title: Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Facial Features.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bariatric surgeries performed in the USA has increased twelve-fold in the past two decades. The effects of rapid weight loss on facial features has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that bariatric surgery will mimic the effects of aging thus giving the patient an older and less attractive appearance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients were enrolled from the bariatric surgical clinic at our institution. Pre and post weight loss photographs were taken and used to generate two surveys. The surveys were distributed through social media to assess the difference between the preoperative and postoperative facial photos, in terms of patients' perceived age and overall attractiveness. 102 respondents completed the first survey and 95 respondents completed the second survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 14 patients, five showed statistically significant change in perceived age (three more likely to be perceived older and two less likely to be perceived older). The patients were assessed to be more attractive postoperatively, which showed statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight loss does affect facial aesthetics. Mild weight loss is perceived by survey respondents to give the appearance of a younger but less attractive patient, while substantial weight loss is perceived to give the appearance of an older but more attractive patient.
authors.affiliation: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Vardan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papoian
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Vartan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mardirossian
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Donald Thomas
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Spiegel
keywords: Aesthetics; Age factors; Bariatric surgery; Weight loss; Weight reduction