Dr. Stephen Baker

Georgetown University Plastic Surgeon

6845 Elm Street Suite 603 | McLean, VA 22101 | Phone: (202) 444-9302

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Your Consultation

Dr. Baker initially attended dental school at the University of California Los Angeles before obtaining his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He then completed full residencies in oral maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, and craniofacial surgery. His background provides him a unique perspective to perform a sophisticated analysis of facial form and customize each patient’s treatment plan to optimize the aesthetic result. Few surgeons in the world have his expertise in achieving ideal facial aesthetics through analysis and treatment of both skeletal and soft tissue problems. He has extensive experience in skeletal surgery of the face (chin surgery, nose surgery, jaw surgery), facial implants of the chin, cheek, or jaw line, and soft tissue surgery using standard rejuvenation techiques such as neck lift, facelift, eyelift, brow lift, He is a nationally recognized leader in the field of fat grafting and combines this technique to restore volume and perfect results in patients who seek facial rejuvenation. His unique training has led to referrals from the national and international community. Dr. Baker has privileges and operates at Georgetown University Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Although seemingly separate, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are intimately related. In both reconstructive and cosmetic patients, the plastic surgeon is always trying to achieve an optimal aesthetic result. In reconstructive cases, advanced and more innovative techniques are often required, which have led to applications in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Baker feels that his experience in reconstructive surgery has made him a better cosmetic surgeon. The reconstructive challenges that Dr. Baker has faced have given him experience and confidence in techniques that are difficult to develop when treating only cosmetic patients. The majority of major breakthroughs in cosmetic surgery have been based on principles developed in reconstructive surgery or by surgeons who established reputations of excellence in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Baker has extensive experience in advanced techniques that optimize results in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Being facile in both areas has enabled Dr. Baker to provide his patients with the benefit of the latest plastic surgical techniques. Dr. Baker actively writes textbooks, publishes articles, and presents at national meetings in the areas of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Individualized Attention

In contrast to most plastic surgeons, Dr. Baker charges a fee for an initial consultation. The reason Dr. Baker charges for his time at the initial visit is that he treats it as an honest assessment of the patient’s desires and what is in their best interest. Dr. Baker does not advertise nor subscribe to the philosophy of offering free consultations with the plan of trying to ”sell surgery” once the patient is in the door. The initial fee does cover the cost of subsequent visits if these are required for the patient to be comfortable with his or her decision, and if the patient proceeds with surgery, the consult fee is deducted for the cost of surgery. There are several important criteria the surgeon must assess during a cosmetic surgery consultation: the patient’s problem is one that he/she can clearly identify, the surgeon’s determination that he can realistically correct the problem, and the fact that the patient has realistic expectations.

At your initial consultation, Dr Baker will perform a careful examination and analysis of your problem. Frequently, several approaches are possible to treat a given condition, and Dr. Baker will spend time discussing the different treatment options as well as the associated advantages and disadvantages of each. It is important to Dr. Baker that his patients are educated about their diagnosis as well as the surgical plan. He strongly feels that well-educated patients tend to approach, undergo, and recover from surgery much better than patients who are less informed. Dr. Baker sees all his surgical patients at least twice before surgery to ensure that they have had time to fully comprehend the surgical plan and have all their questions answered prior to treatment. Dr. Baker will focus on your specific goals and discuss the different approaches that can be used to achieve the optimal outcome.

Computer aided imaging is an important part of the consultation. At your visit, Dr. Baker’s photographer will take pictures in the photo studio and load them onto the computer. The patient’s desired postoperative results can then be created using special computer software. The goal of this imaging is not to show a result that is guaranteed but to make sure that both the patient and Dr. Baker realize the surgical goals. If Dr. Baker feels that the goals are unrealistic or that he cannot achieve them, he will inform the patient and not pursue surgery.

Accommodations

Many of Dr. Baker’s patients travel form out of the area. The Georgetown University Marriott Hotel is located less than one hundred yards from the hospital and offers a relaxing place to recover for patients who do not require a hospital room. A discounted rate is offered to surgical patients. Dr. Baker visits his patients who stay at the hotel in the evening of surgery and then rounds on them in the morning. If a friend or spouse is not available to accompany the patient, concierge nursing services can be arranged. The reservation desk can be reached at 202-687-3200.