To choose a plastic surgeon in Chicago, check five things: surgical training, experience with your procedure, an active Illinois medical license, hospital privileges, and real before-and-after results. Then book a consultation and notice whether the surgeon listens to your goals. The right plan depends on your health, anatomy, and goals, and a one-on-one visit with a qualified surgeon is the best way to learn what fits you.
At Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, Dr. David Hill, MD, guides every surgical decision. As Medical Director, he is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in Chicago who focuses on natural, balanced results. This guide covers what to look for, what to expect, and how to take your next step.
What Should You Look for in a Plastic Surgeon in Chicago?
A strong plastic surgeon in Chicago has advanced surgical training, deep experience with the procedure you want, an active Illinois license, and hospital privileges. The surgeon should also show natural-looking results and take time to understand your goals.
Use this checklist to build your shortlist:
- Surgical training: Review the residency and fellowship listed on the surgeon's bio or CV.
- Procedure experience: Ask how often the surgeon performs the surgery you want.
- Teaching and research: Look for publications and training roles that demonstrate the surgeon contributes to the field.
- Illinois medical license: Confirm it through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) license lookup.
- Hospital privileges: Ask the practice where the surgeon is approved to operate.
- Before-and-after photos: Ask to see the surgeon's own patients, ideally with a build or age similar to yours.
- Consultation experience: You should feel heard, not rushed.
There is no set number of consultations you need before deciding. Meet with as many surgeons as it takes to feel confident. Compare training, experience, results, and the clarity with which each surgeon explains your options.
What Does Advanced Surgical Training Look Like?
Advanced surgical training means years of surgical residency followed by a fellowship, which is extra, focused training in one area. A fellowship-trained plastic surgeon has spent dedicated time refining techniques for the face, breast, and body before entering practice.
Dr. Hill's background includes:
- Medical degree: Albany Medical College
- General surgery training: Seven years at Creighton University School of Medicine and St. Joseph's Hospital
- Fellowship: Plastic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, where he received the Teacher of the Year award
- Teaching roles: Trainer for the Allergan Medical Institute and national surgical lecturer
- Affiliations: Active member of the American College of Surgeons, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Illinois Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a candidate for active membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Dr. Hill is board-eligible. Patients are welcome to ask about his certification status and training during a consultation.
Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Are Most Popular Right Now?
Liposuction, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks were the most in-demand cosmetic surgeries in 2025, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Cosmetic surgical procedures rose 7% overall that year, and lift procedures posted some of the strongest gains,
The ASPS 2025 report also found:
- Facelifts rose 13%, neck lifts rose 21%, and breast lifts rose 8%
- Facial fat grafting grew 39%, the largest single-year gain of any tracked procedure
- Adults ages 36 to 55 accounted for nearly half of all cosmetic procedures
- Patients ages 66 and older saw a 24% rise in procedure volume
Dr. Hill's surgical procedures at Fulcrum cover many of these top requests:
- For the face, he performs the deep plane facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, and facial fat grafting
- For the breast, he offers breast augmentation and breast lift
- Body options include liposuction, tummy tuck, and the combined Mommy Makeover
Who Is a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?
A good candidate for plastic surgery is in good overall health and has a clear, realistic goal. That goal is often to restore their appearance to how it looked before pregnancy, aging, or weight loss. ASPS reports that restoration after these life changes was the leading reason patients chose plastic surgery in 2025.
Many patients at Fulcrum fit one of these profiles:
- After pregnancy: Parents who want to address loose skin, stretched abdominal muscles, or breast changes may consider a tummy tuck, breast surgery, or a Mommy Makeover.
- Facial aging: Adults who notice sagging in the face, jawline, neck, or eyelids may consider a facelift, neck lift, or blepharoplasty.
- After major weight loss: People with excess skin after weight loss, including those who lost weight with GLP-1 medications, may consider body contouring.
ASPS found that 82% of its member surgeons received GLP-1-related consultation requests in 2025. The report does not show growth in any specific procedure. Your results will depend on your anatomy, your healing, and how closely you follow your recovery plan. Dr. Hill confirms whether you are a candidate during your consultation.
What Happens During a Plastic Surgery Consultation at Fulcrum?
Your private, one-on-one visit with Dr. Hill focuses on your anatomy, your goals, and realistic outcomes. Dr. Hill explains which procedures are right for you and builds a personalized plan that guides you from evaluation through surgery and recovery.
A typical visit includes:
- Your goals and health history: You share what you want to change and why.
- An exam: Dr. Hill reviews your anatomy, aging patterns, and proportions.
- A tailored plan: He explains your options and may combine procedures for balanced results.
- Your questions: Ask where your surgery will take place, who will provide anesthesia and what credentials they hold, and how your recovery will be managed.
Recovery varies by procedure and by patient. Dr. Hill walks you through what to expect before, during, and after surgery, so you can plan time off work and at-home support with confidence.
Why Choose Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery for Plastic Surgery in Chicago?
Chicago patients choose Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery for three main reasons. Care is surgeon-led; the practice avoids unnecessary procedures, and results are designed to look natural and balanced. Here’s what our patients enjoy:
- Surgeon-led care: Dr. Hill guides every surgical decision.
- Beauty in Balance: The practice aims to enhance your features, not change them.
- Surgery and aesthetics in one place: Dr. Hill and Brittony Croasdell, APRN, oversee all med spa services, including BOTOX, fillers, skin treatments, and wellness. Your providers determine the optimal timing between surgery and non-surgical treatments based on your procedure and healing progress.
- A surgeon who teaches: Dr. Hill holds a U.S. patent for a medical instrument, and his research has appeared in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
- Recognition: Fulcrum has been featured in Chicago Magazine, Vogue, and USA Today.
Browse the Fulcrum gallery to see Dr. Hill's own results.
Come Find Out Why Chicago Chooses Dr. Hill
Choosing a plastic surgeon in Chicago starts with checking training, experience, licensing, and real results. It ends with a conversation that feels right. Dr. Hill brings fellowship training, a teaching background, and a natural-results philosophy to every consultation at Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery. To explore your options, book a consultation with Dr. Hill.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Lift Procedures Led Growth as Demand for Restoration Drove Plastic Surgery in 2025
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2025 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report