Stoker Plastic Surgery: David Stoker, MD
4640 Admiralty Way #1000
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 300-1779
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
As a top body contouring specialist known for his expertise in performing liposuction in Los Angeles, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker sculpts attractive results for his patients. Combining his artistic vision and skill, Dr. Stoker uses gentle techniques designed for rapid recovery.
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While not appropriate for overall weight loss, liposuction is excellent for removing most areas of excess fat. Common treatment areas include:
Under-chin liposuction is a popular choice for patients wanting a more defined jawline. This specialized procedure reduces the appearance of a double chin by gently removing pockets of excess fat, resulting in a balanced, youthful profile. Dr. Stoker’s approach is designed to contour this delicate area with precision, helping patients achieve a refined, natural look with minimal downtime.
Inner thigh liposuction is perfect for those seeking leaner, more sculpted legs. By removing targeted fat along the inner thighs, Dr. Stoker reduces chafing and enhances the leg’s natural contour. This procedure allows for greater comfort in fitted clothing and creates a smooth, streamlined shape that many patients love.
Outer thigh liposuction, often known as “saddlebag” reduction, is a popular option for those looking to create a more balanced silhouette. Dr. Stoker’s technique focuses on removing excess fat from the outer thigh area to sculpt a slimmer, proportionate contour, so patients can enjoy a refined, elegant leg shape.
Liposuction for the full leg, also known as leg contouring, is a comprehensive procedure that targets excess fat deposits throughout the entire leg, including the thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. Dr. Stoker uses this technique to create a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing leg shape by removing stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise.
Often combined with a tummy tuck or as part of Mommy Makeover surgery), abdominal liposuction is one of the most popular body contouring procedures Dr. Stoker performs. Many patients combine liposuction of the abdomen and waist to create an attractive physique.
Targeting the “love handles” with liposuction enhances the waist’s natural indent, creating a more defined silhouette. Along with abdominal liposuction, the procedure also reveals muscle tone in the midsection.
“Bra bulge” or “back rolls” are common concerns for women. Liposuction targets fat on the upper back that becomes more prominent when squeezed by a bra or bra straps. The procedure can also remove fat from the underarm area.
Lower back liposuction is becoming increasingly popular as an effective technique to tone this area, which often doesn’t respond to exercise and dieting. It’s an excellent option when combined with liposuction of the hips to create attractive contours.
For many people, especially women, excess fat tends to accumulate on the hips. If you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your hips, liposuction is a great option.
Tired of wearing long sleeves instead of tank tops in warm weather to cover your upper arms? Removing excess fat from this area creates a toned appearance. It’s important that your skin retains enough elasticity to “shrink to fit” the new contours.
This is another difficult-to-tone trouble spot that defies your regular exercise routine and healthy eating habits. Liposuction can reveal the naturally attractive curves of your buttocks.
Many types of liposuction technology are now available, but virtually all first saturate the treatment area with a numbing solution that causes fat to swell and become firmer. This is called tumescent liposuction. The tumescent solution includes lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline. Lidocaine is an anesthetic, and epinephrine (also called adrenaline) causes blood vessels to shrink, reducing bleeding and bruising.
Tumescent liposuction:
Dr. Stoker removes the fat using small, thin tubes called cannulas that he inserts through tiny incisions. He selectively removes fat that is more loosely attached to the body, leaving blood vessels, nerves, and skin intact. The skin then shrinks to fit the new contours of the treatment area.
Liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, twilight sedation, or a “light” general anesthesia administered by a board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist. The choice of anesthesia depends on the size and number of treatment areas and patient preference.
| For Your Liposuction: |
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| He has authored two textbook chapters on liposuction. |
| He is a liposuction course instructor for The American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). |
| He was chosen by The New York Times as a top U.S. surgeon for liposuction. |
| He is a pioneer in liposuction techniques, such as power-assisted liposuction (PAL). |
Dr. Stoker’s expertise in liposuction and other body contouring surgeries dates back to his plastic surgery residency in the late 1990s when he was involved in clinical studies with one of his mentors, Dr. Gerald Pitman. The studies included the first generation of power-assisted liposuction devices, which Dr. Stoker now uses most often because it removes fat efficiently and gently.
The types of liposuction include:
Dr. Stoker has been using PAL systems for much of his career and has performed studies on multiple generations of models. PAL offers several advantages compared to other liposuction technologies, including being highly precise, creating minimal trauma, and resulting in less bruising. These advantages mean a faster recovery for patients.
Unlike power-assisted liposuction, manual tumescent liposuction requires the surgeon to vigorously move the cannula to break up fatty tissues, which results in more bruising and bleeding compared to PAL.
The benefits of the PAL approach are well documented and include less time under anesthesia, less bruising and swelling, faster recovery, and (most importantly) smoother and more precise results. Another important advantage of PAL is its ability to shake loose hard fat that may be more tightly held by fibrous connective tissue, scar tissue, or cellulite.
