David White, MD

Unfortunately, I must leave this review because first I went in because of some numbing pain that I was experiencing. He told me that everything looks fine BUT if I am still worried, I can get an MRI. And so I did get an MRI.
The MRI was read by Rita E Sohlich, who completely read the MRI wrong. According to her reading, Dr. David White told me that I needed surgery within the next couple of months.
And so I did get surgery (but in another town, since I felt more comfortable in my hometown where my mother could take care of me). This was dumb on my part — I should’ve gotten a second opinion (but then how was I supposed to know that I can’t trust a doctor’s reading?). Guess what? The surgeon found nothing to be wrong and that I never needed to get surgery in the first place.
I know this review is a little confusing and vague, as I’m trying to explain my situation as much as I can without revealing too much personal information. Moral of the story? Always get a second opinion.

I had a recent difficult surgery and skin graft and Dr. White was on the medical team that worked with me. The highest praise would not be enough to describe my experience with Dr. White. He was professional, compassionate, and extremely competent in every aspect of our relationship. He scheduled multiple appointments for me without any hassle, was very prompt and efficient in these appointments and obtained, I think, the best results possible under the circumstances. I have absolutely no reservations in recommending Dr. White to anyone who needs a plastic surgeon who has outstanding skills.

Anyone looking for a great plastic surgeon be sure and meet with David N. White, M.D. at Palo Alto Medical’s Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Los Altos, CA. He is a true artist, meticulous in his approach and has a warm and caring bedside manner. He even saw me on his day off. I had a mini facelift and eyelid surgery and had previously met with two other doctor’s. I am so very excited with the results and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’m very grateful for having found Doctor White.
SL

I am a violinist who in 1996 was stopped from playing in any capacity by carpal tunnel syndrome. I visited many doctors and the general opinion was to take 2 years out from playing. I followed this advice and the syndrome remained. I then got the opinion of hand surgeons who were considered leaders in their field. No one would chance operating on a violinist. In my search, in 2003, I was referred to Dr. David White. He assured me he could remedy my carpal tunnel problem. He gave me a estimated percentage of correction: 80% of the issue would be fixed.
In reality, it was 100% corrected. He operated on both my wrists and both have not had any issues since. (I should add that even now I daily perform the hand and arm exercises I was told to perform.) Since the carpal tunnel surgery, I have had Dr. White correct 2 trigger-​finger problems (100% corrected) and a De Quervain condition (100% corrected).
Before the surgeries, after the carpal tunnel syndrome set in, in order to play the violin in any manner, I resorted to playing on a child’s instrument. Today, seven years after all those surgeries, I am back to playing my full-​size violin. I do not have any limitations on what size instrument I play or how long I play. With my livelihood and passion returned to me, I am relieved, thrilled and extremely thankful to Dr. White, his knowledge, experience, training AND his willingness to restore my hands – I felt the other surgeons backed away from my problem, worried about possible legal actions. I have recommended Dr. White to a few fellow violinists who suffer from the same conditions. They have had him do the surgery. They, too, are extremely happy with their results.
I should add that in addition to being a extremely skilled surgeon, Dr. White is an artist. The resulting scars from the operations are so skillfully located that they are not noticeable. I’ve included a photo to show the carpal tunnel scar and the De Quervain scar (front of wrist and side of wrist near thumb).
This video of Dr. White is on YouTube.
It is a very accurate representation of Dr. White’s manner.

I saw Dr White for facial rejuvenation in Oct of 2014. At nearly 58, I didn’t want to look like a 30-​something, just reclaim my jaw line. I had attended an evening lecture given by Dr White at PAMF. Most all my questions were addressed during the presentation and follow on Q&A session. At the consultation, Dr White and I discussed my options without any pressure what-​so-​ever. I was fully informed of the process, cost and outcome expectations.
My experience was very straight forward and professional. My healing went as it was explained and expected. I am very pleased with the results. My husband comments about how great I look, my sisters are envious, and my skin care profession says it’s one of the best jobs she has seen. I feel great about what I did! Yep! Thanks Dr White.

