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.
Rather than following the traditional facelift approach, which often leads to tightness or an overdone look, Dr. Mustoe’s superior method is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy and aging. His refined approach and stunning results speak for themselves—natural-looking rejuvenation that subtly restores youthful facial contours without betraying signs of surgery.
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
8 months post-op
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Procedure Type: Deep plane Facelift, upper blepharoplasty, temporal brow lift.
Procedure Time: 3.5 hours
Anesthesia: IV Sedation and local anesthesia
Recovery: 7-10 days
Back to Work: 1-2 weeks
Exercise: Avoid strenuous activity for 1 week
Provider: Dr.... Read More
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
✨ Refreshed & Rejuvenated ✨
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Deep plane facelift with perioral fat grafting, upper blepharoplasty, and lower eyelid fat grafting for a natural, youthful transformation. Subtle enhancements, powerful results. 💫👁️💉
✨ Transformation Details ✨
Procedure Type: Deep Plane Facelift, Upper Blepharoplasty, Perioral & Lower Eyelid Fa... Read More
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
At the vibrant age of 71, this patient elected to undergo several procedures with Dr. Thomas Mustoe to preserve her natural beauty and active lifestyle, without an overly tight or pulled appearance. Her personalized facial rejuvenation included a deep plane facelift/minilift, neck lift, upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, and fat grafting around... Read More
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
The 55-year-old female patient pictured above was driven by considerable changes of aging, particularly evident in the areas around the jowls and cheeks, thin lips, the early appearance of vertical lines around the mouth, and changes in her neck. This active runner and yoga enthusiast sought out the exceptional Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe... Read More
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
At age 62, this patient sought to make her outward appearance better reflect her active and vibrant lifestyle. After having her primary facelift over a decade ago, she decided to pursue another procedure, opting for a secondary deep plane facelift, along with perioral fat grafting and ablative laser with spot dermabrasion around her mouth. Sh... Read More
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8
Facelift Before and After Photos
Meeting the subtle changes of aging with courage and resolve, this 43-year-old professional woman decided to opt for a deep plane Facelift/Minilift by Dr. Mustoe in Chicago. Her primary motivation was not to alter her appearance drastically but to look fresher and effortlessly turn back time by ten years, all while keeping any evidence of hav... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
There are hundreds of steps in a facelift, and every detail matters. That challenge keeps the work endlessly interesting—and I truly believe my results today are the best they’ve ever been.
– Dr. Thomas Mustoe
The Dr. Mustoe Difference
Leading the field in deep plane facelift for 30+ years, Dr. Mustoe stands apart as an internationally recognized facelift pioneer and master in restoring the aging face to its youthful state, with beautiful, natural-looking results.
- Double board-certified in plastic surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery)
- Performed over 3,000 deep plane facelifts, neck lifts, and mini lifts
- Lateral correction of the face and neck as an integrated unit
- Advanced techniques that avoid the need for drains or submental incisions
- Use of local anesthesia with sedation for enhanced safety and recovery
- Precision skin closure methods that minimize bruising and scarring
Unlike most surgeons, who rely on outdated techniques or superficial adjustments, Dr. Mustoe’s refined facelift surgery approach has evolved to result in superior outcomes with faster recovery. Patients experience fewer complications and enjoy reliable improvement, without the “evidence” of surgery.
Addressing the Root Causes of Facial Aging
Dr. Mustoe’s facelift approach isn’t simply about pulling skin tighter—instead, he takes a comprehensive approach to restoring youthful anatomy. Through decades of applied research, he has a unique understanding of how aging affects both the skin and the SMAS layer, which is anchored by retaining ligaments that contribute to concerns such as jowling, volume loss, and neck laxity.
Facelift patients feel confident knowing Dr. Mustoe’s results are consistently subtle, refined, and undetectable. This is achieved by:
- Comprehensive release of the SMAS layer, preventing tension in unnatural areas.
