Dr. Lindsey's Newsletter #39 - Post-Ozempic Plastic Surgery

Post-Ozempic Plastic Surgery

The first time I heard about Ozempic was through a game of telephone that led back to Kim Kardashian. The rule of six degrees of separation never fails. My friend was having her hair colored in LA and her stylist had a client who is an employee of the Kardashians. She spilled the tea that the reason why Kim and Khloe had suddenly become much leaner was because of Ozempic. Over the next six months it became public knowledge that the Kardashians were using Ozempic and America quickly followed suit.

Body Changes After Massive Weight Loss

Although Ozempic is a relatively new therapy for weight loss, the effects of massive weight loss have been studied for many years. Prior to Ozempic, bariatric surgery was the most common medical intervention that led to massive weight loss. Massive weight loss generally involves shedding a substantial percentage of one's initial body weight, often exceeding 50 pounds or more. There is a predictable way in which the human body changes after a significant amount of weight is lost. 

5 Ways the Body Changes After Massive Weight Loss 

1. Excess Skin: Following significant weight loss, individuals may experience excess or loose skin, particularly in areas where fat was once stored in large quantities. This excess skin can lead to aesthetic concerns and essentially created the subspecialty of body contouring within plastic surgery. 
2. Premature Facial Aging: A feature that is common to aging and massive weight loss is the decrease in size of the facial fat compartments. Once these fat compartments deflate the face appears aged. The loss of fullness in the face plus excess skin left behind can lead to the appearance of premature aging.
3. Changes in Body Composition: Massive weight loss typically results in a decrease in overall body fat and, in many cases, a loss of muscle mass. This can lead to changes in body composition, with individuals potentially experiencing a decrease in overall body size and changes in their body shape and proportions.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies: While Ozempic itself does not directly cause nutritional deficiencies, its mechanism of action and potential side effects can indirectly lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients. Through a suppressed appetite and altered digestive function Ozempic users may develop deficiencies that can manifest as fatigue, weakness, hair loss, brittle nails, anemia, osteoporosis, and neurological issues.
5. Wound Healing Problems: Because of the nutritional deficiencies that are caused by an unbalanced diet or altered absorption, the body does not have the necessary building blocks to heal a wound. The most common wound healing problem in the massive weight loss population is dehiscence (pulling apart of closed incision) and has been reported as high as 30% in literature. 

There are significant safety concerns that must be addressed when planning surgery after massive weight loss. These concerns range from life threatening events to achieving the best aesthetic outcome. If you are curious about my approach to safety when planning surgery for a massive weight loss patient, stay tuned.

Don’t miss our next newsletter: 

“5 Critical Safety Components for Massive Weight Loss Surgery”

As always, here's to choosing how we age, on our own terms!