Rhinoplasty (Cosmetic Nose Surgery).
Cosmetic nose surgery should be performed by a surgeon only with very talented aesthetic abilities. In addition, this procedure should be performed with minimal surgical trauma to the nose, no external incisions, match and blend all facial features, look very natural and unoperated, cause minimal pain and discomfort to the patient, and be performed under the highest standards of safety.
The "new" approach to cosmetic nose surgery, that being an "open rhinoplasty", in Dr. Clavin's opinion, is widely overused, causes extensive swelling and trauma to the nose, and should only be reserved for very special cases of revision rhinoplasty.
Cosmetic surgery of the nose can dramatically change the size, shape and appearance of a nose. Dr. Clavin's objective is to create a natural-looking nose that fits with other facial features. He creates this nose by recontouring the nasal profile, reshaping the nasal tip, and changing the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Concurrently, breathing problems can also be corrected during this surgical procedure.
Dr. Clavin is able to reshape your nose through small incisions made inside of your nose so that they will not be visible. Should any incisions need to be made outside the nose, Dr. Clavin will make sure that they are well hidden and inconspicuous.
Dr. Clavin is one of the few cosmetic nasal surgeons who does not send the patient home with packing in the nose. Therefore, the patient has little or no discomfort after surgery.
Click here to view the Before and After Photos
REVISION NOSE SURGERY
Dr. Clavin's objective is to create a natural-looking nose that fits with other facial features. He creates this nose by recontouring the nasal profile, reshaping the nasal tip, and changing the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Concurrently, breathing problems can also be corrected during this surgical procedure.
Dr. Clavin is able to reshape your nose through small incisions made inside of your nose so that they will not be visible. Should any incisions need to be made outside the nose, Dr. Clavin will make sure that they are well hidden and inconspicuous.
Revision Rhinoplasty represents approximetly 66% of Dr. Clavin's Rhinoplasty practice. Patients travel from all over the world to have closed Rhinoplasty correction by Dr. Clavin in order to take away the operated nose look. With his skills using cartilage grafting, he is able in most cases to reverse the damages of previous Rhinoplasty surgery and do it avoiding the much more aggresive open approach which causes increased scarring, swelling , discomfort, and healing time.
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FACE & NECK LIFT - FEMALE/MALE
Facelift surgery results in the excess skin and fat on your face and neck to be tightened leading to a firmer and fresher facial appearance. A facelift can cure any deep lines or folds running from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth. This surgery can also create a well-defined jawline which is associated to youthfulness and can correct the deep and sagging wrinkles around your cheekbones. The excess fatty tissue or loose skin in the neck will also be removed.
Dr. Clavin is renowned for his face and neck surgery in men and women of all ages. He is particularly respected for obtaining a very natural look following facial rejuvenation. All of his patients look very natural with no tell tale signs of plastic surgery but still possess the major improvements in their appearance. The scars are hidden either in the hair line or underneath the chin.
Click here to view the Before and After Photos. ( Female )
Click here to view the Before and After Photos. ( Male )
BREAST AUGMENTATION
FDA Approval Announcement
After 14 long years, silicone breast implants are back. Silicone-Filled Breast Implants have been approved by FDA for use in Augmentation and Reconstruction Surgery. These implants are now available at The Clavin Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery for patients over 22 years of age.
Breast implant surgery has increase substantially over the last year since most patients have realized that the surgery is very safe. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given their blessings to breast implant surgeries. Patients are extremely happy following this procedure. Scars are inconspicuous and placed either around the nipple or in the armpit area. Saline implants are presently the breast implants of choice. A one hour consultation in the office is truly necessary in order for each patient to understand this procedure in detail and to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for what is medically called an augmentation mammoplasty.
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BREAST REDUCTION
Breast reduction surgery is reserved for those patients who have very large redundant breast tissue. A variety of surgical scars are required in order to reduce the breast size and move the nipple to a new location. The surgery takes approximately four hours and is usually done under a general anesthetic. For further information on this procedure an individual consultation would be recommended and necessary in Dr. Clavin's office.
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COSMETIC EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)
Eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty, is a procedure that eliminates excess fat and skin from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery corrects drooping upper lids as well as bags under the eyes. These features can make you look tired or sad and may interfere with your vision.
