Dear Doctor Stoker,
I again thank you for a remarkable "surgical result" on my daughter. I had not seen her surgical sites since you removed her steri- strips 6 weeks ago. The 60 day result is amazing!
I thought it pertinent to inform you of yet another life- change such a surgery makes, particularly to an adolescent. I am sure you have heard many stories, but as we traveled the almost 2- hour drive home today, she discussed some new changes in her life which were interesting to me. I had a breast reduction, late in life. It was a marvelous change in my freedom to move, yet as a teen my life was difficult. One always hears about the sports issues, the difficulty finding clothes, the embarrassment and self esteem issues, what she told me was touching to say the least.
She said she found that she could actually wrap her arms around herself. That felt so new ... then the most remarkable thing was that she could wrap her arms around others and others could hug her back. She had experienced hesitation and "light" embraces from friends and family due to her size but now she felt "hugged" and people were not afraid or hesitant to get close to her.
I am certain that some of this is a projection but some of it is purely physical too. In my studies of teen development, these youths need as much love and hugs as a toddler. Children between these ages are busy with body mastery and are often too busy to notice how many hugs they receive a day. Teens are like an endocrine patient! They need space at one moment and intense affection at others. Can you imagine going through this tough period afraid of being hugged or feeling ashamed of wanting that, or not being able to receive or give that? I had no idea. It just didn't occur to me. How lonely that must be.
She thanked me over and over, telling me that I listened to her and that her life had dramatically changed. She thanked me for finding her the "perfect surgeon". As a parent, making a choice to change my daughter's body was difficult, I did not want to push my feelings of body image onto her and I hesitated. It was not until her physical pain was so great that I began to act, little did I know that her emotional pain was just as great. You mentioned that some weight loss could be due to happiness, I am certain of it.
I wanted to inform you of yet another good reason for this procedure! Unconditional hugs, painless hugs and the ability to give and receive them; this benefit is surely up there with shopping for clothes. I sincerely thank you for taking your time, for your skill and expertise AND for listening to my daughter when she stated her preferences. I have a teen who embraces life in many ways.
Oh, and to think that you did all this with a small incision is incredible, she is planning to shop and she will not have to worry if her bathing suit will cover the "anchor scar"! She is just a "normal teen" ... now that is a good result!
Thank you,
A.S.
Dear Dr. Stoker & Associates,
Shock and Awe, would best describe the reaction of my wife's workmates when she returned to work after you performed her facelift and eye enhancement surgery. She, like most individuals, wanted to keep her cosmetic surgery confidential but she found it impossible to do so as her associates continually approached her to compliment and question her about the striking improvements to her appearance. The same enthusiasm and interest is also present with our friends and family members.
If anyone would have ever told me that some (day) I would even consider having a facelift, I would have said to that individual, "Belleview Hospital is calling you", however after seeing the magic that performed on my wife, I had to pursue it with an open mind. With my surgery complete and now behind me, I am extremely happy with the results. My wife's sister and our daughter are also pleased with the outstanding results of their surgery procedures that exceeded their wildest expectations. Dr. Stoker's knowledge, professionalism and willingness to pursue and employ the latest techniques in plastic surgery will enhance not only the lifestyles of his patients but the reputation and status of plastic surgeons everywhere. Our complete satisfaction with our facial enhancement surgery is only surpassed by the overall professionalism and attention to detail from all of your Medical Staff Support Specialists.
Grateful we remain.
R.C. & T.C.
Dr. Stoker performed corrective nasal surgery on me in November 2010 for both functional (breathing) and cosmetic reasons (to fix a prior surgery). He wrote the letter to my insurance company to get the functional surgery costs covered and he spent hours reviewing my previous surgery to come up with a plan to fix all of my problems and improve my looks. Dr. Stoker is the only surgeon I would recommend going to for rhinoplasty and for me, the only surgeon who will ever perform cosmetic surgery on me or my friends.
After reviewing all my pictures and past botched surgery, Dr. Stoker was optimistically hopeful that he could make a fairly impressive difference but warned me that he wouldn't know exactly what he could do until he was in there. We spent quite a bit of time discussing all the various procedures he planned to do and he spent time looking at my original nose pictures and my after surgery pictures.
At that point I would have been happy just to have the ability to breathe again through my nose and maybe remove the beak like tip. When the surgery was over and a couple of days later my bandages were removed I literally cried I was so happy. I could breathe like I had a roadway for a Mack truck through my nasal passages. It was an amazing sensation to take a deep breath through my nose and feel that much air come rushing in.
That would have been enough, but Dr. Stoker took cartilage from inside and behind my one ear and used that to build up the area that was pinched and to make sure my nasal passageways remained open long after the healing process. He completely cleaned up the tip and columella portion of my nose (the center part between your nostrils) which was protruding from the 2004 surgery and my nose looked completely normal. It looked like the nose I was born with (but better). It changed the entire look of my face. Friends who have seen me after ask me if I am eating healthier or did I go on vacation or what.
Since he reinstated a normal looking nose without the pinching and the beaky tip I look more rested and younger. Also, after my first surgery the place where the surgeon cut my nose (on the columella portion) there was a large scar which took a long time to heal and was quite noticeable for about a year. Dr. Stoker made fine, tiny almost invisible stitches which made the slightest of scars for about a month and then it was gone.
I found out that Dr. Stoker did 15 different procedures to my nose. I'm amazed at his artistry and his enthusiasm to give me a much better nose and profile. He dared to go where no other surgeon I met with would go before. Deeper into my nasal cavity to make sure I could breathe better than I expected. He is both brave as a surgeon and nurturing as a healer.
R.J.
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