About Michael BYUN MD
Expert Facial Plastic Surgeon

The BYUN Difference: The Facelift That Keeps On Giving

Most people wonder how Dr. BYUN came up with the most simplistic, yet brilliant idea of placing the muscles back up and in where they once were. Why has no one else considered this? The answer is conformity; While in his residency at Northwestern University, Dr. BYUN broke away from the standard ideologies of Plastic Surgery. Dr. BYUN challenged the ways of his attending surgeons and instructors when it came to the facelift approach. This wasn’t easy because he had to gently bring up his ideas, while being a good student and listening to his professors’ teachings. While watching his professors, he would think about how the muscles should be brought back in like shingles of a roof, rather than being pulled and stretched to a foreign location. Over time, Dr. BYUN finally gained the ability to showcase his idea, and performed the first BYUN Muscle Restoration, over 25 years ago. From that point forward, he became the first and only person at Northwestern University to dive under the muscle, using an endoscope to create a pathway under the muscles in order to reposition them. Diving under the muscle is how he is able to bring them back up, telescoping them back in where they once were. Once the muscles are restored, he goes back and repairs the skin by repositioning it firmly against the newly repositioned muscles and tissues, making sure to not cut a lot of the skin off, like many other surgeons do. Dr. BYUN truly is a pioneer in the field of plastic surgery and cell biology, as no other surgeon can offer this technique with such long lasting results. 

It is of great importance to note the differences between a BYUN Muscle Restoration, and a standard facelift. In order to appreciate the true beauty and value of a BYUN Muscle Restoration, your view on facelifts as a whole must shift. A BYUN lift yields results that are very natural. His goal is to keep you looking like you, while repairing your muscles, restoring the cellular foundation. This sets you on a completely different trajectory in terms of aging. Every wrinkle or “flaw” will not be erased, however, you will return to how you looked 5-20 years ago. Dr. BYUN loves the challenge of resetting his patients back to a younger version of themselves!  Dr. BYUN will only repair the face by bringing everything back “up and in”, compared to the overused “up and out” technique. He is directionally different from his peers, which makes all the difference. Other surgeons ‘tent’ the skin when lifting the skin up and out, which will leave you with a noticeable unnatural and ‘wind-tunneled’ appearance. These patients are left appearing ‘stretched’, ‘stuffed’ or both. Dr. BYUN makes it his goal to keep each patient looking like themselves. Repairing the muscles back up and in is the most physiologically correct way to repair the muscles. Fine details like this are what makes Dr. BYUN’s technique, uniquely superior. 

Alternatively, if your preference is to change your appearance entirely, then Dr. BYUN will not be the right surgeon for you, as Dr. BYUN truly repairs your tissues, rather than making them take a new form. Dr. BYUN will bring you back to your youthful days by making you look bright, energized and refreshed. Dr. BYUN does not rely on fat grafts or fillers to achieve these results. Surgeons use these methods to ‘fake’ the bulky muscle appearance because they have relocated them to non-native positions. Dr. BYUN has found that these trendy procedures are more dangerous than most are led to believe. They easily distort one’s face and can even travel, expand or calcify.

Dr. BYUN’s Muscle Restoration is not for everybody. However, the money spent on this highly sought after treatment is well worth the price tag. Once you experience a BYUN Muscle Repair, you truly slow down, or even stop the clock. This is proven by countless patients of Dr. BYUN who state that they are aging more slowly, or not at all, especially when compared to others they know. Being frozen in time is truly a priceless experience. 

It’s hard to put a price tag on something that is truly one of a kind. Dr. BYUN has been proudly named, “The Facelift Guru”. No one else is performing this face restoration technique. Because of demand and He does limited surgeries each week, Due to the intricacy and uniqueness of each Face Restoration Case, Dr. BYUN can only perform a limited number of these surgeries. 

The price does reflect that the number of surgeries performed each week is limited.

Dr. BYUN breaks the face into four ‘Zones’ starting from the neck to the top of your forehead. Zone I (Neck), Zone II (mouth area), Zone III (midface), and Zone IV (forehead). For example, He can bring back that energetic eye look you miss having by focusing on Zones III and IV. Breaking up the face into different Zones is something Dr. BYUN did to make his signature technique more accessible, so everyone can experience a piece of his art. 

You will spend far less time and money trying to stay young by undergoing Dr. BYUN’s muscle restoration, rather than using and depending on trendy procedures such as fillers, PDO threads, fat grafts, and lasers. Once you become Dr. BYUN’s patient, he promises 30+ years of service to each patient, asking for them to come into the office at least once a year. His passion for his craft, and taking care of each patient is very apparent, adding to what makes him so different.  

