Pērle Magazine: Plastic Surgery Options for People Aged 50 and Over

Beauty Clinic of the Latvian Microsurgery Center (LMC Beauty Clinic) specializes in cosmetic surgery and offers patients all of the most popular facial, breast, and body plastic surgery procedures. The center was founded in 2000, but its history dates back to 1985, when at the hospital Gaiļezers The only specialized Department of Microsurgery and Plastic Surgery in Latvia was established. There, I gained training and practical work experiencesi the majority of plastic surgeons in Latvia, and even now here The doctors who work there are between among the most experienced plastic surgeons in Latvia.

As technologies in cosmetic and plastic surgery continue to advance, the Microsurgery Center keeps pace with the latest trends, constantly expanding the range of surgeries and procedures it offers. Currently, in addition to traditional facial and body surgeries, the center also performs less common procedures such as brachioplasty (upper arm skin tightening), double chin correction using injections, and lipofilling—that is, facial and body contouring using the patient’s own fat injections.

We spoke with plastic surgeon Nonna Tomisheva about the latest cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries that are relevant for women in their fifties, as well as the details they should be aware of when deciding to undergo plastic surgery, we spoke with plastic surgeon Nonna Tomisheva.

Tell me, what determines how woman It looks like, upon arrival during menopausesha?

At this age, our appearance reflects not only how well we have taken care of ourselves and the lifestyle we have led up to this point, but also all the past experiences and illnesses we have overcome. However, what affects our appearance the most at this stage is hormonal imbalance. Although the condition of our skin and overall health is largely determined by genetics, around the age of fifty, the hormone estrogen can play quite a nasty trick on us. As its levels in the body decrease, the skin becomes drier, muscles weaken, and excess fat deposits may form in areas where there has never been fat before. Estrogen also plays a role in other processes in our bodies. It prevents cholesterol from accumulating on the walls of blood vessels, regulates water and salt balance in the body, controls the activity of the sebaceous glands, and maintains skin and bone density. Along with estrogen, progesterone levels also decrease. A deficiency in progesterone can lead to fluid retention and, consequently, increased body weight. During menopause, reduced testosterone levels can also contribute to weight gain. Therefore, when performing plastic surgery on a woman in her fifties, the doctor also takes these natural—though not entirely pleasant—changes in the body into account.

KWomen are more likely to undergo plastic surgery after having children birth, tBut which plastic surgeries and procedures are relevant for women in their fifties?

As the first procedure that produces a very noticeable result, I would like to mention eyelid surgeryu, or blepharoplasty – a relatively simple procedure performed under local anesthesia that does not require a long recovery period.However, at this age, in order to achieve the best possible result, eyelid surgery will involve more steps than if it were performed around the age of thirty-five. This is because sagging has already developed around the eyes, and the facial muscles and ligaments are weaker. All of this is corrected and restored during the surgery. When deciding on eyelid surgery, keep in mind that you may also need eyebrow lift – a method used to correct aesthetic changes caused by a loss of elasticity in the soft tissues of the upper third of the face. During the procedure, eyebrow drooping (ptosis) is corrected, as well as the effects of muscle hypertonicity in the forehead and the area between the eyebrows. The method involves several techniques, which are selected based on the patient’s individual characteristics. When evaluating eyelid surgery, the doctor will certainly also examine the forehead area—often, to increase the distance between the pupils and the eyebrow arches, which has narrowed over the years, it is also necessary to forehead lift surgery. 

Is it fifty? is the right one age, in order to carry out the so-called facelift or facial contour correction? 

Facial Plastic Surgery During a facelift, the skin on the face and neck is smoothed out, excess fat is removed, and the facial muscles are tightened. The need for this surgery also depends on genetics—the shape of the cheekbones, the facial contour, and skin type. However, yes—age 50 and up is the optimal time to undergo such a procedure, since around age 40 there is most likely no need for it yet, but in later years the results of the surgery will no longer be as good—the skin’s ability to contract is reduced and healing processes are slower. Sometimes a woman’s facial contours do not require any correction at all, and the only thing needed is neck skin tightening. 

Or still relevant at this ages hyaluronic acid fillers Injections?

