Dr. Stephen M. Lu, MD, MDiv, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder and director of the Pennsylvania Institute for Plastic Surgery. With specialized training in aesthetic, craniofacial, microsurgical, and pediatric plastic surgery, Dr. Lu offers personalized care and exceptional outcomes to his patients in and around Carlisle, PA.
Education and training
Dr. Lu earned his medical degree from the prestigious Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, before which he studied abstract mathematics at Princeton University, worked in defense contracting with MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, and completed a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary.
Following medical school, Dr. Lu completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at Northwell Health in Manhattan and Long Island, New York. During this time, he trained alongside some of the nation’s most esteemed reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons. To further refine his skills, Dr. Lu pursued a competitive fellowship in Craniofacial and Microsurgery under the mentorship of internationally renowned surgeon Dr. Kongkrit Chaiyasate at Beaumont Health. His advanced training encompassed autologous breast reconstruction (DIEP flaps), facial reconstruction, lymphedema surgery, and nerve reconstruction.
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Expertise and innovation
Dr. Lu is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds memberships in leading professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He is recognized for blending technical precision with aesthetic artistry, offering patients specialized and personalized restorative care and aesthetic enhancements tailored to their unique needs.
Beyond his surgical practice, Dr. Lu is at the forefront of innovation in his field. He serves as the artificial intelligence section editor for the journal FACE and contributes regularly to top peer-reviewed publications, including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery Journal. His award-winning research has been presented at national and international conferences, advancing the field of plastic surgery through cutting-edge insights.
Academic leadership and mentorship
Dr. Lu is deeply committed to education and mentorship. As an Assistant Professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, he inspires and trains the next generation of surgeons. His dedication to teaching and clinical excellence has been recognized with accolades such as the UPMC Pinnacle Physician Recognition Award. He believes in fostering a supportive learning environment, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care and continuous innovation.
Personalized and compassionate care
While Dr. Lu’s technical achievements are significant, his patients often highlight his approachable and compassionate demeanor. He takes the time to build genuine connections, ensuring that each patient feels supported and confident throughout their surgical journey. Dr. Lu’s philosophy centers on understanding each patient’s goals and delivering personalized care that enhances health, confidence, and quality of life.
A passionate advocate and community leader
Dr. Lu’s commitment to helping others extends beyond the operating room. He actively participates in community outreach programs and raises funds annually for rare disease research. As an advocate for patient education and access to care, he works to make a positive impact both locally and globally. Outside of his profession, Dr. Lu cherishes time with his three children and enjoys exploring his artistic passions as an accomplished musician.
Dr. Stephen Lu founded the Pennsylvania Institute for Plastic Surgery to bring world-class care to patients across Pennsylvania. With a focus on advanced surgical techniques and a personal touch, Dr. Lu combines his unparalleled expertise with genuine compassion to transform lives through plastic surgery. Whether you seek aesthetic or restorative care, Dr. Lu is committed to achieving exceptional results tailored to your unique vision and needs. Take the first step toward transformation today by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Lu.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
- Firouzbakht P, Bagdady K, Gupta R, Lu SM, Chen K. Quite a Pickle: A 10-Year Increase in Pickleball-Related Hand Injuries. Hand. 2024 Mar 17:15589447241238371.
- Lin A, Lu SM. Plastic Surgery Roles in Wound Centers in the Northeastern United States. Ann Plast Surg. 2023 Jun 1;90(6S Suppl 5):S674-S676.
- Lu SM, Hazkour N, Atamian E, Bradley JP, Bastidas N. Inferiorly Directed Posterior Cranial Vault Distraction for Treatment of Chiari Malformations. J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Jan-Feb;34(1):284-287.
- Chaiyasate K, Gupta R, Boudiab EM, Vega D, Hart J, Nossoni F, Lu SM, Powers JM, Hobson G, Sachanandani NS. Comprehensive Treatment and Reconstructive Algorithm for Functional Restoration after Ballistic Facial Injury. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Jul 27;10(7):e4453.