Dr. BYUN currently sits as a Biomedical Engineering board member at Northwestern University. He carefully chooses medical students and engineers to teach his technique to. Dr. BYUN loves to refer to his technique as a true reset, as his facelift truly honors one’s cells and tissues. He was more recently recognized by the Zuckerbergs for his contributions to cell research, as they develop a BioHub in Chicago. 

Dr. BYUN has been steadily building his client base since his residency. His patients have seen the legitimacy and longevity of his work. Most of them have been seeing him for 25 years. In fact, he is so trusted by his patient base that they begin bringing their kids for botox, facials, or cosmetic surgery as needed. Not to forget their endless referrals which Dr. BYUN deeply appreciates. If you can see and appreciate the subtle, artistic BYUN difference like these patients, then you are already a great candidate for Dr. BYUN’s famous muscle restoration.

Meet the Man Behind the Art

Dr. BYUN received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and completed his clinical fellowship in Plastic Surgery at Northwestern. He was a research advisor at the University of California, Department of Neurobiology and at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Research.

He is certified in Endoscopic Surgery Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Principle and Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Dr. BYUN has published numerous articles, contributed to numerous publications, authored a consumer book about plastic surgery and has presented his newest techniques at many National and International Plastic Surgery Conferences.

He wrote a consumer book on Plastic Surgery, “The Non-Surgical Face Lift.” He was featured on FOX and NBC for his innovative procedures with Dermal Spin, and on NBC for the permanent wrinkle filler: Bioform.

Dr. BYUN currently serves as a Biomedical Engineering board member at Northwestern University and engages in cell biology research and teaches students at all levels.

Achievements

  • First plastic surgeon to describe a facelift and midface lift based on a muscle lift. Two decades of experience with facelifts and the midface lift / mid face lift.
  • Developed the Coapt Endotine, a revolutionary product that enhances the midface lift.
  • Only partner to Dr. Peter McKinney, recognized as an authority in rhinoplasty in the eighties.
  • As a pediatric plastic surgeon, Dr. BYUN developed innovative techniques to address the unique issue where the face is changing as a child ages.
  • Extensive experience as a trauma plastic surgeon gives Dr. BYUN a complete understanding of a person’s face from bones, nerves, muscles, and skin.
  • A true artist. Who else has taught art students on facial structure to enhance an artist’s ability to draw portraits?
  • Hand picked by Northwestern staff to spearhead the integrated plastic surgery fellowship.

Philosophy

Dr. Michael BYUN M.D. S.C., the director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery describes himself as an, “Architect of Beauty.” He says that aesthetic surgery is not just skin-deep, instead it is a holistic endeavor involving all aspects of the person as a whole. Thus, plastic surgery should not be seen as simply a means of changing your appearance, but as a medical treatment for the inevitabilities of life. “The millennial approach of cosmetic surgery is not to change someone, but to treat the aging process: the sagging cheeks and sagging eyes, our skin and body.”

Dr. BYUN’s innovative procedures, his work, and his patients have been prominently featured in the media. NBC News, FOX TV, ABC, Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, Chicago-Sun Times, and 20/20 (just to name a few) have all featured Dr. Byun. Chicago magazine profiled Dr. BYUN in it’s Jan ’05 issue.

Dr. BYUN uses FDA approved implants. He is experienced in a variety of surgical options, many of which only involve the tiniest, most discreet incisions; so no matter how much you’re noticed, his work never is.

Residency

  • Northwestern Univ. Medical School
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
  • General Surgery 1992-1995
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern Univ. Medical School 1995-1998
  • Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL Resident, 1995-1996
  • Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Resident, 1995-1996
  • Bell, Stromberg, Harris, Nagle Hand fellowship, Chicago, IL
  • Chief Resident, Combined Plastic and Orthopedic Hand Service, 1996
  • Children’s Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL Chief Resident, 1996
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL Chief resident, 1997-1998
  • Shriners Sick Children’s Hospital Oak Park, IL
  • Chief Plastic Surgery resident, 1997-1998
  • Chief Resident, Cleft Palate Institute, 1997-1998

Education

  • University of California: Irvine, California, Major: Biology, Cum Laude
  • Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, M.D., Honors

Internship

  • Northwestern University Medical School
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 1992-1993

