Accelerated Aging After Weight Loss

Losing weight can be difficult, especially when you have many pounds to shed. If you gained forty or more pounds over the years, it can take time and discipline to finally remove the excess weight. When you finally do manage to lose the weight, you may have one negative surprise. For some men and women in their 40’s or older, losing a significant amount of weight can make their face appear older, even if their body is more fit.

When excessive weight is lost later in life, the face also loses fat. Unfortunately, unlike in younger years, the skin may not spring back when the weight is lost. The skin and facial muscles can sag – the skin is thinner and the ligaments can be too weak to hold the facial structure in place. This can be especially noticeable around the mouth, nose, jowls and neck. It can be disheartening to finally lose the weight you have struggled with, only to look years older after you become thinner. 

Facelifts for Post-Weight Loss

One option to give you back your younger looking self after weight loss is a facelift. Since losing excessive amounts of weight can accelerate the aging process, a facelift might be exactly what you need to restore a youthful face to pair with your fit body. Deep plane facelifts elevate the fat pads and skin into a more youthful position, giving you a natural, younger looking face after weight loss.

If you have noticed an older appearance since you lost weight, consult an experienced facial plastic surgeon about a post-weight loss facelift. Ensure the surgeon you choose offers deep plane facelifts, an advanced technique that offers a more natural and longer-lasting rejuvenation of your face.

Posted on behalf of:
Sanaz Harirchian, M.D.
9230 Katy Fwy Suite 600
Houston, TX 77055
713-791-0700

When Is Body Liposuction Appropriate?

Liposuction may seem like an easy fix to excess fat, but it is not always appropriate. In 2015, liposuction was the top cosmetic surgery performed in the U.S. according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 396,045 liposuction procedures were completed, outnumbering the 2nd highest surgery by over 90,000. Liposuction is not a weight loss option, but instead meant to reshape the body and remove difficult fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise.

So, when is it appropriate to consider liposuction for body transformation? The procedure can remove a sizeable amount of fat from the abdomen, thighs, hips or other areas, but should be used as a last resort for weight loss. Some common reasons men and women seek liposuction include:

  • Post-pregnancy or excessive weight loss. Some women have trouble losing the fat from their abdomen after pregnancy. Liposuction can be used with a tummy tuck to remove fat and extra skin to restore a flat stomach. This can also be done after excess weight loss when there is loose skin and small amounts of fat left on the abdomen or other areas.
  • Genetic fat deposits. Even when a person is within a healthy weight for their height, genetics can lead to excess fat in some areas. Liposuction can remove pockets of fat from hips, thighs, chin and torso that don’t respond to other weight loss attempts.
  • Fat removal can help reshape and define areas that exercise alone cannot do. This can show muscle definition for a tighter, defined body.

If you have tried to get the body you want through diet and exercise, but still have areas that refuse to lose excess fat, liposuction may be an option. Consult a experienced plastic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for liposuction.

Posted on behalf of:
Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists, P.C.
2001 Peacthree Road #630
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 355-3566

5 Common Reasons for Rhinoplasty

In 2015, an estimated 138,258 rhinoplasty surgeries were completed in the U.S. Nose shaping surgery has been one of the top plastic surgeries performed for decades, in the top 5 cosmetic surgeries for men. While many may think rhinoplasty is for those who want a smaller nose, this is only one of the reasons men and women have this surgery performed. Here are 5 common reasons people choose to undergo rhinoplasty to improve their appearance or health.

  1. Crooked nose. A break in the cartilage of the nose is common from injury, causing a crooked or imbalanced nose. Rhinoplasty can straighten and repair a crooked nose after injury and improve breathing capabilities.
  2. Too large. Reducing the size of the nose is one of the top reasons people choose rhinoplasty, but certainly not the only one.
  3. Wide nose. Large nostrils or a wide base is another reason men and women seek to have their nose reshaped through cosmetic surgery.
  4. Hump or bulge. A hump on the bridge of the nose or a bulbous tip are other shape issues that can be resolved through rhinoplasty.
  5. Nose augmentation. Not everyone wants to reduce the size of their nose. Some augmentation procedures for the nose include adding depth to the bridge or lengthening the tip. These are common in ethnic or Asian rhinoplasty, where the nose is smaller and flatter and the patient wants a more pronounced nose structure.

When undergoing rhinoplasty, it is crucial to find a plastic surgeon that has extensive experience and proven results performing this delicate procedure. If you are considering rhinoplasty, check credentials and testimonials of your plastic surgeon to ensure you choose a qualified and talented surgeon.

Posted on behalf of
Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery LLC
5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Northeast #910
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 936-6665

Are Your Lips Making You Look Older?

Most people think that crow’s feet around the eyes or forehead wrinkles are the tell-tale signs of getting older. However, lips can be just as revealing. As you get older, your lips can thin and small wrinkles can appear around the outside. Women who wear lipstick may notice small lipstick lines that “bleed” and leave lines of color around the lips.  Your lips can become thinner, with less volume. So how do you keep your lips looking younger?

Changes to Aging Lips

Your lips have the thin skin covering them, making them vulnerable to wrinkles. The protective layer of oils and water is also thinner than other types of skin. Exposure to the sun and elements can causing wrinkling on and around the lips, even quicker than other areas like the eyes and forehead.

In addition, the lips, like other skin, loses collagen and the fat layer under the skin as it ages. This leaves the lips looking thin, without the soft volume that is usually common when you are younger. Lips are less voluptuous and can become much smaller in size.

Combatting Aging Lips

There are ways to combat aging in your lips, helping you look younger. First, lips like all skin need sunscreen and moisture to fight early aging. Secondly, a cosmetic surgeon can offer several ways to reverse the aging issues like wrinkles and less volume. Temporary fixes can include fillers that can reduce lines and wrinkles or add volume to the lips. Permanent solutions include fat transfers and lip lifts that can bring back the youthful look to your lips and smile.

Don’t let your lips give away your age. Consult a plastic surgeon to explore cosmetic options to give your lips a younger appearance.

Posted on behalf of:
Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery
120 South Spalding Drive #236
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 288-0641

Repairing a Torn Earlobe

Earlobes may not seem crucial, when one is torn, they can be disfiguring. The soft cartilage can easily be torn and will often heal oddly, which can be embarrassing for some people. To repair an earlobe, minor cosmetic surgery is needed to make the two pieces whole again.

Causes of Torn Earlobes

The most common cause of torn earlobes is earrings. Heavy earrings can stretch the holes in the earlobe and create a thin piece of cartilage holding the jewelry in place. Add extra pressure of talking on the phone or wearing headphones, and the hole can become even larger. It can only take a slight tug on an earring to tear through the thin cartilage, leaving the earlobe in two pieces.

Earlobes can also be torn due to trauma or other injuries, especially when the ears are pierced. An earring can get caught during an accident and tear through the lobe.

Undergoing Earlobe Surgery

The good news is that torn earlobe repair can be done quickly by a plastic surgeon. In most cases, the lobe can be carefully sewn back together during an office visit. Local anesthesia is usually all that is needed while the surgeon puts the pieces of the lobe back together. If done successfully, some people can wear earrings again once the lobe has been completely healed, although they may need to have the lobe re-pierced.

If you have an earlobe that has torn or been disfigured, call a local plastic surgeon that specializes in cosmetic ear repairs. Most earlobes can be repaired quickly and made whole again with an outpatient cosmetic procedure to fix the damaged cartilage.

Posted on behalf of:
Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS
580 Park Avenue, Suite 1BE
New York, NY 10065
212-339-9988