Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Surgical Artistry for the Face

Dr. Luke Sturgill combines advanced surgical technique with an artist’s eye to deliver natural, refined results. Specializing exclusively in facial plastic surgery in Carmel & Indianapolis, Indiana.

Double Board Certified Facelift Specialist
Fellowship Trained Under Dr. Stephen W. Perkins
Accredited Private Surgery Center
Complete Menu

All Surgical Procedures

Extended Deep Plane Face & Neck Lift +
Extended Deep Plane Facelift Result

Dr. Sturgill’s signature procedure. The extended deep plane technique releases and repositions the SMAS and deep facial tissues as a single unit—including the midface and neck—producing natural movement and long-lasting results that avoid the pulled or tight appearance of older facelift methods.

Signature Procedure Natural Results Long-Lasting
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Rhinoplasty +
Rhinoplasty Result

Precision reshaping of the nose using endonasal (scarless) or open approaches. Dr. Sturgill addresses dorsal humps, tip refinement, asymmetry, and breathing issues while maintaining harmony with the rest of the face.

Scarless Option Functional + Aesthetic
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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) +
Blepharoplasty Result

Upper and lower eyelid surgery to remove excess skin, reposition or reduce fat pads, and restore a rested, alert appearance. Often combined with fat grafting for optimal under-eye rejuvenation.

Upper & Lower Refreshed Appearance
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Brow & Forehead Lift +

Endoscopic brow lift to elevate sagging brows, smooth forehead lines, and open the upper face. Performed through small hidden incisions for minimal scarring and a natural brow position.

Endoscopic Minimal Scarring
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Lip Lift +

Surgical shortening of the upper lip to increase visible vermilion, improve tooth show, and restore youthful lip proportions. A permanent alternative to repeated filler injections with a well-hidden scar at the base of the nose.

Permanent Results Hidden Scar
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Facial Fat Grafting +

Autologous fat transfer to restore volume in the temples, cheeks, under-eyes, and nasolabial folds. Uses your own purified fat for permanent, natural-feeling enhancement that improves skin quality over time.

Natural Volume Skin Quality Improvement
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Otoplasty +

Ear reshaping surgery to correct protruding, asymmetric, or oversized ears. Suitable for adults and children, with incisions hidden behind the ear for an invisible result.

Adults & Children Hidden Incisions
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Neck & Jawline Sculpting +

Submentoplasty and neck liposuction to eliminate submental fullness and define the jawline. Can include platysmaplasty for platysmal banding. Often performed as a standalone or combined with a facelift.

Jawline Definition Standalone or Combined
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Facial Implants +

Chin, jaw, and cheek implants for permanent structural enhancement and improved facial balance. Custom and semi-custom options available for precise contouring tailored to your anatomy.

Permanent Custom Options
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Buccal Fat Reduction +

Reduction of buccal fat pads through intraoral incisions for a more sculpted midface contour. Ideal for patients seeking enhanced cheekbone definition with no visible scarring.

No Visible Scars Midface Contouring
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Skin Resurfacing +

Laser and chemical treatments to improve skin texture, tone, fine lines, and scarring. Often performed as a complement to surgical procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Laser & Chemical Complements Surgery
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Your Surgeon

Why Choose Dr. Sturgill

Dr. Luke Sturgill is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing exclusively in facial aesthetics. His fellowship training under Dr. Stephen W. Perkins — one of the foremost authorities in facial plastic surgery — refined a technique-driven approach that prioritizes natural, harmonious results.

His patients don’t come from across the country for a “refreshed look.” They come because they’ve done their research, they understand the difference between a surgeon who does faces and a surgeon who only does faces — and they’re unwilling to compromise on the one area everyone sees first.

2x
Board Certified
100%
Facial Focus
Expert
Facelift Specialist
Dr. Luke Sturgill, MD — Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
“Every face tells a story. My role is to help patients look like the best, most rested version of themselves — never like they’ve had surgery.”
Dr. Luke Sturgill, MD
Making Informed Decisions

Procedure Comparisons

Facelift Techniques

Extended Deep Plane

Dr. Sturgill’s signature technique. Lifts the entire deep tissue layer as one unit—midface, jawline, and neck—without placing tension on the skin. Results last 10–15+ years and age gracefully.

vs.

Traditional Facelift

Skin-only or SMAS techniques that pull skin without fully addressing deeper structures. Higher risk of a tight or windswept appearance, with results typically lasting 3–7 years.

Rhinoplasty Approach

Scarless (Closed)

Dr. Sturgill’s preservation approach. All incisions inside the nose—no external scar. Reshapes by preserving natural structure rather than dismantling and rebuilding it. Less swelling, faster recovery.

vs.

Open Rhinoplasty

An incision across the columella provides full visualization of the nasal framework. Preferred for complex reconstruction, significant reshaping, or certain revision cases.