Fellowship

  • University of California, Irvine, Dep. of Neurobiology,
  • Research advisor: Charles E. Ribak, Ph.D., 1986-1988
  • NIH, NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke Research Advisor: Ali Patel, 1989
  • NORTHWESTERN, Clinical Fellow in Plastic Surgery, 1995-1998

Revolutionary Vision,
Unmatched Outcomes

Current & Previous Position / Hospital Privileges

  • Director, Chicago Cosmetic Surgery, Northbrook, IL 1998
  • Director, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. 2002
  • Attending Plastic Surgeon, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, IL. 1998
  • Staff Plastic Surgeon, 900 N. Michigan Surgery Center, Chicago, IL. 1998-2002
  • Attending plastic surgeon, Rush/Presbyterian, Chicago, IL 1999
  • Private practice, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 1999-2000
  • Associate Plastic Surgeon, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. 1998 ~
  • Omnia Education, Post-Graduate CME Activity, Faculty 2003
  • Chief Resident, Cleft Palate Institute, 1997-1998

Standing The Test of Time

Before
Before
3 Weeks After
9 Weeks After
3 Years After
5 Years After

Procedures Performed: BYUN Signature Muscle Repair Facelift

Academic Appointment

  • Northwestern Univ. Medical School, Faculty member, Instructor of Surgery 1997-1998
  • Chief Plastic Surgery Resident, Northwestern Univ. Med. School 1997
  • Chief Plastic Surgery Resident, Shriner’s Sick Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, 1997
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Rush Medical School, Attending 1999

Licensure & Certification

  • Illinois Licensure 1992
  • ATLS 1995
  • Certification, Ultra Pulse Laser Resurfacing, Aurora, IL 1996
  • Certification, Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release, Agee 1996
  • Certification, Endoscopic Surgery in Plastic Surgery 1996
  • Maxillofacial Principle and Technique, ASMS, Chicago, IL 1997
  • Certification, Ultrasonic Assistant Liposuction, Chicago, IL 1997
  • Certification, Erbium Laser, Chicago, IL 1998
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery Board Re-certified 2012

Memberships

  • American Society of Plastic Surgery, member, 1998~
  • American Society of Lipoplasty, candidate, 1995
  • Korean American Physician Association, 1995
  • Korean American Physician Association, Chairman, membership committee, 1999
  • American Medical Association, 2001
  • Chicago Medical Society, 2001

Honors

  • President’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Univ. of Cal., Irvine, 1988
  • Excellence in Bio Sci Research Award, Univ. of Cal., Irvine, 1988
  • Citibank Student Art Contest, Second Place Award, 1988
  • Cum Laude Graduate, University of California 1988
  • Best Scientific Award, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Pre-Med Honor Society, 1988
  • NIH Summer Research Fellowship, 1989
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke,
  • Outstanding Summer Fellow Award, National Institute of Health 1989
  • Ik-Song, Young American Scientist Scholarship, 1989
  • Northwestern University Medical School Scholarship for entering class, 1989
  • AOA membership: nomination by surgery and medicine clerkship directors, 1992
  • Best Teaching Resident, General Surgery, 1994
  • Award by Alumni Affairs, Northwestern University Medical School, 1997
  • Visiting Professorship to Beijing & Shanghai, 2001
  • Certificate of Appreciation, medical exchange to China,from Mayor Richard M. Daley, 2001
  • 18th Annual Healthcare Award by Healthcare Marketing Report, 2001
  • Who’s Who in America, 2001~
  • Who’s Who in America, Health care, 2003~
  • Visiting Professorship to Japan, Japan University 2004
  • Visiting Professorship to Korea, Seoul Ah-San University 2004

A board-certified plastic surgeon, Michael BYUN, MD, is the founder and director of Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and the BION Medica Skin Care Clinic. He has also developed anti-aging products, such as a cell biology-focused transformation growth factor beta, which is responsible for cell turnover.

Now he is developing injectable serums that can either target bone, muscle, fat, or skin for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

BYUN received his MD from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he completed his clinical fellowship in plastic surgery. He previously served as a research adviser at the University of California, Irvine Department of Neurobiology and at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Research.

