Claudine was 49 when she started working in the public eye as a community service officer. Years of sun exposure, gravity, diet, and various other factors started to show in her appearance. One day, she glanced into her squad car mirror and realized that the person she saw on the outside no longer reflected who she was on the inside.
Researching surgeons for a facelift is no easy task, but after discovering Dr. Michael Byun’s work, she realized there was no need to look elsewhere. With a medical degree from Northwestern University and a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Byun has gained a reputation as the “Architect of Beauty.”
Claudine saw how other surgeons easily distorted a patient’s face by pulling up and out, but this wasn’t the case with Dr. Byun’s patients. They looked so “natural.” Dr. Byun, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, developed a special vertical lift technique that places a patient’s muscles back into their pre-aging position. This repair-focused approach, known as the “Byun Facelift,” has set him apart since its inception in 1998.
Before her consultation with Dr. Byun, Claudine had sent in a photo of herself on a day she wasn’t feeling like her usual self. She had been contemplating a change, as her reflection no longer matched the youthful spirit she felt within. When she arrived for the consultation, something miraculous happened. As Dr. Byun pushed and pulled on her facial muscles in front of the mirror, she suddenly exclaimed, “Wait, stop—that’s it right there! That’s who I’m looking for; that’s ME!” Dr. Byun’s deep understanding of muscle movements had allowed him to quickly pinpoint Claudine’s ideal appearance.
True multitasking is having a meaningful conversation with a patient while attentively observing their facial expressions and fine muscle movements, which Dr. Byun does exceptionally well. He watches how his patients’ muscles work in unison so he can devise the best, highly specialized anti-aging treatment plan for each of them. As an attending surgeon for Level 1 Trauma at Lutheran General Hospital, he knows the importance of precise and careful surgical interventions.
Dr. Byun taught Claudine that her depressor muscles were stronger than her levator muscles, which projected a downward motion near her mouth. This gave her face a sad or mad expression. After carefully analyzing her muscle strengths and weaknesses, Dr. Byun provided Claudine with a specialized post-surgery treatment plan that blended his surgical skills with his role as an “acting coach” for expressions.
As a member of Northwestern’s Advisory Board for Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Byun’s approach blends science and art to create lasting results for his patients. This care extends well beyond the initial surgery as he continues to monitor and guide his patients through the aging process.
For Claudine, being Dr. Byun’s patient feels like a true partnership. Reflecting on their relationship, she explains, “This has almost gone beyond a doctor-patient rela-tionship because of my high level of trust in him. Yes, I’ve had my doubts along the way, mostly in the form of seeing my swollen and bruised face after surgery, but I strongly believe that we’re partners in this. This is our face.”
THE PRICE OF PERFECTION
Placing a monetary value on a surgical procedure can be challenging. Determining a dollar amount based on a patient’s level of satisfaction is not straightforward. Since “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” values can vary depending on one’s idea of perfection. During one of Claudine’s more recent visits, the question of the monetary value of the procedure was brought up. Without hesitation, Claudine stated, “This means more to me than a million dollars because this isn’t about money. It’s about what’s in ‘here’ (pointing to her heart). This whole journey has been about me and how I want to project myself. One simply cannot put a price on such an experience and change. Remember, he found me.”
Some people think they can just pay big bucks, get a perfect face, and be done with it. For Dr. Byun, however, it is a long-term relationship. Goals are thoroughly discussed, and patients are actually paying for a surgeon, muscle coach, anti-aging master, confidant, and lifelong partnership all in one. Claudine is happy to say that Dr. Byun’s surgical skills have brought a new level of confidence, expression, and happiness, all of which money can’t buy.
THE BYUN FACELIFT INSPIRATION
Dr. Byun’s journey to develop his technique began in the late 1990s after extensive training at Northwestern University, where he completed medical school and a plastic surgery fellowship. Early in his career, he inherited a few of his professors’ caseloads and quickly grew dissatisfied with the long-term results of conventional facelift methods. Seeing the effects of gravity on facial muscles and the often unnatural-looking results from fat grafts and fillers, he knew there had to be a better way. His answer was to reverse the process and restore facial structures, giving his patients results that last and allow them to age gracefully.
Traditional facelifts often rely on stretching the skin or adding fillers, which can result in a pulled or shiny look. However, Dr. Byun believes that the true key to natural beauty lies in respecting the natural position of each facial feature. Rather than pulling the face outward and upward towards the ears, he moves tissues up toward the midline, honoring the individual anatomy and reestab-lishing the face’s former contours. This method leaves his patients with results that look natural and continue to do so over the years.
Despite its success, Dr. Byun’s approach has yet to be widely adopted. The reasons are threefold. First, the competitive nature of plastic surgery often prevents surgeons from embracing new techniques, especially if it means admitting there might be a superior way.
Second, patients who hop from surgeon to surgeon for quick fixes seldom return to the original doctor, which means that many surgeons do not see the long-term effects of their work. Dr. Byun’s long-standing relationships with his patients allow him to monitor and guarantee his work over 30 years, a commitment few surgeons offer.
Finally, the technique is dif-ficult to teach. It requires a deep understanding of facial bones, nerves, and muscle anatomy, plus a high level of surgical skill and refined motor skills. Dr. Byun jokes, “I guess growing up using metal chopsticks has served me well. Thanks, Mom and Dad!”
Dr. Byun is quick to advise caution for those considering cosmetic surgery. He warns against frequent touch-ups, which can disrupt the natural aging process and lead to a cycle of problems. “Every minor cut, pull, artificial injection, laser, and fat transfer can add up and negatively affect normal aging; you will be chasing problem after problem until you’re no longer recognizable. I have taught this very simple yet important concept for over 25 years,” he said, “Don’t add and don’t subtract from your face. Stop everything and just age!” His restorative technique supports graceful aging, helping patients retain their unique look while minimizing the visible signs of aging.
The ideal candidate for Dr. Byun’s technique is someone who loves their face but is unhappy with how it has aged. His philosophy centers on preserving and protecting the face’s natural features. Those seek-ing an overly lifted appearance may not be the right fit for his method. “If you seek a wrinkle-free and tented face, I’m not your guy,” he explained. His work best suits individuals who appreciate fine details and seek a long-term solution that honors their identity.
If you’re seeking a transformation like Claudine’s, educating yourself about the differences among sur-geons is essential. Set clear goals, do your research, and let Dr. Michael Byun help you bring them to life—he can find you, too. For those considering a facelift, Dr. Byun offers honest second opinions and carefully assesses how his approach can benefit you. He helps patients restore their image and enjoy the natural, youthful look that allows them to age gracefully and confidently.
Dr. Byun sees new patients at his North Shore office at 1775 Walters Ave. in Northbrook and he performs his surgeries at 900 N Michigan Ave. Chicago.
Visit chicagocosmeticsurgery.com to see other before and after images and long term outcomes. To schedule a consultation, call 847-513-6899.