- Hart J, Lu SM, Gasteratos K, Chaiyasate K. An Unoperated Crouzon Family Treated with Monobloc Distraction: Challenges and Lessons. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021 Nov 2;9(11):e3869.
- Gibstein AR, Chen K, Nakfoor B, Lu SM, Cheng R, Thorne CH, Bradley JP. Facelift Surgery Turns Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Satisfaction Quantitate Value of Procedure Type and Specific Techniques. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 Aug 13;41(9):987-999.
- Zhang BH, Chen K, Lu SM, Nakfoor B, Cheng R, Gibstein A, Tanna N, Thorne CH, Bradley JP. Turning Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence Recognition of Age Reduction after Face-Lift Surgery Correlates with Patient Satisfaction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 July 1;148(1):45-54.
- Tom AR, Boudiab E, Issa C, Huynh K, Lu S, Powers JM, Chaiyasate K. Single Center Retrospective Analysis of Cost and Payments for Lymphatic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021 Jun 16;9(6):e3630.
- Issa CJ, Lu SM, Boudiab EM, DeSano J, Sachanandani NS, Powers JM, Chaiyasate K. Comparing Plastic Surgeon Operative Time for DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: 2-stage More Efficient than 1-stage? Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021 Jun 7;9(6):e3608.
- Lu SM, Waldman LE, Boudiab EM, Lopez CD, Bassiri-Tehrani B, DelMauro MA, Israeli R, Bank J, Machnicki SC, Lerman OZ. Incidence, Impact, and Management of Incidentalomas on Preoperative Computed Tomographic Angiograms for Breast Cancer Patients with and without Genetic Mutations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Jun 1;147(6):1259-1269.
- Boudiab E, Zaikos T, Issa C, Chaiyasate K, Lu SM. Trends in Craniofacial Injuries Associated with the Introduction of Electric Scooter Sharing Services. FACE 2(22):273250162199244. February 2021.
- Oska SR, Chaiyasate K, Lu SM. Fore! A 10-year Analysis of Golf-related Facial Fractures. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Oct 22;8(10):e3128.
- Lu SM, Pessino K, Gray RL, Rodgers SD, Schneider SJ, Bastidas N. Virtual Planning for Exchange Cranioplasty in Cranial Vault Remodeling. J Craniofac Surg. 2021 Jan-Feb 01;32(1):320-321.
- Chaiyasate K, Oliver LN, Kreitzberg SA, Lyons M, Goldman J, Lu SM, Bastiaans T, Lumley C, Sachanandani NS. Use of Pericranial Flaps with Dermal Substitute for Scalp Reconstruction: A Case Series. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Aug 17;8(8):e3011.
- Fisher M, Lu SM, Chen K, Zhang B, Di Maggio M, Bradley JP. Facial Feminization Surgery Changes Perception of Patient Gender. Aesthetic Surg J. 2020 Jun 15;40(7):703-709.
- Lu SM, Chen K, Cheng R, Fisher M, Zhang B, Di Maggio M, Bradley JP. Facial Recognition Neural Networks Confirm Success of Facial Feminization Surgery. Plast Reconst Surg. 2020 Jan;145(1):203-209.
- Lu SM, Hsu DT, Perry A, Leipziger L, Kasabian AK, Bartlett SP, Thorne CH, Tanna N. The Public Face of Rhinoplasty: Impact on Perceived Attractiveness and Personality. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Oct;142(4):881-887.
- Lu SM, Bartlett SP. On facial asymmetry and self-perception. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014 Jun;133(6):873e-881e.
- Lu SM, Nelson JA, Fischer JP, Fosnot J, Goldstein J, Selber JC, Serletti JM, Wu LC. The impact of complications on function, health, and satisfaction following abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction: a prospective evaluation. J Plast Reconstr Aesthetic Surg. 2014 May;67(5):682-92.
- Goncharova EA, Goncharov DA, Li H, Pimtong W, Lu SM, Khavin I, Krymskaya VP. mTORC2 is required for proliferation and survival of TSC2-null cells. Mol Cell Biol. 2011 Jun;31(12):2484-98.