National Presentations

  • Charles E. Ribak, Michael Y. BYUN, Thomas Ruiz and R.J. Reiffenstein, Increased levels of amino acid neurotransmitters in the inferior colliculus of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat, Univ. of Cal. School of Biology Research Symposium, Univ. of Cal., Irvine, 1988.
  • Isolation of C-erb, chromosome 3 from pituitary tumor by hybridization with a radioactive DNA probe. Presented at NIH 1989 summer student symposium. NIH Student Fellow Summer Project, Bethesda, MD. Sep. 1989
  • V.L. Lewis, T.A. Wiedrich and M.Y. BYUN, The incidence of osteomyelitis in pressure sores and the relation to Jamshidi bone biopsy, 31st Midwestern Assoc. of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in St. Louis. May 1991
  • P. McKinney, M.Y. BYUN, Medical Blepharoplasty Hypothyroidism and its importance to plastic surgery. 3 1st Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in St. Louis. May 1991
  • J. Raffensperger and M.Y. BYUN. Sleeve resection for left main bronchus stenosis in patients with VATER syndrome. Illinois Pediatric Surgeons Association in Chicago, IL. Sep.22, 1994
  • M.Y. BYUN. Maximal projection of breast following free nipple reduction mammaplaty. 36th Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI. June 7,1996
  • Michael BYUN, Victor Lewis, Jr. Surgical closure of perineal wound using two layer muscle reconstruction: rectus abdominis muscle flap with gluteus maximus myocutaneous advancement flap reconstruction. 36th Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, M. June 7,1996
  • BYUN MY, Bauer BS, Updated treatment for congenital giant pigmented nevi based on 200 cases. 37th Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, St. Louis. Apr, 1997.
  • BYUN MY, Laurie Casas, New technique using pillar preservation in free nipple reduction mammaplasty, ASAPS, 30th national annual meeting, New York, NY. May 3,1997
  • BYUN, MY, Victor Lewis jr., An improved clinical outcome using a new protocol: Treating grade IV pressure sore in spinal cord injury patients with needle bone biopsy and delayed muscle flap reconstruction, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons, 66th national annual scientific meeting, San Francisco, CA. Sep. 23, 1997
  • BYUN, MY, Bruce S. Bauer, Hongshik Han, A new look into the treatment of congenital giant pigmented nevi in infancy and childhood: A follow-up study and review of 200 patients. ASPRS, 66th national annual scientific meeting, San Francisco, CA. Sep. 22, 1997
  • BYUN, MY, Fine, NA, Mustoe, TA. Clinical outcome of abdominoplasty performed under conscious sedation; Increased use of Fentanyl correlated longer stay in outpatient unit. ASPRS, 66th national annual scientific meeting, San Francisco, CA. Sep. 24, 1997
  • BYUN MY, Victor Lewis, Jr. Face lift and endoscopic rnid face lift. 84th Annual clinical congress, American College of Surgeons, Oct 25, Orlando, FL, 1998
  • Hyung Bo Sim, Michael BYUN, John Smith. Circumareolar reduction mammaplasty utilizing an inferior dermal pedicle technique. ASAPS national annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA. May 6, 1998
  • BYUN MY, McKinney P, The effect of Botox on nasolabial fold. ASAPS national meeting, Dallas,TX, May 1999

Regional Presentations / Abstracts

  • M.Y. BYUN, Surgical options for treatment of pure esophageal atresia: use of free jejunal flap for re-do or long-gab pure esophageal atresia. Presented by M.Y. BYUN at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago. Sep. 1994
  • Michael BYUN, Thomas Mustoe, Decreased Level of IL- I and Decreased incidence of Seroma Formation in Breast Reconstruction using Latissimus Myocutaneous Flap. Chief Residents’ day, Northwestern Univ. June 12, 1998
  • BYUN MY, Victor Lewis, Jr., Peter McKinney. Mid-face lift using VECS Vertical Endoscopically assisted Composite Suspension. Senior Resident competition, Chicago Society of Plastic Surgery, June 18, 1998
  • Michael BYUN, Emerging technologies in facial rejuvenation and workshop for aesthetic procedures, Chicago, IL Nov 2003

Publications

  • Charles E. Ribak, Michael Y. BYUN, Thomas Ruiz and R.J. Reiffenstein, Increased levels of amino acid neurotransmitters in the interior colliculus of the genetically epilepsy-prone rat, Epilepsy Research, 2 (1988) 9-13.
  • C.E. Ribak, R.C. Roberts, M.Y. BYUN and H.L. Kim, Anatomical and behavioral analyses of the inheritance of audiogenic seizures in the progeny of genetically epilepsy-protte and Sprague-Dawley rats, Epilepsy Research, 2 343-355, 1988.
  • BYUN MY, Thomas Wiedrich, Victor Lewis. The value of Jamshidi needle bone biopsy for predicting post-operative morbidity of osteomyelitis in patients with grade lV pressure sores. Accepted to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1996 (to be published with part II)
  • McKinney, BYUN, Ear in Rhytidectomy: incisions, pros and cons. Accepted by PRS, to be published at PRS, 1999
  • BYUN MY, Fine N, Mustoe TA, The clinical outcome of abdominoplasty performed under conscious sedation: Increased use of Fentanyl correlated with longer stay in outpatient unit. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 103: 1260-1266, 1999.
  • McKinney, BYUN, The value of tear film breakup and Schirmer’s tests in preoperative blepharoplasty evaluation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 104:566, 1999
  • Casas, BYUN, Maximizing breast projection after free-nipple-graft reduction mammaplasty. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. April, 2001, 955-60.

