Which Is Best for You: Neck Lift vs. Facelift vs. Mini Facelift?
Facial rejuvenation is one of the most sought-after areas of cosmetic surgery, and procedures such as…Read On
TLKM Plastic Surgery
737 North Michigan Avenue #1500
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 788-2560
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
If you want the most advanced and natural-looking option for facial rejuvenation, a deep plane facelift performed by Dr. Thomas Mustoe stands apart. His innovative technique lifts the deeper structural layers of the face for more authentic, completely natural, longer-lasting results—especially in the midface, jawline, and neck.
The results are so natural that they are not detectable even to close friends, family, and colleagues. They’ll notice you look 10 to 15 years younger, but they will be unclear why. That’s because a facelift performed by Dr. Mustoe leaves you looking refreshed without revealing any evidence of surgery. The longevity of the results has been validated by hundreds of patients returning to Dr. Mustoe for a second facelift many years later. The procedure is designed around your safety and comfort, and the results are truly transformative without looking overdone.
Few surgeons in the region possess Dr. Mustoe’s vast understanding of facial anatomy and artistic precision. He is dual board certified in plastic surgery and otolaryngology and is one of the pioneers of the deep plane facelift, which he has performed for 35 years in over 3,000 patients. His mastery of facial rejuvenation is widely recognized and published in peer-reviewed journals and surgical textbooks.
Dr. Mustoe’s signature approach treats the midface, jawline, and neck as a single, integrated unit, ensuring subtle, refined, and natural-looking outcomes tailored to each individual. A key element that sets his technique apart is the use of IV sedation instead of general anesthesia, offering patients a safer, gentler surgical experience with a faster, more comfortable recovery.
I love precise surgical dissection and the complexity of facelift procedures, which involve hundreds of steps, all of which make a difference. I am continually looking to refine and improve my outcomes, which makes the surgery fresh and interesting even after more than 35 years.
-Dr. Thomas Mustoe
Traditional facelifts focus primarily on pulling the skin or tightening the surface muscles without completely releasing them from their deeper attachments. A deep plane facelift works beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). By treating the skin, fat, and superficial muscle layer as an integrated unit, Dr. Mustoe can more completely release the retaining ligaments (vertical-oriented collagen fibers that anchor the superficial muscle fascia layer in place). This creates the most natural lift and achieves comprehensive rejuvenation in the midface.
Dr. Mustoe’s innovative approach also addresses the platysma muscle in the neck, which is continuous with the SMAS in the face. By lifting these tissues together in the same vertical and slightly oblique direction, he avoids the pulled or overly tight look in the lower face, characteristic of so many facelifts.
Compared to mini or mid-facelifts, the deep plane technique offers more extensive rejuvenation of the midface, lower face, and neck. Results allow your face to move naturally with facial expression and tend to last significantly longer. This is because the superficial muscle layer is truly released, repositioned, and any excess removed. While simpler techniques tend to rely on sutures that are unable to hold tension long-term, Dr. Mustoe’s true repositioning delivers results that are both durable and natural in appearance.
Ideal candidates are typically in their 40s to 70s with noticeable aging in the lower face, neck, or midface. Most are looking for a meaningful improvement in their appearance without sacrificing their natural look.
This procedure may be right for you if you’re concerned about:
During your consultation, Dr. Mustoe performs a comprehensive facial evaluation and develops a fully personalized treatment plan based on your facial structure, aging pattern, and goals.
Dr. Mustoe is recognized among Chicago’s top plastic surgeons—and internationally—as a leader in advanced facial surgery with an approach that comprehensively addresses the aging face.
Instead of making incisions under the chin or tightening muscles in the center of the neck, Dr. Mustoe’s signature approach carefully releases supporting ligaments and lifts the neck muscles in a way that follows the natural aging process (instead of working against it). This technique dramatically improves the lower neck’s appearance while avoiding tension and distortion in the midface.
Here’s what sets the deep plane facelift experience with Dr. Mustoe apart:
Many patients say friends and family never suspect they’ve had surgery, only that they look refreshed and youthful. These subtle yet transformative results are why Dr. Mustoe is widely considered the best deep plane facelift surgeon in Chicago.
Dr. Mustoe has performed more than 3,000 deep plane facelifts over the last three decades. Since first adopting the approach in 1989, he has continued to refine his technique, introducing advanced modifications that improve safety, comfort, and aesthetic outcomes.
Highlights of Dr. Mustoe’s professional contributions include:
Dr. Mustoe’s legacy is built not just on surgical excellence but also on continued innovation and a relentless commitment to achieving the most natural, lasting, and refined facelift results possible.
His trailblazing approach and innovative surgical contributions have been widely recognized in respected medical texts and peer-reviewed journals. His signature techniques have shaped the field and continue to influence how surgeons approach facial rejuvenation today. Highlights of Dr. Mustoe’s published facelift-related work include:
Textbook: “Aesthetic Head and Neck Surgery,” Samuel J. Lin and Thomas A. Mustoe, co-editors
Article: “Modified Deep Plane Rhytidectomy With Lateral Approach to the Neck” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2010)
Article: “The Staged Facelift: Addressing the Biomechanical Limitations of Primary Rhytidectomy” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2012)
Article: “Biomechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Skin, SMAS, and Composite Flaps as They Pertain to Rhytidectomy” (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2002)
For optimal results, Dr. Mustoe may recommend combining your deep plane facelift with additional procedures such as:
These options help enhance and maintain your facelift results for a more youthful, refreshed, and natural-looking appearance.
Thanks to Dr. Mustoe’s meticulous techniques and use of local anesthesia with sedation, patients typically enjoy a faster, more comfortable recovery. Key benefits of his approach include:
Many patients can resume work and appear fresh-faced on Zoom calls within a week.
As with any surgery, a deep plane facelift may pose rare risks such as scarring or nerve injury. However, in my career, I have never had a patient experience a permanent nerve injury, unplanned hospital admission, or any other serious health issue related to surgery. My advanced techniques and careful approach are designed to minimize risks, ensure your safety, and help you achieve a natural, lasting result.
Results typically last 10 to 15 years. Due to the deep repositioning of structural tissues, you’ll age subtly yet gracefully.
Yes. The hallmark of Dr. Mustoe’s work is a refreshed appearance that avoids tightness or obvious signs of surgery. His goal is for your family and closest friends to notice you look younger and better, not different. In other words, you will receive compliments on your “fresh-faced” look without people ever questioning if you’ve had “work done.”
While scarring is a common concern, it’s rarely an issue for Dr. Mustoe’s patients. Thanks to his meticulous deep plane technique, which places all tension on the deeper tissue layers—not the skin—incisions heal with minimal visibility. Scars are carefully placed along natural creases, inside the ear, and along the hairline, making them well concealed. In most cases, even patients with short hair can return to social activities without others noticing any signs of surgery.
If you’re considering a deep plane facelift in Chicago and want natural-looking, long-lasting results, consult the region’s most experienced facial plastic surgery expert. Use the online form to request a consultation with Dr. Mustoe or call us at (312) 788-2560.