Dr. David Stoker's Blog

Is the Facelift Obsolete? (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: Your Recovery Guide

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 »

Knowing When It’s Time for a Facelift

Posted on February 13, 2019 by David Stoker

Years ago, I answered a question from someone on the RealSelf.com website asking why plastic surgeons opposed performing facelift surgery on younger patients. That’s similar to questions I hear from people considering a facelift at my Los Angeles practice. I can’t answer for all plastic surgeons, but my goal is to create results that look natural. The skin of younger patients typically doesn’t warrant getting a facelift, and it would be difficult to preserve their natural appearance. So, how do you know when you’re ready for a facelift? That question can be increasingly difficult to answer as the availability of … Continue reading »

Surgery After Weight Loss: Which Procedures Are Right for You?

Posted on February 4, 2019 by David Stoker

The physical transformation that occurs after losing a massive amount of weight can sometimes include an unpleasant downside: loose skin. Losing significant weight either through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery is a wonderful accomplishment with many health benefits, but patients who choose to get plastic surgery after weight loss in Los Angeles are sometimes overwhelmed that cosmetic surgery is needed to remove excess skin. Because each patient who comes to our office has unique concerns, there is no single surgical procedure or combination of procedures that are right for everyone. Most patients over the age of 30 who have bariatric surgery … Continue reading »

Common Reasons Why Women—and Men—Undergo Breast Reduction

Posted on January 25, 2019 by David Stoker

While large breasts are desirable for many women, breasts that are too large can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing. Men can also be affected by unwanted breast tissue, whether as the result of obesity, illness, medication, or for no discernible reason at all. At my plastic surgery practice near Los Angeles, I see people from all walks of life who are interested in reducing the size of their breasts—and they have a lot of different reasons. Pain Physical discomfort and chronic pain are big motivators for women who see me for breast reduction. Breasts that are disproportionately large and heavy can … Continue reading »

Choosing the Right Practice for Your Liposuction

Posted on January 15, 2019 by David Stoker

Sometimes, selecting a provider for your plastic surgery procedure can be as challenging as planning the procedure itself. This is especially true of liposuction here in Los Angeles, where it seems like there’s a specialist on every corner. While liposuction may seem like a relatively simple option in the world of plastic surgery, it’s still important to choose a practitioner with extensive experience and skill. Liposuction requires a high degree of technical expertise in order to create results that look smooth and pleasing. It’s so much more than just suctioning away fat! So how do you determine a surgeon’s skill … Continue reading »

Let’s Lose the Mommy Makeover Stigma

Posted on January 2, 2019 by David Stoker

Pregnancy changes a woman’s body in an array of surprising and often unpredictable ways. After your baby is born and the glow has worn off a bit, you might be left feeling bothered by many of these changes. Even after you go back to your old eating and exercise routine, it can be very hard to restore your body to its original shape. Plastic surgery is the preferred option for many moms who need help lifting and firming up certain areas after pregnancy, but unfortunately, there’s a stigma attached to it. If you’re thinking of any type of plastic surgery, … Continue reading »

Why Pinterest Weight Loss Remedies Might Actually Be a Tummy Tuck

Posted on December 20, 2018 by David Stoker

Pinterest was originally created as a social media platform that lets you visually bookmark (or “pin”) the things you find beautiful or interesting—like yummy recipes or intriguing home renovations. But in recent years, it’s become overrun with gimmicky spam pins promoting alternative remedies and junk science, plus many quick and fast “results” for weight loss. As with nearly anything else, if it looks too good to be true on Pinterest, it probably is. So what can you do to avoid getting fleeced by convincing weight loss posts on social media? What to Look For Look out for pins and posts … Continue reading »

What to Know Before Getting Dermal Fillers

Posted on December 11, 2018 by David Stoker

Injectable dermal fillers continue to see a rise in popularity around the country, largely thanks to their versatility and consistently positive results. Fillers have a well-established reputation for smoothing wrinkles, but many people are pleased to learn that these innovative products can do more. In recent years, new fillers have been introduced to add volume to the cheeks and lips and even sculpt tricky firm areas like the chin or nose. It seems like there’s nearly no limit to what fillers can do. If you’ve never tried these innovative products before, take a look at our tips to help you … Continue reading »