Post-Ozempic Body Contouring is a collection of surgical and non-surgical procedures that address the changes in body composition that can occur after using the weight-loss medication semaglutide. Also known by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, semaglutide is a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and has been shown to assist in weight loss. However, significant weight loss can sometimes result in loose skin, stubborn pockets of fat, and altered body proportions.

At Korman MD, we understand the unique challenges individuals may face when it comes to achieving their desired body shape after weight loss. Dr. Joshua Korman, a renowned plastic surgeon, specializes in post-Ozempic body contouring procedures that target specific areas of concern.

Schedule a consultation at your nearest office by calling the relevant number below. Let us help you achieve the body contours you desire after your semaglutide weight loss journey. 

About Post-Ozempic Body Contouring

Semaglutide is an innovative medication that has been proven effective in the treatment of obesity. As patients experience weight loss through this treatment, they may also encounter changes in their body composition. While the health benefits of weight loss are numerous, it is not uncommon for individuals to face challenges with the following:

  • Loose skin 
  • Stubborn fat deposits
  • Weight loss in undesirable areas
  • Lack of muscle tone
  • Crepey skin
  • Loss of facial volume (“Ozempic face”)
  • Flattened buttocks (“Ozempic butt”)

Research confirms that, despite significant achievements in weight loss, many individuals deal with serious and continuing body image issues, persistent skin irritation, and skeletal pain. (1) Through surgical lifting procedures and fat transfer, and non-surgical advanced technologies such as radiofrequency microneedling, cryogenic freezing, and fillers, we can target specific areas of concern, stimulate collagen production, tighten loose skin, and contour the face and body.

Body Lift

Body lift surgery is the cornerstone of post-weight loss body contouring. It helps patients achieve their desired aesthetic goals by removing excess skin and contouring the midsection, flanks, and back. It may also remove the large apron of tissue, known as the pannus, in the lower abdomen, located above the mons pubis.

The body lift procedure typically involves several techniques, including excision of excess skin, liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat, and abdominal muscle tightening (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty) to restore tone and definition. Dr. Korman strategically places incisions to minimize visible scarring and employs advanced surgical techniques to ensure optimal results and a smooth recovery.

Facelift

A facelift after massive weight loss is a procedure that restores a youthful and rejuvenated appearance to counter the effects of so-called “Ozempic face”. This anomaly causes a loss of facial volume and a hollowness in the facial tissues that can cause a significant difference in appearance.

During a facelift procedure, Dr. Korman carefully removes excess skin and tightens underlying tissues to restore a more youthful and harmonious appearance. This may involve addressing sagging jowls, deep folds around the mouth, loose skin on the neck, or drooping cheeks. By precisely repositioning tissues, with or without the addition of facial fat transfer, Dr. Korman can create a smoother, tighter, and more defined facial contour.

Other Lifting Procedures

Arm Lift

Also known as brachioplasty, an arm lift is a cosmetic procedure aimed at removing excess skin and fat from the upper arms, resulting in a more streamlined and youthful appearance. It addresses so-called “bat wings” of excess tissue in the upper arms.

During an arm lift procedure, Dr. Korman makes strategic incisions along the inside or back of the upper arm, carefully removing excess skin and fat deposits. He then tightens and reshapes the underlying tissues to create a more defined and proportionate arm contour. 

Patients with less excess skin in the upper arm may wish to seek a mini arm lift.

Thigh Lift

After significant weight loss, the skin on the thighs can become stretched and loose, leading to the formation of unwanted skin and fat deposits in the thighs. Thigh lift surgery involves removing the excess skin from the upper legs and tightening the underlying tissues to create a smoother, more defined thigh appearance. Dr. Korman will tailor the procedure to each patient’s unique needs, taking into consideration factors such as the amount of excess skin, the distribution of fat deposits, and the patient’s desired outcome.

Breast Lift

For women, post-semaglutide weight loss can dramatically change the breasts. One of the primary concerns addressed during a breast lift is sagging. As excess weight is lost, the skin loses elasticity, causing the breasts to droop or appear deflated. Dr. Korman utilizes advanced surgical techniques to tighten and lift the breast tissue, removing excess skin and repositioning the nipples to a more youthful placement. (2) This results in a firmer, more lifted appearance, restoring a natural and balanced contour to the breasts. Implants may also be added to the lift for comprehensive size and shape changes.

Fat Transfer

Fat transfer involves the removal of excess fat from one area of the body and transferring it to another area that may lack volume or contour. This technique offers a natural and long-lasting solution for enhancing various areas, including the face, buttocks, and breasts.

