Weight loss medications like Ozempic have transformed the way people manage obesity. For many, long-term dieting and exercise struggles have been replaced by a simple injection that effectively sheds excess weight. While this is a major breakthrough for health and wellness, it has also led to an unexpected demand for cosmetic procedures to address the side effects of rapid weight loss.
Facial changes due to rapid weight loss
One of the most noticeable effects of Ozempic and similar drugs is the impact on facial appearance. As fat diminishes, patients often experience:
- Hollowed cheeks: a loss of volume in the mid-face can create a gaunt look
- Sagging skin: the rapid decrease in fat can leave the skin loose, particularly around the jawline
- Sunken eyes: reduced fat under the eyes may result in a more tired or aged appearance
Although many individuals initially appreciate a slimmer face, the unintended consequence is that these changes can make them look older rather than rejuvenated, which can be frustrating when you’ve feeling in your best shape for many years.
Treatment options for facial volume loss
Although minimally invasive procedures such as dermal fillers or anti-wrinkle injections have some benefits, they are typically not the right solution for the changes caused by rapid weight loss.
- Facelift surgery: severe sagging may require a facelift to reposition and tighten the skin.
- Neck lift: the lower face is particularly susceptible to loss of skin elasticity and a neck lift combined with a lower facelift will restore a tauter, more youthful neck and jawline.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): this procedure can improve the appearance of sunken eyes by removing excess skin and fat and smoothing the cheek-lid junction.
Body changes and excess skin
Weight loss medications don’t just affect the face – they also impact the body. When weight is lost quickly, the skin may not have enough time to retract, leading to loose skin on the arms, thighs, and abdomen, as well as stretching and crepey skin, particularly in areas with significant fat loss.
To correct these concerns, patients often turn to body contouring procedures, such as:
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal area
- Arm lift: eliminates sagging skin from the upper arms
- Thigh lift:Â helps reshape and tighten the thigh area
- Breast lift: also known as a mastopexy, it lifts the breasts to make you feel younger and more rejuvenated
- Body lift: an extensive procedure that provides a more youthful and toned appearance by contouring the abdomen, hips and lower back
Why is it Called the ‘Ozempic Effect’?
Although these changes can result from any type of rapid weight loss, plastic surgeons are seeing a significant increase in patients seeking corrective procedures specifically due to injectable weight loss drugs like Ozempic.
More worryingly, some US surgeons have reported that patients using Ozempic appear to have a weaker SMAS layer – the connective tissue and muscle that support the face. This can make facelift surgeries more challenging, as strong muscle support is necessary for optimal, natural-looking results. As always, choosing a highly skilled and experienced facelift surgeon is a must.
The future of cosmetic surgery and weight loss
As the popularity of weight loss drugs continues to rise, plastic surgeons are adapting to the growing demand for post-weight-loss cosmetic treatments. While these medications offer incredible benefits for overall health, patients should be aware of the potential aesthetic changes and the available solutions to maintain a youthful, natural appearance.
If you are concerned about the ageing effect of rapid weight loss, or would like to find out more about any of the treatment options mentioned above, please contact us to book a consultation with Mr Karidis.