The power-assisted system relies on a vibrating cannula tip that gently shakes fat loose and suctions it away in one step. The cannula vibrates at just the right frequency to maximize the efficient removal of fat. The vibration also helps the cannula glide through the fatty layers with minimal force. Power-assisted liposuction gives Dr. Stoker more control and precision, allowing him to focus on sculpting a more honed figure for the patient. It also minimizes a patient’s recovery because there’s less trauma to the body.
| Consideration | Power-Assisted Liposuction | Laser Liposuction | Ultrasonic Liposuction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefits | Precision: In addition to larger areas, PAL allows for more precise and controlled fat removal, making it suitable for smaller and more delicate areas. Single step: Fat is gently released and removed in one step. | High energy: Heat from the laser makes it suitable for areas scarred after previous rounds of liposuction. | High energy: Similar to laser lipo, thermal energy heats tissue for fat removal in areas scarred by previous lipo procedures. |
| Side Effects | Some bruising: The vibrating tip cannula is gentler on the surrounding tissues than other techniques and causes less trauma. | Risk of burns: Thermal energy used to melt fat can burn the underside of the skin. Expect bruising | Risk of burns: Thermal energy used to melt fat can burn the underside of the skin. Expect bruising |
| Recovery | Reduced recovery time: The gentle nature of the procedure minimizes bleeding and bruising, resulting in a shorter recovery. | Longer recovery: Laser liposuction patients often need more than a week to recover. | Moderate recovery: Ultrasonic liposuction patients often need more than a week to recover, although swelling and bruising may take a couple of weeks to resolve. |
| Limitations | Scarring from previous lipo: PAL may not be effective in these areas. | Limited uses: Laser lipo may not be as effective in removing large volumes of fat compared to traditional liposuction methods. Requires two steps: Melted fat must be removed with PAL or a similar aspiration technique. | Larger incisions: The tube used for ultrasonic liposuction is larger and requires larger incisions. Requires two steps: Melted fat must be removed with PAL or a similar aspiration technique. |
Laser-assisted liposuction, such as the Smartlipo technique, uses laser energy wavelengths to emulsify (melt) fat and cauterize blood vessels. The Smartlipo device delivers laser energy through a tiny fiber inserted through the skin, with the surgeon controlling the intensity of the laser energy. Once the energy melts the fat, PAL or a similar aspiration technique is required as a second step to remove the liquefied fat.
The heat generated from the laser assists in removing fat from difficult-to-treat areas, especially those with significant scarring from previous rounds of liposuction.
Ultrasonic liposuction uses ultrasound waves to melt fat, especially in larger treatment areas or areas of dense, fibrous tissue. PAL or a similar aspiration technique is required as a second step to remove the liquefied fat.
Liposuction that melts fat with ultrasonic energy is often best suited for performing high-definition liposuction procedures. Hi-def liposuction etches areas such as the abs to highlight the abdominal muscles. Like Smartlipo, the generated heat assists in removing fat from difficult-to-treat areas, especially those with significant scarring from previous rounds of liposuction.
Any liposuction technique is only as good as the surgeon performing the procedure. Women and men disappointed in the results of liposuction performed by other surgeons turn to Dr. Stoker for corrective liposuction. Complications can include wavy, dimpled skin, uneven results, or other contour deformities. These can occur more often when patients undergo liposuction that targets fat cells with heat, especially when performed by a surgeon without adequate training.
The prices for liposuction procedures vary with the technique used, areas treated, and individual patient factors. We will provide you with a specific price quote during your consultation with Dr. Stoker. We offer financing options to qualified patients who are interested.
While Dr. Stoker uses PAL for the majority of his patient cases, he may use other techniques that are gentle or more effective in specific areas. Ultrasonic and laser liposuction may be more effective for scarred areas after previous rounds of liposuction. Learn more in this blog post.
The fat removed by liposuction is gone for good. Patients, however, can still gain weight in the treatment areas. Many of Dr. Stoker’s patients actually lose additional weight after liposuction because they are inspired by the results and want to maintain them.
Yes. Dr. Stoker often performs liposuction using a gentle technique such as PAL to remove fat from jowls during a Traceless Facelift surgery and reduce a double chin during neck enhancement surgery. Neck liposuction alone is often enough to reduce the appearance of a double chin for younger patients with good skin elasticity.
Dr. Stoker uses fat transfer, also called fat grafting, to create fullness in other areas of the body using fat removed by liposuction. A Brazilian butt lift, for example, uses fat grafting. The power-assisted liposuction technique is especially useful for fat grafting. In clinical research conducted by Dr. Stoker and UCLA, more than 90% of fat cells removed using PAL remain viable for days and would be useful for fat grafts.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Potential liposuction risks increase significantly when a surgeon removes more than 5 liters of fat during a single operation. Dr. Stoker stays below this amount to enhance the procedure’s safety and still achieves dramatic improvements by removing 2 to 4 liters of fat, depending on a patient’s needs. When performed well, liposuction sculpts 3-dimensional results that look natural and attractive.
Liposuction has one of the lowest complication rates of any cosmetic surgery. Most severe complications occur in the hands of doctors who are not board-certified plastic surgeons. Excessive bleeding, infection, and skin damage are all rare when liposuction is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.
Women and men considering liposuction from Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and throughout Los Angeles choose Dr. Stoker to perform their procedures. You can request a consultation using the online form or call our practice at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
Our expertise extends beyond plastic surgery. We offer an extensive range of non-surgical treatments administered by our talented, experienced team of aesthetic providers under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker.
If you have a treatment in mind, review our complete offering of non-surgical services. If you need a little help deciding, narrow down your options with our interactive treatment planner.
Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Stoker
Cellulite, sagging skin, and lower body laxity are among the most common yet stubborn concerns for women—especially after weight loss, pregnancy, or menopause. Despite the popularity of skin tightening treatments and traditional thigh lifts, very few procedures deliver long-lasting, natural-looking results in the lower body. That’s why board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker developed the Bikini Body Lift, a revolutionary procedure that lifts, tightens, and reshapes the thighs and buttocks to restore a youthful contour.
