Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS

Dr. C and his team did an incredible job. He's changed my self esteem and life with how good his work is. I trusted in his experience and was rewarded.

We ended up going with chin and jawline lypo, buccal fat removal and a chin implant. I'm now 8 months post op and it just keeps getting better. All you have to do is trust in the process and be patient as the results come in.

It's nice that he has a good sense of humor and you can genuinely till he cares about his patients and the results he obtains for them.

Worth every penny and I'm very happy. The hype is real.

I know most people won’t read all of this, so let me start by saying: I am beyond happy with Dr. Caughlin and his work. If you’re considering him, look no further. He’s the best, hands down, and I couldn’t recommend him more.

Now, for anyone interested in my journey, here’s a detailed account of my experience, spanning years and multiple surgeons, that ultimately led me to Dr. Caughlin and the incredible results I have today.

How It All Began
My journey started in 2022, although the seeds were planted earlier. I had a significant sports injury in 2021, and as anyone who’s been sidelined from an active lifestyle knows, weight gain can sneak up on you. I went from playing basketball twice a week and lifting five times a week to being much more sedentary. Even though I didn’t feel drastically different, I noticed changes in my face that I couldn’t ignore.

For as fit as I was — I’ve always had a six-pack — my face didn’t match the rest of me. I’ve been told I had a “baby face,” and while that might sound like a compliment, it’s not what I wanted to hear at (now) 33 years old. I felt my face lacked the definition I desired. I wasn’t depressed or deeply insecure about it, but I’ve always believed in improving yourself when the opportunity arises. That mindset led me to explore options like buccal fat removal and neck liposuction.

My First Procedures – Disappointing Results
In 2022, I consulted a maxillofacial surgeon on the East Coast and underwent buccal fat removal and neck liposuction. Unfortunately, the results were underwhelming — in fact, they were worse. Not only did I see no improvement, but I also noticed more asymmetry in my face. At the time, I weighed about 180 pounds at 5'10" (about 15lbs more than what I had been for 10 years), and while I wasn’t unhappy with my body, I was disappointed in the outcome of the surgery.

When I followed up with the first surgeon, they suggested a genioplasty as the solution to achieve the results I wanted. This upset me because I felt I should have been told upfront that my goals weren’t achievable with the initial procedures. I’d already spent thousands of dollars and undergone surgery, only to feel like I was back at square one.

A Second Attempt – Another Setback
In 2023, now on the West Coast, I started exploring options again. This time, I consulted multiple surgeons, all with varying opinions. One refused to see me, saying chin implants weren’t for me after I sent a picture in. Another quoted me an astronomical $20,000 for a procedure. I ultimately settled on a highly reputable but older surgeon for a mentoplasty and submentalplasty.

I was never mad throughout the process, In just assumed that after these two procedures the last two years, I just wasn't a candidate for these things. I didn't notice a difference, and I started to realize the implant made my face more round appearing. The implant was far too small, placed in the wrong spot, and the scar was large and oddly positioned. After living with those results for a year, I felt like I’d taken another step backward.

Finding Dr. Caughlin
By 2024, I was hesitant but determined to fix the mistakes of the past. After a little looking around, I found Dr. Caughlin. From my first virtual consultation, I felt confident he understood my goals. He had a eye for facial aesthetics and knew how to achieve a balanced, natural, yet refined look. His confidence and expertise immediately set him apart.

Unlike my previous experiences, Dr. Caughlin took the time to explain the procedure, suggest the right implant (a larger one than I originally anticipated), and set realistic expectations. What also impressed me was his ability to balance professionalism with approachability. He listened to my concerns, addressed my fears, and made me feel like I was finally in the hands of someone who truly cared.

The Procedure – A Smooth Experience
In June 2024, I underwent chin implant revision, jaw contouring, and neck liposuction with Dr. Caughlin. This time, the procedure was done while I was awake, which initially made me nervous. I’ve fainted from needles in the past, but Dr. Caughlin and his team (thanks James) were incredibly accommodating and supportive throughout.

The surgery itself was quick and efficient. The scar was much smaller and placed in a more discreet spot. Though the swelling was significant at first, the results gradually revealed themselves over the next few months. I noticed immediate improvement in the symmetry and definition of my jawline and chin.

The Results – A Game Changer
It’s been six months since my surgery, and I can confidently say this has been life-changing. For the first time in years, I feel like my face matches the rest of me. I’m more confident in photos, and yes, I’ve even noticed more attention from women I’d never imagined matching with before. It’s a strange but welcome boost to my self-esteem.

Dr. Caughlin not only corrected the mistakes of my past surgeries but exceeded my expectations. I’m now at 160 pounds, in the best shape of my life, and couldn’t be happier with the way I look.

Why Dr. Caughlin Stands Out
Expertise: He understands facial aesthetics in a way that other surgeons didn’t.
Communication: He’s easy to talk to, straightforward, and confident without being dismissive.
Results: The difference is night and day compared to my previous surgeries. He delivered exactly what I was hoping for.

Final Thoughts
If you’re considering facial surgery, take it from someone who’s been through three surgeons in three years: Dr. Caughlin is the one you can trust. His work has truly changed my life, and I’ll continue to recommend him to anyone seeking a skilled and compassionate plastic surgeon.

I hope this review helps someone on the fence about their own journey. Trust me, it’s worth it.