Volume Restoration

Facial Implants

Permanent structural enhancement of the chin, jaw, or cheeks. Consistent, predictable augmentation that does not change over time.

vs.

Fat Grafting

Uses your own tissue (microfat and nanofat) to restore lost volume and improve skin quality. Natural results that blend with your existing anatomy. Some settling expected.

Lip Enhancement

Lip Lift

Permanently restores youthful upper lip proportion by addressing the elongated skin between nose and lip border. Increases vermilion display and tooth show—a one-time structural correction.

vs.

Dermal Fillers

Adds volume without surgery. Reversible and non-surgical, but does not address structural changes like lip lengthening. Requires maintenance every 6–12 months.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dr. Sturgill mean by “the unoperated look”? +
It means the goal of every procedure is a result that doesn’t announce itself. No tightness, no distortion, no telltale signs of surgery. You should look like you — just restored. This philosophy drives every technique Dr. Sturgill uses, from the extended deep plane facelift to preservation rhinoplasty. The result should make people wonder if you slept better, lost weight, or got back from vacation — not whether you had surgery. View Before & After Photos →
Why does Dr. Sturgill only operate on the face? +
Specialization produces better outcomes. The face has more anatomical complexity per square centimeter than any other region of the body — 43 muscles, five sensory nerve branches, and structures separated by fractions of a millimeter. By limiting his practice exclusively to facial procedures, Dr. Sturgill operates in this anatomy every day, which translates to greater precision, shorter operative times, and more predictable results. About Dr. Sturgill →
How do I know which procedure is right for me? +
That’s exactly what the consultation is for. Dr. Sturgill evaluates your facial anatomy, discusses your goals, and recommends a plan tailored to your specific concerns — not a menu of procedures. Many patients benefit from combining procedures in a single session. For example, an extended deep plane facelift often pairs with fat grafting, eyelid surgery, or skin resurfacing to produce a balanced, comprehensive result with only one recovery period. Book Your Consultation →
What makes the extended deep plane facelift different from a traditional facelift? +
A traditional facelift pulls the skin. The extended deep plane technique lifts the entire deeper tissue layer — muscle, fat pads, and SMAS — as a single unit, then repositions it vertically rather than pulling it sideways. This eliminates the tight, windswept look, produces results that age gracefully, and lasts 10 to 15+ years because the deeper structures are holding the result — not the skin. Learn More About Deep Plane Facelift →
What are Dr. Sturgill’s credentials? +
Dr. R. Luke Sturgill is double board-certified and fellowship-trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He completed his fellowship under Dr. Stephen W. Perkins — one of the foremost experts in the field — and was hand-selected to continue Dr. Perkins’ legacy at Meridian Plastic Surgeons. He is also a member of Aesthetic Experts, an invitation-only national think tank of leading facial plastic surgeons. Full Bio →
What is the typical recovery time? +
It depends on the procedure. A lip lift or buccal fat reduction may have you back to daily routines in a week. An extended deep plane facelift typically requires two to three weeks before patients feel comfortable in social settings, with continued refinement over several months. Dr. Sturgill provides detailed, procedure-specific recovery guidance and supports you at every stage. View Recovery Resources →
Where are procedures performed? +
All surgical procedures are performed at the Meridian Plastic Surgery Center, an AAAHC-accredited private surgical facility located on-site in Carmel, Indiana. The center is dedicated exclusively to facial plastic surgery, with dedicated operating rooms, a board-certified anesthesiologist for every case, and a private overnight recovery suite for patients who benefit from extended monitoring after surgery.
I don’t live near Indianapolis. Can I still be a patient? +
Absolutely. A significant portion of Dr. Sturgill’s practice consists of patients who travel from across the country. The process begins with a virtual consultation, and the team coordinates your entire travel timeline — pre-operative appointments, surgery, overnight recovery at the surgery center, and post-operative follow-up — into an efficient schedule that minimizes time away from home. Most patients plan to stay in the area for approximately five to seven days. Out-of-Town Patient Guide →
Does insurance cover facial plastic surgery? +
Most elective cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance. However, procedures with a functional component — such as rhinoplasty to correct a breathing obstruction or eyelid surgery to restore blocked peripheral vision — may qualify for partial coverage. The team can help determine eligibility. Financing options are also available. Payment & Financing Info →
What happens during a consultation? +
A consultation with Dr. Sturgill is an educational conversation, not a sales pitch. He performs a thorough facial analysis, discusses your goals and concerns, explains which procedures would — and wouldn’t — address them, and shows you what to realistically expect. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options, the surgical plan, recovery timeline, and cost. Consultations are available in person at the Carmel office or virtually for out-of-town patients. Book Your Consultation →

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sturgill to discuss your goals and create a personalized treatment plan.

Schedule Your Consultation
Call or text us directly: (317) 575-0330