Dr. Clavin is able to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids by making an incision that is hidden within the natural fold 
of the upper eyelid. It is through this incision that excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. Since the incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it will be well hidden when healed. Dr. Clavin improves the appearance of the lower eyelids by making an incision just below the lower lashes. It is through this incision that he is able to remove any excess skin or fat to eliminate puffiness of bulging underneath the eyelid. Dr. Clavin also performs the transconjunctival blepharoplasty for lower eyelid surgery. In this procedure an incision is made inside your lower eyelid in order to remove excess fat. The incision is then closed with dissolving sutures.
In Dr. Clavin's hands, bruising and discomfort is usually very slight. Eyelids can be improved dramatically with no visible scar. Dr. Clavin also offers laser eyelid surgery to all patients.
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Chin Augmentation (Chin Surgery)
These implants are commonly used by Dr. Clavin to improve the contour of the chin or the cheek. They meet with high patient satisfaction. The procedure takes approximately one to two hours to perform. The incisions are inconspicuous and are usually made from inside the mouth. Often times chin and cheek implants are done in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgeries including nasal surgery, eyelid surgery, face and neck surgery. A variety of materials are used for cheek and chin implants and a full explanation of these procedures usually takes about one hour in Dr. Clavin's office.
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BROW LIFT - FOREHEAD LIFT
A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with aging. It may be done in conjunction with other rejuvenative surgery to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. A forehead lift is also appropriate for treatment of certain inherited traits. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or over activity of muscles may benefit from the procedure.
Am I a good candidate for a forehead lift?
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for a forehead lift:
- sagging or low position of the eyebrows, creating a tired or sad appearance
-deep horizontal creases across the forehead
- frown lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows and sometimes across the top of the nose
A forehead lift can improve all of these problems. It may often be performed at the same time as a facelift which removes excess skin and tightens muscles in the mid and lower face. If there is significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids, or puffy bags beneath your eyes, eyelid surgery may be recommended in addition to a forehead lift. Dr. Clavin will provide further information if you have an interest in these procedures.
Click here to view the Before and After Photos.
LIPOSUCTION
1. Description
Suction of fatty tissue from such areas as the stomach, love handles, thighs, knees, face, neck, etc. is the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. In fact, since its inception into the U.S. in 1983 (it originally started in France in 1976), suction lipectomy has become the fastest growing operation performed by plastic surgeons. Basically, if there is a fatty deposit in a conspicuous portion of the body, it can be removed with suction.
Dr. Clavin has been performing suction lipectomy since 1983 on thousands of patients with no complications. It is done safely in the office (or hospital at the patient's request) with an anesthesiologist in attendance. No compromises are made -- PATIENT'S SAFETY COMES FIRST. The patient remembers little of the procedure, often having amnesia for the total event. Usually, within one hour after completion of the operation, the patient is home with a binder in position over the suctioned area.
This unique operation involves removing undesirable body fat that has been amenable to removal by other methods, such as weight reduction, exercise or massage. Small pin point surgical incisions are made at various inconspicuous locations and through these incisions a high powered suction is inserted, utilizing specialized tubing and cannulas. No harm is done to muscles, tendons, or nerves. Postoperative discomfort is minimal. A binder is worn for two or three weeks, day and night. It may be taken off for bathing, showering, cleaning or going to the bathroom. The object of the binder is to keep swelling down in the operative site. Therefore, the more it is worn, the faster swelling will disappear.
2. Extent of Body Change
Don't expect a major change in weight. You will, however, notice a significant contour change in the area treated. Examples: your clothing will be loose, belts will have to be tighter, bulges are gone, etc. Since fat cells are removed, you will never bulge as much as before in the treated area, even if you gain weight. The extent of fat cells removed varies tremendously from one area to another. Example: small amounts of fat from the face and neck can be removed with suction or a large amount of fat removed from the stomach and hip area. Up to 3000 cc's (3 quarts) of fat may be removed safely in an office setting. Multiple separate staged procedures may be necessary for patients with extensive fatty deposits. Suction is not a substitute for generalized obesity.
3. Convalescence
The recovery period from suction lipectomy is amazingly fast especially with the new tumescent technique. Even when large amounts of fat are removed, the patient usually feels quite well within one to three days. Patients are usually able to go back to work within three days or less. Binders should be worn most of the time for the first few weeks. Pain is usually minimal, easily handled with a few pain and sleeping pills. Bruises last for up to two weeks. Makeup may be used to cover black and blue areas, if desired. Swelling and some irregularities may last up to three months -- so be patient. Most individuals, however, after one week begin to notice the very exciting results achieved. With proper binders in position, you may begin walking, along with limited exercises almost immediately. Showers may be taken starting the first day after surgery.
