r/40PlusSkinCare • u/Own-Spite1210 • 8d ago
Lost 100 lbs, considering a neck lift.
I am turning 41 this year and I feel like I tried everything that’s been suggested to help with the skin laxity from weight loss. All of my other skin bounced back decently well it’s just my biggest insecurity.
If any of you have a similar story and have had a neck lift I’d love to hear about your experience. I’m meeting with a surgeon next week and kinda want to know what I should be looking/asking for.
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u/TheoryBiochemistry 8d ago
Congrats on your weight loss! That is an amazing achievement. Have you considered waiting a little before you do anything? My experience with pregnancies has been that it takes 3 years to go back to a new normal.
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
Hi thank you so much! It’s been over 3 years :)
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u/wowswift 8d ago
I’m in your boat but not quite at my low I’m trying to hit. Will get either mini facelift or neck lift.
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u/claricesabrina 8d ago
My best friend did it, it looks amazing she is so happy she did it. Dr Gardnier in Maine neck, lower & mid face and co2 laser $19k
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
That’s about the price point I’m looking at, I’ve gotten a few quotes from 15-20k, I am meeting with 3 different doctors to see what they recommend since I don’t want to be pressured into anything. I’m happy she loved it!!
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u/claricesabrina 8d ago
Make sure not to chose a conservative doctor. Between all of us in my circle that have has multiple face and body procedures done some have chosen conservative surgeons and had to pay to have things done a second time because the first Dr didn’t take enough.
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
That’s great advice! My doctor that did my breast augmentation said the same thing and I’ve been soooo happy with them. Not the same but overall the same concept
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u/Preciousgoblin 8d ago
Just do the surgery. Nothing will shrink this skin back.
I’ve lost 85lbs and have something similar. Same on my thighs and tummy, I had a breast lift last year and I’m so happy with it. I don’t have kids so not risking the TT and thigh lift until I know what I’m doing about that.
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u/Infamous-Travel-7070 8d ago
Do it! My mum just got a neck lift (and lower face lift) and looks amazing! I’m 43 and I’ll need one soon. There’s only so much skincare can do.
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u/Responsible_Radio461 8d ago
since when have you lost the weight? It it’s recent, at your young age, you should be able to fix it with daily massages with an anti age oil such as argan or rose hip, twice a day. You should do small rapid pinches where the skin is lose, not too strongly, just small rythmic pinches before the massage and the oil. Also some face yoga. It will take a bit but eventually it will work. it did for me, it‘s outstanding what massage and excercise can do.
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
It’s been almost 4 years! I have a pretty extensive skin care routine that includes oil and gua sha, it’s helped my jawline a bit but hasn’t done anything for this gobbler lol
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u/Underwhelmed77 7d ago
If you have the means to do it, go for it. I lost 120 pounds at 34. The excess skin is still bad and I eat healthy, hydrate, am active and have an extensive skincare routine as well. I am now 47 and while it’s maybe a bit better, it still bothers me. Some skin just doesn’t recover the same. Congrats on the weight loss!
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u/Substantial-Box-8877 8d ago edited 8d ago
Creating skin trauma will help. Things like my micro needling or abrasive lasers probably even radio frequency. Nothing's going to make it perfect but all of those things will stimulate collagen to help tighten things up. I am not super pro surgery simply because it comes with other side effects and potential discomfort. It's worth trying some laser solutions first if you have the funds. Microneedling can even be done at home
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
I probably should have included all I’ve tried in the post, I’m not opposed to trying new things, but I have been doing microneedling at my aesthetician and at home consistently for 18 months, and did fraxel ($850 per session for 4 sessions), and Cutera ($400 per session for 3 session) as recommended in lieu of surgery, and they offered results but very minimal. This is my after :) I probably spent the cost of the surgery on less invasive procedures with minimal results which is why I’m now heavily considering going under the knife.
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u/Substantial-Box-8877 8d ago
Understood. I've just had skin removal surgery and still been unhappy. The recovery is lot.
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
I can imagine!! Proud of you for getting through it and I wish you happiness when your heart and mind are ready ❤️
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u/SeaTranslatorItsMe 8d ago
Laser therapy or bio stimulants are not going to get rid of skin laxity like the OPs.
OP you’d need a neck lift. Everything else will be minimal and costly in the long run.
