Dr. Clevens performs facelift and S-Lift surgery to turn back the clock. Face lifting enables you to discover a more youthful chin and neckline. Through state-of-the-art sophisticated facelifting techniques, Dr. Clevens strives to achieve a natural and rested facial appearance.

Feeling that patients want to look better, not different, Dr. Clevens concentrates on lifting and repositioning the facial fat and muscles to achieve a natural and more youthful facial appearance. Facelifting is among the most popular facial plastic surgery procedures that Dr. Clevens performs and may be combined with eyelid surgery, brow lift, and cosmetic laser skin resurfacing to achieve an enhanced appearance.

What may be helped?

• Lower face and neck
• Contour of the chin and neckline
• Appearance of the cheek and jowls
• Some lines and wrinkles
• Deep creases and facial folds

What may not be helped?

• Forehead and brow position
• Eyelid appearance
• Some wrinkles will remain and may return
• Aging process

Frequently Asked Questions

Q- What is an S-lift?

Is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the most visible signs of aging and restore a more youthful appearance to the face and neck. As time passes, facial lines and wrinkles form, laxity in the neckline develops and deep folds appear along the nose-cheek groove. No one lives a life completely shielded from the sun, immune from gravity, while not allowing ourselves to make the facial expressions that cause wrinkles. The purpose of an S-lift facelift is to restore the youthful lower face and neckline you had years ago. The procedure can improve the appearance of sagging facial skin of the lower face as well as jowls and loose neck skin. Dr. Clevens brings a skilled touch to the S-lift procedure, his patients should expect to achieve a smoother neck area, reduced jowls, and a refined jawline and chin. Dr. Clevens is a frequent lecturer at national plastic surgery meetings on the topic of minimally invasive facelift procedures such as the S-Lift and Laser assisted Weekend Neck lift.

Q- How does an S-lift differ from a facelift?

A facelift rejuvenates the lower two thirds of the face, cheek and neck. A facelift lifts the cheeks creating an uplifted appearance to the cheeks and midface, smooths the nasolabial folds, lifts the jowl thereby defining the jawline creating a more youthful and angular jawline and neck line. In addition, a facelift lifts the neck and chin improving you profile and neckline. An S-lift rejuvenates the lower two thirds of the face and neck like a facelift, but an S-lift does not lift the cheeks, improve the nasolabial folds or rejuvenate the midface as one might expect with a facelift.

Q- Are other procedures typically performed at the same time as S-lift?

S-lift is often performed in conjunction with other procedures that rejuvenate the face and turn back the hands of time including browlift, blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) and skin resurfacing procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, Rhytec Portrait skin resurfacing and chemical peels. These procedures improve the forehead, brow position, the appearance of the eyelids and the texture of the skin. Often additional procedures are necessary to achieve a balanced improvement. For example, if someone receives an S-lift, their youthful lower face may accentuate an aged forehead, saggy brows, or tired looking eyelids.

During your consultation with Dr. Clevens, he and his staff will help you decide what combination of procedures, if necessary, will best address your individual needs if an S-lift alone is not enough to achieve the best post operative result.

Turn back the clock with a more youthful neckline!

Q- Who is the best candidate for an S-Lift?

The best candidate for an S-Lift is a physically healthy person who is realistic in their expectations regarding the appearance of loose facial and neck skin. You do not need to wait until the signs of aging are severe, an increasing number of men and women elect to have S-Lifts performed at a younger age at the first signs of a sagging lower face – creating a less dramatic and less noticeable result than if they had waited longer. In general, this procedure is performed at a younger age creates a longer lasting and more natural appearing lift, enabling you to enjoy the results of your procedure for more years to come. Conversely, so long as you are healthy, an S-lift can be performed at any age and can deliver remarkable results. Many healthy patients over 80 years of age enjoy the benefits of an S-Lift.

Q- Where is the S-Lift procedure performed?

To ensure your safety and comfort, Dr. Clevens performs S-Lift surgery in a state-licensed, fully accredited ambulatory surgery center of Outpatient Surgicenter. Dr. Clevens does not perform this type of procedure in an office setting as this is generally considered unsafe.

Q- What type of anesthesia is used for the S-Lift?

Dr. Clevens typically performs facelift with either general anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and sedation. Regardless, a board certified physician MD anesthesiologist will be responsible for administering your anesthesia or sedation. Dr. Clevens and your anesthesiologist will help determine what best suits your particular needs.

Q- How is the actual S-Lift procedure performed?

During this procedure, a narrow ‘S’ shaped section of skin is excised from the area in front of the ear. The skin is then lifted, the muscles and tissues are tightened, and excess fat is removed. The incisions are then meticulously closed by Dr. Clevens.

For a traditional facelift, incisions are made around and behind the ears and the skin is separated from the fat and muscle that lies beneath. Fat is removed from around the neck and chin, the muscles are tightened, and excess skin is removed. The incisions are then closed.

Q- How long does it take to do the actual S-Lift procedure?

S-Lift typically require one to two hours to perform, though the S-Lift usually requires a little less time.

Q- Where are the incisions made for an S-lift? Are there scars after an S-lift?

For the S-Lift, the incision is typically in the shape of a narrow ‘S’ just in front of the ear. If the neck requires work, a small incision may be made just under the chin.

The incisions made during the facelift and S-Lift procedures will result in fine incisions though they tend to be well-hidden within the hairline or the natural creases of the face and ears.

Dr. Clevens takes great care to make inconspicuous S-Lift incisions that will heal into the least evident scars possible. Before your procedure and during your aftercare you will receive advice from Dr. Clevens and his staff on how to care for your incisions.

Q- Is the S-Lift procedure painful?

Patients may experience some discomfort after the S-Lift procedure, though this pain is typically mild and can be easily controlled with prescription pain medication that Dr. Clevens will provide.

Q- What is the recovery like after an S-Lift?

After a facelift, some numbness, bruising and swelling will occur. Bruising typically takes 7-10 days to fade. Dr. Clevens has an experienced team of aestheticians on his staff available to instruct you how to conceal any bruising or swelling that may remain when you are ready to return to your normal routine. Many patients will return to work within one to two weeks of their S-Lift procedure.

Dr. Clevens and his staff are devoted to delivering the best aftercare and aid you in the speediest and most comfortable recovery possible.

Q- How much time will I need to take off from work after undergoing an S-Lift?

Many patients will return to work within one to two weeks of their S-Lift procedure. Our team of experienced medical aestheticians will assist you with makeup to cover-up any bruising and will perform lymphatic massage to aid in the rapid resolution of any bruising or swelling..

Q- When can I exercise after undergoing a S-Lift?

Exercise and strenuous activities will need to be avoided for one month after your procedure. Take it easy, and though your mind may feel restless, and make a conscious effort to give your body time to catch up and recuperate to achieve the best results of your S-Lift.

It is also wise to limit sun exposure for several months after your procedure, as the tissues in your newly youthful face may be fragile.

Q- When are the stitches removed after the facelift procedure?

Dr. Clevens uses dissolving stitches that vanish a few days after your procedure.

Q- What are the risks or complications associated with a S-Lift?

Patients should be informed that every surgical procedure carries certain risks and the potential for complications. The potential complications associated with the procedure may include the following: bruising, swelling, sensitivity to anesthesia, asymmetry, infection, nerve injury and poor healing.

Q- Does insurance cover the S-Lift procedure?

The S-Lift is considered a cosmetic procedure, and is therefore not typically covered by insurance.

Please contact our offices in Melbourne and Merritt Island, Florida at 321.727.3223 today to arrange your consultation.

You may contact us via email at info@drclevens.com