If there is only slight sagging of the skin, it can indeed be corrected with fillers alone; however, sometimes there is so much excess skin that fillers alone will not produce a satisfactory result. If the subcutaneous fat layer has diminished and a woman really wants to restore a firm facial contour, an injection-based method may be sufficient. lipofilling. These are injections that, using the patient’s own fat (most commonly from the anterior abdominal wall), correct specific areas. At this age, the method is particularly relevant for adding volume to the face, neck, and hands, but it is also used to correct the volume of the labia, buttocks, and breasts. The patient’s fat is ”purified” using a special method and injected into the subcutaneous layer of the face, neck, or other areas, enhancing facial contours and making the skin appear plumper. It is important to realize that there are many factors that determine how well the new fat cells will take root in the skin—approximately 40% of the “filler” will be lost over the course of a year, so a process known as “hypercorrection” is performed initially—the fat is injected with a margin of safety. Compared to fillers, a larger volume of the material can be injected, and it contains stem cells; as a result, skin quality noticeably improves after the procedure—for example, dermatological issues disappear.

It’s true that lipofilling is suitable for women who have a reduced subcutaneous fat layer and poor skin quality, but it won’t help in cases of sagging facial muscles and excess skin. In such cases, facial plastic surgery is necessary, and lipofilling will serve as an excellent complementary treatment.

Which cosmetic surgery is a lawWhat are the challenges at this age?

As I mentioned earlier, as estrogen levels decline, tissues become looser and muscle tone decreases. Even if a woman is physically active and works out at the gym, her upper arms will no longer be as firm as they were in her thirties or forties. Sagging in this area will also be noticeable after weight loss. Then it is possible to perform brachioplasty – upper arm lift, during which excess skin is removed and the muscles are tightened. However, you should be aware that after the surgery, there will be a scar along the length of the upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow. A similar procedure is performed on the thighs. Cruroplasty As a result, the upper eyelids become firmer because excess skin is removed and tightened. 

I think every woman wants her abdominal skin to be firm and taut. However, at this age, diet and even regular exercise may not be enough to get rid of excess fat and skin on the abdomen. Removing excess abdominal skin is also a common concern after weight loss and gastric bypass surgery. If the problem is distressing, tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty may be the right choice—by removing excess fat and skin, we tighten the abdominal skin and strengthen the abdominal wall muscles.

Another current issue is liposuction isb fat contentdigging, in which excess fat is removed using a cannula and a vacuum device to improve body contour. However, it’s important to know that this is not a weight-loss method, since the amount of fat removed is relatively small, and if there is excess skin, it will not tighten after the fat is removed. The most common areas for liposuction are the abdomen, flanks, thighs, knees, upper arms, and, in the facial area, the chin and neck. 

If a woman...Well, maybe someday...eikti griwill undergo plastic surgery, or It is right to postpone major events until laterFor the past few years?

Plastic surgery should be performed when it is necessary. As we get older, skin quality declines and healing processes slow down. Chronic conditions often develop, and, importantly, skin microcirculation is reduced (which is why we often refuse to perform surgery on smokers). Eyelid surgery is usually performed around the age of forty, while the need for facial plastic surgery typically arises later in life. 50 and up. However, in order to undergo surgery—especially a procedure requiring general anesthesia—a woman must be in good health; therefore, any health-related issues must be addressed first. High blood pressure, low hemoglobin, diabetes, and other conditions can significantly affect the course and outcome of the surgery. This does not mean that we will not perform surgery if a woman has diabetes, but it—like other chronic conditions—must be under control. Likewise, if a woman has unhealthy habits or is overweight, these must be addressed first before considering surgery. Since the skin’s ability to contract is reduced compared to when you were younger, I recommend taking collagen orally as a course of treatment before surgery; calcium and vitamin D levels are also crucial.

Tell me, What a plastic surgeon can do and what is beyond their capabilities?

I want to emphasize that surgery is only the first step toward a beautiful result and that the rehabilitation period is even more important. The success achieved will depend on whether a woman relaxes and “settles in” in bed with a glass of wine or follows all the instructions prescribed by her doctor. For example, after liposuction, it is necessary to wear tight-fitting, elastic clothing that prevents the formation of uneven skin and to undergo vacuum procedures. Some will complete the full course of vacuum therapy, while others will give up halfway through. The outcome of the surgery will depend not only on individual physiological characteristics —such as the existing subcutaneous fat layer and anatomical structure—but also on lifestyle: whether the woman smokes, how much water she drinks daily, the quality of her sleep, and her overall daily routine. You must be prepared to be more active after the surgery and give up harmful habits.

We, as plastic surgeons, can restore youthful contours, but we cannot influence skin quality or muscle tone. We cannot restore a woman’s youth, but we can minimize the traces that emotional upheavals have left on her appearance. 

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