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You and Ozempic worked together to shed all those pesky pounds, and your body looks better than ever. Your face? That's another story. You've likely noticed that your once-plump cheeks are looking a little hollow or that your skin isn't bouncing back the way you envisioned. Significant weight loss that has been sped up by GLP-1 medications like Ozempic can leave you with sagging skin, deepened wrinkles, and a loss of youthful volume. But don't panic: a facelift (especially when paired with a few complementary treatments) can help restore balance, leaving you looking refreshed in no time.
When you lose a lot of weight over a short period of time, your body doesn't just burn fat from your stomach, thighs, or arms. It takes from everywhere, including your face. The fat pads that once gave you youthful, full cheeks end up shrinking, and your skin, which was stretched over a fuller frame, may not snap back as tightly as you'd like. This often results in:
Even if your body transformation is everything you could have wanted, your face might not quite match the vibrant, youthful energy you feel. This is when looking into getting a facelift might save the day.
A facelift isn't just about tightening skin. It's about restoring the structure and natural volume that weight loss may have taken away. The goal is to lift sagging areas while preserving your natural expressions. A good facelift should never make you look "overdone" or frozen; it should make you look and feel like the best version of yourself.
Facelifts have numerous benefits when paired with your new post-Ozempic body:
While a facelift does wonders, it's often even better when paired with other treatments that restore volume and improve skin quality. If you've lost facial fat due to Ozempic or other weight-loss medications, your surgeon may recommend additional procedures to enhance your results.
One of the best ways to restore lost facial volume is through fat grafting (also called fat transfer). This procedure takes a small amount of fat from another part of your body (often the abdomen or thighs), processes it, and injects it into areas like the cheeks, temples, and jawline.
Why choose fat grafting?
If you're not ready for fat grafting, dermal fillers can also restore lost volume. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can plump up cheeks, smooth deep folds, and even refine the jawline.
However, fillers require maintenance, typically lasting 6-18 months, depending on the type used. Some patients start with fillers before committing to fat grafting for a longer-term solution.
Weight loss often affects the neck just as much as the face. A neck lift can tighten everything up if you have sagging skin, vertical neck bands, or a loss of definition under the chin. Many facelift patients opt for a neck lift at the same time to ensure seamless, natural-looking results.
Once your face is lifted and sculpted, the quality of your skin plays a very big role in your overall appearance. Treatments like laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or microneedling can help address fine lines, dullness, and uneven texture. These aesthetic treatments work by boosting your collagen production over time, making your skin look younger and healthier even months after your appointment.
You're likely a great candidate for a facelift if you've lost significant weight and feel like your face has aged in the process. Ideal candidates have noticeable sagging or volume loss in the face and jawline, are at a stable weight (waiting at least six months after weight loss is ideal), have good skin elasticity to support natural-looking results, and want long-term, transformative results rather than temporary fixes.
Facelift recovery is often smoother than most people expect. You'll likely have some swelling and bruising for the first one to two weeks, but most patients feel comfortable going out in public after about two weeks. By the one-month mark, your new contours will start to settle, and full results will continue improving over the next several months.
Pairing your facelift with other treatments like fat grafting or a neck lift may slightly extend recovery time, but most patients find the downtime well worth it for the final outcome.
Losing weight with Ozempic can be life-changing, but if your face isn't reflecting how amazing you feel, there are solutions. A facelift can restore structure and lift sagging areas and, when paired with volume restoration, help you look just as vibrant as you feel.
If you're considering a facelift after weight loss, the best next step is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They'll assess your needs, explain your options, and help create a plan to bring balance back to your face. Ready to refresh your look? A personalized facelift at StarkMD Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center might be the perfect complement to your weight loss journey.
Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Ran Stark brings decades of experience and training to each consultation. When you meet with Dr. Stark, he takes the time to give you information and options, so you can have confidence in your decision to move forward with the best procedure for you. Confidence. Personalized care. Impeccable results. That’s the Stark Difference. Discover that difference yourself by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Stark today.
135 South Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 220, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
