Will getting pregnant a year or two after a mini facelift ruin my results?

Question

I am only 33 years old and I am having a significant loss of volume and severely sagging skin on my face. It’s so bad that I don’t go anywhere or let anyone see me unless I use facelift tape to pull back my skin. I am so embarrassed and I just feel awful. I’ve seriously been considering a mini facelift and I’m ready to do it but I’m planning on getting pregnant in the next year or two. I know it’s better to wait until post pregnancy but I can’t deal with this for 2-3 more years.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

No pregnancy should not affect the result unless you have extreme weight gain.  Of course an examination and history would be necessary, and although 33 is not too young to get a minilift it is unusual.  Techniques also vary, and minilifts that involve skin excision and tightening the deeper layers with sutures only are unlikely to last.  Choose your surgeon carefully based on credentials including board certification, reputation, reviews and before and after pictures.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

In our practice, we perform a non-surgical face lift / skin resurfacing treatment using Renuvion Helium Plasma Radiofrequency. ​To get the most improvement with skin tightening, we combine Renuvion (formerly J-Plasma) with lasers (Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, CO2), microneedling/PRP, Ultherapy and InMode FaceTite. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer​​​​

Phillip Chang, MD · Answer

Hi Bamuir1987

Facelift surgery is as much an art as it is a technical procedure. For that reason, you should find a surgeon that you feel has an artistic eye and who stays on top of all of the many technical advances in facial rejuvenation and cosmetic surgery. To learn more about this procedure, please visit our website.

Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS · Answer

It depends on how much weight you gain or lose and what your genetic conditions are. It would take a good consultation to give you a good answer, but under normal conditions, it should be ok. There are syndromes causing excess skin laxity of which you should be aware (Ehlers-Danlos, etc). There are also procedures such as FaceTite with MyEllevate and Percutaneous cheek lifts that will not cause visible scars.

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

Pregnancy is unlikely to effect the results of a minilift so having one now should be just fine. A photo or personal exam would be necessary to determine if that is your best option, but if its lower facial laxity that bothers you, then a minilift should be perfect. See someone with very extensive experience to maximize your result.
Andrew Campbell, M.D.
Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Quintessa

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You don’t provide a photo to show your problem areas. However having the facelift before children should make no difference at all.

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Bamuir1987,

The rapidly evolving advances in non-surgical and minimally invasive face enhancing options should be explored.

The beginnings of facial skin laxity start at 30 years old when collagen skin repair diminishes and passive skin aging relaxes downward. The reversal of natural collagen reduction, skin redistribution and volume replacement of the face are the initial foundations of anti-aging and therefore rejuvenation of your skin tightening and folds.

Your main options require you lift, fill or tighten.

Consider consultation with a talented, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and his team regarding non-surgical and minimally invasive options. These include:
1. A Zein Obagi, MD, ZO Skin Health retinoid program and peels for external skin stimulation and skin tightening.
2. Sculptra is a minimally invasive injection series of a bio-stimulatory filler for face and neck skin tightening of the dermis and subcutaneous fibrous net. In a sense, it is “shrink wrapping” and contracting the tissues rather than adding volume to fill the stretched skin as you have mentioned you don’t desire. 
3. Minimally invasive tightening options such as ThermiTIGHT or FaceTite
4. Minimally invasive jowl and cheek lifting and jawline defining options such as EuroThread and Silhouette FaceLift suspension sutures.
5. Find the most talented and experienced filler or fat injector to expand the atrophying areas. 
6. There is no one best solution, so a consultation is in your best interest.

I hope this is helpful. Stay well.

All the best!

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

Having children after a facelift should not compromise your facial cosmetic result. Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you 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

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

I think you answered your own question if you can’t deal with your appearance now.  Do what would aesthetically benefit you now and deal with any changes after pregnancy

Dr Corbin

Will getting pregnant a year or two after a mini facelift ruin my results?

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