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.
Many women in Los Angeles considering breast augmentation lead busy lives and need to get back to their careers and families as soon as possible after surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker uses specific surgical techniques that limit recovery to 24 hours for most patients and produce his signature “L.A. Natural” results.
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Most of the breast augmentation patients at our Marina del Rey practice want results that look natural. The L.A. Natural breast augmentation procedure developed by Dr. Stoker emphasizes techniques that produce fuller, perkier breasts that are proportional to the rest of the body, so they don’t appear obviously enhanced.
Dr. Stoker’s meticulous attention to detail when creating surgical plans tailored for each patient improves both the shape and symmetry of the breasts while maintaining a natural appearance. By emphasizing fullness on the sides of the breasts, the procedure enhances a woman’s natural hourglass shape.
| For Your Breast Augmentation: |
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| He is a respected investigator in FDA clinical trials for two of the three silicone gel implant manufacturers in the United States. |
| He served as a clinical investigator for cohesive silicone gel implants, today’s most popular options. |
| He’s published clinical research detailing more than 1000 silicone implant case studies. |
| He’s co-authored a number of articles on emerging breast augmentation techniques and safety considerations. |
| He’s been featured throughout the media, including The New York Times and NBC’s “Today Show.” |
Having an honest and open conversation with patients is a priority for Dr. Stoker. Even before the initial consultation, he carefully reviews a patient’s medical history and breast evaluation questionnaire. During the consultation, he asks patients about their goals for breast augmentation. Common goals include:
Many choose to combine their augmentation with a breast lift or other procedures to enhance their augmentation results.
After listening to patients describe their goals, Dr. Stoker then conducts a thorough physical examination that considers several features, including:
Breast shape and size vary greatly, and Dr. Stoker helps patients understand their best options based on their physical characteristics.
Women choose to get breast implants for very personal reasons. Some patients have always felt self-conscious about having smaller breasts, while women who have had children want to restore the fullness they had before pregnancy. Augmentation is also an excellent solution for women with noticeably asymmetrical breasts.
Whatever your reason is for considering breast augmentation, you have options regarding the procedure itself. These choices include the type and size of implants and where Dr. Stoker makes the incisions and places the implants.
Patients have the advantage of Dr. Stoker’s extensive knowledge about breast implants at our Los Angeles practice. On the leading edge of many new procedures and devices, he served as a clinical investigator for cohesive silicone gel implants (which are used in about 85% of breast augmentation procedures). Your options include:
Type: The material filling the implants can be either saline or silicone gel. Silicone gel implants have different degrees of cohesiveness, and the choice is based on personal preference. Most patients believe that gel implants look and feel more like natural breasts.
Size: Dr. Stoker helps you choose the implant size that will achieve your cosmetic goals and look in harmony with the rest of your body.
Profile: This relates to how far the implants will project from your body and how your breasts will look from the side.
Shape: Dr. Stoker uses smooth, round implants for virtually all patients.
You can learn more about your choices on our Breast Implants Options page.
Dr. Stoker prefers making breast augmentation incisions either in the crease at the base of the breast (inframammary incision) or on the lower border of the areola (periareolar incision). These are ideal locations for patients getting silicone gel implants. Incisions made in the armpit area (transaxillary incision) are an option if you choose saline implants. Both periareolar and inframammary incisions heal beautifully.
Patients can choose to have Dr. Stoker insert implants over or under the chest muscle.
Subglandular placement: Implants placed over the muscle rest behind the existing breast tissue. This option works best for patients with enough breast tissue to camouflage the implant’s edges to avoid visible rippling.
Submuscular placement: In recent decades, submuscular placement has become much more common. The muscle covers the upper portion of the implant, providing additional coverage over the implant in the cleavage area. This greatly minimizes the visibility of the implants’ edges when wearing a bra or swimsuit. Dr. Stoker prefers submuscular placement because studies have shown that the rate of capsular contracture (a complication that occurs when scar tissue contracts around the implant capsule) is lower when the implants are placed under the muscle. Breast imaging to screen for breast cancer is more accurate when the implants are placed behind the muscle.
Creating a detailed surgical plan and selecting the appropriate breast implants to match the patient’s body type are essential parts of Dr. Stoker’s rapid recovery approach to breast augmentation.
In addition to creating a comprehensive surgical plan, Dr. Stoker uses specific techniques to minimize bleeding during the procedure and swelling after the surgery. Another benefit is a shorter operation, although that’s not the primary goal of these techniques.
Four techniques create predictable, beautiful results and a rapid recovery after breast augmentation. These include:
Minimize trauma: By taking a gentle approach and using special devices during the procedure, Dr. Stoker significantly reduces a patient’s post-op discomfort. This is possible regardless of whether the implants are placed above or below the chest muscle.
Precision: Dr. Stoker also minimizes trauma to breast tissue by using precise, delicate pocket dissection techniques when creating pockets for the implants.
Touch-free augmentation: Using the Keller Funnel® device enables Dr. Stoker to place implants without touching them. By limiting the handling of the implants, he reduces trauma and the risk of post-op infection that can lead to complications.
Long-lasting local anesthetic: Dr. Stoker injects Exparel® before closing the incisions. Exparel is a long-acting anesthetic that reduces or even eliminates the need for opioids or other prescription medication to manage pain after surgery. Approved by the FDA in 2011, Exparel is now used by both cosmetic and general surgeons to improve recovery.
After the procedure, but before you leave the surgical center, we encourage you to raise your arms and move them as you would normally. We then provide detailed post-op instructions you should follow closely. Most patients find they can work, shop, cook, go out with friends, and otherwise enjoy normal activities the day after their procedure.
Almost all breast augmentation patients can benefit from these techniques, except perhaps women who are interested in getting very large breast implants or those who combine a breast lift with augmentation.
Implants do not have to be changed just because a certain number of years elapse. However, implants should be replaced or removed if there is a problem with the implant, if the patient’s breast changes significantly, or if the patient’s desires change. Most young people who undergo breast augmentation will have other breast operations in their lifetime for one of those reasons.
General anesthesia is appropriate for breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Stoker prefers a “light” general anesthesia, where a mask in the mouth is used rather than a tube through the vocal cords. The lighter anesthesia does not require paralysis, and patients emerge from anesthesia more quickly and smoothly. Skilled, board-certified anesthesiologist physicians provide an increased level of safety over nurse anesthetists.
Breast augmentation usually takes less than 1 hour of surgery.
It is most likely that a patient will still be able to breastfeed following breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Stoker takes special precautions to minimize the likelihood of the surgery affecting the function of the breast.
Women considering breast augmentation travel from throughout Southern California and the U.S. to have Dr. Stoker perform their procedures. You can use the online form to request a consultation or call our Marina del Rey office at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
See Dr. Stoker in action on "The Doctors", "The Biggest Loser", "The Today Show", and more.
Learn about professional credentials and see almost 1,000 patient pictures and descriptions by Dr. Stoker.
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