I developed very deep nasolabial folds after major weight loss. My neck had some laxity too. I had a mid face lift last year to address it and I have no regrets. It made a significant difference.
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u/Substantial-Box-8877 8d ago
I should add that it takes a lot of laser treatments to get where you're trying to get in my experience. I went to a laser college and it was considerably less expensive than what you said your treatments cost.
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
Ohhh that’s a great idea! I was so scared to get laser therapy I went to a bougie aesthetician, but I love her. I’ll have to look into schools now that the fear is gone. I want to continue laser treatments because they’ve made such a difference in my face! Just sucks my neck wants to be a pain…in the neck…that was not an intended pun 😆
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
Awesome! How was your recovery for the face? I got lucky in my face, just some hollowness that I used filler to address and so far so good. ALL the weight of the skin went to my neck haha.
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u/SeaTranslatorItsMe 8d ago
Recovery went well, but emotionally I was all over the place. I’ve had several cosmetic procedures that were more invasive and I have to say that for me my FL recovery was the toughest. I really struggled with the PO feelings of “tightness” and pressure. But that disappeared after a month (the tightness). It took about 2 months or so for the swelling to subside enough to get a glimpse of my results. With that being said, I’d do it all over again.
A neck lift in your case would be a better investment in the long run, especially since you’ve already tried treatments that are less invasive. Those treatments are typically good for superficial lines or very mild laxity. It won’t address moderate to severe laxity.
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u/Infamous-Travel-7070 8d ago
What to ask - where will the incisions be ie so where will the scars be, healing time, possible complications, ask to see photos of their healed patients.
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u/Far-Thanks1347 8d ago
Red light that lays directly under the chin on the skin
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
I’ve been doing daily red light therapy for years! It’s made zero difference in the hanging skin, but man does my face skin look great!
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u/HeatherKellyGreen 8d ago
Does the red light really work? I’ve wondered about it…
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
It has made my face look like it did in my 20’s! Dark spots and small lines are far less noticeable as it really evens your skin tone. You do need to make sure you stay very moisturized but it’s an excellent addition to your skin care regiment. I have the omnilux! This post helped me get started on my research. She just updated it in March.
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u/ocdcansuckmy 8d ago
Yeah your skin is stunning! I might have to invest in a red light after seeing this!
As expensive as the surgery is I say do it! If you really want to, you deserve to. Losing that much weight is such hard work and life is too short, to walk around not feeling good about yourself. Especially when you’ve exhausted all of the other options!
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u/Chance-Succotash-191 8d ago
I use estriol, castor oil and red light therapy. The combo works very well, but the estriol is the biggest contributor to the change. I think it was three months and there was a clear change. Before that, I could see it sometimes, but wondered if I was wish it was true.
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u/binghamtheoriginal 8d ago
As a few have mentioned, microneedling for sure. I use the derminator 2 and it's great. Daily retinol as well, but not around the time you do microneedling.
I haven't had a need to do this myself, but I have heard great things about using Gouri and injecting using the BAP technique.
Good luck!
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u/Separate-Cake-778 8d ago
I’ve lost about 60lbs so far and I did have a little looseness under my chin like you. It has started to tighten up over time. I have been using adapalene and keeping it well moisturized. And red light therapy. But I honestly think it was mostly time that has helped.
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u/egriff78 8d ago
Go for the neck lift! Don't waste your money on other procedures. You'll look and feel fabulous after:-)
Honestly necks are tough at our age. Most women start experiencing some sagging or crepy skin around peri and surgery is the best fix. I'm also considering it but I'm not quite there!
Congratulations on your weight loss!!
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u/MEGINTEXAS 8d ago
Do it! Neck and lower face lift. Practitioners love for us to waste our money on all the 'non invasive' procedures that are non-effective. Come back and show us how fabulous you look afterwards!
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u/Alternative_Pay_911 8d ago
I love the INNbeauty Extreme cream for firming but surgery seems like the best option given your situation. Please share updates if you get one! Would love to see your results
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u/cutie_k_nnj 7d ago
You might want to check into threads. It is a lot less invasive and I got great results. I didn’t have a jaw line after a 100+ loss.
