Facelift: Q&A
Ask a QuestionSagging Skin After Weight-loss at 21. Is a Facelift my Only Option? (photo)
I’m 21 and I’ve been overweight most of my life. I’ve recently dropped 55 lbs over the course of a year. (180, now 125 at 5’2”) I’ve noticed sagging or loose skin and I’m definitely concerned about my face. The sagging became noticeable when my face started slimming about 5 months ago. Should I lose more and my face will firm? Should I look into a facelift or are there other non-surgical ways? Does my skin just need more time and/or a specific care regimen? Facial exercises? Glycolic Peels?
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17 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
xibluebelleix
in Worcester, MA
+2
Facelift after Weight Loss
Losing significant amounts of weight can remove some of the support of the skin in any area. With rapid weight loss, there may be some later redistribution of fat as well. It is always better to wait until your weight is stable for a prolonged period before addressing skin laxity. In a young, healthy individual, it is rare to need to perform a facelift. With time, there will be some recoil of the skin previously stretched out. Enjoy your new healthy...
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Springfield Plastic Surgeon
+2
Facelift following weight loss
After extensive weight loss, it is important to wait over a year to allow the skin to naturally tighten before any decisions are made. Skin retraction is more likely in younger people and those with thicker skin. Once a stable state is reached, a decision can be made regarding appropriate treatment. In someone young, several alternatives to facelift may be available such as Ulthera, SmartLipo, and laser or chemical peel. In older patients, a facelift and neck lift is frequently necessary...
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Facelift after Massive Weight Loss at 21
From the photo, I would not recommend a facelift. However, fillers or fat grafting to restore some of the volume or help with the tear trough may be appropriate. Find the plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs thousands of procedures each year. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
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Facial aging in the young
I dont think people in their twenties should be considering facelifts
but there are other procedures that make sense
young patients with premature aging can consider
blepharoplasties, browlifts, fat grafting, fraxil, fillers
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Sagging skin after weight loss - need fat grafting
You are a great candidate for facial grafting. At age 21 you should not need a face lift. Find a surgeon with experience in fat grafting - good luck!
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Give your skin time to adjust and Consider Facial Volumizers
It is difficult to imagine that you would be a candidate for a facelift or other surgical methods at your age. Once you have reached your goal weight, allow your skin some time to adjust. Start a medical grade skin care regimine in the meantime to help your skin snap back into shape. Also, drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Quite possibly you may want to consider Scupltra or another injectable filler to add volume to your cheeks to give you a more youthful, rested...
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An In Office Evaluation is Required
Patients really need to be evaluated in person or at least in pictures before deciding upon procedures. Degree of droopiness and skin quality are very important determining factors.
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Methods to try before resorting to a face lift
A facelift is probably not necessary at the age of 21. You should get to your desired weight and then wait a few months to see how your skin adjusts. From there you should start with injectable fillers such as:
Sculptra
Juvederm
possibly injections of your own body fat.
A facelift would be a last resort for a 21-year-old and if necessary I would consider a mini-facelift such as the Lite Lift ™.
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Sagging Skin After Weight-loss at 21. Is a Facelift my Only Option?
Since fat loss during weight loss cannot be directed at one area or another, it is hard to predict what more weight loss will do to your facial appearance. At your age I would suggest getting to your desired weight and then letting things settle in for a few months prior to deciding what to do. At your age I think that non-surgical options like Sculptra should be considered first though, versus a surgical procedure
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Sagging Skin After Weight-loss at 21. Is a Facelift my Only Option?
IMHO, no Face Lift is required at 21 and this seems to be supported by the photo. The photo, in my aesthetic opinion, shows excess fat in the lower face, flat cheeks, thin lips, wide nasal tip and lower eyelid fat bags. Of all of these, the most important aesthetically to create a youthful, more attractive face would be cheek and lip augmentation.
You could start using a filler like Perlane to augment the cheeks and Juvederm to the lips and at...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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