4. Age
The age of patients treated has expanded tremendously in recent years. Originally reserved for the younger person, suction is now performed on all ages -- from teenagers to people in their seventies. Most people in good health can have fat removed by suction. However, the final decision must rest between yourself and the plastic surgeon. Dr. Clavin reviews with all patients their desires and he in turn will determine whether you are a potential candidate. Often, suction of fat is performed at the same time as other plastic surgical procedures, such as face lifts, tummy tucks, breast reductions, etc.
5. Complication
Any surgical procedure has potential complications. In capable hands suction lipectomy has proved very safe.
6. Patient Acceptance
Suction lipectomy is becoming widely accepted as a major breakthrough in treating body contour deformities in a relatively simple way. It has opened up new dimensions to treat fat tissue deformities that up to just recently required major surgical procedures. Dr. Clavin has found patient acceptance of this technique amazingly enthusiastic. For information on even newer procedures, such as FAT INJECTION to build up contour deformities, ask the office. Three months are needed to truly appreciate the results of suction - so PLEASE DON'T ANALYZE THE FINAL RESULTS UNTIL THAT TIME HAS PASSED.
Click here to view the Before and After Photos. [Body]
Click here to view the Before and After Photos. [Neck]
TUMMY TUCK
There is a reason that tummy tuck operations have become so popular – because they work. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 130,000 tummy tuck operations were performed in 2005, which is an increase of 26% from the previous year. As a plastic surgeon in Santa Monica , CA , the reasons for this to me are very clear. There is no laser, lotion, cream, or diet and exercise regimen that can reverse the effects of age, child-bearing or massive weight loss on the stomach, no matter what the advertisements claim. Stretch marks, loose skin, and loss of abdominal muscle tone are all the result of gradual stretching of the tissues over time. While exercise may strengthen the abdominal muscles, and diet may lose a few inches, only a tummy tuck can get rid of the stretch marks, tighten the loose skin, and produce a flatter, toned appearance to the stomach.
Your doctor will likely perform the operation under general anesthesia, and it typically takes two to five hours, depending on your particular goals. The operation is designed to accomplish essentially two major goals. First, is to remove all the stretched out skin from just above the belly button down to the bikini line. This means that any stretch marks, loose hanging skin, and localized fat collections go with it. The remaining skin is then pulled down snug and sutured, so that the stomach now has a tight, flat appearance. Ultimately, the scar will be positioned within the bikini line so that it will not be visible in a bathing suit or underwear. The belly button does not get moved, but there will be a faint scar around where it is sewn to the skin.
The second goal, which really has a dramatic effect, is to tighten the rectus abdominis muscles, the two muscles that form the so-called “six-pack”. What happens during pregnancy or significant weight gain is that these two muscles, normally positioned like two columns touching each other, get stretched apart from each other, leaving only a thin lining of tissue between them. After child-birth or weight loss, the muscles usually do not return to their original position, and there remains a gap between them. This is the main reason that no matter how sit-ups you do, there will always be a bulge in this central area of weakness. These muscles are repositioned using sutures during surgery, so that the abdomen can once again have a smooth, flat, and toned appearance.
Everything just described is what goes into a full tummy tuck, also known as “abdominoplasty”. There is also a lesser form of this operation, commonly known as a mini-tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty. This is an operation for the fortunate few who have little to no separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, and have very little loose or stretched out skin above the belly button. For these people, the operation can be modified so that a lesser amount of skin is removed in the lower abdomen, and no work is done on the muscles. The main advantage to this is that there is usually a shorter scar in the bikini line, no scar around the belly button, and less pain after surgery because the muscles were not manipulated.
On of the most commonly asked questions is “Can liposuction be done at the same time?”. Well, the answer is yes and no. If you’re having a full tummy tuck, then certain areas of the stomach have to be avoided to prevent complications relating to blood supply – however, all other areas, such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, etc, are fair game. The risk of damaging blood supply is much less when doing only a mini-tummy tuck, and the surgeon can be more aggressive about addressing fatty deposits on your stomach and sides.
Now that you know everything there is to know about tummy tucks, you may be considering if it is right for you. Well, as long as you are in good health, do not plan on future pregnancies, do not plan on losing significant weight in the future, and have realistic expectations, it can make a world of difference for your appearance and self-confidence. Just be prepared to buy a new wardrobe to match your new body!
Click here to view the Before and After Photos.
