RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa is located at 230 Center Dr, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. The practice serves patients from Vernon Hills and the broader Chicago area.

Our highly qualified cosmetic surgeons are Dr. Daniel Ritacca, Dr. Leonard Lu, Dr. Kathleen Morno, and Dr. Fadi Bakhos. Together, our experts deliver a wide range of facial, breast, and body procedures and medical spa treatments.

Our expert providers specialize in a range of plastic surgeries including rhinoplasty, facelift, tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast augmentation.

Most procedures on this page are cosmetic and are typically paid out of pocket. If you have a functional concern that may affect planning, the office can explain what information may be helpful during consultation.

You can call (847) 367-8815 or send a message through the practice to schedule a consultation. Surgical consultations are available through the Vernon Hills office.

Virtual or early planning tools may be available through the practice.

RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa is based in Vernon Hills and markets these procedures for patients in Vernon Hills and the Chicago area. Out-of-town patients are also referenced on procedure pages.

Your consultation is designed to review your goals, anatomy, medical history, and treatment options. Typically, surgical consultations at RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa last about 40 minutes and are intended to provide a personalized treatment plan.

Patients often appreciate that RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa combines surgical procedures, a medspa, patient resources, and technology such as Vectra 3D imaging in one practice setting. That combination can make planning and follow-up feel more organized.

• A surgeon-led consultation focused on individualized planning
• A broad menu of surgical and non-surgical options
• Patient resources such as financing information and imaging tools
• A fully established Vernon Hills practice with an on-site surgical ecosystem

These details can make it easier to build a plan that fits your goals now while also giving you room for

Many patients come in saying they just don’t like their nose, but the real issue is often more specific. During consultation, our surgeons can help identify whether the biggest change should happen at the bridge, the tip, the nostrils, or inside the nose for function.

A strong rhinoplasty plan is not just about making the nose smaller. It is about matching the nose to your facial proportions, skin thickness, bone structure, and profile so the final result feels natural instead of obviously surgical.

Open rhinoplasty uses a small incision on the underside of the nose, while closed rhinoplasty keeps incisions inside the nose. RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa notes that both can address cartilage grafts, osteotomies, hump removal, and tip changes, though open rhinoplasty is commonly used for improved exposure and precision.

Grafts are sometimes used not because the nose needs to be bigger, but because support is needed. Structural support can help improve tip definition, straighten asymmetry, or protect long-term breathing and contour.

Yes. Even small changes to the bridge, tip, or nasal projection can change how the forehead, lips, and chin relate to each other. That is why profile balance matters more than chasing one isolated feature.

Subtle rhinoplasty still requires detailed planning. You should be clear about what you want to preserve, not just what you want to change, so the final result feels like a refined version of your face rather than a different face.

Thicker skin can affect how quickly refinement becomes visible, especially at the tip. That does not mean a good result is impossible, but it usually means patience and realistic expectations matter more.

Yes, but prior trauma often changes the surgical plan. Scar tissue, old fractures, asymmetry, or airway issues can all affect whether the procedure is more straightforward or more reconstructive in nature.

Most patients do best when they assume the first week is for real rest, rather than light work from home. Swelling, sleep position, and follow-up timing all matter more than people expect.

A little planning can make the first 10 days much easier:

• Arrange a driver and support for the first day
• Plan head elevation for sleeping and resting
• Avoid scheduling social events during the first week
• Keep easy meals, hydration, and medications within reach

These basics help reduce stress while you focus on protecting the nose and letting visible swelling settle.

Many patients assume they need a facelift when the issue is hollowing, or they assume they need filler when the issue is really sagging. A good consultation separates laxity from volume loss, so our experts ensure your treatment plan matches the actual cause of the aging change.

Looking tired is often tied to heaviness around the lower face, neck, and jowls, while looking older can also include skin texture and volume changes. A facelift may improve one part of that picture, but not always all of it by itself.

A natural result depends on careful tissue repositioning, not simply pulling skin tighter. Good planning also means respecting your facial identity and choosing the right time for surgery instead of waiting until more aggressive correction is needed.

If facial sagging and neck laxity are both present, treating only one area can leave the result feeling incomplete. Many patients get the most balanced outcome when the lower face and neck are considered together.

Typically, patients experience results that last 10 to 15 years, but weight stability, skin care, sun exposure, smoking history, and skin quality can all affect how long the result keeps its most refreshed appearance. Surgery resets the clock, but it does not stop time.

Often, yes. Many people first notice jowling or loss of jawline definition in photos and video before they notice it in the mirror. That can make consultation photos especially useful for planning.

Most patients should plan for visible bruising and swelling during the first couple of weeks, even if they feel physically better sooner. Social downtime and feeling “camera ready” are not always the same thing.

There is no perfect age. The right time is usually when the degree of sagging is enough that non-surgical options feel like camouflage, but not so advanced that you expect one surgery to solve every aging concern.

Yes. Patients often combine lifting procedures with eyelid surgery, brow lift, facial fat transfer, or skin treatments when multiple features contribute to an aged appearance. At RL Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, our experts can combine many facial procedures alongside facelift/neck lift based on your unique needs.

It helps to know what result matters most to you, whether that is a softer jawline, a tighter neck, or simply looking less tired. Recovery planning matters almost as much as surgical planning.

Patients usually feel more comfortable when they prepare for quiet recovery time, including:

• Plan time away from work and social events
• Set up head elevation for sleep and rest
• Keep meals, medications, and essentials easy to reach
• Arrange transportation and follow-up support

Those steps help you focus on healing instead of scrambling through the first few days after surgery.

