Thinking about Cosmetic Surgery?

We all get to a point where we want to look a little freshened up. For these patients, Dr. Stover offers a wide array of quick and relatively easy minimally invasive procedures. Fraxel laser resurfacing combined with Thermage to tighten the skin along with a filler to plump out lines and grooves goes a long way to take a few years off. Maybe you just want a minimal down-time Liposuction procedure and Botox Cosmetic to take you back in time. Maybe you passed the point of needing a little freshening up several years ago and are ready for more definitive surgery such as a facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid tightening procedure) and submentoplasty (neck contouring).

Dr. Stover and his staff are ready to listen to your concerns and offer suggestions for procedures and services that will best fit your needs. Dr. Stover has extensive training and experience in all aspects of facial cosmetic surgery. A large portion of his training in New Orleans focused on facial cosmetic surgery. While on the faculty of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, he spent years teaching facial cosmetic surgery to young surgeons. He travels almost monthly to update his knowledge and skill in facial cosmetic surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He recently received an award of Excellence in Cosmetic Surgery from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr. Stover performs cosmetic surgical procedures in his Kamuela (North Hawaii), Kona and Hilo offices. During your consultation appointment, after listening to your concerns, Dr. Stover will offer options for your situation. With expertise in such a wide array of cosmetic procedures, he may discuss several different treatment options based upon how much down time you can tolerate and based upon your budget. He will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the recommended treatments as well as the risks associated with each.

Dr. Stover will review your medical history and determine if any preoperative medical evaluation procedures will be needed. Often he will want you to schedule an appointment with your regular physician for a complete history and physical as well as routine blood work and an EKG (to evaluate your heart).

A typed estimate for the cost of the procedure options will be given to you. Sorry, but cosmetic surgery is not a covered benefit of any health insurance plan. The cost for anesthesia by an anesthesiologist also may be included if longer procedures are planned such as a facelift. Dr. Stover is trained, licensed and experienced in providing IV sedation for most of the shorter procedures he performs. When you would like to schedule your procedure, a deposit will be required. We will discuss whether you will go home to recover or a whether you should stay overnight in the hospital or a local hotel near the office. We also have the option for a nurse to stay with you the first night after surgery.

About one week before the procedure, we will see you again for preoperative photos, to review the health history and to complete the informed consent process. Final adjustments may be made to the proposed surgical plan and the balance of your payment will be collected. Preoperative and postoperative instructions will be given. Prescriptions will be given so you can fill them and have them with you after surgery.

The morning of surgery you may be hungry because you cannot eat or drink for 8 hours before the procedure (small sips of water are OK). If you will be going home after surgery, your escort must remain in the office or be available in the vicinity by mobile phone. Any last minute questions will be addressed and a final set of preoperative photos will be taken. You will be escorted to the procedure room and we will begin.

After the procedure, we will transport you to a local hotel or bed and breakfast, or your escort can take you home. Important postoperative instructions will be reviewed with your escort. After many procedures Dr. Stover will want to see you the day after surgery. Dressings will be removed and the incision sites will be inspected and cleaned. A dressing will usually be replaced. Another follow-up visit will be scheduled within the next week. Dr. Stover will be available at any time on his cell phone to answer questions.