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

Dr. Baker’s Approach to Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. Baker is one of Washingtonian's top doctors for cosmetic and craniofacial surgery. His dental, medical, maxillofacial, plastic, and craniofacial background give him unparalleled knowledge in assessing facial proportion and structure of both the soft tissues of the face and the underlying skeletal structures. Having expertise in the anatomy and interaction of the facial structures allows Dr. Baker to develop the optimal plan to achieve his patient's desires. Most patients seeking facial rejuvenation will benefit from soft tissue procedures only. However, often underlying bony abnormalities of the chin, nose, or jaws may play a role in the patient's problem and thus, surgical outcome. It is not uncommon that a patient presents desiring soft tissue improvements; however, the best treatment choice is not soft tissue surgery but augmentation of the underlying skeletal structure-either by an implant or moving the skeleton. Educating the patient about the entire face as it relates to each patient's expectations is Dr. Baker's primary goal. Typically, a well-educated patient will have a pleasant recovery and be happy with the result.

Recovery Time

In today's society many households depend on dual incomes, which means that longer patient recoveries are frequently not an option. Dr. Baker will inform his patient's of the factors that contribute to their aesthetic concerns but will also develop multiple treatment plans so the patient has the option to choose the one that best fits with his/her lifestyle. More extensive procedures provide results with greater longevity, but for the patient requiring a shorter recovery, Dr. Baker offers procedures that get patients back to work quickly and with a shorter recovery than traditional procedures. He offers minimally invasive procedures for all types of facial rejuvenation and combines these techniques with soft tissue fillers to restore the patient's original youthful facial volume. In fact, Dr. Baker is on the cutting edge of research in the area of fat grafting for facial volume augmentation and is considered a leading expert in the field of fat grafting. The combination of less invasive surgery with volume augmentation gives excellent results that give the patient a rested, youthful appearance while avoiding the longer recovery associated with traditional approaches.

Facial Contours

Dr. Baker also has expertise in surgery of the skeletal structures of the face. He is facile in techniques for aesthetic skeletal surgery whether it requires simply placing an implant or moving the bones into a more desirable position. Being facile in both areas allows to him to occasionally create the desired aesthetic result with a less complicated procedure.

Many times a soft tissue problem can be best treated by a skeletal implant either alone or in combination with a soft tissue procedure. The ability to assess a patient’s jaw relationship, facial skeletal structure, chin and nose position as well as the overlying soft tissue of the face provide Dr. Baker the information to develop treatment plan that is individualized to each patient’s specific facial features. No two faces are alike, and it is very important that the surgeon assesses all aspects of the face to develop the best approach for each patient.

There are always advantages and disadvantages when comparing the placement of artificial implants vs. moving the natural structures of the body to an improved position. Dr. Baker has expertise in all these techniques and educates his patients to the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed treatment approach. Dr. Baker encourages the patient’s input in the decision process, whether it is jaw implants vs. jaw surgery, a chin implant vs. moving the chin to a new position, or rebuilding the nose naturally. Dr. Baker feels that virtually all his patients, when properly informed, will make the best decision for their personal situation.

Nationally Recognized

Because Dr. Baker is a nationally recognized leader and innovator in plastic surgery, it is not uncommon for him to treat cosmetic patients from overseas who come to Washington DC for their surgery. For traveling outpatient surgery patients, he offers a concierge service at the Marriott hotel that is part of the Georgetown University Hospital Complex. Because of Washington DC's international population, Dr. Baker has extensive experience in facial cosmetic surgery patients of varying ethnicities. In fact, he has lectured on this topic and even been quoted in the Washington Times regarding ethnic variations in cosmetic surgery.

Click here to read descriptions on procedures available by Dr. Baker.

