Facelift After Weight Loss in Newport Beach

After significant weight loss, many patients notice large amounts of sagging skin across their bodies, especially around the abdomen. For some people, excess sagging skin is noticeable on the face and upper neck as well. This can have many repercussions physically, mentally, and socially.

What Is a Facelift After Weight Loss?

Facelift surgery, also known as rhytidectomy, addresses drooping tissues and loose skin in the middle and lower face.

A facelift after weight loss can help alleviate many of the following unwanted effects on the face after significant weight loss:

Large amounts of sagging or loose skin around the mouth
Drooping tissues along the jawline (“jowls”)
Deep and extensive wrinkles and lines
Sagging neck tissues
Hollows or a gaunt appearance due to a loss of facial fat

Am I a Candidate for a Rhytidectomy After Weight Loss?

Candidates for facial plastic surgery after significant weight loss are generally affected by the symptoms noted above. In addition, candidates should be at a stable weight they have maintained for several months, as further weight changes (gain or loss) may negatively affect the results.

People With the Following Long-Term or Ongoing Health Issues May Not Be Candidates:

Hypertension
Diabetes
Arthritis
Drug or alcohol addictions

What Is Discussed During My Facelift Consultation?

facelift weight loss featured model During your consultation, Dr. Ackerman will review your condition and discuss your aesthetic goals with you. Based on these factors, he will determine if a post-weight-loss face surgery is the best option to address your concerns.

If you are interested in addressing body concerns after weight loss, Dr. Ackerman may recommend procedures such as targeted liposuction or skin removal surgeries.

If you think you may be a candidate for a rhytidectomy after weight loss, contact Dr. Ackerman in Newport Beach, California, by calling (949) 759-3284.

Traditional Facelift Vs. Facelift After Weight Loss

Facial surgery after weight loss is performed in a similar manner to a traditional facelift, and both surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. However, the goals of the procedures are different.

Traditional Facelift

With a traditional rhytidectomy, patients are often seeking wrinkle reduction and tighter facial contours. This procedure removes loose skin and adjusts the position of facial muscles and tissues.

Learn more about traditional facelift techniques here.

Facelift After Weight Loss

Patients who have lost significant weight often require more extensive correction than traditional rhytidectomy patients. Their facial skin is usually thinner due to stretching from weight gain, and they generally experience hollows or a sunken appearance from fat loss.

During a post-weight-loss facelift procedure, Dr. Ackerman performs more tightening of the cheek and neck skin and more significant lifting of the underlying facial muscles and tissues. He often combines these techniques with neck lift surgery and fat grafting to restore facial volume.

Facial Fat Grafting (Fat Transfer)

Facial fat plays a major role in creating a smooth, youthful appearance. Facial fat grafting provides the necessary augmentation of the facial tissues to achieve this for weight loss patients.

Facial fat transfer can address volume loss in the cheeks, under-eyes, jawline, and around the mouth and nose. It has the added benefit of creating more slender body contours.

This procedure uses liposuction techniques to remove excess fat from areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and/or back. Once the fat is refined to isolate the strongest fat cells, Dr. Ackerman carefully injects it into areas of the face with volume loss and deep wrinkles.

What to Expect After Facelift Surgery

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Facelift?

Most patients will take between one and two weeks to recover from their surgery. Facelift recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the procedure and your natural healing rate.

Is Facelift Recovery Painful?

During your facelift recovery, mild to moderate discomfort should be expected in the first three to five days following your surgery.

Learn more about facelift recovery here.

When Will I See My Post-Weight-Loss Facelift Results?

Results from rhytidectomy generally become apparent within a few weeks. Final results may take between six and 12 months to become apparent.

How Long Does a Facelift Last?

Facelift surgery will permanently roll back the clock, but it will not prevent further aging from that point on. In other words, a rhytidectomy can restore your appearance, but you will continue to age naturally after your surgery.

Most patients maintain their facelift results for 10 to 15 years.

Will My Post-Weight-Loss Facelift Leave Scars?

Facelift surgery will leave scars; this is unavoidable. Fortunately, Dr. Ackerman is highly skilled in placing your incisions in subtle locations. This means that for many patients, their scars will only be visible under careful investigation.

Post-weight-loss facelift surgery may cause more extensive scarring than traditional facelifts. However, a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ackerman can artfully conceal your scars.

How Much Is a Facelift After Weight Loss in Newport Beach?

The cost of your facelift will vary depending on several factors. These factors include the extent of correction required, any combination procedures, and external fees (such as anesthesia, facility, and surgeon fees).

Dr. Ackerman’s office will provide you with a personalized facelift price during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Facelift After Weight Loss

Will my facelift address my entire face?

Rhytidectomy can remove loose skin from your mid face, lower face, jawline, and upper neck. It does not address the upper face. If your primary concern is excess or sagging skin on your forehead or around your eyes, you may want to consider adding an eyelid lift to your operation.

How should I prepare for my face surgery?

Before you choose cosmetic surgery, make sure you understand what the procedure entails. Ask Dr. Ackerman any questions you have during your consultation. It is important to choose a plastic surgeon you can trust and to understand what they can and cannot guarantee.

During your consultation, Dr. Ackerman will provide you with guidelines to follow in the weeks leading up to your operation. These will include basic precautions like avoiding nicotine and alcohol in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Patients should also consult their primary care physician or pharmacist to ensure none of their medications will interfere with their surgery.

On the day of your surgery, ensure your face is clean and makeup-free. Do not shave the treatment area for 24 hours before your operation.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to a facelift after weight loss?

Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures cannot provide the same level of correction as a facelift, but they can help your face look younger. These treatments provide faster results with less downtime but may not be as effective as surgery.

Laser treatments can provide some degree of skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
Dermal fillers can restore lost facial volume and fill wrinkles temporarily in what is known as a”liquid facelift.”
BOTOX® Cosmetic and other neuromodulators can help reduce wrinkles in the upper face.

If you struggle with significant amounts of excess or sagging skin and deep, etched-in wrinkles, rhytidectomy may be the best facial rejuvenation option for you.

What are the risks associated with facelift surgery?

As with any cosmetic surgery, there are potential complications and side effects that can occur. Dr. Ackerman makes every effort to ensure your operation is as safe as possible, but some risks are always present.

While rare, facelift risks may include: