Ozempic® Face & Body: Why Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Driving Demand for Plastic Surgery?

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® have revolutionized the way many people approach weight loss. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, these drugs are also making heads turn for their powerful appetite-suppressing effects that lead to dramatic weight loss in relatively short periods of time.

However, terms like “Ozempic® face” and “Ozempic® body” have taken over TikTok and Instagram, as people share their post-weight loss transformations, along with the side effects no one wants to talk about, but everyone is. Let’s take a closer look at what’s driving this trend and how procedures like facelifts and body lifts can improve contours and restore confidence after GLP-1 treatments.

5 Min Read:

What Is “Ozempic® Face,” and Why Does It Happen?

One of the most talked-about GLP-1 weight loss side effects is a hollow, aged look that can occur after significant facial volume loss. Dubbed “Ozempic® face,” this phenomenon describes the sunken cheeks, sagging skin, and pronounced facial folds some people experience after rapid weight loss with medications like Ozempic® or Wegovy®.

As the body burns through fat, it doesn’t discriminate, and fat is lost everywhere, including the midface, jawline, and neck. While this fat loss can improve overall health and body shape, the face may begin to show signs of aging more quickly, especially in people over 40, when natural collagen production has already declined.

GLP-1 Weight Loss and Your Skin: Why Sagging Occurs

Semaglutide and tirzepatide medications work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which regulates appetite and blood sugar. As these drugs suppress appetite, patients naturally consume fewer calories and often lose weight quickly. But rapid weight loss can come with consequences, particularly for the skin.

When you gain weight, your skin stretches, and over time, the collagen and elastin fibers responsible for keeping skin firm can weaken. If weight is lost too quickly, the skin doesn’t have time to bounce back, resulting in excess, sagging skin, especially in areas like the:

• Face and neck
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Pannus
• Thighs
• Breasts

Plastic surgery after weight loss has become a popular option for those looking to address these side effects, enhance their overall results, and feel more comfortable in their bodies.

Is a Facelift the Best Solution for Ozempic® Face?

If you’ve noticed hollowing in your cheeks, jowling around your jawline, or sagging skin on your neck after Ozempic® or Wegovy®, a facelift may be the answer.

A facelift after GLP-1 weight loss can:

• Restore midface volume (sometimes combined with fat grafting)
• Tighten sagging skin along the cheeks and jawline
• Redefine the neck and reduce the common “turkey neck” appearance
• Smooth deep folds around the mouth (nasolabial folds)

For some patients, a deep plane facelift, which repositions deeper tissue layers, offers the most natural and long-lasting correction for “Ozempic® face.”

Minimally invasive treatments like dermal fillers and skin-tightening treatments may help early on, but for moderate to severe volume loss or skin laxity, surgery typically provides the most effective, lasting improvement.

What About a Body Lift or Tummy Tuck for My Post-Ozempic® Body?

While facial aging gets a lot of attention, the Ozempic® body is a real concern, too. After dramatic weight loss, many people are left with loose skin around the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, or buttocks.

A body procedure after Ozempic® can address these concerns:

• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Removes loose, sagging skin in the belly and waist while tightening the abdominal muscles.
• Lower Body Lift: Removes excess skin and lifts the abdomen, outer thighs, and buttocks.
• Panniculectomy: This is the most commonly performed procedure after weight loss. A panniculectomy removes the sagging apron of skin between the lower abdomen and pubic area that almost always accompanies dramatic abdominal weight loss.
• Thigh Lift: Targets sagging inner or outer thighs.
• Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Reduces hanging skin along the upper arms, often referred to as “bat wings.”
• Breast Lift or Augmentation: Corrects deflation and sagging in the breasts, especially for women.

These procedures can be performed individually or combined into a post-weight loss plastic surgery plan, depending on your goals, medical history, and timeline.

Why Is the Demand for Post-Weight Loss Surgery Rising?

There are several reasons for the surge in plastic surgery procedures being performed after GLP-1 weight loss:

1. Better Access to Care: As weight loss medications become more accessible and readily available, so do consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons.
2. Aesthetic Awareness: Patients who work hard to lose weight want to look as vibrant on the outside as they feel on the inside.
3. Younger Demographics: Many GLP-1 users are in their 30s to 50s and are more likely to seek cosmetic support.
4. Social Media Influence: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have normalized both GLP-1 medications and cosmetic surgery, reducing stigma and encouraging more people to explore their options.

Do I Need Plastic Surgery for My Ozempic® Face or Body?

If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight on Ozempic®, Wegovy®, or Mounjaro® and are now struggling with loose skin or unwanted hollows, it’s worth considering a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

Here are a few signs you may be ready for surgery:

• Your weight has been stable for at least three to six months
• You’re in good overall health and don’t smoke
• You have realistic expectations
• Sagging skin is causing physical discomfort or affecting your self-confidence

Combining your medical weight loss journey with cosmetic surgery can be the final step in a transformative process that boosts not just your health but also your self-esteem.

Discouraged by Loose Skin After Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, or Wegovy® Weight Loss?

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® have changed the lives of countless individuals. However, the side effects, like loose skin, can be unexpected and emotionally challenging.

If you’re dealing with unwanted aesthetic side effects after your incredible weight loss, know that help is available. A facelift, tummy tuck, body lift, breast lift procedures, or other plastic surgeries can support your transformation and help you feel truly at ease in your body. Many plastic surgeons in Phoenix and Scottsdale, such as Dr. Robert Spies, offer low-interest financing options to make paying for cosmetic surgery easier.

Learn More About Post-Weight Loss Face and Body Contouring in Scottsdale, AZ

Cosmetic facial surgery and body contouring can help you achieve firmer skin and a nicely contoured body after GLP-1 or surgical weight loss. Call our Scottsdale board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Spies, at (480) 359-1019 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation.