People who lose massive amounts of weight are often left with excess, sagging skin affecting all areas of the body—including the face. Such people commonly undergo plastic surgery to remove this excessive skin. Here is a top-line of the considerations for facelift surgery after major weight loss.
Facelift Surgery after Major Weight Loss
Patients are particularly displeased with their face and neck after major weight loss because they cannot camouflage this area with clothing. There are several techniques involved in a facelift surgery after major weight loss that address this deflation and skin laxity. The results produced by an experienced facial plastic surgeon can be stunning. Read, “My Facelift.”
1. Facial plastic surgery is popular among formerly obese patients. Facial skin laxity and volume loss occurs after weight loss. Significant jowling and sagging can occur to the face. The excess skin must be removed and the lax skin tightened with face and neck lifts and blepharoplasty. As well, areas that are deflated must be filled-in with fat transfer, fillers, or implants.
2. Face and neck lifts are the gold standard for improving the lower third of the face. Jowling, extra fat and skin under the neck and sagging of the mid face all are significantly improved. A well-done facelift tightens the skin and the muscles under the skin. The results are permanent but the face will continue to naturally age.
3. A blepharoplasty or eyelid contouring open and brightens the eyes. An upper eyelid lift removes the heavy hooding or excess fat that droops over the eyes. A lower eyelid lift tightens the puffy bags and bulges under the eyes. These conditions develop as a result of laxity of the eyelid skin and protrusion of fat around the eyes.
4. Fat transfer is the injection of the patient’s fat (usually from the abdomen) to various areas of the face to increase volume. Fat transfer of viable fat cells can augment the treated area, such as the face, cheeks, lips, and chin. Results are long-lasting, but the patient will naturally lose lose volume in the face with age.
5. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm add temporary volume to folds and hollowness. Treatment areas include smile lines and criers of the mouth, marionette lines, pre-jowl, and chin wrinkles. Results are immediate and last 6 – 12 months. Voluma is a modified hyaluronic acid filler that adds volume to the cheek area with results lasting 1-2-years.
6. A permanent implant is used to contour an area of the face, such as the cheeks or the chin. Cheek implant surgery improves facial contours and restores lost volume. A chin implant can significantly improve the neck contour and improve the results of the neck lift. Implants vary widely in shape, style, and materials from which they are fabricated.
7. A well-done facial plastic surgery results in a more youthful less saggy appearance that does not make the patient look different, just better. Done correctly, it does not pull on the corner of the mouth, result in a windswept appearance, or have noticeable scars. Experience is critical to get the best results. Check with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) to find a board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
I invite you to read my journey with facelift surgery after weight loss in the article, “Amazing Facelift with Dr. Catherine Winslow.”
Living larger than ever,
My Bariatric Life
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