NavMDs
Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Chicago, Illinois
NPI: 1609801737· License: 036082162 (IL) verify

41+ years of experience · self-reported

Industry payments (2025): $157 across 5 payments (what this means)
4.96(268 ratings)

Consultation $300

In Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's own words

How Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe believes the key to achieving youthful appearing eyes is to modify the eyes without excessively lifting the brows.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe aims for patients to look younger, but not different.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's practice aims to achieve a refreshed face with a well-done facelift.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS, believes fat is the way to go for overall facial rejuvenation.

Technique

  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe believes that the deep plane facelift is the best method to reverse structural aging.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS, believes that well-done Botox should still allow a patient to animate.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's facelift technique involves restoring facial harmony, replacing lost volume, repositioning descended tissues (including fat pads), and improving facial proportions without changing them.

Recovery guidance

  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe states that most of the settling after a procedure happens during the first three months.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe informs patients that while most of the result is visible in three months, subtle changes can continue for as long as a year.

Results

  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS, defines a youthful mouth as balanced, supportive, and proportionate to the rest of the face, not merely fuller.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's patients look so natural that their surgery is undetectable.
  • Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS, has observed fat lasting up to 15 years.

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's own public posts and are their claims, not NavMDs' medical advice. Doctors can correct or remove any item via their claimed profile or support [at] navmds.com.

About

Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, practices in Chicago, Illinois. Harvard-trained, he is recognized as a pioneer in the Deep Plane Facelift and specializes in procedures including rhinoplasty, neck lifts, and scar removal. Dr. Mustoe's philosophy emphasizes natural, undetectable results, believing the best aesthetic work is subtle and goes unnoticed. His goal is to restore natural facial proportions, helping patients look refreshed, rested, or a younger version of themselves, rather than changing their identity. He cautions that more treatment does not always mean better results, prioritizing the preservation of natural features and unique facial character over eliminating every wrinkle or altering natural facial shapes with excessive volume. Dr. Mustoe performs procedures such as secondary deep plane facelifts, perioral fat grafting, ablative laser, and spot dermabrasion in his office under local anesthesia and oral sedation, utilizing an innovative technique that negates the need for surgical drains. He notes that factors like genetics, smoking, weight fluctuations, chronic stress, sun exposure, sleep, and overall health significantly impact facial aging more than expensive skincare.

Connect with Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe on Social Media

SpecialtiesProceduresAverage CostReviewsIndustry PaymentsInsuranceLocationAffiliationsEducationFAQ

Specialties

  • Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Procedures & Services

Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes

Procedure details

Everything on this page about each procedure Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe offers: pricing in context, what they've said about it, related videos and photos, and what patients ask.

Average Cost of Surgery

Healthcare costs shouldn't be a mystery. Each figure below is the average of the total costs patients reported in their own published reviews of Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, with the number of reports and the years they were written. Prices are not adjusted for inflation and are not a quote: your final cost is set at consultation and depends on your specific medical needs. How we calculate these prices

Rhinoplasty

$13,000

1 patient report · 2024

Above typicalTypical in Chicago: $6,725–$11,910 (median $9,000, 16 reports) compare ↗

Help us keep this data current and accurate. If you've had a procedure with Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, please take a moment to contribute your cost information.

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe

Sourced directly from Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's social posts and replies.

