work—only for your slimmer shape to be hidden under a lot of loose skin. Surgery after weight loss at my Los Angeles practice helps patients put the “finishing touches” on their new bodies to complement their hard-earned results. In this blog post, I’ll answer a few of the questions I most commonly receive from prospective patients about post-weight loss surgery recovery, limitations, and possibilities. What are the different types of post-weight loss surgery? Patients considering plastic surgery after weight loss are often … Continue reading »

Which Type of Liposuction Procedure Is Right for You?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by David Stoker

Since the use of tumescent solution revolutionized modern liposuction in the 1980s, technology has been steadily advancing and producing new ways to make the body contouring procedure less invasive and more effective. Patients considering liposuction at my Los Angeles practice may be surprised to learn how many varied approaches to the procedure exist today. Each patient’s concerns and goals lend themselves to different methods. Choosing which technique to use requires artistic vision and close collaboration between surgeon and patient, but the right approach can make all the difference. In this blog post, I’ll review some options to help you reach … Continue reading »

The Dangers of DIY Injectables

Posted on March 29, 2019 by David Stoker

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially one that saves money. However, there are some things you should never do yourself. When it comes to injectables or a “liquid facelift” in Los Angeles, it’s best to leave it to the plastic surgeons. At the end of the day, these “projects” are serious medical procedures, and treating them as anything else can have dire, permanent consequences. In this blog post, we’ll go over the dangers of attempting at-home injectable treatments and explain why it’s so important to choose a qualified, experienced doctor to perform your procedure. The DIY Doctor Trend Injectables … Continue reading »

Are Nonsurgical Alternatives the New Facelift ? (Spoiler Alert: No)

Posted on March 18, 2019 by David Stoker

One of the most common questions I hear from patients considering a facelift at my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice is whether nonsurgical alternatives can provide the same benefits as a full surgical procedure. With the rise of injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers, patients are getting more and more excited about achieving a rejuvenated appearance through a minimally invasive approach. Injectables are wonderful and I recommend them for a wide variety of uses, but there are some results only a surgical facelift can deliver. There are several good reasons why the tried-and-true procedure hasn’t become obsolete—despite … Continue reading »

Tummy Tuck: Recovery Timeline and Tips

Posted on March 8, 2019 by David Stoker

When I consult with patients considering a tummy tuck at my Los Angeles practice, they’re looking for the best plastic surgeons who can offer great results with as short a recuperation period as possible. Recovery time is one of the most common concerns regarding this surgery. Recovering from a tummy tuck can be and generally is a smooth and comfortable experience, as long as you know what to expect. My goal is to take care of you from the initial consultation to your follow-up appointments, helping you stay healthy, optimistic, and in love with your results. In this blog post, … Continue reading »

It’s Called a Panniculus, and You Can’t Remove It by Working Out

Posted on February 26, 2019 by David Stoker

Abdominal skin stretched by pregnancy rarely snaps back into place after having children. It can happen, especially for younger mothers whose skin still retains most of its elasticity. For most women, however, that loose skin remains even for people who dedicate themselves to eating right and working out. For some patients, I recommend a modified form of a tummy tuck called a panniculectomy at my Los Angeles-area practice. The panniculus is the apron of excess abdominal skin that hangs over the waist after weight loss, and surgery is really the only solution for people who feel self-conscious about their appearance. … Continue reading »