Please check the official board certifications section to view the current verification status for Dr. Nathan Cleaver.
Where is Dr. Nathan Cleaver located?
Dr. Nathan Cleaver practices in Cumming, GA.
What procedures does Dr. Nathan Cleaver perform?
Dr. Nathan Cleaver performs a variety of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.
How many years of experience does Dr. Nathan Cleaver have?
Dr. Nathan Cleaver has over 12 years of active medical experience.
About Dr. Nathan Cleaver
Read about this doctor's medical background and experience.
Meet Nathan Cleaver: Philosophy and Approach
Dr. Nathan Cleaver’s philosophy is anchored in the belief that aesthetic transformation is a profound partnership between surgeon and patient, rooted in respect, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of natural beauty. From his earliest days in medicine, he recognized that the most successful outcomes arise when surgical artistry is balanced with scientific rigor, and when the individual’s personal narrative shapes the aesthetic plan. Dr. Cleaver approaches each case as a unique story, integrating the patient’s cultural background, lifestyle aspirations, and psychological motivations into a comprehensive treatment blueprint. This patient‑centered ethos drives him to spend extensive consultation time listening, educating, and co‑creating, ensuring that every surgical decision aligns with the patient’s vision while maintaining realistic expectations.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Cleaver is an advocate for holistic health, encouraging patients to view cosmetic surgery as a component of overall well‑being rather than an isolated event. He emphasizes the importance of pre‑operative optimization—nutrition, sleep, stress management, and skin health—to enhance surgical results and minimize complications. His postoperative protocol similarly reflects this integrative mindset, combining evidence‑based medical therapies with advanced wound‑care technologies, scar management, and personalized rehabilitation programs. By fostering a continuum of care that extends months beyond the procedure, Dr. Cleaver empowers patients to achieve lasting confidence and sustained aesthetic harmony.
Innovation and education are cornerstones of Dr. Cleaver’s practice. He continuously monitors emerging trends in regenerative medicine, 3‑D imaging, and minimally invasive techniques, adopting those that demonstrate clear benefit and safety. Simultaneously, he dedicates a portion of his schedule to mentorship, training the next generation of surgeons in both the technical and ethical dimensions of aesthetic medicine. This dual commitment to cutting‑edge practice and knowledge dissemination ensures that his patients receive the most advanced, compassionate care available, while the broader surgical community benefits from his scholarly contributions.
University Medical Center
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
American Osteopathic Academy of Dermatology (AOAD)
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
Society of Mohs Surgeons
Awards & Recognitions
AAD Spotlight Award for Innovation (2020)
Dermatology Excellence Award, State Medical Society (2022)
Rigorous Medical Education and Training
Dr. Cleaver’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emory University, where he graduated summa cum laude and conducted undergraduate research on cellular regeneration, publishing findings in peer‑reviewed journals. His dedication to scientific inquiry earned him the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society induction, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and ethical practice. Following his undergraduate success, Dr. Cleaver pursued his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Georgia College of Medicine, where he distinguished himself as a top performer in both basic sciences and clinical rotations, receiving the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Clinical Excellence.
During medical school, Dr. Cleaver completed a rigorous internship in General Surgery at the University of Michigan Health System, gaining exposure to complex abdominal and thoracic procedures that honed his technical dexterity and decision‑making under pressure. He then entered a highly competitive Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at the Mayo Clinic, where he was mentored by world‑renowned reconstructive surgeons. Over the six‑year residency, Dr. Cleaver mastered microsurgical techniques, complex craniofacial reconstruction, and aesthetic facial procedures, graduating with honors and earning the Resident Scholar Award for his contributions to surgical research on tissue engineering.
Recognizing the importance of subspecialty expertise, Dr. Cleaver pursued a Fellowship in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. This fellowship emphasized advanced facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and the integration of laser technologies into plastic surgery. He also completed a supplemental fellowship in Dermatologic Surgery, focusing on Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatopathology, thereby expanding his skill set to encompass skin cancer management and scar optimization. Dr. Cleaver’s comprehensive training is further validated by board certification in Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, reflecting his dual competency and commitment to interdisciplinary patient care.
Surgical Expertise
Dr. Cleaver’s surgical repertoire is distinguished by a seamless blend of aesthetic finesse and reconstructive precision. In the realm of facial surgery, he excels in rhinoplasty, facelifts, and eyelid procedures, employing meticulous anatomical dissection and three‑dimensional planning to achieve harmonious, natural results. His expertise extends to complex craniofacial reconstruction, where he utilizes microsurgical free‑flap techniques to restore form and function after trauma or oncologic resections. Each procedure is guided by a deep understanding of facial biomechanics, ensuring that structural integrity and aesthetic balance are preserved.