What is Dr. Mustoe's philosophy on facial aging and anti-aging strategies?
Dr. Mustoe emphasizes that genetics, smoking, weight fluctuations, chronic stress, sun exposure, sleep, overall health, and facial structure have a much bigger impact on how a person's face ages than expensive skincare products. While skincare can help, the most effective anti-aging strategy often involves focusing on these broader factors that make the biggest difference.
Source →
What type of anesthesia and facility are used for procedures like deep plane facelifts, perioral fat grafting, ablative laser, and spot dermabrasion?
Dr. Mustoe performs these procedures under local anesthesia and oral sedation in his office.
Source →
Does Dr. Mustoe use surgical drains for procedures like deep plane facelifts, perioral fat grafting, ablative laser, and spot dermabrasion?
Dr. Mustoe's innovative technique for these procedures negates the need for surgical drains.
Source →
What is Dr. Mustoe's view on non-surgical facial reshaping tools and supplements?
Dr. Mustoe advises that facial exercises, jade rollers, ice rollers, face yoga, and gua sha will not permanently change the underlying structure of your face. Collagen supplements do not work as many believe, and face tape offers only temporary effects. While some research supports LED masks and red light therapy, the evidence for many at-home devices remains unclear. He recommends caution with products that promise dramatic facial reshaping without surgery, noting that results from home microcurrent devices depend heavily on the specific device and can be complicated.
Source →
What is the typical recovery timeline and expectation for final surgical results?
Surgical results do not become fully apparent immediately. In the initial stages, swelling can temporarily enhance results. As healing progresses, skin settles and stretches, while deeper muscle layers stretch less, which is why deep plane facelifts maintain results over time. Most settling occurs within the first three months, but subtle changes can continue for up to a year as deeper tissues fully heal. The final result is a gradual process, not instantaneous.
Source →
How does Dr. Mustoe determine whether to use fat transfer or fillers for facial rejuvenation?
Dr. Mustoe explains that the choice between fat transfer and filler depends on the patient's goals. Filler is a great option for quick treatments with little to no downtime. Fat transfer may be better for those seeking longer-lasting volume and a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. Neither treatment is universally superior; the best results come from choosing the right treatment for the right patient.
Source →
What is Dr. Mustoe's approach to rejuvenating the mouth area?
Dr. Mustoe notes that the mouth is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging, including loss of lip volume, descending mouth corners, and fine lines. Rejuvenating this area rarely involves a single treatment. He aims for natural, proportionate results that are in harmony with the rest of the face, emphasizing that a youthful mouth is not solely defined by increased fullness. The best results come from understanding the underlying causes of changes and selecting the appropriate combination of treatments to restore balance and support.
Source →

From Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's Instagram

@drthomasmustoe →

Recent photos posted by @drthomasmustoe, Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe / @drthomasmustoe, shown here with a link to the original post. Procedure labels are inferred from the post's caption and hashtags. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact support [at] navmds.com.

Patient Experience

Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe Review Summary

4.88
Dr. Mustoe has exceptional ratings, averaging 4.88 out of 5 stars. Patients consistently praise his skills and results, with many leaving glowing reviews online.

Ratings from Other Platforms

health.usnews.com

5 out of 5

Based on 418 reviews

View on health.usnews.com

Google Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Based on 117 reviews

View on Google Reviews
Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Chicago, Illinois

TLKM Plastic Surgery

737 N Michigan Ave #1500, Chicago, Illinois

(312) 788-2560

Book a Service Consultation

Consultation fee: $300

Each service is approximately 60 minutes.

+5 more

Industry Payments

Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.

Total received (2025)

$157

Payments

5

Compared to peers

Small

Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe received $157 across 5 payments in 2025. That is in the lower half for physicians here — totals this size are typically meals at sponsored talks. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was DePuy Synthes Sales Inc..

What this means for your care

  • A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
  • Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
  • Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
  • A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”

Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗

Insurance Information

Please contact Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe's office directly for information about accepted insurance plans.

Phone: (312) 788-2560

Help us improve this profile

Do you know which insurance plans Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe accepts? Share this information to help other patients.

Location & Contact Information

TLKM Plastic Surgery

737 N Michigan Ave #1500

Chicago, Illinois 60611

Get Directions

Office Information

Phone: (312) 788-2560

Where does Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe practice?

Doctor's Office

TLKM Plastic Surgery (Primary)

737 N Michigan Ave #1500, Chicago, Illinois 60611

(310 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Help improve our data. Confirm if Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.

Education & Experience

Education

Md: Harvard Medical School (1978)
Intern: Massachusetts General Hospital, Medicine (1979)
Resident: Peter Bent Brigham

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Facs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe online?
The provided information doesn't specify whether online appointment booking is available. It's best to contact the office directly at (312) 788-2560 or visit their website for booking options.
Does Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe offer telehealth?
The provided information doesn't mention telehealth services. Contacting the office directly is recommended for inquiries about telehealth options.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe?
Patients rave about Dr. Mustoe's skills and natural-looking results. Reviews highlight his ability to understand patient goals, create a comfortable experience, and deliver exceptional outcomes, with some even calling him a "magician" for his scar removal work. Many patients express extreme satisfaction and increased self-confidence after their procedures.
What areas of care does Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe cater to?
Dr. Mustoe specializes in plastic surgery, with a particular focus on deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, neck lifts, and scar removal. He also performs other general plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Mustoe's philosophy for facelifts emphasizes natural, undetectable results; the goal is to restore natural facial proportions, helping patients look refreshed, rested, or a younger version of themselves, rather than changing their identity. He believes that the best aesthetic work is subtle and goes unnoticed, cautioning that more treatment does not always mean better results. His approach focuses on preserving natural features and unique facial character, aiming to help patients look refreshed and like the best version of themselves, rather than eliminating every wrinkle or altering natural facial shapes with excessive volume.