I hesitated to write this review for a while, given that surgery is kind of a personal experience, and given that I wanted my review to be fair, and a full recovery from surgery can take a long time.
That said, a year ago I saw Dr. White for a procedure, having found him online and partially though Unilocal and I recommend you see someone else. Skip to the end for the primary reason (lack of cosmetic skill), this review goes step by step through my experience.
Here and elsewhere, others have mentioned his lack of bedside manner. I found that to be true — he is VERY brief with patients (details to come) — but I wasn’t put off by it because he seemed competent and I’ll take skill over friendliness any day when it comes to medical professionals.
My first encounter with him was for a consultation. He spent 10 – 15 minutes with me, showed me a single before/​after picture of a past patient, passed me to Cora, who handles insurance, and that was it. He submitted a recommendation that my surgery was medically necessary and three weeks later, I was approved to be covered. In terms of working with my insurance, his office was great. However, I was never asked IF I wanted to proceed with the operation through his office. I assumed I was coming in for a consultation and to decide if I liked him as a doctor, but I felt very rushed into confirming that I would be working with him. I understand it is always the patient’s choice, but as a young person without a lot of experience interacting with doctors, it felt uncomfortable and like I was under pressure/​without options.
Next was scheduling. He was able to see me for an operation on a short timeline. He continued to spend minimal time with me at pre-​op appointments and his nurse, Diane, was not very professional. For whatever reason wasn’t feeling well one day, but rather than stay home from work or have another nurse help her, she showed me to my room and directed me to get out my own gown, etc. because she couldn’t bend down to open the drawer and hand me one. The request was weird, but not a big deal — it was the way she approached it that was unprofessional (rather than explaining or apologizing that she was unable, she just waved me over to the patient’s chair and offhandedly said I should get one out for myself). Minor detail in the scheme of things, but it’s a weird atmosphere in the office.
Finally, operation day came. I had to walk myself to the operating room and climb onto the table my myself. Again, not a red flag, but strange compared to past experience in an operating room. The PA who helped with the surgery told me before I went under that I would have drains on my incisions, but when I woke up, I didn’t, and there was no information as to why. I didn’t feel well briefed for post-​surgical care.
Now the primary reason for the negative review: poor scarring (I know this can be due to the way individual bodies heal, but read on before you make a call on what the cause is)
Ultimately, I wasn’t given a choice in terms of the type of incision I would have for my surgery. However, other doctors perform a method of surgery that results in FAR shorter scars. I knew what the shape of my scars would be, but I have two and they are asymmetrical when they should be symmetrical. They way scars heal can depend on the individual, but the actual shape and symmetry of an incision is wholly on the surgeon and mine were not carefully done.
All along, I’ve noticed a slight misshapenness in one area of operation. I had another doctor look at it to see if it was caused by scar adhesion, but she said no, that the scar was soft, and that it looked like too much issue was removed from that area. Again, this falls on the surgeon, not on the way I have healed.
Finally, Dr. White’s office has not followed up since my stitches were removed. There was never a six month check in for post-​surgical pictures. Ultimately, it really felt like they were done once they were paid. This also explains why he only showed me one patient picture — he likely doesn’t have record of others.
I gave 2 stars because the operation was completed successfully and the pain I experienced prior to surgery was reduced after my operation. However, the cosmetic element of a major surgery is also important and I recommend against him in this case. I will be seeing Dr. Greenberg in Palo Alto for scar correction and possibly reshaping. She has a couple negative reviews on her main page, which is what deterred me from her, but if you expand the hidden reviews, there are a lot of 5-​star reviews ( Unilocal’s algorithm hides reviews from profiles that appear to be fake — no picture, few/​no past reviews, etc. — but understandably, most people reviewing plastic surgeons prefer to be anonymous, so the algorithm fails in this situation). She requires a paid consultation, but you get a full hour with her, which I think is very valuable and assuring

It is true that Dr. White has a wonderful bedside manner and he is skillful as a plastic surgeon. It is also true that he will not, at times, do what he states he will do. He told, me when I complained that one side of my neck was not the same as the right and it was still wrinkly, he would fix it as he wanted more than anything for me to be happy, satisfied. He added I needed to wait at least 4 months post-​surgery. Diane, his assistant nurse seemed surprised when I told her. Five months after at our last meeting he told me no, he would not fix it. In other words it is the best he is willing to do and the small task of taking up some skin behind my ear (his assessment of how easy it would be) would not happen. I did not argue as I don’t feel it would have mattered. Obviously as I could not get a word in contrary to his decision, his mind was made up. He smiled, thanked me and walked out. Eventually I will go elsewhere. Oh and I felt every shot in my face during the surgery. Twilight anesthesia but could not tell him, at least 6 in my face. Also you should know, the post-​surgery — it’s very painful!

I worked with Dr. White during reconstruction from breast cancer. I am very pleased with the results. As important, he and his nurse were compassionate and caring throughout. He was direct in answering questions, and never made me feel self-​conscious about the process. I would highly recommend him for reconstructive breast surgery, as I believe it’s important to have a good relationship with the person you see weekly for several months. Several of my friends have used him, and all have been very happy with the process as well as the results.

Dr White has a unique talent. Not only is he a well trained and very experienced plastic surgeon, he is also an artist. It is quickly apparent once you’ve had any work done by Dr White. He is very skilled which is an important criteria for anyone wielding a knife within inches of my face, but he also has the ability to bring an artistic perspective to his work. Evidentally, he started out in life with the objective to become an artist, but then medical school and years of training intervened, and here he is today. An artist in a doctor’s body with a strong following of fans.
I have been a patient of his for a while and am very pleased with his work. Okay, so I can take off a decade off my age without being questioned, and will have to wait many more years than I should to get a senior discount without being questioned, but this is all a good problem to have.
I’ve referred many people to Dr White and they have all been pleased as well.
Dr White does have a lovely style and is very direct and honest. What has also impressed me about him is that he has talked me out of certain procedures telling me he didn’t think I would benefit that much from them. He is charming without being slick and competent without being arrogant.

Thank you Dr David White on your caring about my full reconstruction surgery in 2003 from breast cancer. My scars are barely visible. 2013 I have had one implant replaced due to leaking. Again great care, explanation and answered all my questions.