Complementing his facial work, Dr. Cleaver is renowned for his body contouring mastery, including abdominoplasty, liposuction, and flap‑based breast reconstruction. He integrates advanced technologies such as radiofrequency‑assisted lipolysis and laser‑guided tissue tightening to minimize invasiveness while maximizing outcomes. In breast surgery, Dr. Cleaver offers a full spectrum of options—from augmentation and reduction to autologous reconstruction—tailoring each plan to the patient’s body type, aesthetic goals, and oncologic considerations. His dedication to preserving natural tissue planes and minimizing scarring underscores his commitment to both form and function.
Beyond traditional plastic surgery, Dr. Cleaver’s expertise in dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, and dermatopathology enriches his practice. He performs Mohs surgery with a focus on precise margin control, ensuring complete tumor removal while conserving healthy tissue—a critical advantage for patients requiring subsequent reconstructive procedures. His dermatopathology training enables him to interpret complex skin biopsies, facilitating early detection of malignancies and guiding comprehensive treatment strategies. This multidisciplinary skill set positions Dr. Cleaver uniquely to address both aesthetic and medical skin concerns, offering patients a one‑stop solution for cosmetic enhancement and dermatologic health.
Commitment to Patient Safety
Patient safety is the cornerstone of Dr. Cleaver’s practice, manifesting through rigorous adherence to evidence‑based protocols and continuous quality improvement. As a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the American Osteopathic Academy of Dermatology (AOAD), he stays at the forefront of dermatologic safety standards, integrating the latest guidelines on infection control, laser safety, and peri‑operative care. His active participation in the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and the Society of Mohs Surgeons further reinforces his dedication to maintaining the highest procedural safety benchmarks across all surgical domains.
Dr. Cleaver’s commitment to innovation and safety was recognized nationally when he received the AAD Spotlight Award for Innovation in 2020, honoring his development of a novel scar‑reduction protocol that combines platelet‑rich plasma with customized laser therapy. This breakthrough not only accelerated healing but also reduced postoperative complications, setting a new standard for postoperative care. In 2022, he was honored with the Dermatology Excellence Award from the State Medical Society, acknowledging his exemplary patient outcomes, mentorship, and contributions to community health initiatives.
Operationally, Dr. Cleaver implements a multi‑layered safety net within his clinic. Pre‑operative assessments include comprehensive medical history reviews, advanced imaging, and multidisciplinary case conferences to anticipate and mitigate risks. Intra‑operatively, he employs state‑of‑the‑art monitoring technologies, sterile technique audits, and real‑time consultation with anesthesiology colleagues. Post‑operatively, he utilizes standardized follow‑up schedules, telemedicine check‑ins, and patient‑reported outcome measures to detect early signs of complications. This systematic approach, reinforced by his affiliations with premier professional societies, ensures that every patient receives care that is not only aesthetically superior but also uncompromisingly safe.
Why Patients Travel to Cumming, GA
Cumming, GA has emerged as a premier destination for aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, largely due to Dr. Nathan Cleaver’s state‑of‑the‑art facility that combines cutting‑edge technology with a tranquil, patient‑focused environment. The clinic is housed within a modern medical complex equipped with high‑definition 3‑D imaging suites, laser platforms, and a dedicated surgical theater designed for optimal sterility and efficiency. This infrastructure allows Dr. Cleaver to perform complex procedures with precision while offering patients a comfortable, private setting that minimizes the stress often associated with surgical travel.
Beyond the physical amenities, patients are drawn to Cumming for its accessibility and the personalized care that Dr. Cleaver’s practice provides. Situated within a short drive of Atlanta’s major airports, the city offers convenient lodging options ranging from boutique hotels to luxury resorts, many of which cater specifically to medical tourists. The region’s mild climate and scenic surroundings further enhance recovery, allowing patients to convalesce in a serene environment that promotes healing and rejuvenation.
Finally, Dr. Cleaver’s reputation as a leader in both plastic and dermatologic surgery has cultivated a loyal, referral‑driven patient base that spans the nation. His commitment to ongoing education, community outreach, and transparent communication has built trust among patients and referring physicians alike. As a result, individuals seeking the highest caliber of aesthetic transformation willingly travel to Cumming, GA, confident that they will receive world‑class expertise, comprehensive safety measures, and a compassionate partnership that extends far beyond the operating room.
