Steven Bates, MD

I had breast cancer and selected Dr. Bates to do a full breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap method. I am overjoyed by the surgery. If had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it an 11! My breasts are symmetrical and look natural. Many of the doctors who have examined me have said they are in awe of Dr. Bates’ work. Dr. Bates is truly gifted and I feel so lucky he was my plastic surgeon.
Dr. Bates has a strong team of nurses. I’d like to especially mention Ronces, a RN on the team, who has a wonderful disposition and was excellent at explaining the procedures to me. You are in amazing hands with Dr. Bates and his team at PAMF!
Dr. Bates is not very talkative but he does make sure you understand what he is saying. I did my homework before meeting him and that was very helpful too. I spoke to other women who had had the same procedure and I also read two books: Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book and Judy Kneece’s Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook.
At the meeting, Dr. Bates was very professional and I appreciated the time he took to answer my questions. Right before my surgery, I was sincerely surprised when he remembered a hobby that I have — he reminded me that I would have to take a little break from my hobby to fully recover. This made me feel even more confident that Dr. Bates would do an outstanding surgery.
Now, I can comfortably wear anything I want, and most importantly, I don’t have to feel like I lost anything. In fact, I have gained my confidence back with my beautiful reconstruction.

I had very a bad experience with Dr. Bates at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
A year ago he removed gel implants from my breast and cut too much tissue. Other doctors were terrified by his job.
So, after all, I had to go to the Stanford to do 2 reconstructive surgeries. He definitely doesn’t know what he is doing. I would recommend to see more experienced plastic surgeon.

Dr. Bates is fantastic and was highly recommended from a friend of mine who is also a doctor in the community. My son broke his nose as he got hit in the face by a lacrosse ball. Dr. Bates was great with him as well as explaining to us next steps and what were the risks. He followed up with a phone call himself after the surgery to see how our son was feeling. The entire staff and experience at PAMF was excellent. I highly recommend Dr. Bates and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Doctor Steven Bates was referred to me by a mutual friend. I met with Dr. Bates for a mini facelift consultation and wound up discussing a breast augmentation procedure as well. Being that I still have plenty of time on the former, I decided to move forward with the latter, increasing my barely B Cup to a full C Cup. Dr. Bates did an amazing job… they look completely real and fit to my body build perfectly. Throughout the entire process, Dr. Bates and his wonderful staff have been professional, kind, and just a complete joy. When I am ready for that mini facelift, I will most certainly be calling on Dr. Bates to do so.

I am posting this review on behalf of my 72 year old mother, who asked me to add her comments about this fantastic doctor. She wanted other patients to experience his exceptionally high-​caliber level of service, care, and support.
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I was referred to Dr. Steve Bates by my foot doctor as I was continuing to experience pain/​tingling/​burning in my foot 2 ½ years post broken arch surgery. Dr. Bates was to cut a nerve in my leg to help stop my problems. On my office visit, he asked all about the history, treatment and symptoms concerning my foot surgery and then thoroughly explained to me what cutting of the nerve in my leg would mean if the surgery was done. On surgery day, he spoke with me prior to the procedure, again explaining the ramifications of cutting the nerve. Following surgery, he expressed concern and sympathy for the long enduring discomfort I had experienced. He followed my recovery period with multiple appointments to monitor my progress. Should I ever need his surgical expertise again, I would not hesitate, one minute, to seek his help and I would recommend him to any friends in need of his medical specialty. He is super!

I was suprised to read the comment posted by another Unilocal reviewer. My experience with Dr Bates was just the opposite. I went to see Dr Bates to close a face laceration. I was nervous about going to the Urgent Care to have it repaired, so I called PAMF’s Plastic Surgery Center to see if there was someone available to do the stiches. It was late in the afternoon and the clinic was about to close. Dr Bates was the only doctor left at the clinic, and after begging the receptionist to please ask, she did. Dr Bates was more than accommodating. He took his time and did a wonderful job with the stitches. At my last appointment, he gave me pointers on how to keep the scar from being raised and darkening. I’m a month out from having the stitches taken out and the scar is barely noticable. I definitely will go back to him if I decide to get any plastic surgery done. Thanks Dr Bates!