Is 35 too young for a facelift? (photos)

Question

I have been turned away by a couple doctors who say I'm too young but every day I look in the mirror this is all I see. I lost 110lbs and my genetics are against me. I am thinking about a lower facelift/neck lift to get rid of the skin. Is that what is needed here? My jowls and neck make me so self conscious and fillers are not helping. Am I too young? Would a facelift help fix my concerns?

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

The deflation that you experienced after your 110 pound weight loss would be improved with a facelift and neck lift. This is very much like the excess skin that people have on their abdomen after weight loss. The skin will not snap back as it has lost some of its elasticity, but a tummy tuck will flatten and improve the contour of the abdomen. Your skin needs to be elevated and re-draped over a lifted and repositioned SMAS.  This will allow your facial shape to improve, with a wider upper mid face and a sharper, straight jawline and also remove the redundancy of the skin in your neck.  I have had the opportunity to operate on people who have had large weight losses and their facial shape, contour and appearance is much improved after a facelift and neck lift.   I recommend that you consult with other board certified plastic surgeons.  Best wishes.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

The weight loss that you had left some excess skin. This is a normal thing that occurs in patients that have lost a significant amount of weight. You are not too young for a facelift necklift discussion after a physical exam with a plastic surgeon. I would recommend seeing a board certified or board eligible plastic surgeon with aesthetic surgery training/experience who can perform a full exam and provide safe recommendations.

Sergei Kalsow, MD · Answer

hi, although you are only 35, after the weight loss, you have a lot of hanging skin on your neck.  So I think you are a good candidate for a facelift, because a facelift can help that skin.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Your massive weight loss of 110 lbs resulting in  very visible loose skin in your neck and lower jowl regions trumps your young age of 35, and I do think that at least a lower face/necklift would be very helpful to get rid of the sagging wrinkled skin under your chin.  This would create a smoother, sharper neck angle and a smoother lower cheek region.  Lifting and firming the skin and fat in these two areas would create a much more youthful refrershed appearance.  Although generally speaking 35  is young for a facelift, your excess loose skin presents a special circumstance where such a lift is appropriate.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures!   The aging on the lower part of your face can be due to a number of factors including your weight loss.  You would need an in-person examination to determine the best course of treatment in your case.  With that said here are a couple of options that you may benefit from

A short scar facelift is a great option for many people. The recovery & downtime is very minimal. There are usually no drains and most people can go out the same day. The result is usually the same in selected patients as a full scar facelift, but it really depends on your exam.  Also, from your pictures it looks as though you may benefit from a mini necklift as well.  Again, these options are not definitive as it depends on your examination.

Surgery is not for everyone. In today's day and age, there are many nonsurgical options to consider although surgery usually gets the most improvement specifically of the neck and jowls.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of mini facelifts and neck lifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

More information is needed, such as a full set of facial photographs from all angles demonstrating what appears to be significant laxity in your neck. If that's the case, that is the result of significant weight loss and the deflationary process in the neck. The only way to improve that is with a lower face and neck lift to tighten loose facial and neck skin.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Everyone ages at a different rate. Some patients at 35 have more aging than those much older. It depends on numerous factors including: heredity, history of smoking, lifestyle, sun exposure, excessive exercising, underlying medical health, and significant weight loss.

In the past, it was felt that 35 would be too young to have a facelift. Now most experienced artistic plastic surgeons would feel differently. It really depends more on the extent of aging and the individualized approach that is necessary to achieve a natural appearing improvement. Since every patient is different, the approach to facial rejuvenation (fillers, micro-fat grafts, mini facelifts, facelifts (neck, lower face and neck, full facelift), and combination of procedures) needs to be individualized in order to achieve a natural appearing improvement.

Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Is 35 too young for a facelift? (photos)

Answers (7)

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