La Jolla Plastic Surgery

Such a warm welcoming and helpful staff. Always very informative and sincere in person & over the phone.
Dr Stuart’s exceptional knowledge and exemplary skin care remedies make her my go to dermatologist!!!

Dr. Stuart, takes her profession seriously because she absolutely loves what she does! She has given me excellent skin care, my skin is amazing (if I may say so myself :-).). She is my family’s Dermatologist,
To Dr Stuart: we love you and thank you for your dedication!

I was treated by Dr. Stuart in the fall of 2013 for varicose and spider veins in both legs. I had a bad feeling about the place from the get-​go but decided to stay the course and I couldn’t be more sorry that I did.
I won’t pull any punches– Dr. Stuart mangled me. I can’t include all the details here, as Unilocal allows reviews to be only so lengthy, but I’ve published a full account of the ordeal, including some lovely photos of the open wound that I had to bandage for months, at
. Suffice to say she didn’t follow common practice in treating me and she acted unprofessionally and irresponsibly and this resulted in an injury that will never fully heal.
The reason I’m writing this review a year and a half later is because I wanted to be fair and see how the injury progressed. I’ve seen virtually no improvement in about a year now, so I feel safe in saying that I will have a really ugly scar on my leg for all the world to see for the rest of my life. That scar is solely the result of Dr. Stuart’s negligence– during the treatment itself, through months of ineffective after-​care and in failing to refer me to a wound-​care specialist.
I’ve seen two medical malpractice attorneys about this and both told me that, while the details of the case showed clear negligence and that the damage caused was plainly the result of that negligence, I didn’t have much of a chance winning a case unless I had lost a limb or perhaps if I was a print model or someone whose livelihood depends on physical appearance. So, I guess the best I can do is warn others about this quack doctor. If the other negative reviews (mostly stemming from Stuart’s total disregard for patients’ time, her inexperienced staff and her ridiculously mismanaged office) weren’t enough for you, take it from me – Do not even consider undergoing even the simplest treatment at the hands of this woman. You will be sorry.

I had A Breast Lift & Tummy Tuck on March 9, 2015. My surgeon Dr. Smoot & His nurse if many years Carmen, changed me in a way I could never put a price tag on. At 43 and a single mother of an 18 & 14 yrs.“2c-sections «.Dr. Smoot is so caring & sincere. Carmen treated me with such respect and kindness. She made sure I was taking care of myself Before the surgery & after. The whole staff from beginning to end treated in way that I have carried on. As a mother I had forgotten to treat myself with the Best Care. Physically I’m stunned, my Attitude and outlook on life and myself is so Different. Yes, I would have the surgery with Dr. Smoot again. Thank you — monica

Dr. Chaffoo and his staff are so welcoming. He was the first (and only) dr. I visited. I went in for a consultation for my nose. He was very specific with his vision. And showed me imaging before and after. I was unsure about the sizing of my nose so I came in for a second consultation. I had scheduled the surgery a couple months later. I came back in for some pre-​ops just to go over some things before the big day, nurse Nancy was so sweet she gave me a detailed explanation of what to do, what I should take, swelling what I should eat etc. days before surgery I got a call from the surgery center, and soon after I was in surgery (knocked out of course) I had some pain getting up and the day after I had to go back so dr. Chaffoo could check it out, he was very gentle, (the oxycoden also helped the pain). And a week later he had taken the cast off, now I’m two months post opp and my nose looks amazing and so natural, it’s better than I expected! I’ve been getting so many compliments from my family and friends. I couldn’t be happier with the results!

Dr. Chaffoo is a titan of the industry!

No! No!No! Not worth the time you waste or the money you throw away. No, no, no Do NOT go there! Seek out a more professional, cost effective option. I saw her for initial consult. Yes, I waited a very long time to see her. I purchased a laser package for two treatments. My dad became very ill shortly after my first treatment and I took 2 months off of work to take care of him and then arrange memorial details. He had cancer that was removed and then they had found him to have extensive bone cancer and he died very shortly after that diagnosis. The receptionist assured me Dr Stuart was very sympathetic and she was sure there would be no problem refunding the other half. This was all shortly after my first treatment. They were very nice over the phone multiple times all in all it took a dozen phone calls with them promising they would call me back and never did. Finally, after I was done with my dad’s memorial details and things had settled I still played phone tag with them for quite a while with many promises that they would call me back never called me back. Finally I had to go into the office in person to get any resolution and ended up losing over $ 1000. The treatment was 4100 for fraxel. I got a one time treatment and they refunded 1300 only. they say that there is no down time but believe me you will look unpresentable if you are in public dealing with people. also keep in mind for that amount of money results only last about 6 months. avoid this office at all costs!

