Florida Plastic Surgeon
Blog - Dr Clevens

Dr. Clevens Patient, Stephanie Pearson Speaks on her Upper & Lower Eyelid Surgery

There are many methods for performing a browlift or forehead lift including an endoscopic browlift (through tiny incisions with the assistance of telescopes) , bicoronal forehead lift (extensive incision from ear to ear across the top of the head) and a tricophytic or hairline browlift. (hidden along the hairline. Each of these techniques achieves a similar result through the brow and the forehead in terms of smoothing of lines and gentle elevation of the brows.

The key difference is in how they affect your hairline. The Bicoronal (ear to ear) browlift elevates or pulls your hairline back, raising the frontal hairline by up to one inch. The Endoscopic lift has minimal effect of the position of the hairline. The tricophytic or hairline browlift can be used to adjust the hairline, usually lowering it to address a receding hairline or widow's peaks in the temporal hairline.   The forehead procedure that is the best for you will ultimately depend on how much skin laxity you have, the  hairline position that you desire, and the types of incisions/scarring that is acceptable to you.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a browlift.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: Radiesse Vs. Sculptra, Which is Best for Cheek Enhancement?

A: I prefer Sculptra for cheeks. Both Sculptra and Radiesse work exceptionally well for augmentation of the cheeks in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

The key advantage to Sculptra is its longer duration of action. After a series of three Sculptra treatments resulting in a full correction, many patients will have results that last 2-3 years whereas Radiesse generally lasts about one year. The Sculptra results can be maintained over the long term with annual touch up treatments.

An advantage to Radiesse, though, is the immediate results while the outcome with Sculptra takes months to evolve.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for Sculptra.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: Which is better: Fillers or Fat Transfers for Cheek Wrinkle Line? I have a wrinkle line that starts from the inside corner of my eye that goes down and across the cheekbone area. A dermatologist recommended using fillers after doing incision in that area. The results were great from the reviews and pictures I've seen. Second consult was with a plastic surgeon who recommended getting fat transfer there. Which would be best for the wrinkle line across the cheekbone?

A: Fat vs Fillers. This is a question I hear often in my practice. As a general rule of thumb, I prefer to use injectable fillers because they are predictable in terms of duration and placement. In addition, there is no need to harvest your own fat and you can fill the area gradually, over time, for a softer, more natural look.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for the injectable fillers.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mary Meibers Speaks about Dr. Clevens Weekend Necklift Surgery

Mary Meibers, patient of Dr. Ross Clevens at the Clevens Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery speaks about her experience during her Weekend Necklift surgery. In this short, one-minute video, Mary talks about her experience, and gives advice to those who are thinking about the surgery.

Dr. Ross Clevens Patient, Mary Meibers, Gives Advice on Weekend Necklift Surgery from Ross Clevens on Vimeo.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a Weekend Necklift. Ross A. Clevens, MD Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: Which Laser works better for improving the appearance of Stretch Marks? I have some stretch marks on my hips and thighs. They are not too deep and somewhat lighter than my skin. I have been to two places, one of which offers to treat me with 3 treatments of Erbium and Yag-Ktp as well as CIT (collagen induction therapy I think) The other place offers to treat me with Amaris. Which one of these laser works better for improving the appearance of stretch marks? Do they even work at all?

A: Artisan 1540 to Treat Stretch Marks

Q: Is it Possible to have a upper lip lift done at the same time as a facelift?  I am 60 year old and planning a Facelift this year. Is it possible to have an Lip upper Lift done at the same time as a Facelift? My lip upper is too long.

A: Lip Lift combined with Facelift Procedure

A Facelift rejuvenates the lower two thirds of the face and neck. It lifts the cheeks creating an uplifted appearance to the cheeks and mid-face, smooths the nasolabial folds, lifts the jowl thereby defining the jawline creating a more youthful and angular jawline and neck line. 

In my practice, i often perform Facelift surgery in conjunction with other surgical procedures. Most commonly with eyelid surgery, skin resurfacing and lip enhancement. Patients find these additional procedures are necessary to achieve a balanced improvement and optimal results.  From your photo, you appear to be an excellent candidate for a sub-nasal lip lift.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a Facelift.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: How Long Does a Deep Plane Facelift Last? A deep plane facelift really just lasts 5 - 10 years? I read this somewhere. After 5 - 10 years will I look as old as before the lift? 

A: Deep Plane Facelift for natural and long lasting results. The deep plane facelift is an advanced surgical technique that achieves a natural looking and long lasting result. This technique represents the state of the art in facelift surgery. Rather than just tightening the skin, this procedure lifts and tightens the underlying muscle while repositioning fat to achieve a three dimensional rejuvenating result. This procedure is best performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon who performs facelift surgery as a routine part of his or her practice.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a Deep Plane Facelift.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Ross A. Clevens chosen to present on Facial Plastic Surgery at International Event in San Diego, California

Melbourne, Florida - Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS, Brevard's only Board Certified Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has been chosen by The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to present at their annual event in San Diego, California in front of over 500 other facial plastic surgery peers.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world's largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery. It represents more than 2,700 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world.

Each year, the AAFPRS holds an annual meeting, which attracts medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing physicians in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery from around the world. This year, their annual meeting will be held on January 18-22, 2012 in San Diego, California at the U.S. Grant Hotel.

Dr. Ross A. Clevens has been chosen to present this year on "Techniques in Forehead Lifting; Rejuvenation of the Upper Face" and to act as an expert participant on the Panel discussion on the "Basic Principles of the Aging Face from the Masters." Dr. Clevens also acted as a director of this course in both 2006 and 2008.

The Clevens Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery provides state-of-the-art facial plastic surgery, and has two offices in Florida, Melbourne and Suntree. Dr. Clevens is the only board-certified facial plastic surgeon from Stuart to Daytona Beach.

Q: Should I Stick with At-home Peels for Hyperpigmentation? I have brown skin, with hyperpigmentation on my neck caused by a cut I sustained years ago. I've since had an IPL, CO2 Laser, Chemical Peel, and steroid injections, and now my scar is extremely smooth, but dark brown in color! I tried an at-home TCA-peel, which made my skin peel, get dark, and lighten up a shade! Should I keep doing the peels, opt for another laser treatment, or stick to bleaching creams?

A: TCA useful for hyperpigmentation

 TCA is a useful peel for irregularites of the skin such as hyperpigmentation and dark patches. Further, TCA is a chemical peeling agent that smooths fine lines and removes some skin imperfections such as brown spots and sun damage. TCA may be combined with another peeling agent known as Jessner's solution. This allows a more uniform and thorough result. TCA is generally considered a "medium depth" peel and thus you should expect more than you would achieve with a glycolic peel, but less than with laser skin resurfacing. Healing time is usually 3-5 days.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule your appointment and see if you are a good candidate for a TCA peel.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon