When a very overweight and obese people go through significant weight loss, it is a choice that will result in improved health and happiness. While weight loss can be a very positive lifestyle change, any type of drastic change presents its own set of challenges. In the case of dramatic weight loss, a difficulty that previously overweight people experience is excess skin and sagging.
When a person is obese, they generally have round faces and fullness in their necks. Once they lose weight, that fullness is lost, resulting in an older-looking, appearance. Weight loss of 100 pounds or more often expedites visible signs of aging such as loose skin around the face, deeper lines, and sagging skin on the neck. Sagging skin on the face can be particularly difficult for people because it can not be covered up with clothing. Beyond appearance, loose excess skin can also cause irritation, hygiene problems, and risk of infection.
That being said, a helpful solution to sagging skin after weight loss is facelift surgery. During a face and neck lift procedure, a skilled facial plastic surgeon:
- corrects the jowls
- lifts the cheek pads
- softens deep wrinkles
- removes excess sagging skin
Not only are the results of this procedure long-lasting, but the incisions are generally unnoticeable.
As a solution to sagging skin after weight loss, the procedure is slightly different than typical facelift patients. Patients that first underwent dramatic fat loss will likely need increased tightening of the skin, a higher elevation of underlying muscles and facial tissues, a larger volume of fat augmentation, and more skin removed during surgery. Because of this, post-weight loss patients may also choose a joint procedure with a facelift, such as a blepharoplasty.
If you are planning to lose weight before any plastic surgery procedure, and especially a facelift, it is important to do so before you have a consultation with a surgeon. Dramatic weight loss in between a consultation and procedure can create unexpected challenges with the surgical plan that was initially created for you. However, well-timed weight loss and following facelift can make your physical goals even more attainable and greatly improve your overall confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When a person loses a large amount of weight, especially 100 pounds or more, the fullness and fat that once supported the skin diminish. This loss leads to excess, loose skin that can sag, particularly around the face and neck, resulting in an older-looking appearance with deeper wrinkles and jowls.
Beyond aesthetic concerns, excess sagging skin can lead to physical problems such as skin irritation, hygiene difficulties, and an increased risk of infections due to skin folds and chafing areas that are hard to clean properly.
Facelift surgery for post-weight loss patients involves correcting jowls, lifting cheek pads, softening deep wrinkles, and removing excess sagging skin. The procedure is tailored to remove more skin and tighten underlying muscles and tissues to restore a youthful facial contour.
Post-weight loss facelift patients often require more extensive skin tightening, higher elevation of muscles and facial tissues, greater fat augmentation, and removal of a larger amount of skin. These adjustments accommodate the unique challenges caused by dramatic fat loss.
Yes, patients who have lost significant weight may choose to combine a facelift with other procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to enhance overall facial rejuvenation and address multiple areas affected by aging and weight loss.
It is important to complete your weight loss before consulting with a surgeon for facelift surgery. Losing weight after the consultation but before surgery can complicate the surgical plan and affect the results, so timing your weight loss appropriately helps achieve the best outcome.
A facelift after significant weight loss can restore a more youthful and natural facial appearance by removing excess skin and tightening tissues. This can greatly improve physical appearance and boost overall confidence and happiness following weight loss.
