Picture this: Dolly Parton, at 78, rocking a midriff-baring Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit. Meanwhile, at Madison Square Garden, Cher, 77, stuns in skin-tight leather pants. Over in East Hampton, Martha Stewart, 82, is turning heads with a “nightgown thirst trap” on Instagram. And don’t forget the pickleball-loving ladies of The Golden Bachelor, who, just like their 20-year-old counterparts, prepped for the show with filler, veneers and plastic surgery.
Welcome to the era where Golden Girls don bikinis, Boomers flex their muscles alongside their vitality, and the Silver set is booked and busy. This is what they’re doing to stay “forever young.”
A Fresher Start
What’s behind the trend? Chicago plastic surgeon Julius Few, MD has noticed an increase in older patients, both in Chicago and Los Angeles, putting more of an emphasis on their bodies. “More and more adults in their 70s and 80s are thinking about things like dating and relationships, whether they’re widowed or divorced after a long marriage,” he explains. This trend reflects a shift toward a more active lifestyle among older adults, driven by more than just romance. According to Dr. Few, it’s also about maintaining social status and combating the idea that one “disappears” with age. He says there are two groups he sees within this demographic: “One is those who have had treatments like fillers and Botox regularly. The other includes those who have never had cosmetic procedures, but are now considering them to align how they look with how they feel.”
Revitalized Retirees
In Florida’s sun-soaked retirement community called The Villages, the mindset is as vibrant as the lifestyle. Plastic surgeon Fernando Serra, MD, the only established plastic surgeon in the community, has seen retirees embrace this new attitude. “Here, aging is not chronological, but physiological,” he says. “With proper health and motivation, individuals in their 60s, 70s and 80s are seeking enhancements to reflect their inner vitality.” Older patients may have unique needs, but that doesn’t hold them back. “They’re retired; they worked hard,” he adds. “I often tell them, ‘You’re healthy, you’ve taken care of yourself. You deserve to look good.’ ”
In Houston, plastic surgeon Erica Bartlett, MD notes the popularity of body procedures among older adults. “The focus is on Botox, breast enhancement, tummy tucks and hormone replacement therapy.” While skin quality can be a big concern due to years of sun exposure, Dr. Serra believes there are ways to improve it. “We can do great work, but thin, crepey skin can be a challenge. I can’t give you new skin, but I can improve it.”
Tailored Treatments
When existing medical conditions make surgery risky, Dr. Few suggests other, less-invasive treatments. “If someone can’t have surgery, I recommend nonsurgical treatments like Sofwave, thread lifts or fillers. We have to set realistic expectations because the results won’t be the same as surgery. But it’s interesting, especially with this group: If you can make them look even a little bit better, it makes a huge impact.”
Delray Beach, FL plastic surgeon Daniel Crane, MD says that baby boomers in South Florida are increasingly opting for ‘gravityreversing’ surgeries like breast lifts and tummy tucks. “Many would have been candidates for these procedures years ago, but they weren’t aware of the options to correct changes from pregnancy.” Now, he adds, with more time and financial freedom, they’re focusing on themselves.
Doctors prioritize personalizing the surgical plan to fit each individual. Encino, CA plastic surgeon George Sanders, MD says, “Seniors have varied body compositions. Some maintain a better physique than others who are decades younger, but they often have reduced skin tone. This requires a more conservative approach.”
Safety Consideration
Among the safety considerations Dr. Sanders recommends to his older patients is choosing smaller implants. This is because of the increased skin and breast tissue laxity. “We can also opt to utilize additional internal support with a scaffold mesh like Galaflex,” he says. For tummy tucks, he suggests proceeding with caution when combining procedures to reduce the risk of complications like blood clots.
Dr. Crane emphasizes the value of adjunct treatments with this age group. “Newer skin-tightening modalities play a crucial role, particularly in preventing loose skin post-liposuction. This is especially true in areas like the arms and thighs,” he explains. “Additionally, we are also using long-lasting local anesthetics and scar-minimization techniques to enhance the recovery process.”
Dr. Crane also recommends pre-operative assessments to identify underlying conditions. ”Baby boomers often prefer a phased approach rather than undergoing multiple surgeries at once. We often suggest this, too, to ensure a smoother recovery.”
“We’re also using infrared therapy, which has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body, promote a sense of well-being, and aid in healing,” adds Dr. Serra. “It has even shown promising results in conditions like radiation dermatitis from cancer treatment, such as breast cancer. I offer it to all of my surgical patients.”
Ageless Attitude
As baby boomers redefine what it means to age, Dr. Few says, “They’re just living their best life.” Whether on the pickleball court or the red carpet, they’re proving that age is just a number, even if it sounds cliché. “In this new era of health and wellness, those in their golden years continue to thrive. Most of my patients in this group are healthy, affluent and motivated, and they’re looking and feeling their best.”
Transformative Cases: Golden Glow-Ups
This 65-year-old patient rejuvenated her body with a tummy tuck by Pasadena, CA plastic surgeon Lily Lee, MD to tighten abdominal muscles and address loose skin.
This 69-year-old patient visited New York plastic surgeon Brad Gandolfi, MD to restore her figure. A tummy tuck gave her a more youthful, hourglass shape with a flatter stomach.
