Will I Lose Facial Fullness After My Bariatric Procedure?

If you followed the stories about weight loss drugs, including Ozempic / Mounjaro prescribed off-label and Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss, you might have seen articles discussing the phenomenon of Ozempic face – essentially a gaunt look resulting from the rapid weight loss; if you’re concerned about a similar situation with bariatric surgery, you come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss weight loss effects on the face and if there are ways to prevent loss of fullness. We will also discuss the idea of aesthetic treatments, including dermal filler, to potentially regain some of that fullness.

Will bariatric surgery cause a loss of facial fat? The short answer is yes; weight loss will also affect the face. The degree to which this occurs is primarily based on how much weight a patient loses and how rapidly they lose it. Like any other body part, fat accumulates and recedes with weight changes. What we can’t predict, however, is where the fat will disappear first. For some, it may be in the abdomen, while others will be in the arms or the face. It is purely based on the patient’s body.

Age is also a factor in the loss of fat padding in the face. As we age, we lose those fat stores, and a degree of loss in facial fullness should be expected after our mid-thirties.

Is Fat Loss Reversible or Preventable?

The facial fat loss you experience during the weight loss process is typically irreversible. However, there are ways to minimize the loss of fullness. These are also excellent recommendations for anyone, regardless of whether they’ve had bariatric surgery.

First is hydration. Staying well hydrated is vital to ensuring your skin and facial tissue remain plump and healthy. Remember that our bodies are made up of water. Even slight dehydration (figure 1 to 2%) can significantly affect our looks. We are told to drink about 64 ounces of water, but we should consider this a baseline minimum. As a rough estimate, consider drinking about half your body weight in ounces. If you’re 200lbs, drink 100oz for the day. Of course, as you lose weight after bariatric surgery, your water intake needs will reduce commensurately. However, remember that as you get more active, you must consume more water to compensate. Don’t gulp your water down or drink too much at once. Moderate your intake throughout the day, focusing on higher water intake earlier and slowing your water intake toward bedtime.

Moisturizing your skin is also critically important, and developing a facial skin care regimen can go a long way toward making your face look tighter. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles, loss of depth and blemishes, so address that with a daily moisturizer and intensive nightly regimen. You can speak to a dermatologist or aesthetics specialist about the best products for your skin type and goals.

Stay out of the sun or use sun protection. The sun is very damaging to the skin. Often, we don’t even know that the damage is occurring because it happens beneath the top layers of skin. Remember that a tan represents skin damage. If you plan on being outside quite a bit, as many of us want to do all year long in West Florida, use an appropriate, high-quality sunscreen and apply liberally and frequently to ensure proper coverage. Just remember that the health of your skin is representative of your general health. The more you take care of your body and skin specifically, the less likely you are to be concerned about skin issues, especially in the face, after massive weight loss.

If your age, genetics, or weight loss progress leaves you with a lack of fullness of the face, you can also consider cosmetic and aesthetic options. Please note that you should only consider these treatments once you’ve reached your goal weight. If you do it too soon, there’s a likelihood that the injections or surgery will not look as good because your facial shape will change with weight loss.

Botox is an excellent and safe option. If you want to eliminate some of the developed line increases, you lose weight. Remember that Botox is knocked for profound wrinkles; you will see some improvement there, too. Speak to your aesthetic specialist about managing a neurotic later after significant.

Filler

Fillers come in different flavors with varying results and expectations. The most common and favorite is hyaluronic acid filler. This uses a substance naturally produced in our bodies that promotes plump and firm skin. Another option for the neck is a poly-l-lactic acid filler, which has been proven to stimulate the body’s collagen production, resulting in smoother, more youthful skin in the face and neck.

The Bottom Line

Whether a natural lifestyle change, aesthetic procedure, or surgical option makes the most sense for you, speak to our office to ensure your procedure timing is ideal in your circumstance.