Video Tapes

  • For American College of Surgeons. Face lift and endoscopic mid face lift.1998 (presented in Oct, 1998 at Orlando meeting)
  • BYUN MY, McKinney P, The effect of Botox on nasolabial fold. ASAPS national meeting, Dollas,TX, May 1999
  • Michael BYUN, Circumareolar reduction mammaplasty utilizing an inferior dermal pedicle technique. ASAPS national annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA. May 6, 1998
  • Michael BYUN, Emerging technologies in facial rejuvenation and workshop for aesthetic procedures, Chicago, IL Nov 2003

Submitted Articles

  • BYUN MY, Fine NA., Blue toe syndrome in free flap: thrombo-embolic event causing partial flap loss in free ornental flap to lower extremities. microsurgery. 1998
  • McKinney, BYUN, The bulbous tip of the nose and its treatment. Accepted by PRS, to be published at PRS, Jan 2000
  • Peter McKinney, BYUN MY. Hypothyroidism in plastic surgery patients who seek blepharoplasty. New England Journal of Medicine, 1998.
  • Peter McKinney, BYUN MY. Clinical presentation of patients with cocaine abuse: collapsed nose. New England Journal of Medicine, 1998.
  • BYUN MY, Laurie Casas. Maximal breast projection using medial and lateral pillars preservation. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 1998
  • BYUN MY, Victor Lewis. Surgical closure of irradiated perineal wound with two layer muscle flap reconstruction: rectus abdominis muscle flap and gluteus muscle flap. Annals of Plastic surgery. 1998
  • BYUN MY, Frank Vicari, Clinical presentation of systemic blastomycosis infection: destruction of CMC joint and treatment. Journal of Hand. 1998
  • Hyung Bo Sim, Michael BYUN, John Smith. Circumareolar redcution mammaplasty utilizing an inferior dermal pedicle technique. Aesthetic Journal, 1999
  • BOOK CHAPTERS: Bauer B, BYUN MY: Benign Head and Neck Tumor, Condition, Indication, Treatment and the Outcome. In Current therapy in Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive JB Lipincott Co., Philadelphia.
  • BOOK AUTHOR: Michael BYUN , Mendelsohn, William Truswell, The non-surgical facelift book ,Addicus Books, Nebraska, 2003
  • BOOK REVIEW: Plastic Surgery, Grabb and Smith, 5th Edition, Editor, Sherril Aston, Lippincott-raven Publishing, 1998

Articles In Progress

  • BYUN MY, Victor Lewis, Jr., Peter McKinney. Mid-face lift using VECS Vertical Endoscopically assisted Composite Suspension.
  • BYUN, McKinney, The effect of the BOTOX in nasolabial fold.

Current Research

  • Michael BYUN, Victor Lewis jr. , Role of Polymerase Chain Reaction in diagnosing infectious etiology of osteomyelitis in Grade IV pressure sore.
  • Michael BYUN, Peter McKinney, Role of dorsal nasal graft and its functional benefit in rhinoplasty.
  • Michael BYUN, Peter McKinney, Retrospective review of patients with endoscopic brow lift: review of complication.
  • Michael BYUN, Peter McKinney, The role of Botox in face lift: improving medial part of nasolabial fold.
  • Michael BYUN, Thomas Mustoe, Decreased Level of IL- I and Decreased incidence of Seroma Formation in Breast Reconstruction using Latissimus Myocutaneous Flap.

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From Luxury Aesthetics to Reconstructive Muscle Repair, Dr. BYUN and staff are ready to craft the most beautiful you.

Dr. Michael Byun

In The Media

What You Need To Know Before Getting a Facelift

Six things to be aware of before going under the knife.

When the Young, Bright Prodigy Evolves into the Great Seasoned Master

Dr. Michael BYUN is a serious doctor with seriously comprehensive experience unlike many of his peers, setting him heads and shoulders above the rest.

Chicago Magazine Profile

Chicago magazine profile of Dr. BYUN.