What Are Facial Changes After Rapid Weight Loss?
Many people who achieve significant weight loss, whether through lifestyle changes, weight loss injections, or surgery, notice changes in their facial appearance. This often includes a more gaunt or hollow look, which can cause concern about overall appearance and facial aesthetics.
Although these changes are most obvious in the face, rapid weight loss can also lead to excess loose skin all over the body—especially in areas like the abdomen, arms, and thighs. The skin’s elasticity might not fully recover after significant weight loss, leading to sagging or folds.
Causes of Facial Volume Loss and Sagging
Rapid and substantial weight reduction causes the body to lose fat everywhere—including the face. As the underlying fat that gives facial features their youthful fullness is lost, the skin can begin to appear loose, hollow, or aged. Factors contributing to these facial changes include:
- Rapid Weight Loss: Fast and significant reduction in body weight can cause the face to lose volume quickly, resulting in sagging or hollow features.
- Loss of Facial Fat: The fat under the skin helps maintain facial contours. When this fat diminishes, the face can take on a more tired or aged look.
Managing and Treating Facial Changes After Rapid Weight Loss
If you are noticing facial hollowing or sagging after rapid weight loss, we offer several treatments that can restore facial volume and improve your appearance:
- Dermal Fillers: Hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be expertly injected into the face to restore lost volume, providing a more youthful appearance. This treatment is suitable for mild and limited cases of facial volume loss.
- Fat Transfer: Fat grafting involves transferring fat from another part of your body to your face, helping to regain a natural fullness. Suitable for mild to moderate cases.
- Skin Tightening Treatments: Non-surgical treatments like Renuvion and Virtue RF Microneedling use radiofrequency energy to help tighten the skin and improve facial contours. These are suitable for mild cases of sagging skin on the face and body.
- Surgical Options: In cases of more moderate to severe excess skin, surgical options like facelifts or neck lifts are often the most effective treatments for reversing facial changes after rapid weight loss. These procedures can remove a significant amount of excess and redundant skin, achieving a more lifted, toned and youthful appearance.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet and a good skincare routine can help improve skin health and your overall appearance.
Surgical Treatments at Restore SD Plastic Surgery
You may find that you are dealing with a significant amount of lose, sagging skin after massive weight loss. If that is the case, a surgical route might be the best option for you. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, our San Diego plastic surgeons offer advanced surgical treatments to address both body contouring and facial rejuvenation needs, specifically designed to deal with excess loose skin:
- Body Contouring: This includes procedures like tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), brachioplasty (arm lift), and thigh lifts to remove and tighten excess skin, achieving a more toned and sculpted appearance.
- Facelifts and Neck Lifts: These procedures are designed to reduce the signs of aging and excess skin by lifting and tightening the skin on the face and neck, resulting in a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
“I recently had surgery at Restore. I had several procedures performed. I contacted Restore for a consultation. The consultation is what convinced me to use Restore. I had several other consultations and none compared to Restore SD. There was no hard sales pitch or recommendation to have a procedure done that was more than what was needed. At Restore the office staff is friendly, patient and knowledgeable. The surgical staff was beyond wonderful. This wasn’t my first experience with plastic surgery and by far Restore has been the best. Dr. Gallus is amazing. She listens to your needs, makes sure you understand what she is able to do and address’ all of your concerns. I am six weeks post op and am looking forward to seeing the complete results at the end of six months. I highly recommend Restore SD.”
—Google Review for Dr. Gallus
Why Choose Restore SD Plastic Surgery for Treatment?
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we understand the importance of feeling confident in your appearance. Our team, led by Dr. Katerina Gallus, offers a range of advanced treatments to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. We provide:
- Personalized Care: Each treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
- Expertise: Our team has extensive experience in facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
- Comprehensive Approach: We offer a holistic approach to aesthetic care, ensuring you achieve natural-looking and long-lasting results.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gallus is a board certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Dr. Chao’s elite facial plastic surgery training and remarkable attention to detail offers patients safe, natural-looking results. She will work closely with you to understand your goals and concerns to bring your aesthetic vision to life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Changes After Rapid Weight Loss
If you’re concerned about facial changes or loose skin after rapid weight loss, contact Restore SD Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation. Our team is here to help you regain your confidence and achieve the facial appearance and body contours you desire.
Call us to learn more about our facial rejuvenation and body contouring options.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Jun 26, 2025
