Florida Plastic Surgeon - Dr Clevens

If you are worried your chin and neck looking old and tired then chin implant surgery may be the solution for you. This procedure, along with necklift surgery, can last a lifetime and improve your cosmetic appearance.

A well-defined chin gives balance to your face. Many patients are unaware of how they look from the side, because of mirrors and photos we mainly view ourselves straight on. Patients seeking chin augmentation are motivated when they just happen to see a picture, which caught them in profile.

This is a relatively straightforward procedure that can make a major difference in your appearance. During the chin implant, solid silicone is used for long lasting results. Solid silicone does not reabsorb, and because it is solid, there is no concern with it leaking. This procedure is able to improve facial balance and harmony for the rest of your life. As we age, our faces are likely to drop and it causes us to lose our youthful facial appearance. However, with cheek augmentation we are able to create prominent cheekbones that will give you the youthful look you have been wanting.

Facial augmentation or implant surgery is one of facial plastic surgery's most gratifying procedures. It provides immediate and effective results that can last a lifetime while dramatically improving facial harmony.

Call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment. We would love to meet with you and discuss the best treatment options available to you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

For someone who is considering a photo treatment for your acne, it is best to understand the differences between Photo Facial and Intense Pulsed Light. This way you can be sure which treatment will be the most effective for you.

Photo Facial and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are very similar procedures. They both use a low energy laser that aids in removing red and brown imperfections from the skin such as spider veins and age spots and smooth fine lines. The downtime after IPL is usually minimal and most patients will return to work right away. IPL is often performed in a series of treatments.

However, Photo Facial is a sequence of intense pulsed light treatments that improve the appearance of Rosacea, flushing, sun damaged skin, age spots, skin texture, and photo aging. This procedure is similar to a supercharged version of IPL. During a Photo Facial treatment a chemical is applied to the skin that increases the sensitivity of the skin to light. After this chemical soaks into the skin for about one hour, a light source is used on the skin similar to IPL. The skin turns bright red, like a sunburn for 2-3 days afterwards. There may be some peeling. This is very effective in treating pre-cancerous lesions on the skin, spider veins and brown spots. The results after the Photo Facial are often more dramatic than the results after IPL alone.

Call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment. We would love to meet with you and discuss the best treatment options available to you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Some patients wonder if there can be any slight nose-straightening done during Septoplasty, or if that is strictly Rhinoplasty. Septoplasty refers to a surgery that addresses both cosmetic refinement and a deviated septum. If the septum is not straight, then the nose will never be straight. Unfortunately, the converse is not always true. If you just have your spetum straightened, it is unlikely that a crooked nose will become straight. If you have a crooked nose, the first step is to straighten the septum in order to achieve a straight nose as part of a rhinoplasty or 'nose job.'

During a septoplasty, we attempt to create balanced facial appearance while bettering your breathing as well as your sinus function. An important part of our evaluation includes the shape and prominence of your chin. Surprisingly, the shape of your chin plays an important role in the appearance of your face. A shorter chin can make your nose appear more noticeable. At our office we construct a computerized image to preview that will help you get a look at what the facial appearance will look like post-surgery.

Call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment. We would love to meet with you and discuss the best treatment options available to you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

I am frequently asked about the effects of Perlane injections. Questions such as:

• Why does Perlane cause lumps?
• Is it possible I needed Restylane instead of Perlane?
• How long should the side effects last?
• How long do the effects of Perlane last? 

Perlane is designed and should instantly fill out your depressed areas, leaving a smooth appearance on the skin. Some swelling and redness may occur as well as some associated pain. This typically does not last longer than a week. Allergy or granuloma formations are rare. The lump you feel may have been an area that was overfilled. There is a solution; Hyaluronidase can simply be injected into the area dissolving the product immediately. The wrinkle free effects of Perlane last for about 6-8 months after your injection. This is a much longer period than any of the currently available temporary dermal fillers.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment. We would live to meet with you an discuss the best treatment options available to you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: Rhinoplasty Recovery Time and Downtime

What is the average rhinoplasty recovery time? When should I expect to be able to go out in public after a nose job, and when will the bandages come off?

A: Healing from Rhinoplasty surgery

My patients are advised to take off one to two weeks of work after their rhinoplasty procedure.I have an experienced team of medical aestheticians on staff available to instruct patients how to conceal any bruising and swelling that may remain when they are ready to return to their normal routine.  

Even though patients may feel ready to resume normal physical activities and grow restless within a few days, to achieve the best results from a rhinoplasty, it is very important that patients give their body it's very best chance to recuperate and take it easy. The healing process is a delicate time, and patients should cease their exercise regimen and avoid other strenuous activities for several weeks after the procedure.

Patients should limit sun exposure for eight weeks after rhinoplasty as the tissues are still very vulnerable in this time. Patients should also avoid alcohol consumption before the procedure and during recovery.

Some unnoticeable swelling can remain for as long as a year, and your nasal contour may continue to change and final results may not be seen until that year mark.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment. We would live to meet with you an discuss the best treatment options available to you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: Is There A Way I Can Remove Hyperpigmented Scars?