Facial Rejuvenation

Traditionally, the standard facelift was about “pulling, cutting, and tightening the face.” As the sophistication of facial analysis and aesthetics has improved, Dr. Baker informs his patients that facial rejuvenation is not just about pulling skin tighter, it’s about repositioning tissue to where it was in the patient’s youth and restoring the volume of soft tissue lost to the atrophic changes of aging. Dr. Baker places less emphasis on just tightening and much more on properly repositioning tissue as well as restoring volume. The facial rejuvenation techniques he currently uses are those that reposition deeper soft tissues and restore soft tissue volume.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is surgery of the nose and is performed to achieve the patient’s desired shape and dimension of the nose. Because Dr. Baker is a craniofacial surgeon, he has tremendous experience in performing rhinoplasty for patients who have traumatic, congenital, or cancerous nasal deformities. These procedures require advanced techniques to achieve an aesthetic result. These same techniques are applied to Dr. Baker’s cosmetic rhinoplasty patients allowing him to give his patients the best possible outcome. 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. This is one of the most common procedures Dr. Baker performs, and he is currently publishing a textbook on the subject.

Chin Surgery

The position of the chin can be modified by either placing an implant or by moving the bone of the chin into a new position. In most patients, the ideal aesthetic result is obtained by actually moving the chin so that the ideal chin length and projection can be achieved without compromising the appearance of the crease between the lip and the chin. Dr. Baker is experienced in both techniques and will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each so his patients can make an informed decision that best suites their needs.

Facial Implants

Implants can be placed on the bone to change the contour of the face. Common uses for facial implants include the chin, jaw line, and cheekbones. Implants are placed relatively easily and can achieve the look of more invasive procedures that require moving bones. The advantage of an implant to the patient is a shorter recovery and to the surgeon, a technically easier procedure, which is why so many surgeons use implants. However, the disadvantage of the implant is that it does have limitations on the aesthetic result it achieves, and the patient must be aware of the differences between procedures that involve moving bones, soft tissue augmentation, or implants. Dr. Baker’s expertise in each of these areas provides him the ability to develop an impartial approach to the patient’s problem. He will inform and educate his patient about the etiology of their concerns as well as the best and alternative approaches to address these concerns. Dr. Baker takes pride in spending time to educate his patients about the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Jaw Surgery

In many patients with malocclusion, surgery is the only option to correct the bite without severely compromising facial form. For patients who are candidates for orthognathic (jaw) surgery, a consultation with the surgeon provides the patient with the necessary information to make the best choice for their treatment. Dr. Baker will review the advantages and disadvantages of surgical therapy, alternative treatment modalities, and the expected course if the patient proceeds with jaw surgery. Dr. Baker has completed formal training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, and craniofacial surgery. His dental background and oral and maxillofacial surgical training give him expertise in the technical aspects of jaw surgery, but it is the plastic surgical training that provides him the ability to envision the best aesthetic result for the patient. Although the majority of jaw surgery cases are not performed for cosmetic reasons, if the patient is going to have the jaws moved to correct the occlusion, it is important that the new occlusion is achieved in a way that will enhance aesthetics as well. Dr. Baker is a nationally recognized authority has published many chapters and lectured nationally on the subject of orthognathic surgery.

Fat Grafting

As a material to restore lost soft tissue volume, grafted fat is the ideal filler. It is the patient’s own tissue, inexpensive, biocompatible, abundant, and permanent. Additionally, it ages well, meaning that it always has a normal, natural consistency. The only problem keeping fat from being dubbed the ideal filler is that is it is unpredictable in terms of how much stays over a long period of time. Typically anywhere from 50 to 80 per cent of it will be maintained after one injection, but obviously that means you may need three or four injections to get to your final goal.
Fat grafting is an integral part of Dr. Baker’s approach to facial rejuvenation and facial reconstruction. The facial rejuvenation techniques Dr. Baker currently uses are those that reposition deeper soft tissues and restore soft tissue volume, techniques which frequently entail fat grafting. In facial reconstruction, fat grafting offers a tool to optimize facial symmetry with precision and minimal morbidity.
Fat grafting is an area of interest to Dr. Baker. He has completed NIH and Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation funded studies evaluating methods to optimize clinical results in fat grafting. He is a nationally recognized leader in this area and has been invited by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to lecture on this topic at national meetings.