GLP-1 Weight Loss and Plastic Surgery
The future of plastic surgery is transforming before our eyes as GLP-1 medications help patients shed weight. As the demand for GLP-1 medications grows, so does the need for board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr Grasee and Dr Bergman who can refine and perfect the weight loss journey that begins, increasingly, with a prescription.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists were initially targeted to help manage blood glucose control in Type II diabetic patients. These medications were found to cause weight loss while also decreasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes. Over the last several years, the astounding weight loss results caused by the off label use of Ozempic (semiglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzapatide) in the non-diabetic population has prompted the creation and approval of GLP-1 medications specifically approved for weight loss. The GLP-1 medications Wegovy (semiglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are specifically approved for weight loss. As GLP-1 medications continue to gain popularity and become a mainstay in weight management, the relationship between weight loss and body contouring is becoming ever more connected.
GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a protein of the same name that is made naturally in the intestines when we eat. When used for weight management, these medications decrease our appetites and slow the rate at which food exits the stomach. As a result, we eat less because we are thinking less about food and are satisfied with smaller portions – even if we weren’t overeating.
Thus, these prescription medications not only cause weight loss, but have ripple effects that drive people towards plastic surgery. Many struggle with excess skin after significant weight loss that can hinder their final results. Therefore, contouring procedures are increasingly becoming part of the weight loss health and fitness journey.
For most people, the primary goal of a body contouring surgery such as abdominoplasty after major weight loss is to remove uncomfortable and unsightly excess skin and tighten the abdominal musculature. With the addition of liposuction, your procedure could also address small areas of stubborn fat that often accumulate in areas such as your hips. Other body contouring procedures such as mastopexy (breast lift), brachioplasty (arm lift) or thigh lift are also often used after significant weight loss to maximize the aesthetic outcome after achieving an ideal body weight. View our photo gallery.
If you feel that you are at a good place in your weight loss journey to start planning for body contouring, the next step is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr Grasee and Dr Bergman can help you plan the most appropriate body contouring timeline for your unique situation, as well as explain your options and help you decide which procedure(s) might be right for you.
We invite you to learn more by contacting us.