- Avoiding over-reliance on skin lifting, which can lead to stretched, tight appearances or visible scarring.
- Repositioning fat pads rather than simply adding volume, preserving the face’s natural architecture.
The hallmark of a Mustoe facelift is that even close friends or family members won’t suspect surgery—only that you look fresher, healthier, and more vibrant.
Personalized Rejuvenation for Every Face
Because aging affects the entire face—and every face ages differently—Dr. Mustoe customizes each facelift to match the patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. He often finds that signs of aging appear across multiple areas, including the eyes, brow, and (perioral) mouth region.
During your consultation, Dr. Mustoe performs a thorough evaluation and typically recommends a personalized combination of procedures, such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with a lateral brow lift and neck lift, to create natural-looking, balanced results with minimal visible scarring.
In addressing the entire aging face, Dr. Mustoe also employs customized techniques, such as:
- Precise tailoring of incisions and fat sculpting to achieve youthful, balanced contours throughout the brow, cheeks, lower face, and neck—with virtually undetectable scarring.
- Selective buccal fat removal and liposuction along the jaw line and jowls for a sleek, defined profile.
- Strategic fat grafting to restore subtle volume to the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes with added regenerative benefits.
- Laser skin resurfacing and dermabrasion to refine wrinkles around the mouth—all without extending facelift recovery time.
Dr. Mustoe’s approach also varies based on the degree of aging. For early signs of aging, he may recommend a mini facelift, which uses smaller incisions and offers quicker recovery. For more advanced sagging in the midface or neck, he often performs a deep plane facelift, which includes ligament release and fat repositioning for more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Faster Healing, Minimal Scarring, Better Outcomes
Dr. Mustoe’s facelift technique is designed for outstanding aesthetic results, rapid recovery, and minimal downtime:
- Minimal Bruising & Swelling: Using precise, sharp dissection and careful tissue handling, Dr. Mustoe reduces trauma, often allowing patients to return to normal activities in 10 to 14 days—or sooner in younger patients.
- Virtually Undetectable Scars: The deep plane technique lifts the muscle layer, eliminating tension on the skin and resulting in fine, hidden scars along the hairline and ear crease—even undetectable in short hairstyles.
- Local Anesthesia With Sedation: By forgoing general anesthesia, Dr. Mustoe enhances safety, reduces bleeding, shortens recovery time, and lowers risks such as hematomas—without the grogginess or cognitive effects of general anesthesia.
- No Drains or Submental Incisions: His advanced techniques eliminate the need for drains and extra incisions, making recovery more comfortable and discreet.
Thanks to his refined techniques, Dr. Mustoe’s facial rejuvenation patients experience less postoperative discomfort and a quicker return to daily life without the burden of visible surgical devices or unnecessary incisions.
An Internationally Renowned Pioneer & Innovator
A plastic surgery trailblazer and respected educator, Dr. Mustoe generously shares his groundbreaking facelift approach through his contributions to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and other leading publications, journals, and textbooks. He has lectured at prestigious conferences in the U.S. and internationally, including the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) annual meeting, and has trained countless surgeons. His depth of expertise and pioneering surgical techniques make Dr. Mustoe one of the most respected facelift surgeons in Chicago and the world.
A Lifelong Passion for Precision & Purpose
For Dr. Mustoe, facelift surgery represents the perfect intersection of precision, anatomy, and artistry. His early training in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery instilled a profound respect for facial anatomy—and after 35+ years in practice—he remains committed to helping patients restore what has been lost, rather than change how they look. The procedure’s complexity and life-changing impact on patients keep Dr. Mustoe’s work meaningful and fulfilling—and life-changing for thousands of patients.
Turn Back the Clock with Dr. Mustoe
Ready to schedule your facial rejuvenation consultation with Chicago’s top deep plane facelift surgeon? Complete the online form or contact our office at (312) 788-2560 to meet with Dr. Mustoe, and refresh your look with an internationally renowned leader in facial rejuvenation.
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