Working for a prominent plastic surgeon, I have access to some of the best skin and body treatments available. This unique position allowed me to navigate my journey with GLP-1 weight loss with expert guidance from Newton Centre, MA plastic surgeon Joseph Russo, MD and the cutting-edge procedures he recommended throughout my 40-pound weight loss. Now, I help our patients who are undergoing similar transformations map out a treatment plan. Here’s how I navigated my aesthetic treatments alongside my weight loss progress.
Months 0-3: Treating Skin Early on with Microneedling
In the beginning, I focused on building a strong foundation for my skin. Radio Frequency microneedling sessions were key; they helped to boost collagen and smooth out texture. The procedure I had, SylfirmX, is known for superior patient comfort and outcomes. While many might be familiar with different microneedling with radio-frequency technologies, SylfirmX is the next step forward. It is much more comfortable for patients to undergo and it’s great for all skin types. It can even address conditions like melasma, which are typically challenging to treat with radio frequency-based heat devices. Everyone says you really notice weight loss in your face first, and this helps keep your facial skin plump, healthy-looking and smooth.
Months 3-6: Skin Tightening
As I continued to lose weight, I started ultrasound therapy to tighten stubborn areas. Sofwave, an advanced ultrasound therapy, is effective in tightening loose skin and improving overall skin tone. Having a treatment I just need to do once, without having to undergo any downtime (although some people may need multiple treatments, depending on your age and skin quality), fit well with my lifestyle post-weight loss. Sofwave can be used to help tighten skin on the lower face and it’s also FDA-approved for use on the body to treat cellulite as well.
6 Months to 1 Year: Fine Tuning and Adjustments
Before I ever started my weight loss journey, I had already undergone liposuction and Renuvion treatments on my neck. If I had the chance to do it again, I definitely would have done it the other way around. Renuvion is great because it helps tighten and rejuvenate skin from the inside and can be done alongside liposuction for a more “shrink wrap” effect. But once I lost all the weight, I noticed my results were a little looser than I wanted.
At this point, revolumizing areas that were loose or hollow due to lost fat became a priority. Sculptra, a poly-L-lactic acid injectable, allows the body to naturally stimulate collagen and can be placed in many areas, including the face and neck. I used it for the “tech neck” effect I got after weight loss. Even though I had already had a treatment in that area, this really helped get my results back to their best and gave me a taut neck again without the crepey skin.
I also addressed my platysmal bands with Botox, which helped smooth out the neck area after fat removal exposed them. After weight loss, the horizontal lines on my neck became more visible, but neurotoxin injections gave me a noticeable improvement within three weeks.
1 Year After: Achieving My Goal Weight
Reaching my goal weight was amazing, but it brought new challenges like stretch marks. Laser treatments have been a game-changer for fading them and refining my skin’s appearance. The UltraClear laser has a laser coring feature, which I’ve recently had done on my face and abdomen. This has helped continue the rejuvenation and tightening of my skin. This procedure uses a specialized laser to create microscopic channels or cores in the skin, which will cause the skin to heal and regenerate, creating firmness and tightness, which is always the goal now that I’ve lost and am keeping off the added pounds.
Throughout this journey, maintaining a balanced diet and exercise routine was crucial. These choices helped to complement my aesthetic treatments so I could achieve and maintain my results. Navigating my skin and body treatments along the way has been truly transformative. Thanks to my access to cutting-edge treatments and the support of Dr. Russo and our team, I’ve not only achieved physical changes but also gained insights into holistic wellness that I can pass on to our patients as they hit their goals too.