Is there something I can use to remove hyperpigmented scars and/or return skin to its natural color? I am an African American female, fairly light skinned, age 28. I suffered from Dermatillomania through out my teenage years and now that I am an adult, the condition is under control.

However, I have terrible scar damage on the face, arms and chest - breast area. The scars are flat, but are light in center and dark brown on the outsides, almost like an outline.

A: Treatment of Hyperpigmented Scars

The treatment of hyperpigmented scars can be challenging. Moderation is often the best course, particularly early on in the treatment process especially in dark skinned individuals, First, it is key to use sun block to minimize sun exposure to the region of concern. Second, there are a number of skin care preparations that can address the inflammation associated with the hyperpigmentation as well as the darkening itself.

Your physician can ask a local compounding pharmacy to mix up a special preparation of Retin A, Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid, and a topical steroid into a formulation that can be applied topically to the regions of concern. I would consider this conservative approach prior to moving on toward lasers and other more complicated treatment options.

Please call our office at 321.727.3223 to schedule an appointment and to see what treatments we have available for you.

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

Q: How do I fix my small, thin lips?  
My lips are very thin, and my top lip is almost nonexistent. My top lip is also rather pointed at the top, and seems to curl under on one side too. What would be the best way to plump my lips up and give them a more feminine, rounded appearance?

A: Permanent Options for thin lips
You can choose either a lip implant or a surgical lip lift.If you choose a "permanent" implant, there are numerous substances that I commonly use as a graft or implant material in the lips. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• AlloDerm is a popular human-donor grafting material that is FDA approved and proven safe in lip augmentation and facial reconstruction. Under a local anesthesia, the material is inserted through tiny incisions made in the inside corners of the mouth. Delicate absorbable stitches that dissolve are used. The material is often absorbed, so that the results are only temporary, lasting from 12-18 months. This procedure takes about 15 minutes in the office under local anesthesia.
• Advanta and Gore-Tex have been shown to produce reliable and predictable results with few complications. These materials do not shrink and are never absorbed into the body making the procedure permanent. It also remains in place because scar tissue forms on both ends holding it in place. To insert Advanta and Gore-Tex, a small incision is made in the inside of the lip. The material is then made into the shape of a small tube and it is inserted with a needle.
• Fat grafting produces lasting results in most of the people who try it. Although it is possible that the body will reabsorb it, many people choose fat grafting because they are most comfortable with using the fat from their own body to enhance their lips. The fat is harvested from another area of the body, often the abdomen. It is then prepared and inserted with a needle into the lip from more than one point.
• SurgiSil is new to the market but promises a safe, definitive solution for permanent tissue augmentation.Surgisil is a patented, FDA approved device designed for tissue augmentation of the lips and has undergone extensive clinical testing to ensure its safety and efficacy. It is made of a soft, solid silicone elastomer using an injection molding process to produce a naturally contoured implant with a smooth, non-porous surface. The implant cannot rupture or deflate, and may be removed at any time. I have see great results with this product.

If you opt for Lip Augmentation through a Surgical Solution, you will certainly have a permanent result.

• Surgical enhancement of the lips provides a permanent alternative to injections and implants.
• Surgical enhancement usually takes less than one hour to perform in office under local anesthesia.
• Careful and fine incisions are created to shape the lips into their desired shape and form.
• Direct Lip Lifting creates a fuller upper and/or lower lip with imperceptible incisions. This precise procedure allows the patient to state just how full you want your lip and that is where I can place the new lip line.
• As the lip ages, the corner of the mouth tends to droop. Other procedures such as the Corner of the Lip Lift enable the lip to be reshaped so that the frown can be improved and a youthful upturned lip can be achieved.
• Local flaps bring material from inside the mouth outside to enhance the lips. Results are permanent. An incision may be made inside the mouth to push the tissue inside the mouth upward, and outward, into the lip, sometimes in conjunction with grafting. Or, an incision may be along the upper lip line. In this case, skin above the lip is removed, and the lip is then stitched along the line of the incision.

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

Ross A. Clevens, MD
Melbourne Florida Facial Plastic Surgeon

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

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.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS, Brevard’s only Board Certified Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has been chosen by Regen Labs of Switzerland for a cutting edge Platelet Healing Gel (PRP) study analyzing the effects of PRP stem cells in aesthetic facial surgery

Melbourne, Florida 

Platelet Healing Gel has been used for years in dentistry, orthopedics, and sports medicine for assistance in wound healing. Dr. Clevens is considered among its pioneers in facial plastic surgery. The platelets are harvested by centrifugal separation of autologous whole blood. They are then injected into the wound site and assist in remarkably shorter wound healing times in most patients.

The newest player in PRP indications is its use in aesthetic indications. Regen Labs was the first to inject PRP stem cells into healthy, but aging skin and see incredible results in reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.

This up and coming technology will allow patients to have younger, healthier looking skin through a non-surgical procedure. “We are honored that Regen Labs has chosen us to complete this stem cell study and are excited to offer this cutting edge technology to our patients.” says Dr. Ross A. Clevens, Facial Plastic Surgeon.

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.

Click on the links below to see YouTube Videos featuring Dr. Clevens discussing PRP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbfa0zPybFQ&feature=channel_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoHmdpXIGo&feature=relmfu