The fellowship, overseen by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, provided Stong with direct surgical mentorship and comprehensive operative experience. Unlike industry-sponsored workshops or cadaver labs, this formal training required Stong to master patient evaluation, treatment planning, and complex tissue repositioning protocols. Stong credits this intensive period with shaping the foundation of his proprietary KalosLift™ procedure, which prioritizes the underlying facial support structures over superficial skin tightening.

At his Atlanta-based practice, the Advanced Deep Plane Facelift Center of Excellence, Stong utilizes these technical nuances to address midface elevation, periosteal suspension, and neck definition. He asserts that the mastery required for these procedures cannot be replicated in weekend seminars. By integrating high-volume surgical experience with medical-grade recovery protocols, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the center focuses on the intersection of anatomical precision and individualized patient care.