Dr. Chaffoo and his staff are truly the best, most professional, courteous and friendly staff I have ever had the pleasure to work with. From my initial consultation, to my final checkup, they made me feel like I was family. Dr. Chaffoo even remembered my name each time I came in to see him. Everything in regards to the COOL SCULPTING procedure was thoroughly explained to me to the point when I had my first procedure, I felt like I had already experienced it, as the attention to detail, information & education that was shared with me was unsurpassable. I now have a FLAT stomach something I haven’t seen in 15 years, and I can fit in all of my skinny clothes. My procedures were able to be done on an extended lunch hour and I even went back to work right after and went horseback riding the very next day. Dr. Chaffoo is the only doctor that I would even consider seeing for any procedure of this nature. He and his staff truly are the best!

Went in for my Botox injections. Beautiful office, had coffee and snacks waiting for me. I was taken in swiftly for my appointment. Met the PA and other staff. Everyone was friendly and professional. I would definitely go back!!!

Unfortunately I had a pretty bad experience with my appointment so I feel its important for people to know what to expect from this establishment. My treatment was supposed to start at 1p.m. and by 2:15p.m. I was still waiting. The person who was assigned to do my treatment was not wearing scrubs, failed to wear gloves, the chair was broken so I had to be moved to another room, then the assistant broke part of the equipment by not being careful, and on top of that, she didn’t seem to know what she was doing. Scary! I felt so uncomfortable that I decided to get up and ask for my money back. Incredibly disappointing. I’ll never go back there again and most certainly won’t recommend it!

Dr. Stuart is very through and the best dermolgist I have ever been to in all my years of going to dermatologists. I have known her for 20 years and she is the best in the industry. If you haven’t experienced Dr. Stuart you are in for a treat.

Unfortunately I have had a few negative experiences with this office and after today’s appointment (or lack thereof) I felt compelled to share. Every time I have gone for an appointment here I have had to wait and exorbitantly long amount of time — never less than 40 minutes and up to an hour and twenty — I won’t be doing it any longer. I have no problem waiting 20 minutes or if they are running late on occasion but this was every time I had an appointment. Nancy the laser nurse was great but her appointments were always scheduled on top of each other and on at least three occasions I waited more than 40 minutes to see her and only got in to my appointment after «checking in» with the front desk several times. One of these times they did bring me back to a room and left me to wait another 25 minutes. Today I had an appointment and called first thing in the morning to make it earlier or have them make a note I had a limited time as I had to be back at work for a meeting. They assured me I would be in and out in less than an hour. When I arrived, several people were already complaining that they had been waiting over an hour for their appointments. After 45 minutes of waiting without being seen for my appointment I left and will not be going back. They do not have any regard for anyone else’s time and it is unprofessional — if they reliably kept their appointments it would be a nice place to go and Dr. Stuart is very nice. Unless you are a person who doesn’t have a job or doesn’t care about wasting hours of your time, I would not recommend going here.

The Front staff is horrible, they always mess up my appointments and that is not it! If this is how you want to keep lifetime clients… they need to fix whatever they have going on in the office or get new staff.

I wish there would be more than 5 stars, … from a scale of 1 to 10 i would give him 20!
He is not only brilliant at what he does, his great staff is also bar non the best.
His work is just brilliant.

The last interaction that I had with this office just completely turned me away when I had been feeling that I didn’t really like this place. Guaranteed you will have to wait to be seen for at least an hour for Dr Stuart. And she will only spend 5 – 10 minutes with you when you wait for her for what feels like an eternity. She says that she removes moles because she’s a «scaredy cat» and likes to be safe. Shouldn’t you know what should be removed and what shouldn’t? That’s what you went to med school for. That’s why people pay you the big bucks. She was quick to remove moles from my body and charge for all sorts of different services every time.
I also went to Vicki for microdermabrasion and acne facials. She was always great! And on time! Unfortunately since I don’t want to deal with everyone else in this office I won’t be seeing her anymore.
The incident that put me over the edge was when I called to get a copy of a receipt that I misplaced. I needed it to get reimbursed through my insurance. Anyways, I lost my copy so called the office to get a copy faxed or emailed to me. Emily answered and made it seem like that was a lot of extra work for her and that it may take a day or two since she would have to look through all of their receipts. It baffles me that they don’t keep a copy in their patients file. So I told her the day, amount, and my name. The next day I got a fax that was completely illegible. I called her to ask her to send it again or differently and once again she seemed annoyed to be helping me. I asked if she could just take a photo of it and text it to me she sounded like she thought that was a ridiculous request (she doesn’t have a work cell and there’s no way she would do that with her personal cell) and asked how I could have lost both copies of the receipt. Well I only got one copy and yes I misplaced it. I was told I was wrong and that I got two copies. Whatever. Anyways she said she wouldn’t send me a photo of my receipt. So I asked if she could just write out a new one and send it. She said she would see what she could do. At this point I’m totally over dealing with people here. Being an office manager, I would never allow any of my staff to speak to customers the way that she does and she’s not going to get very far in customer service if she keeps up the annoyed attitude.

