Ozempic Face: How Ozempic Can Affect Your Appearance & Cosmetic Surgery Choices
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic have given new hope to those struggling to shed stubborn and unwelcome weight. But while some users are celebrating the transformation of their bodies, others are coming to terms with cosmetic Ozempic side effects they did not expect.
‘Ozempic face’ is the non-medical term used to describe the hollowed-out and sagging appearance that can result from weight loss drugs like Ozempic. We do not advocate the use of this kind of terminology, as it can increase the stigma around obesity and weight loss. However, it is important to shine a light on the unexpected side effects of significant weight loss, whether it’s due to Ozempic, other similar drugs or rapid weight loss in general.
Here, we look at the cosmetic side effects that can be associated with Ozempic. We also discuss the increase in cosmetic procedures resulting from weight loss drugs and how treatments such as facelifts, breast lifts and tummy tucks can help people refine their appearance after dramatic weight loss.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand of a medication called semaglutide, which belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists. It was originally manufactured as a medication to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and was approved for sale in 2017 in the US and 2018 in the EU.
As well as managing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, GLP-1 agonists can promote weight loss. As a result, many people use Ozempic ‘off-label’ to help them reach their desired body weight. Although Ozempic has not been approved to treat weight loss in the UK, Wegovy, another brand of semaglutide, has.
Semaglutide mimics the effect of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which makes you feel full and suppresses your appetite. By connecting to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, it makes you feel less hungry and slows the movement of food through the stomach so you feel fuller for longer.
To get Ozempic or Wegovy in the UK, you need a prescription from a doctor or a licensed online pharmacy. For a prescription, you’ll typically need a BMI of 30 or more and one weight-related health condition.
How can Ozempic affect your appearance?
According to clinical trials, people taking Ozempic can expect to lose around 5-10% of their body weight within the first six months of use. Exactly how much you lose will depend on several factors, including your dosage, diet, how much exercise you do and other lifestyle modifications. There are also some individuals, so-called non-responders, who don’t lose any weight on Ozempic at all.
While Ozempic’s weight loss benefits are widely known, some of the side effects can come as a bit of a shock. Medically speaking, the side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, headache, heartburn and fatigue. Although that’s not unusual, the cosmetic side effects are often unexpected and can be an unpleasant surprise.
Ozempic face
One of the hallmarks of Ozempic, Wegovy and other brands of semaglutide is a saggy, sunken face resulting from a loss of facial volume. These adverse effects of the weight loss drug have given some would-be users pause for thought.
Along with the loss of facial volume that can lead to a gaunt, hollowed-out appearance of the eyes and cheeks, there can also be an increase in skin laxity around the face and neck, which causes sagging. The looser skin and loss of facial fat can also accentuate existing lines and wrinkles, making them appear more prominent. This combination of side effects leads to a prematurely aged appearance that individuals are understandably unhappy with.
It’s worth noting that while this side effect is commonly referred to as ‘Ozempic face’, it can occur with any drugs that induce rapid weight loss, and rapid weight loss in general.
Ozempic breasts
Rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other semaglutide medications can also lead to a noticeable decrease in breast size and volume and changes to the breast shape. Fat loss around the breasts may also cause loose and sagging skin, creating a deflated appearance and potentially leading to downward-pointing nipples. These changes can all affect body confidence and self-esteem.
Ozempic tummy
Another unwanted side effect of Ozempic is loose skin on the tummy. Initially, the skin stretches to accommodate the extra weight, damaging the collagen and elastin fibres. When you lose the extra weight quickly, the skin does not have the elasticity to retract. The result is sagging skin that can affect your comfort and confidence.
Ozempic and cosmetic surgery: what are my options?
Understandably, developing any of the unwanted cosmetic side effects of Ozempic can be deeply distressing for individuals who have just lost a significant amount of weight. In this case, drugs cannot help, but cosmetic surgery can be an effective way to overcome this new aesthetic challenge.
Cosmetic solutions for Ozempic face
Injectable fillers and fat transfer procedures can restore volume to the face. These minimally invasive procedures can be effective for those experiencing mild Ozempic face ageing, but injectable fillers are only a short-term solution, and neither treatment addresses skin laxity or the appearance of wrinkles.
Those with moderate facial changes often see excellent results from minimally invasive skin tightening procedures, such as a mini facelift or neck lift. However, if you have more dramatic weight loss, particularly if you’ve lost over 40 pounds, there are limits to what minimally invasive procedures can achieve.
In that case, you might be better suited to a traditional facelift, which addresses skin laxity in the face and neck, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and repositions the deeper layers of the face – including muscles, fat and ligaments – to restore lost volume.
Cosmetic solutions for Ozempic breasts
If your breasts have lost volume and shape and are sagging following weight loss, a breast lift could be the most suitable solution. This is likely to be the best option if your breasts have significant sagging. The surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the supporting tissue to reshape, reposition and elevate the breasts, restoring fullness and creating a more lifted appearance.
Another option is breast augmentation. If you have lost breast volume, breast augmentation uses implants to enhance the shape and size of the breasts to give a fuller appearance. You can tailor the shape, size, profile and position of the implants for natural-looking breast implants that meet your specific goals.
In some cases, combining a breast lift with an implant procedure may be recommended to address the sagging while adding fullness. You can complete the two treatments in a single surgery, which reduces the cost and recovery time associated with having separate procedures.
Read more: Breast lift vs. implants: which procedure is right for me?
Cosmetic solutions for Ozempic tummy
The most effective way to remove the excess, sagging skin that can remain around the abdomen after rapid weight loss is a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and any remaining areas of stubborn fat from the stomach. It can also tighten the abdominal muscles and remove stretch marks to leave you with a flatter, more toned tummy and no more excess skin. As with all these procedures, you should wait until you’ve reached a stable weight before you go ahead.
Explore your cosmetic surgery options after Ozempic with Enhance
Ozempic can be a useful weight loss tool, but like any medication, be aware that there can be unwelcome side effects. At Enhance Medical, our experienced surgeons will help you overcome the aesthetic challenges you face after weight loss, whether it’s due to Ozempic or any other weight loss drug or method.
Find out more about cosmetic surgery at Enhance, including facelift, breast augmentation, breast lift and tummy tuck procedures. Book a free consultation at one of our locations throughout the UK and our surgeons will discuss your options and explain how they can achieve your aesthetic goals in a pressure-free environment.