Is a Facelift Ideal after Major Weight Loss?

Weight loss is essential in keeping the body in good shape and maintaining good health but is often a hard journey for many. A popular pick for many New Year resolutions, diet, and exercise prove to be a pivotal moment in someone’s life, regardless of the deciding factors. For those with significant weight loss, however, such an endeavor can inevitably lead to sagging skin, more noticeably in the lower face.

Now, sagging skin in the lower half of your face may make you appear older, giving off a “turkey neck” look that plenty of dieters may think of as a deterrent. Deep folds, gaunt appearance, and sagging neck skin are common changes observed at a younger age but can appear in different age groups. A facelift can help to reduce these effects and change the appearance of the face.

This makes it ideal for people who have lost a lot of weight to undergo facelift surgery if the appearance of this sagging skin is bothersome.

So, Why Choose Facelift Surgery in the First Place?

A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves elevating the skin and tightening facial tissues, the main focus of it being improving signs of aging on the face and neck. A facelift helps to smoothen out creases and to remove excess skin tissue. It is more common for older people to undergo such a procedure, but people of varying ages who have experienced major weight loss can also get this procedure to reduce the fat loss effects like droopy skin. There are certified and experienced plastic surgeons that can undertake this operation and tighten the skin successfully.

The changes that occur in your face after a considerable amount of weight loss are similar to the changes that occur in aging. The main difference is that there is usually more facial skin after a weight loss than in aging. Facelifts are for patients who have lost weight and require more procedures than those of aging patients.

The Perfect Candidates For This Procedure

A suitable candidate for facelift surgery should consider the amount of weight loss and the effects on the face and neck before undertaking the operation. Losing over 100 pounds is deemed to be significant enough to gain extra skin around the face and neck to benefit from facelift surgery. A candidate should have reached their desired weight, and it should have been consistent several months before the surgery. Losing or gaining more weight after the operation can affect the results of a facelift.

A person’s health plays a vital role in determining whether they should undergo surgery after a weight loss. People with chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes are not suitable for facelift surgeries. Harmful lifestyle habits such as excessive drinking or smoking can disqualify one from getting a facelift. To ensure the best possible results, a person should eat a diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.

What Are Non-Invasive Alternatives to a Facelift?

There are non-surgical approaches that can be used to achieve this type of rejuvenating result. They include BOTOX, dermal fillers, and cosmetic laser treatments. These approaches help to address issues like texture imperfections that cannot be solved through other means of skincare.

Facial fillers help restore volume to the face. They are used to complement other facial procedures without over-tightening your skin. Fillers can also be used to enhance lip volume, soften nasolabial folds, fill out sunken temples and smooth depressed tear troughs. These are common issues that usually appear after major weight loss. Non-surgical techniques may require repeat sessions for longevity, but they can last for a while before another treatment is needed.

While non-surgical options can be viable, they are not effective in providing significant and long-lasting results. Facelift surgery is the most ideal restorative solution that can provide results that last over a long time for patients of various ages.

Finding the Right Plastic Surgeon

Finding the right plastic surgeon is very vital in having a facelift. Ensure that they are certified plastic surgeons and not just medical surgeons. There has been an increased number of certified plastic surgeons in the country. Facelift surgery can be done at various facilities at varying prices, depending on the type of facelift being done.

A plastic surgeon should help to understand specific options for the best results. The treatment plan is unique to every patient to meet individual goals. The plastic surgeon should have experience in performing post-weight facelifts. This reduces the chances of having post-surgery complications.

The changes that occur in your face after a considerable amount of weight loss are similar to the changes that occur in aging. The main difference is that there is usually more facial skin after a weight loss than in aging. Facelifts surgeries for patients who have lost weight require more procedures than that of aging patients.

Results and Recovery

The recovery period of a successful facelift is about one week or two. During this period, a patient should avoid rigorous activities or even take a leave of absence from work. A patient may observe significant improvements after about six months, but the final results are noticed after a year. A patient may begin feeling comfortable after several weeks and may even go back to work.

Research of patients who had facelifts after a significant weight loss showed that it takes about two years to have well-maintained results. A patient must discuss with a plastic surgeon future weight goals and plans. Following the surgeon’s instructions carefully and maintaining consistent weight can ensure that the results are enjoyed for an extended period.

Contact the New York Center for Facial Plastic Surgery

For those who’ve undergone major weight loss and want to address their extra facial skin, choosing an expert facial plastic surgeon would be the first step to take. Andrew Jacono, MD, FACS, is the leading surgeon in all of New York, with remarkable results on his website. Learn more here: https://www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com/plastic-surgery-results/facelift/facelift-after-weight-loss