Fat Transfer for “Ozempic Face”

Fat transfer can address facial hollowing from “Ozempic face”, and may work as a standalone procedure, or combined with a facelift. By carefully harvesting fat cells from areas with excess fat, such as the abdomen or thighs, we can strategically inject the purified fat into areas that have lost volume, such as the cheeks, temples, or nasolabial folds.

Fat Transfer for “Ozempic Butt”

For those seeking fuller and shapelier buttocks, fat transfer provides a safe and effective alternative to gluteal implants. By carefully injecting the harvested fat cells into targeted areas of the buttocks, we can create a rounder and more lifted appearance, enhancing the overall proportions of the body. This technique, commonly known as buttock augmentation, offers natural-looking results without the need for synthetic materials.

Post-Ozempic Skin Tightening

Renuvion, also known as J-Plasma, is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure that utilizes the power of plasma energy to achieve remarkable skin tightening and rejuvenating results.

One of the key benefits of Renuvion is its ability to deliver surgical precision without the need for extensive incisions or traditional surgery. The procedure involves a small incision through which Dr. Korman inserts a specialized device. This device combines helium gas with radiofrequency energy to create a unique form of cold plasma. This plasma energy is then directed beneath the skin, targeting the subdermal layers.

Once the plasma energy reaches the targeted area, it causes subdermal coagulation, which essentially means that the tissues are heated and contracted. This process stimulates collagen production, leading to improved skin elasticity and firmness. As a result, patients experience significant tightening of the treated area, resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Non-Surgical Procedures

Morpheus8 

Morpheus8 and Morpheus8 Body combine the power of microneedling and radiofrequency energy (RF) to stimulate collagen production and promote soft tissue remodeling. By delivering RF through tiny needles into the deeper layers of the skin, Morpheus8 targets a wide range of concerns including skin laxity and crepiness from significant weight loss.

Coolsculpting

Coolsculpting is an FDA-approved aesthetic treatment that targets and freezes stubborn fat cells in specific areas of the body, resulting in their gradual elimination. The procedure works by applying controlled cooling technology to the targeted area, effectively crystallizing the fat cells. Over time, the body naturally processes and eliminates these frozen fat cells, leading to a more contoured and sculpted appearance.

Emsculpt NEO

Emsculpt NEO is a non-surgical treatment that utilizes high-intensity electromagnetic therapy to target specific muscles in the abdomen, butt, arms, and legs, stimulating powerful contractions that lead to muscle building and toning. This innovative treatment not only helps you achieve your desired body shape but also enhances overall strength and definition. By simultaneously reducing unwanted fat, Emsculpt NEO provides comprehensive body recontouring results that can transform your appearance. It can also be used in combination with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), namely Testosterone Replacement Therapy to improve muscle gain and muscle tone.

Fillers 

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane are designed to address facial volume loss. They can treat specific areas of hollowness to aesthetically contour “Ozempic face” to create a more youthful and refined appearance.

Sculptra is a biostimulatory filler that offers natural-looking non-surgical butt lift results for those suffering from “Ozempic butt”.

Cost of Post-Ozempic Body Contouring in San Jose

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Joshua Korman, we will provide cost guidance for your individualized post-semaglutide body contouring plan.

If you’re ready to take the next step in sculpting your body after Ozempic, Dr. Joshua Korman is here to guide you. Contact Korman MD to schedule an appointment and let us help you achieve the body you’ve always dreamed of.

FAQ

How does Ozempic help with weight loss?

Ozempic works by mimicking the actions of the natural hormone GLP-1 that is produced in the intestines. GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar levels and has an impact on appetite control. By activating the GLP-1 receptors, Ozempic can help reduce hunger, increase feelings of fullness, and ultimately lead to weight loss.

What happens to skin after taking semaglutide?

As a person loses weight, the skin may become lax or loose. Surgical and non-surgical body contouring treatments can help tighten and firm the skin, improving overall body shape and contour.

What is body contouring, and how does it fit into the context of Ozempic treatment?

In the context of Ozempic treatment, surgical and non-surgical body contouring can be valuable complements to aid in achieving the desired body shape transformation. It can help address localized areas of fat and excess skin that may not respond adequately to weight loss efforts alone, resulting in a more sculpted and toned appearance.

References

  1. Boswell CB. Body Contouring Following Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2010;107(3):189-194. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6188338/ 
  2. Cabbabe SW. Plastic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2016;113(3):202-206. Accessed January 16, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140063/#:~:text=Most%20MWL%20patients%2C%20however%2C%20have