Losing weight is difficult. That’s a statement most can agree with.
There are two general problems for many going through weight loss.
The first is that often when the face becomes thinner, from naturally losing weight, it starts to look older (UGH). The second is that unfortunately eating right and exercise alone cannot always remove stubborn body fat (double UGH).
Often, individuals will turn to plastic surgery. Opting into a procedure allows many people to take back control of their body image. With abounding medical and technical advancements, there are many options to consider today.
We’ve compiled a list of the more common ones that help give those looking to improve their appearance after weight loss a solution.
For those who have lost volume in your face…
If you start to lose facial volume, it can cause eyes to look slightly sunken, cheeks to hollow out, and skin to lose its firmness and elasticity. Maintaining a low body mass index (BMI) exacerbates the problem because fat is the very thing that helps plump out lines and wrinkles.
Photographs of celebrities immediately after they’ve slimmed down often show thinner faces with more noticeable fine lines and sagging.
Nicole Richie looks much older than early 30s here because of a thin face that shows every line and wrinkle.
The most common way many fix that problem is by using facial fillers.
Fillers can be used on a regular basis, are a simple procedure, and can even be combined with other procedures for more lasting effects.
A popular and very effective filler is JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA XC which is used primarily for laugh lines between the nose and lips but can also restore volume to other areas of the face.
An additional option for facial skin sagging is radio frequency/magnetic devices that stimulate the underlying collagen. Venus Legacy is one of the most effective devices for skin tightening.
For those struggling with stubborn body fat…
Body contouring is a common solution.
What is body contouring?
Surgical body contouring following major weight loss removes excess sagging fat and skin while improving the shape of the underlying support tissue. The result is a more normal appearance with smoother contours.
Dramatic weight loss has many benefits. But after weight reduction surgery, or any substantial amount of weight loss, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size.
For many people, the satisfaction of losing weight is undermined by the appearance of loose skin around the abdomen, arms and thighs.
A side effect of massive weight change—100 pounds or more—the excess skin will lose its elasticity due to excessive stretching. The skin can also be weighed down by stubborn fat pockets that refuse to respond to diet or exercise.
Aside from obvious cosmetic concerns, loose skin after weight loss can cause chafing, irritation, infections, cysts and body pain. Such problems may occur after any substantial weight loss, and are not limited to patients who underwent bariatric surgery.
PSS provides body contouring surgery as a means of reshaping the skin to conform to the body’s new shape. To accomplish this, a series of procedures for removing excess skin and fat and strengthening the underlying tissues are available.
Body contouring procedures may include:
- Facelift: sagging of the mid-face, jowls, and neck
- Breast lift: sagging, flattened breasts
- Tummy tuck: apron of excess skin hanging over the abdomen
- Lower body lifts: sagging of the abdomen, buttocks, groin and outer thighs
- Arm lift: sagging of the upper arms
The dramatic results of body contouring surgery are visible almost immediately, though it may take a year or two to see the final outcome. All body contouring procedures will leave a visible scar. However plastic surgeons are highly skilled at minimizing scarring.
After surgery, treatment with a RF device like the Venus Legacy can promote healing in addition to tightening skin.
If you’re looking for a non-surgical option or have smaller pockets of stubborn fat, then CoolSculpting may be the way to go.
CoolSculpting treatments help our Marin and Napa County patients reduce fat in an innovative non-surgical way. Cleared by the FDA in 2010, the technology used by the CoolSculpting device is called Cryolipolysis®.
This process has been extensively studied and developed by Harvard researchers to freeze and destroy unwanted fat cells while leaving the nearby tissue untouched.
Treatment with the CoolSculpting device doesn’t require an incision, needles, or anesthesia. After just a single, brief procedure at our Center of Excellence, the frozen fat cells are effectively destroyed and flushed from the body through its normal metabolic processes. The result is a noticeable fat reduction of about 25% per treatment, which can be repeated.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling after weight loss with your appearance then plastic surgery may be an option to consider.
Interested in plastic surgery to get the appearance you want? Request a consultation today with board-certified surgeons.
You’ve lost the pounds, now is the time to sculpt your body and put your best face forward.
We would love to hear your amazing stories of weight loss or post-surgical success. Comment below and share!