Dr. McKay McKinnon, MD
Plastic Surgeon | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
60 E Delaware Pl Ste. 1450 Chicago IL, 60611Rating
4/5
About
Dr. McKay McKinnon is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Chicago, IL. and Miami, FL. The practice combines aesthetic surgery and complex reconstructive surgery to patients seeking cosmetic improvements and patients with birth defects, trauma, tumors and malformations. The practice includes babies, children and adults.
Education and Training
University of North Carolina MD 1976
Board Certification
American Board of Plastic Surgery
Provider Details
Dr. McKay McKinnon, MD's Expert Contributions
Can neck skin be tightened without surgery?
The correct answer is no. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
Does a rhinoplasty change your smile?
The answer to your question is NO. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
How long is a tummy tuck surgery?
Two hours or less for a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
Is chin reduction surgery painful?
Chin reduction surgery, also called genioplasty, is mildly uncomfortable for a few days after surgery. Most patients take a moderate narcotic pain medicine for those days. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
How long does a temporal brow lift last?
The changes after a brow lift are long lasting, but should not be considered permanent since the brow can descend again with aging. Treatment with Botox could increase the longevity of a brow lift. READ MORE
Does a brow lift change eye shape?
A brow lift, properly performed, should not ever change the shape of the eye. It does lift the brow and the heaviness of an eyelid, particularly laterally. If you wish to see the effect on yourself, use one finger to raise the outer eyebrow. Only if this maneuver is exaggerated could it change the shape of the eye. I hope this answers your question. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
Is an augmentation the only way to level out breast size?
Congenital breast asymmetry is a common problem. Women should carefully consider what option is best for them. A large breast may deserve reduction by surgery with repositioning of the nipple/areolar complex. A diminutive breast might best be treated with an implant augmentation. Ultimately, the best result is to have symmetric breasts with retention of normal sensation. Prospective patients should seek out Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who have experience in this condition. Look at their examples of previous work and there are no " dumb questions'. READ MORE
What is a mini face lift?
A "miniature" facelift is a partial facelift, performed through a similar but smaller incision than a standard facelift. It usually results in two undesirable results; (1) It does not reposition the central third of the face where most signs of aging occur; and (2) It relies upon an unnatural degree of tension on the skin to improve the facial appearance. The extra tension always dissipates over a few weeks, leaving the original facial laxity. The tension also frequently produces a more visible scar than a standard facelift, thus creating a third undesirable result. A wise patient will choose to have a standard facelift that repositions the lax skin and fat and leaves a natural tension and facial appearance. READ MORE
What is a one stitch face lift?
A permanent suture is inserted via a small incision to attach to the underside of the skin and secured with tension to the scalp/temple area. It does not provide a lasting improvement compared to a standard facelift. Facelifting should be considered a procedure that repositions facial and neck skin and retains the normal tension of the skin. Abnormal tension--as in suture lifts--will always produce some undesirable facial changes and will not be long lasting READ MORE
How long does eyebrow lift last?
A brow lift should have a lasting effect for 10-15 years, depending on the degree of lift desired, your lifestyle and your facial muscle activity. READ MORE
How do you get rid of a double chin without surgery?
If your weight is normal, there is little expectation that a "double chin" will improve without surgery. Injections of a fat dissolving chemical may provide minimal improvement, but that carries a risk of permanent motor nerve injury. READ MORE
Does Botox make you look older after it wears off?
Botox temporarily renders the treated muscles unable or less able to contract. They return to normal after the effect wears off. There is no possibility of "aging" due to the Botox. Some patients demonstrate a learned behavior to not use those muscles so vigorously after treatments with Botox, even after the medication has worn off. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
Are all elective procedures canceled due to the coronavirus?
Most states in the U.S. have resumed elective surgery procedures, both at hospitals and free standing surgery centers. You should expect increased precautions such as pre-operative Covid testing. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
How long after blepharoplasty do you see results?
Most patients can see a positive result following blepharoplasty after the first 5 days. Swelling and bruising may persist considerably longer, but the changes of surgery should be apparent. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
Is cheek augmentation permanent?
You should consider this a permanent procedure. Many plastic surgeons will recommend implants . These have risks of movement, infection and scar formation. I recommend using a patient’s own bone as a graft to augment the cheek. There are always some risks involved, but they are small. A surgeon with maxillofacial training and experience is preferred. M. McKinnon, MD READ MORE
Can you get rid of long ear lobes?
It is quite a simple procedure to have reduction of elongated ear lobes. This is done by trimming the excess after measuring the desired reduction. Anesthesia is only local injection. The sutures are removed in about 5-7 days. If desired, a new pierced earlobe procedure can be done at the same time or at a later date. Regular earring wearing can resume in about 3 weeks. McKay McKinnon, M.D. READ MORE
How can I make my lips bigger with surgery?