This is one of the most important questions in tummy tuck planning. Some patients mainly have loose skin, some have abdominal wall separation, and some need both addressed for the contour to look meaningfully different. During your consultation, our surgeons will examine your abdomen to customize your surgical plan to your needs.

A mini tummy tuck is usually better for limited lower-abdominal laxity, while a full tummy tuck addresses more extensive skin looseness and muscle separation. The right procedure depends on where the laxity starts and how far it extends. Our surgeons will examine your abdomen to ensure the correct procedural plan during your consultation.

Yes. Many patients do not lose much weight from surgery, but they notice a significant difference in the way clothing fits – jeans, dresses, bathing suits fit your figure better because the abdominal contour is smoother and tighter.

It is very important. Being close to a stable goal weight usually gives you a more predictable result and lowers the chance that additional weight loss afterward will change your contour again.

That may still require a full conversation about whether a mini or full tummy tuck is better. Skin below the navel is a common complaint, but muscle laxity or upper-abdominal looseness may still affect the final result.

Often, yes. Prior abdominal scars are common and are part of the surgical planning discussion. Existing scars can influence incision design and tissue behavior, but they do not automatically rule out surgery. Our expert surgeons will discuss your existing abdominal scars during your private consultation.

More than many patients expect, especially during the first week. Assistance with childcare, errands, lifting, and household tasks can make the difference between a smoother recovery and an overly difficult one.

Most patients walk slightly bent at first due to tightness. Standing fully upright becomes easier gradually as swelling decreases and the tissues begin to relax.

That depends on the degree of repair, especially if abdominal muscles are tightened. Walking is usually encouraged early, but heavy lifting and core work need a slower, staged return. During your follow-up visits, your surgeon will guide your return to full activities, including exercise.

Future pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again, which is why many patients wait until they feel their family is complete before choosing tummy tuck surgery. Be sure to discuss your family planning with your surgeon during your consultation.

Simple preparation goes a long way:

• Arrange help for meals, errands, and anything involving lifting
• Set up a rest space with pillows for elevation and easy movement
• Put daily items at counter height so that you do not keep bending
• Keep your calendar light for the first couple of weeks

That kind of setup helps you protect the repair and makes early recovery feel much more manageable.

Some patients think they need implants because they look deflated, but what they actually need is repositioning. Others really do need more volume. The difference matters because lift-only and lift-with-implant plans create very different results.

A good breast lift is not just about nipple height. It is also about breast shape, tissue distribution, areola position, and how the breast sits in proportion to your chest wall. Our experts will discuss your expected outcome during your consultation.

That is exactly the kind of situation where a lift-only plan can make sense. When size feels acceptable but the breast looks stretched, low, or empty at the top, shape correction may matter more than added volume. During your consultation, our surgeons will help you determine if a lift is the most appropriate option for your unique needs.

Yes. Many patients mainly notice the difference in the way their clothing fits, especially bras, swimsuits, and tops that gap, flatten, or sit unevenly.

Stable weight usually gives the most predictable long-term result. Ongoing major changes can affect the skin and shape again, so timing matters if you want the result to hold up well.

That is a common reason patients pursue a lift. A lift can improve breast position and symmetry, though perfect symmetry is not realistic in any natural body.

Absolutely. For many patients, the biggest quality-of-life improvement is not cup size. It is improved shape, support, and confidence in the way the breasts sit.

Yes. Early shape can look high, tight, or overly full compared with the more natural contour that appears once swelling resolves and tissues soften.

Results can last many years, but pregnancy, weight changes, gravity, and skin quality still matter. Surgery improves the starting point, but lifestyle and time still influence the future shape.

You should decide whether your priority is a higher position, more fullness, or both. That answer often clarifies the whole plan.

A few practical steps can make a big difference:

• Plan lifting help and lighter activity for early healing
• Wear support garments exactly as directed
• Avoid nicotine and follow medication guidance closely
• Begin scar care only when you are told it is safe

Those habits support steadier healing and can help scars and shape settle more predictably.

This is one of the most helpful starting questions. Some patients truly want to be larger, while others mostly want upper fullness or better balance. Knowing which matters more can keep the implant plan from overshooting your real goal. During your consultation, our experts will design a plan to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

That usually comes down to matching implant dimensions to your frame rather than choosing a size based only on cup-size language. A good result can feel bigger without looking out of proportion.

Chest width is one of the key measurements in augmentation planning. It influences which implant width and projection will sit naturally on your body without looking too narrow, too wide, or too forced.

Yes. Athletic habits, job demands, sleep position, and how you want to look in clothing can all shape which implant style and size feel right long-term.

That does not rule out breast augmentation, but it can affect which implant type, size, and placement will look most natural and feel most comfortable. Our surgeons will guide you toward the most appropriate implants for your goals.

Yes. Smaller or moderate implants often create a very noticeable difference in proportion, especially when the starting point is small or when symmetry is the main concern.

It may help to think about how you want to look in normal clothes, not just in a bra or swimsuit. Patients who focus on daily-life proportions often make choices they feel better about long-term.

Often it can improve it, but the degree of correction depends on what is causing the asymmetry. Some differences come from volume, and others come from position or shape.

Longer than most patients expect. Early swelling, tightness, and implant position can make the result feel unfamiliar at first, and it usually takes time for the final look to become clear, upwards of a year in some cases.

Yes, but cleavage depends on your natural anatomy as much as implant size. A realistic consultation helps separate what implants can truly change from what they cannot.

Patients usually feel more comfortable when they prepare before surgery:

• Set up front-opening clothing and a comfortable rest area
• Arrange help for lifting and errands during the first few days
• Keep medications, water, and easy meals ready
• Avoid overscheduling yourself during the first week

That makes it easier to focus on healing instead of everyday logistics while swelling and tightness improve.