Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were also a topic of discussion at my recent Plastic Surgery meeting. These medications were originally used to treat diabetes, but while improving insulin sensitivity, they also slow down digestion and lead to weight loss. Learn more about GLP-1RA’s.
The short hand term to describe the aesthetic effects of this often significant weight loss is Ozempic Face and Body. Ozempic Face may include loss of facial fat volume leading to hanging skin and skin wrinkling with loss of elasticity. Ozempic body may include the same effects on the arms, trunk, and thighs. The picture is very similar to large weight loss surgeries like gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. As plastic surgeons, we approach these problems in the same way, no matter how they occur.
Patients on these drugs contemplating surgery should make sure they have good nutrition, especially protein intake. Also, these drugs should be ceased optimally 2 weeks before and after surgery (gastric emptying and nutrition effects). Anesthetists may change this advisory at some point.
Some plastic surgeons have prescribed GLP-1RAs, but these medications may have complex interactions and side effects, so I prefer my internal medicine and family medicine colleagues to do the prescribing.