An insertion of fat from any location (commonly the navel) can give a permanent increase in size of the lips. The incision is hidden and very small, a tunnel is created inside the lip muscle and the fat inserted. Some temporary loss of lip sensation is normal. The procedure can be done in the office in about 30 minutes under local injection anesthesia. READ MORE
What is an endoscopic face lift?
Mainly, an endoscopic “facelift” is a gimmick term. A facelift requires a skin incision, regardless of whether the skin dissection is done with or(more commonly) without an endoscope. Take caution that surgeons promoting an endoscopic approach are doing something if added value. MMcKinnon, MD READ MORE
Can a nose job improve breathing?
If your breathing is altered because of a septal deviation, then there is a strong likelihood that septoplasty can improve it. Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are often performed together. READ MORE
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
Not much! Think of fat as a bag of marshmallows. If your need/interest is in weight loss, then liposuction is not the next thing to consider. You should try to achieve a normal weight before considering liposuction. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Past President Illinois Association of Cleft/Craniofacial Teams and the D. Ralph Millard Society -
- Former Faculty Member University of Chicago -
Awards
- Castle Connolly Best Doctor Award Year
- Best Doctors of America Year
- ShaareZedek Hospital-David Appelbaum Humanitarian Award Year
- Helen McMenamin Neurofibromatosis Award Year
- Diplomate, The American Board of Plastic Surgery Year
- Chicago Area SUPER DOCTORS Year
- Morris Esformes Endowment Award (U. Of Chicago Medical Center) Year
- Dr. David Applebaum Humanitarian Award 2007
- WIKIPEDIA Site: McKay McKinnon, M.D. Year
- CINE Golden Eagle Award 2011
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Belize Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Honduras Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Mexico Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Peru Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Romania Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Government of Vietnam and French Vietnamese Hospital, HCMC, Vietnam Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Lerdsin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand Year
- Honorary Visiting Surgeon, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem Year
- Invited Guest Surgeon, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, India Year
- Past President, D.Ralph Millard Plastic Surgery Society Year
- Past President, Illinois Society of Cleft-Craniofacial Teams Year
- Guest: The Oprah Winfrey Show 2004
Treatments
- Cosmetic Treatments, Blepharoplasty (eyelid Surgery), Facelift And More
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- The International Society of Craniofacial Surgery
- The American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Fellowships
- plastic surgery, Foch Hospital - Clinique Belvedere, France 1983
- plastic surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, MA 1980
- University of Miami Hospital - University of Miami Health System, Florida
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- SurgerySOS
Treatments
- See McKinnonPlasticSurgery.com
Professional Society Memberships
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons, ASPS, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons
Philanthropic Initiatives
- SurgerySOS (Founder) (501 C (3) charity to treat cranofacial malformations and complex tumors.
Hobbies / Sports
- Golf, tennis, squash, racquets.
Areas of research
Craniofacial malformations; neovascularization, neurofibromatosis.
Dr. McKay McKinnon, MD's Practice location
McKinnon Plastic Surgery
60 E Delaware Pl Ste. 1450 -Chicago, IL 60611Get Direction
McKinnon Plastic Surgery
4720 LeJeune Road -Miami, FL 33146Get Direction
Dr. McKay McKinnon, MD's reviews
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Media Releases
With international training and groundbreaking work in cleft and craniofacial surgery, Dr. McKinnon remains at the forefront of his field
Chicago, IL – Dr. McKinnon, a distinguished plastic and craniofacial surgeon, has been a leading figure in the field for over four decades. As a former faculty member at the University of Chicago for 24 years, he pioneered the introduction and teaching of craniofacial surgery at the institution. His innovative contributions include the development of new procedures for treating patients with cleft lip, craniofacial anomalies, and tumors, particularly those related to Neurofibromatosis. Since 1984, Dr. McKinnon has focused on cosmetic plastic surgery through a thriving private practice based in Chicago, working across multiple hospitals and surgical centers.
In addition to his Chicago-based work, Dr. McKinnon also practices in Miami, where he operates at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Baptist Hospital, and South Miami Hospital. His extensive surgical expertise is rooted in elite training at Harvard University, the University of Miami, and under the tutelage of renowned global leaders in plastic and general surgery in Paris, France. His mentors include Nobel Laureate Joseph Murray, cleft surgery pioneer Ralph Millard, craniofacial innovator Paul Tessier, and esteemed general surgeons William McDermott and Neil Sedgwick.
Dr. McKinnon is an active member of numerous prestigious professional organizations, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons. He has served as president of both the Illinois Association of Cleft/Craniofacial Teams and the D. Ralph Millard Society. A respected international speaker, he is a frequent contributor to the European Association of Plastic Surgeons and has consistently earned accolades such as the Castle Connolly Best Doctor Award since 2003.
With a career marked by clinical innovation, academic leadership, and compassionate care, Dr. McKinnon continues to be a trusted expert in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. His dedication to excellence ensures that patients in Chicago, Miami, and beyond benefit from world-class surgical outcomes and a personalized, patient-first approach.
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