I have gone to La Jolla Dermatology several times in the past few years. I don’t like going to the doctor until I absolutely have to and whenever I am having a skin issue, this is the place I always want to go back to… Dr. Susan Stuart is one of the BEST dermatologists around. She has a wonderful bed side manner and has always made me feel totally comfortable when I am at my most vulnerable. I also had my first facial at La Jolla Dermatology with Vicki Shulte, the Registered Electrologist & Esthetician who is also FANTASTIC. Lately, I have been suffering from stress-​related acne which is a challenge because I get anxiety if I break out and then the vicious cycle continues. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting La Jolla Dermatology if you are experiencing acne or breakouts. The staff here know what they are doing, treat your skin problems quickly, and make you feel at ease & confident that everything will get better. Each time I have made an appointment at LJD, my skin always clears up, my stress diminishes, and I feel so much better.

Very professional staff and dermatologist. The office is elegant and there was no wait time. It’s a major improvement from my last derm (see review). I would give it 5 stars except for two things: 1-​when I have a consult with a derm, it should be with the dr, not the «beauty consultant» on staff. 2– I paid $ 400 for v beam and so no improvement whatsoever. Yes, i was told it would take a few tries… but for that much money I would expect at least a slight improvement… anything at all! Anyway, dr Richards was really nice and if v beam is offered for less, I may return.

Dr. Stuart has a very sweet, caring and kind personality. She is a ray of light that makes you grateful to have waited for your appointment even if she did run a little late (the day of my appointment — her partner was in surgery and she had to take over his patients as well). She is kind and compassionate and will address all of your concerns even if it is a last minute wart that you want her to check out… which most doctors would probably find annoying. This place is fabulous and I highly recommend it.

5 years of tanning booths + 4 years of Southern California sun = time for a body scan
And, yes, I completely quit tanning. February of this year.
Was referred to La Jolla Dermatology by a colleague and scheduled my first/​overdue body scan appointment with Dr. Susan M. Stuart, MD for earlier this month. In addition to general dermatological health, this office also specializes in laser treatments, medical spa services, cosmetic injectables/​fillers, and invasive cosmetic surgery procedures. My review is for my body scan experience.
The Scripps hospital complex in which La Jolla Dermatology is located can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with it. Here, I’ll help you out:
* Enter the hospital complex from Genesee Avenue. Grab a ticket at the booth. (Parking is $ 4, but use the validation stamp at La Jolla Dermatology’s front desk to save $ 1.)
* Drive straight versus making a right at the stop sign. You’ll see the 9850 building ahead and slightly off to the right.
* Park and take an elevator to P3. Depending what elevator you use you’ll either wind up in the building or in the adjacent parking garage. I wound up in the parking garage and accessed the building via the «Terrace Entrance.»
* Find Suite 330, and you’re all set.
The waiting room and exam rooms are very comfortable. Lots of marble and Victorian style chairs. There’s the biggest basket of magazines you’ve ever seen in the waiting room, a feature I didn’t need to take advantage of but appreciated. Numerous photos of the doctors posing with celebrities and personalized signed celebrity patient photos. Normally I’d think such photos are annoying and cheesy, but not here.
Dr. Stuart couldn’t have been sweeter, and all the staff members I met were friendly and professional. Honestly, I was in an exceptionally great mood the rest of the day.
I had brought along a list of a few abnormal spots, and prior to Dr. Stuart’s entering the room an assistant used a marker to lightly mark those areas on my body. The body scan was then performed visually by Dr. Stuart and lasted less than 10 minutes. I had a small suspicious flat mole – one that I had been curious about – removed from my forearm and didn’t feel a thing. That was all, but I appreciated Dr. Stuart’s «I’ll remove anything that makes you nervous» attitude.
I was informed that I could expect a phone call with the biopsy results in about a week but was told the results may take as long as 2 – 3 weeks. I got my phone call – a good phone call – on the 7^th day.
An overall great experience. See you again in a year, Dr. Stuart!

I’m been coming here for about a year now and I’m really grateful I found this place. The receptionists are always welcoming and happy. The reception area and office is well decorated and maintained. The couch is comfy though I haven’t had to wait there more than ten minutes.
Dr. Stuart seems like a really nice person and even though I’m sure she sees dozens of patients every day she always seems like she remembers me and is happy to see me.
My one complaint is that usually Dr. Stuart is running a little behind schedule, but I’m pretty sure you’d be hard pressed to find a doctor in San Diego that was 100% on time all the time anyway.