I’ve had three previous plastic surgeries over the past ten years. I was very satisfied with them all of in terms of actual results and the surgeon’s communication and bedside manner. With that said, Dr. Caughlin is in a league of his own. He was an excellent listener regarding my areas of concern. He clearly explained my options along with his recommendations and the rationale for them. His warmth really put me at ease and his entire team reflects that same energy.

I went for a consult for a facelift which despite the significant price, he strongly dissuaded me from as I was not an ideal candidate. Instead he recommended trying some filler treatments as a starting point. He educated me on fillers and how they’re very much tailored to an individual, able to give a soft or defined look. That changed my preconceptions on fillers giving some “plastic cat-eyed” look. I had significant weight loss and the idea of -adding- volume via fillers seemed crazy at first. I love the defined facial features I now have for the first time in my life, but I wanted to address some hollowing and nasolabial folds.

Despite a little skepticism, I trusted his expertise and had Radiesse fillers done today. I’m blown away by the results. I’m still a bit swollen but I could tell right after the injections that my areas of concern had been addressed. By providing me with all of the treatment options and his honest assessment, he saved me tens of thousands of dollars and a less invasive option that I’m thrilled with.

Dr. Caughlin and his entire team is amazing. I had a chin implant and lipo/jawline sculpting. He is so skilled and educated and has an amazing personality to go along with it. That is rare to find in a doctor. He listens to your goals and is realistic as to how he can help achieve them. He has a great bedside manner and checks up on you after your surgery. He and his team answered all of my questions thoroughly. I would highly recommend his practice!

I’ve been going to Dr. Caughlin since 2018.
He was the surgeon that performed my buccal fat extraction and he absolutely killed it. He has also fixed my chin and does all my filler work and Botox. I naturally had a very round face and this procedure gave me that model-esque looking contour. He is an artist in his field. It’s been 4 years since I’ve had the procedure and it still looks amazing. If you’re worried about it aging you don’t, it won’t. I always get mistaken for being in my early 20s and I’m 30 now. He is the ONLY surgeon I trust one hundred percent. If you’re considering investing in this surgeon I promise you, you will not regret it. I’ve been to LA, NYC and FL but I always go to Dr. C in Chicago and I probably will continue to follow him around because I love his artistry and eye. It’s crucial you find a surgeon who you trust and who understands the anatomy of the face and this surgeon just does. He is stuck with me as a patient.

Dr. Caughlin is seriously the best!! I started out by getting buccal fat removal, and I loved it so much that I have gotten a few other procedures as well! He makes you feel completely at ease during!

I had buccal fat removal, extended chin liposuction, and a medium chin implant with Dr. Caughlin.
I travel from out of state so I did a virtual consultation and then met doctor for a preop before my procedure. Although I did not meet him in person before the day of the procedure I felt the virtual consultation and communication with the office staff prior to the procedure was more than adequate.
I was given a few chill pills before the procedure and that was extremely helpful as I felt no pain whatsoever during. You do not have to go under for this type of procedure.
I did experience discomfort after the procedure but it only was for approximately 24 hours. Over-the-counter Advil and ice really helped. You are given prescription pain medication to take however I preferred to control the pain using OTC.
I’m still waiting for slight swelling to improve as I am five weeks out from surgery, however, the results from my extended chin liposuction are phenomenal!
The chin implant is subtle but it’s very natural looking and undetectable by family and friends.
I would absolutely choose this surgeon again for any lower 1/3 face rejuvenation. He is extremely skilled in this area and provides amazing results!

I got Chin lipo from Dr.Caughlin back in April. Even when I was thin I had a genetic sloping jawline, my biggest insecurity. Overall good experience with this doctor, he responds very fast via text message and even months after gets back to me. follow up care is good and awesome communication.
I am very happy with my jawline now and feel a lot better about myself. Even though I am just now starting a weight loss journey I am still happy with my choice, because even at my ideal weight I had issues with my jawline. Now I know when I reach my goals I will be happy with my chin.
The procedure wasn't very painful, Dr.Caughlin talked me through the entire thing and was very friendly. I suggest going to someone like Dr.Caughlin who specializes in jawline/neck area if this is what you are wanting to do. This decision was a scary one to make but I am so glad I did.
Keep in mind the healing process is a rollercoaster, Dr.Caughlin answered all of my texts and concerns during that process. Everyone warns you about swelling/lumpiness but it still gave my anxiety when it happened. Happy to report all the swelling/lumpiness went away and I am left with a jawline I could never get naturally.
Thank you Dr.Caughlin

Everything is so far so good. Still waiting to see swelling go down. I will let everyone know how I feel about the chin lipo and buccal fat removal. I am definitely happy with my buccal fat removal. Waiting patiently for profile to come into view. Dr. Caughlin and staff are great and I never had one day pain. I was uncomfortable the first 24 hours but after that just swelling and waiting. I am sure I will be satisfied. But I will keep the RealSelf community informed. The reviews were such a help for me in making my decision to go for it!! I'm reserving one star until the 3rd month post op date has passed.

Phenomenal experience! Hands down, I had an amazing experience and will go back. Dr. C is incredibly professional, talented, and intuitive. He advises but doesn’t try to sell you anything or overshoot expectations. Great vibes from the office staff as well! It is very apparent that everyone works as a team and supports the docs. Highly recommend!