Former talk-show host Ricki Lake posted unseen before-and-after photos of her neck and facelift on Instagram to mark a two-year anniversary [1].
Lake's decision to share the images highlights a growing trend of public figures being transparent about cosmetic surgery to demystify the process and its results.
In the social media posts, Lake detailed the specific medical procedures she underwent. She said, "Yes, 2 years ago today, I had a face lift. Specifically, for those wondering, I had a deep plane lower face and neck lift along with a mild CO2 laser" [2].
Lake was 57 years old at the time of the posting [3]. She used the anniversary as an opportunity to be open about the transformation and the personal decision behind the surgery. "I took a leap of faith," Lake said [4].
The photos were shared on her Instagram account, @rickilake, on July 18, 2026 [1]. This date marked exactly two years since the procedure was performed on July 18, 2024 [1].
Lake accompanied the images with a celebratory caption that read, "Happy 2 year anniversary to me" [5]. The post focused on the long-term results of the surgery rather than the immediate recovery period, a perspective often missing from social media beauty discourse.
By providing the exact names of the surgical techniques used, Lake offered a level of clinical detail that deviates from the vague "refresh" descriptions common among celebrities. The use of a deep plane lift is a specific surgical approach designed to lift deeper tissues of the face [2].
“"I took a leap of faith."”
The transparency regarding specific surgical techniques, such as the deep plane lift and CO2 laser, reflects a shift in celebrity culture toward 'honest' aging. By documenting the two-year mark, Lake provides a case study in the longevity of cosmetic results, moving the conversation from temporary filters to permanent surgical interventions.
