Tom Brady, often the subject of rumors about plastic and cosmetic surgery, reignited speculation while commentating for the 2025 Super Bowl LIX earlier this month after fans observed the athlete’s slimmed-down facial appearance.
According to The Daily Mail, social media users described the former quarterback’s look as “gaunt,” like a “skeleton,” and completely “pulled back.” Some plastic surgeons mentioned to the outlet that his taut and lifted skin might indicate a recent facelift, possibly within the last three months, as the skin still appears very firm and stretched. Others had differing opinions. We’ll explore their viewpoints below.
Experts Address Tom Brady’s 'Gaunt' Look As Fans Suspect A 'Lifted' Appearance
While examining the football icon's facial characteristics, Dr. Corey Maas, a plastic surgeon and proprietor of The Maas Clinic in San Francisco, shared with the publication: "This is the classic face of somebody that's on a very high intensity aerobic exercise program." The doctor added: "'It doesn't have to be any kind of surgery. In fact, it would be unlikely because most people don't want that gaunt of a look."
However, Dr Tijion Esho, cosmetic surgeon and founder of UK-based Cultskin disagreed. Esho said that Brady, 47 is looking more "stretched and lifted" than ever. He explained: "This is typically seen after a full face lift which is still in the process of healing." A face lift, or rhytidectomy, involves tightening and lifting the skin on both sides of the face to reduce sagging. In a traditional procedure, the skin is separated from underlying tissues, the muscles are tightened, and any extra skin is removed.
Esho proposed that if the father of three had undergone a facelift, it probably happened towards the end of last year. "In the early stages [of recovery], the skin looks very tight, and as the skin hels, the tension eases, which typically is seen over the first two to three months," the specialist explained.
Dr. Norman Rowe, a plastic surgeon based in New Jersey at Rowe Plastic Surgery, informed The Daily Mail that the Super Bowl champion exhibits clear indicators of undergoing a facelift, including what might be an incision scar near his ear. He specifically theorizes that Brady underwent a SMAS facelift, a procedure that entails creating incisions along the hairline, behind the ears, and beneath the chin to adjust the underlying connective tissue.
"That ear looks like it's been operated on," Rowe shared. He went on: "When you do a SMAS face lift, it sometimes gives a pull on the corners of the mouth, and [patients] get what we call a windswept look. In a couple pictures, boy, it looked like he had that." However, the doctor dismissed the notion that Brady's possible face lift was recent, citing the absence of swelling and noticeable scars. He proposed that the procedure likely occurred at least half a year ago.
Esho also recognized Brady's "shiny" and glossy complexion, attributing it to possible Botox and laser resurfacing procedures. Botox involves injecting a toxin to immobilize muscles under the skin, which prevents movement and results in deeper wrinkles. Esho added: "This would explain why his skin appears smooth, with fewer expression lines." Dr. Diana Ponsky, a plastic surgeon based in Ohio, concurred that Brady might have chosen to undergo Botox treatments.
"It seems as if his lipline has been altered. He has a stretched smile, and his lower lip curls up more," she explained. She mentioned that it appears he might have received Botox injections in his depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscles, which extend from the lower jaw to the mouth's corners.
Dr. David Shokrian, a plastic surgeon based at Millennial Plastic Surgery in New York City, also dished to The Daily Mail that Brady's incredibly "smooth" forehead indicates typical "Botox use." Although other specialists concur that Brady exhibits indicators of Botox injections, a recent facelift, and possibly fillers, he has not addressed these rumors publicly.
