Question:
Does losing the weight too fast make your face wrinkle real bad?

I know a few people who have had RNY and they look 10-15 yrs. older but I have looked at several pictures here and for the most part alot of people look younger after losing the weight. I am thinking that it may be the manner in which they took care of themselves after surgery but none the less it still makes me a little uneasy. I don't want to come across as vein b/c I know it's a matter of health and not beauty but none the less who doesn't want to be beautiful and healthy at the same time?    — k_ibarra912 (posted on May 15, 2008)


May 15, 2008
my guess is... it depends on the person, the body and how it reacts. my face is fine, but you should see my old lady wrinkly butt, LOL. no one see it but (no pun intended) me and my husband.
   — jammerz

May 15, 2008
I think that at first we all look a bit drained and older and as we begin to slow down in weight loss our skin catches up witht he loss and begins to tighten up...But certainly a good skin care regimen is worth every effort! Moisturize, exfoliate, sun block, exercise and VITAMINS! Eat healthy...take multi vits...Drink water! Most of us take our surgery seriously and do most of these things because we are told to by our surgeons and nutritionists...Skin is another reason to do these things. It makes a HUGE difference. It's not vain to want to look thin and young and beautiful...It's normal. We all want that...If I can do it as naturally as possible...I'm on it! LOL I'm not getting younger...I might as well try to keep what I got for as long as I got it!
   — .Anita R.

May 15, 2008
I don't have an answer just wanted to make a comment because I have been thinking the same thing. I mean look at Star Jones, she looks really sick!!!! And you would think with the money she has she could pay someone to exfoliate her face for her and give her vitamins.
   — sexy red

May 15, 2008
Genetics has something to do with it, as well as weight. Some people appear older than others. This can be due to stress or genetics primarily. Weigtht loss in women is normally seen in the face first. If you are younger, your skin has more elasticity adn the chances of "no wrinkles" are increased over someone over 40 getting the same surgery. Your skin expanded when you gained weigth, and will become "unexpanded" on weight loss. Whether the skin tone will remain tight depends on exercise too. There are also plastic surgery or other new medical methods of giving a more youthful appearance. The more weight you need to lose, the greater the chances of wrinkles somewhere on your body, that will no completely go away. I don't really think it's a matter of slow weight loss. Most RNY patients lose their weight over about 1 year or more. Most of the weight may come off in the first 8 months but then wt loss becomes slower. We lose the weight primarily for health issues. If you want to look perfect after weight loss, you'll probably need some $$$ for plastic surgery. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

May 15, 2008
I agree with Dave. But I also wanted to add something. You look like you are glowing in your pictures and you do not look like someone whose face is going to look older. That being said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and physical beauty is very short lived. What lasts and is of greater value is that deep inner spiritual beauty that radiates selflessness, love and compassion to all that come in contact with it. This is true beauty and can make what some consider the homeliest to people to be the most beautiful. Be that kind of person and you need never fear a wrinkle. :))) Blessing, Laura
   — waterlover

May 15, 2008
I'm waiting for Lap RNY. I'm hoping that when I loose the lbs. I won't look 10 -15 years older. But with my weight and co-morbidities, I probably won't get to see what I'll look like much older than I am unless I get this surgery. I'm 50, I've lost >60 pounds, I exercise daily AND I still have to lose at least 100 pounds more. I'll take wrinkled skinny, but no turkey neck, please, no turkey neck . Yhis is meant to be humorous....I don't know how to find a smiley face.
   — momEnat

May 15, 2008
I never had a problem with it. I am nine years post op and I have gained some weight back and lost it all over again plus more and my face is just fine.
   — nascar_angel_3_2003

May 15, 2008
Well, I feel that I have a turkey neck after loosing 80 lbs. (have another 70 to go) but I also have wings (flabby arms). However, I'm 62 and getting healthier every day. Went to PCP today and B/P pills cut in half, all levels are perfect and I am getting stronger and healthier every day. Will I win any beauty contests? Probably not. But I'll wear my saggy body with pride - because I plan to live to see my grandchildren have children! You also have to realize that my age (62)has a lot to do with my sags - and some of it might tighten up some. I'm only 5 months out! cgarber
   — Caroline Garber

May 15, 2008
If you are under the age of 45 and your starting body mass is under 50 BMI then you will most likely not need to have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin from weight loss. There are other factors that may play into this. If you are a Sun Worshiper (IE: if you spent a good portion of your life in the sun getting a tan or went to tanning salons) you may have damaged your skin's ability to rebound and it may not be elastic enough to shrink. You may require surgery even if you fall into the category above. There are those that have genetic issues that would keep them from having skin that is elastic enough to rebound and not need surgery. There are other possible issues that would keep the skin from rebounding but I am not an expert on the subject and you would need to consult with a plastic surgeon or a skin care expert about this to learn more. I only know this because my wife is a Nurse Practitioner and she researched the subject when she was looking at the surgery for ME. This is what she discovered and told me when she made her discovery. There is no NEED to have the skin removed after weight loss. The issue is usually a matter that is considered a cosmetic problem and not a health risk. I hope this helps, Hugh
   — hubarlow

May 15, 2008
I haven't had surgery but I have the same concerns as you. I have already started taking supplements to help my hair, nails, and skin so that they are at the healthiest level they can be at before I even have my surgery. I have decided that I will not lose hair and I will do everything in my power to save my skin and not need plastic surgery! I suggest doing the same, check out GNC, they can help you!
   — MiLeenaLee

May 15, 2008
SIMPLE ANSWER FROM SOMEONE WHO LOST OVER 250 POUNDS THE FIRST 11 MONTHS: NO.
   — SteveColarossi

May 15, 2008
I know that a lot of RNY patients look drawn and almost mal nurished when they drop the initial weight fast. usually after about a year or so their face fills out a little and they look healthy again. but I do think it varies by each individual.
   — lessismore

May 16, 2008
Kim, every body reacts differently and age plays a part as well as exercise and diet. You are right that we all want to look good, but the consequences of what we have already done to our bodies comes into play. How obese we are when we get started, how we behave once we have surgery, this all counts. You just have to do your best and be thankful for the weight you lose. It isn't about how others see you, it is about how you see you. That is what counts. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 16, 2008
There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good as well as feel good! I lost 100 pounds in 8 months after bypass surgery and was also concerned about wrinkles and how my face would respond to extreme weight loss. I am proud to say that at 3 years post-op (and at 43 years old!) there are no wrinkles or loose skin. I believe a lot has to do with how you care for your face pre-op. One word...moisturize! Use moisturizer with an SPF every day! If you are out in the sun, use sunblock. Not only on your face, but neck as well. good luck! Debbie
   — debgatos

May 16, 2008
I'm 5 months out and get compliments that I look good or healthy. But upon close self examination, I see the wrinkles that are more noticeable now that there isn't so much fat pumping them up =} I've lost about 75 pounds, and I'm starting to notice the drooping - more in my stomach and arms than anywhere else. I believe that once my body adjusts, I'll loose the tired look I have (some) days and get that healthy, youthful glow. (I may be kidding myself.) Genetics, environmental factors, skin care, and skin damage all play a part.
   — gonnadoit

May 17, 2008
I have browsed through probably 400 before and after photos for WLS and it seems like some people look younger after losing a lot of weight, and some do seem to look older in the face area..... I think a lot of it is genentics.
   — Gina S.




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