During your forties, the aging process begins to ramp up, and it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain your over health and appearance, even though you still look and feel young. For many patients, this is also a time during which you may want to transition from the use of fillers and Botox to possible surgery. Though, when done correctly, this process should be done gradually, as you experience more and more facial aging. The key to plastic surgery in this age group is to keep you looking like yourself but only better. Popular surgical procedures include eyelid rejuvenation and liposuction. Popular non-surgical treatments continue to be skin resurfacing, Botox, and fillers.
Popular Invasive Plastic Surgery Procedures
Eyelid rejuvenation
Eyelid rejuvenation, also known as blepharoplasty, is the second most popular plastic surgery procedure in this age range with almost 90,000 procedures performed in 2016. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and in your forties and fifties, that window will start to show signs of aging. Loss of volume in the face leads to sunken eyes and sagging skin that was never there before. Since your eyes are the most prominent feature of your facial structure, it is vital, when considering eyelid rejuvenation, that you do not change the appearance of your eyes too dramatically. I cannot overemphasize this concept enough because excessively slanting or making your eyes smaller with surgery will forever change how you look to yourself and others. The goal is to look like yourself only better.
Liposuction
Liposuction in the forty to fifty age group is the most popular procedure requested with over 92,000 performed in 2016. In addition to facial work, people in their forties and fifties are more likely to consider body contouring surgery. Even though healthy patients in this age group have had a good diet and exercise regimen, it can be much more difficult to keep weight off in fat-prone areas, such as hips in women, and around the waist in males.
Popular Non-Invasive Treatments
Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are agents that weaken the nerves to the muscles, which in turn weakens the target muscle limiting or nullifying muscle contraction. The action of Botox, in turn, results in diminished unwanted wrinkles in the target area. Botox has multiple uses and can be used to treat crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, skin bands on the neck, etc. In your forties and fifties, a partnership with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the aging process will help you determine whether neuromodulators are appropriate to correct lines and wrinkles, or if a more invasive procedure is necessary.
Soft tissue fillers
Soft tissue fillers help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by adding volume and fullness to the face. Most fillers, such as Juvéderm, work by replenishing the hyaluronic acid levels in your skin and pulling in moisture from the body to add to its plumping and smoothing effect. Dermal fillers are helpful at reducing early signs of aging such as plumping thin lips and softening facial creases and wrinkles.
When considering plastic surgery, whether invasive or noninvasive, the key is to do things gradually in your forties and fifties. This is why you need an experienced and honest plastic surgeon that knows when you need to stop fillers and when you need to start surgery, especially in your face. You want your surgeon to be able to recognize when fillers and neuromodulators will no longer work and more appropriate surgical measures are warranted.
At any age when considering plastic surgery, you need an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in the field who can show you proof of exceptional results. For your safety, we cannot stress the importance of discussing your goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the aging process and can determine whether a noninvasive or an invasive procedure will be required to achieve your desired results.
Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is an internationally known, highly respected and skilled plastic and cosmetic surgeon from Dallas, Texas. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has led most of the key professional organizations in plastic surgery in the USA. He has received numerous honors and awards in plastic and cosmetic surgery, both nationally and internationally. In addition to his extensive surgical expertise and talent as a gifted surgeon, he is the Founding Chair and Distinguished Teaching Professor of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He has authored hundreds of innovative academic publications in the field and he also serves as the Editor in Chief of the leading plastic and reconstructive surgery journal, the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Rohrich has also performed philanthropic work as a civic leader of organizations such as the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Save the Children and has established the Rod J. Rohrich, M.D. Foundation, which supports medical students in his native North Dakota. He is also a founding member and President of AiRS, the Alliance in Reconstructive Surgery, which serves to support education and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer survivors, regardless of financial status. Dr. Rohrich has repeatedly been featured as one of the best plastic surgeons in the country by US News and World Report, Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping and Texas Monthly as well as being quoted in notable publications such as the New York Times and Boston Globe. He has appeared on many television shows including Oprah, the View and Good Morning America and is currently working to provide a reliable source of public-centered information in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery as well as other areas of medicine.