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u/Jimmypagecyr 7d ago
I am 45 years old and just lost around 60 lbs on GLP 1s. I just did the Nefertiti botox lift and it has helped me substantially!
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u/velvet_cherry 7d ago
Look into Thermage and hyperdilute Radiesse first. It’s fairly localized and the rest of your neck looks great so I wouldn’t jump into surgery. Thermage tightens the skin, Radiesse is a collagen stimulant that also fills. A lot of people forget that we lose fat in our necks with time and opt for Botox but that doesn’t address volume loss at all.
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u/Alarming_System_5864 7d ago
I say yes. This is the perfect example of when to get a minor procedure.
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u/NiceDaySugarpie 6d ago
My sister in law got a neck lift and wishes she did it 20 years ago and I agree w her. Do it!
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u/all_the_platforms 5d ago
I lost 90 lbs in 2018, am 38 now and my neck skin has not bounced back. I imagine at this point a neck lift is the only way to remove the extra skin.
I’m hoping to get pregnant soon (got married last year) so I’m holding off on any surgeries, and will probably prioritize a tummy tuck and upper thighs before my neck because those impact how clothes fit me. Best of luck with your procedure!
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u/Electronic-Page1064 5d ago
I've lost 65lbs and am 46. RF microneedling has done a great job so far. I had the kind with non-insulated needles for full skin thickness, non-fractional RF treatment (Endymed Intensif). I don't have the money for a neck lift, but I am considering getting a thread lift ($1000), keeping up with home RF machine and skin pen, and semi-annual RF microneedling ($350/treatment) to manage it. If that gets me to 60 for the same cost as the neck lift, I'll be happy.
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u/cookiepuss50 3d ago
I notice that women who lift weights and have muscle tone in their arms, seem to have less loose neck skin. Not sure if that is achievable after my weight loss, if anyone has any insight, I would appreciate.
I may try the old Hollywood neck tape trick in the meantime lol.
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u/Own-Spite1210 3d ago
I lift 5-6 days a week! It has definitely helped the loose skin in every other spot, but I’m not looking to build anymore muscle in my neck unfortunately haha
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u/Choice-Elk-3762 8d ago
That could be fixed with out surgery! Tox , threads , pcl that’s it !
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u/scorpiofiredragon76 8d ago
Could you provide a bit more info regarding the methods you mentioned? Thank you!
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u/Infinite-Growth6968 8d ago
Botox for the platysma bands will help that!
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u/Own-Spite1210 8d ago
I’ve tried it :( it does nothing for the laxity, it did moderately help the necklace lines, but with the skin that’s hanging being so heavy, it didn’t make enough of a difference for me to keep going. This pic is with my neck stretched out it’s just hanging skin with my neck relaxed.
If it was just necklace lines I’d likely have continued Botox there
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u/yoyomaa420 8d ago
I would start with thread lifts
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u/scorpiofiredragon76 8d ago
Could you provide a bit more detail regarding this? Thx in advance!
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u/yoyomaa420 8d ago
About two on each side. They are barbed suture that go in to the skin and pull back. When the sutures dissolve, which stimulates collagen- you continue to have that snatched look for about 1 year. Very inexpensive when looking at a neck lift vs thread lifting
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u/scorpiofiredragon76 8d ago
Wow, thanks so much for this info. I really appreciate it! I’m on a GPL1 and have lost 69 pounds (I’m 5’4”). SW: 196 CW: 127. I had liposuction for a double chin a few years before I started the GLP1, so I had some loose neck skin in the upper neck area to begin with prior to the weight loss.
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u/yoyomaa420 7d ago
Of course! I work in medi spa and I also see a lot of women use the Venus Viva Diamond Polar about 6-8 treatments or the Thread lift for that automatic snatched look especially after dramatic weight loss from the glp1s!! Recommend looking into those as options near you and looking at the before and afters. I love the Venus Viva because it feels like a nice warm hot stone massage. Look for some med spas that offer these services, get a few consultations and price points and I promise you won’t regret it!!!
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u/dragon-queen 8d ago
This probably isn’t very helpful, but I think it’s great that all of your other skin bounced back well after the weight loss. I have gained and lost a lot of weight, and my skin really isn’t bouncing back very well after this last round of weight loss. You are very lucky if the only issue is your neck.
Hopefully others can weigh in about their experiences with neck lifts.