The Truth About Plastic Surgery After 50 - #148

In this episode of Afterpause, we're cutting through the noise around plastic surgery, noninvasive aesthetics, and skincare for women over 50. Renowned NYC-based plastic surgeon Dr. Lara Devgan joins us to explain what actually works and how to create a thoughtful, long-term approach to looking refreshed without looking overdone.

In this episode, we cover:

What women over 50 are really looking for: Why the goal is often not to look younger, but to look rested, healthy, vibrant, and like yourself, and how menopause changes the skin, hair, face, and overall appearance. Understanding the different types of facelifts: A clear explanation of full facelifts, deep-plane facelifts, vertical restore techniques, mid-facelifts, mini-facelifts, and neck lifts, and how a surgeon determines which approach may be appropriate for different stages of facial aging. Suture suspension and thread lifting: What suture suspension actually is, how it differs from traditional threads, who may be a candidate, and why there is so much disagreement among surgeons about these procedures. The aging neck: Why the neck can be one of the most frustrating areas for women in midlife and beyond, what happens to the platysma muscle as we age, and when Botox, a Nefertiti-style approach, or surgery may make sense. Tired-looking eyes: Why the eyes can make you look older or more exhausted than you feel—and how to think about upper and lower blepharoplasty, under-eye puffiness, dark circles, hollowness, and the role (and limitations) of eye creams. Hollowing, volume loss, and facial balance: How menopause-related changes in fat, bone, skin, and soft tissue affect the face, and why simply adding more filler isn't always the answer. What noninvasive treatments can, and cannot, do: A realistic look at skincare, lasers, injectables, biostimulators, regenerative treatments, and other nonsurgical options for women who aren't ready for surgery or don't want it. How to combine surgery, noninvasive treatments, and skincare: Why the best aesthetic plan isn't necessarily one procedure. Learn how women can think about their face and skin as a long-term investment, combining the right surgical procedures with nonsurgical treatments and a strong skincare routine over time. Red flags when choosing a plastic surgeon: What women should look for when evaluating a doctor, how to think about credentials and experience, why seeing before-and-after photos matters, and warning signs that a surgeon may be selling a pr