Care-full Beauty: Dr. Nathan Kludt Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton

When you walk into the Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton, its soft ambiance puts you at ease, from the peaceful modern art reminiscent of flowing water to the gentle curve of their blooming orchids. Having outgrown their previous location, the Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton opened its doors in its new and larger building in the Brookside area of Stockton in August 2025. Dr. Nathan Kludt, the center’s plastic surgeon, did much of the design work himself, drawing on his many years of experience to create an office that would both be efficiently streamlined for the staff and be comfortable and confidential for the patients.

Dr. Kludt knows that his patients enter the office for vastly different reasons, ranging from personal aesthetic and wellness goals to reconstruction after intensely traumatic injuries. But whatever the motives bringing patients through his doors, Dr. Kludt highlights the personal aspect of his job. “I really enjoy the relationships I build with the patients.” For him, his work is not cold and clinical; it’s about the delicate process of meeting patients where they are and helping them with the unique goals they bring to the table.

Dr. Kludt grew up in Lodi, attending Tokay High School and Delta College before beginning his journey into the medical field. After graduating from University of California Davis and working for a few years in biomedical research, he attended medical school in Virginia, returning to Davis for his residency and eventually settling in his beloved home of San Joaquin County in 2014. “When I was doing general surgery training, that’s when I got interested in plastic surgery,” Dr. Kludt said, “specifically because of the variety and creativity.” That interest sparked from the artistry of plastic surgery and its many unique opportunities; other surgical specialties often consult plastic surgery specialists for recommendations and assistance with reconstructive repairs and more delicate operations. “We tend to be known as the ‘surgeon’s surgeon,’” he said with a laugh. “Most people think of plastic surgery as simply what you see on TV, but it’s so much broader—reconstruction, trauma, cleft lips and palates, breast cancer and more.”

One of the most common procedures Dr. Kludt and Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton handle is reconstruction and cosmetic repair for patients who have undergone cancer treatment. In the United States, one in eight women, or 13 percent, will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. It’s a harrowing statistic. Dr. Kludt specifically focuses on helping breast cancer patients who are seeking reconstruction after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. “It’s a very stressful and challenging time for the patient,” Dr. Kludt said. “We focus on providing them with a very sensitive level of care.” The surgery center also assists in repairing lesions from skin cancer removal, specifically in delicate locations such as the face. No two surgeries are the same; he approaches every patient as a blank slate. “Every operation is a little different,” he noted.

Another rewarding part of his career comes from working with the new residents and training programs in the area. Many different surgical specialties such as orthopedic surgery and urology do rotations with him. “I really enjoy teaching and passing on knowledge, both surgical technique and patient care,” he affirmed. The Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton offers many services that span a wide variety of interests; not only do they do reconstructive surgeries and assist other surgical specialties, but they also offer a wide portfolio of cosmetic surgeries, fillers and injectables. Part of their new office is dedicated to a “MedSpa,” where licensed aestheticians and nurse injectors provide exceptional skin care and wellness treatment plans, including IV nutrient therapy and glutathione and NAD+ antioxidant injections.

Dr. Kludt’s career is uniquely suited for developing long-term relationships with patients and the community. He often works with the same patients over multiple years, whether helping their children by repairing a traumatic injury such as a dog bite or helping with reconstructive cosmetic surgery or wellness plans.

The etymology of the word “plastic” in “plastic surgery” comes from the Greek word meaning “to mold or shape.” Dr. Kludt’s career in plastic surgery is homage to that word and an intersection of art and science, shaping, restoring, molding and preserving. From the gentle professionalism of Dr. Kludt to the friendly laughter and conversation of the staff, every aspect of the Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton shows its dedication to the cultivation and preservation of beauty with professional care.

Visit Plastic Surgery Center of Stockton at their new location, 3409 Brookside Road, Stockton, California, plasticsurgerycenterofstockton.com, or reach out at info@pscstockton.com and (209) 870-7100.