Ricki Lake Reflects on Facelift and 35-Lb Weight Loss at 55: ‘One Of The Best Decisions I Ever Made’
The TV host celebrates her weight loss and plastic surgery with full transparency and joy
Ricki Lake, 56, is reflecting on her decision to receive a facelift after a major weight loss one year later and she’s happier than ever. The TV host and actress shared her reasoning for going under the knife in a new Instagram post, where she showed photos of before and after her procedure and got real about why it was her best decision.
“One year ago today I did a thing,” Lake wrote. “Yes, today July 18th, is the one-year anniversary of my deep plane lower face and neck lift, plus a mild co2 laser…I had lost 40 lbs and did not like the extra skin that hung from below my chin. It was never going to tighten up on its own. Not at 55. Trust me, when I tell you, I still felt extra cute and loved myself regardless, especially after working so hard to get in the best shape of my life. This procedure was the icing on the cake.”
Lake went on to share how pleased she is with her decision and why it was the right choice for her. Many of the commenters on her post shared support for her decision and complimented her final results. She added, “One year later, I look back on my brave choice and consider it one of the best decisions I ever made for myself.”
Woman's World Answers
Ricki Lake opens up about getting plastic surgery
Ricki Lake’s weight loss has been making headlines lately and for good reason: The former talk show host recently opened up about her decision to get plastic surgery to remove saggy skin from shedding unwanted pounds. The actress famously refused to take Ozempic and instead set out to lose weight the good old-fashioned way. Here we reveal what helped her drop more than 30 pounds, her decision to go under the knife and how she’s improved her health over the years.
On the June 12 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Lake says the weight she lost since she kick-started her health journey in 2023 had left her with sagging skin. “I’ve had a lower face and neck lift,” she told Cohen. “I kind of think it’s the best facelift I’ve ever seen. And my doctor, let me give a shout-out because he’s a genius. Dr. Allen Foulad is the best.”
The Hairspray actress then pulled back her hair to show that there was no visible scar from the procedure.
“I love that I can talk about it,” she continued. “I’m full transparent, always have been. I don’t want there to be any stigma. This is something that was bothering me. I had lost a lot of weight and I had this certain thing hanging and I had it fixed,” she said while gesturing to her lower jaw.
Ricki Lake revealed her 35-lb weight loss on Instagram
In February 2024, Lake shared a series of photos of herself and her husband, Ross Burningham, on Instagram.
“I’ve been wanting to share with you what I’ve been up to these last 4 months,” she wrote in the caption. “On October 26th, 2023, I made a commitment to myself to get healthier. My husband Ross joined me in this effort. Together, we have each lost 30+ lbs. I really want to share, because we did this without relying on a pharmaceutical. (Not that there is anything wrong with that).”
Neither of them had health markers pointing to an increased risk of diabetes, so they chose to first try the all-natural route during their weight loss journey, she explained. However, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Lake said her doctor wasn’t on board. In fact, he even told her she wouldn’t be successful without taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic.
Instead of feeling defeated, Lake used this as motivation. “I like a challenge, and I like proving people wrong,” she said. Still, she had reservations about how quickly she’d be able to lose weight at 55 years old while also experiencing perimenopause, she noted.
How did Ricki Lake lose weight?
Lake and Burningham began intermittent fasting, following a keto diet and enjoying daily physical activity, including doing Pilates, she told Good Morning America during an appearance in May 2024. They also started tracking their sleep habits.
Lake shared that the shift to a healthier lifestyle helped her lose 35 pounds since October and that her mindset change was at the core of improving her health. “I’ve made this my job, and it’s become my joy,” Lake said. “I love it. I think it’s safe to say I’m in the best shape of my life.”
How you can copy Ricki Lake’s weight loss success
Lake’s keys to weight loss can help you drop stubborn pounds, too. Here’s how you can follow in her footsteps.
Try a keto diet
When you’re eating a typical Western diet, your body primarily uses sugars and starches as its primary energy source. However, when your carbohydrate intake is significantly reduced, as it is with the keto diet, the body’s cells start to rely on an alternative source of fuel, explains Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
“This process is called ketosis. It happens when the liver converts fats into molecules called ketones, which are subsequently converted into energy by the cells in the body, allowing it to burn fat more efficiently,” she says.
The shift from relying on carbs forces the body to use stored fat for energy instead of relying on glucose from carbohydrates, which aids weight loss, Dr. Connor notes.
Additionally, keto can potentially help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, which helps regulate your appetite, keeps your energy levels up and curbs the production of hunger hormones.
Note: Consult your doctor before starting a keto diet to ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body requires and to monitor any adverse side effects.
Make time for low-impact exercise
Ricki Lake embraced getting outdoors and being active on hikes. She also practiced Pilates, which functions as strength, flexibility and balance training.
While pilates usually doesn’t burn as many calories as walking, it’s an ideal option to strengthen your core, improve flexibility and tone muscles, offers Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis.
“It helps build lean muscle, which boosts your metabolism and supports weight loss,” he says. “For weight loss, aim for about 3–5 hours of Pilates or similar low-impact exercises each week [about 25 minutes a day] mixed with other types of movement you enjoy.”
Track your sleep
When it comes to weight loss, sleep may not be at the top of your mind. But it’s important to be in tune with how much quality sleep you get on a regular basis. Not only is adequate rest crucial for daily functioning, but it’s also key for losing weight.
When we’re tired, we often crave quick sources of energy, such as high-carbohydrate or sugary foods, which exacerbate the cycle of fatigue, explains Dr. Connor. Lack of sleep can also hamper your metabolism.
“When you’re well-rested—ideally sleeping seven to nine hours a night—your hunger hormones stay in balance and your body recovers better,” says Dr. Dasgupta.
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