Within the aesthetic world, GLP-1 medicines have gone from buzz-worthy to practice-defining. Whereas the dramatic weight reduction outcomes are simple to see on social media, what’s not talked about sufficient are the bodily modifications occurring beneath the floor and the way they’re impacting cosmetic surgery outcomes.
Featured Consultants
- Dr. Mokhtar Asaadi is a board-certified plastic surgeon in West Orange, NJ
- Dr. Mariam Awada is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI
- Dr. Johnny Franco is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, TX
GLP-1s Are Altering the Plastic Surgical procedure Panorama
“A few of these sufferers are available they usually’re medically not prepared,” mentioned West Orange, NJ plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD, who described sufferers with low serum albumin, swelling and poor therapeutic capability after long-term GLP-1 use. “They give the impression of being malnourished… that causes quite a lot of swelling for them and you will get to quite a lot of hassle with them, particularly for the mission of the seroma, which is fluid assortment after you do the physique surgical procedure on them.”
For Dr. Asaadi, the takeaway is straightforward: when you’re not medically optimized, surgical procedure ought to wait.
Others on the panel echoed issues however shared a broader view of the medicines’ influence. Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon Mariam Awada, MD, mentioned she noticed each execs and cons. “I noticed so many constructive issues that then I began it myself,” she shared, explaining that after her most cancers prognosis and sudden menopause, she gained weight that was exhausting to lose—till GLP-1s. “I really feel more healthy than ever. I really feel higher than ever. I really feel extra assured than ever.”
Nonetheless, she emphasised the significance of life-style and dietary help. “You undoubtedly wish to cease it earlier than surgical procedure, and also you undoubtedly want to begin being proactive, whether or not it’s growing your protein consumption, taking multivitamins and simply consuming very wholesome.”
When to Get Surgical procedure Safely After Ozempic
Stabilization is the important thing theme. “From an anesthesia standpoint, it is extremely necessary to ideally cease it at minimal a month earlier than,” mentioned Dr. Awada. “I desire months earlier than… then you realize that they’ve stabilized, they’ve achieved their baseline they usually’re not gonna rebound.”
Austin, TX plastic surgeon Johnny Franco, MD, who has handled over 1,500 GLP-1 sufferers month-to-month, sees them as a catalyst for change. “There’s not been a medicine that’s had extra of a ripple impact,” he famous. “You’re seeing actually younger sufferers with mature points.” For him, it’s a chance for surgeons to assist information sufferers from the beginning of their journey by means of upkeep and aesthetic refinement.
Youthful Sufferers, Older Considerations
This ripple impact is already altering the demographics of aesthetic consultations. Sufferers of their 30s and 40s at the moment are presenting with laxity, quantity loss and pores and skin high quality points as soon as reserved for a lot older sufferers. In response to Dr. Franco, that is already reshaping long-term therapy planning. “You’re excited about these 20- and 30-year-olds with extra mature points. It’s going to reshape how we strategy anti-aging.”
How Regenerative Aesthetics Can Assist
With pores and skin and quantity modifications occurring quickly after weight reduction, regenerative aesthetics are extra necessary than ever. “I get an outstanding end result with the nanofat,” mentioned Dr. Asaadi. He makes use of it significantly across the eyes and mouth, the place he says it avoids the lumpiness of conventional fats grafting.
Dr. Awada has used regenerative methods for over a decade. “I known as it prejuvenation,” she mentioned. “You wish to keep forward of the sport.” Her go-to choices embody PRP microneedling, radio frequency-based collagen stimulation, biostimulatory fillers like Bellafill and Sculptra and fats switch to the face, breast and physique. “Folks look higher at three months than three weeks and 9 months than three months,” she mentioned of Bellafill specifically.
Dr. Franco emphasised that the thrill round exosomes and secretome therapies is actual however wants extra information. “There’s some actually nice merchandise on the market, however possibly not as effectively data-driven merchandise, too.” He pointed to imminent scientific trials that use a affected person’s hair follicles to stimulate new progress issue manufacturing. “That opens up quite a lot of avenues,” he mentioned.
Not Each Repair Is Surgical
Surgical procedure isn’t at all times the reply—particularly for youthful sufferers or these within the early levels of transformation. “We attempt to get folks concerned in nonsurgical very, very early,” mentioned Dr. Franco. “Hopefully, they’ll keep away from a few of these surgical remedies.” On the similar time, he acknowledged that in circumstances of serious weight reduction, surgical procedure might finally be wanted to handle pores and skin laxity—particularly within the decrease physique, the place scars are extra seen.
Dr. Awada shared her strategy: “I at all times begin with essentially the most minimally invasive non-surgical, then differentiate the professionals and cons.” Her instruments embody RF microneedling, lasers like Pico and ICON and VASER for surgical pores and skin tightening with out massive incisions. “It’s my go-to for neck lipo with pores and skin tightening,” she mentioned, utilizing it for arms and thighs when sufferers don’t need massive scars.
For sufferers who’ve exhausted nonsurgical choices, Dr. Asaadi gives surgical options that ship dramatic pores and skin tightening—typically utilizing energy-based liposuction paired together with his a long time of experience. “You must know what you’re doing,” he mentioned of utilizing VASER. “It takes a bit longer, however the outcomes are phenomenal.”
The Backside Line
The GLP-1 period is altering not simply our bodies however the aesthetic selections that comply with. These medicines are bringing in a wave of sufferers, some youthful, some new to aesthetics, who want personalised, medically sound care.
Whether or not the trail is surgical, nonsurgical or someplace in between, the very best outcomes rely upon a complete strategy. Meaning correct timing, affected person training and a renewed deal with regenerative methods to revive what weight reduction might take away.
