WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS AND FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY: A TOP DOC OFFERS INSIGHT

GLP-1 medications for weight loss are significantly transforming the field of facial plastic surgery—so much so that the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) included the subject in their 2024 annual survey. The stats speak for themselves: facial plastic surgeons have reported a 50 percent rise in the average number of fat grafting procedures performed over the past year, a trend likely fueled by patients aiming to restore lost volume while enhancing facial contours. Additionally, one in four facial plastic surgeons anticipate that GLP-1 medications will drive a growing demand for non-surgical treatments, such as injectable fillers and skin tightening procedures. Finally, in response to the skyrocketing popularity of GLP-1 medications,10 percent of AAFPRS members have started personally prescribing them—a figure that is anticipated to grow in the coming years.
For patients taking these medications and considering facial plastic surgery, there’s a lot of information to digest. To separate fact from fiction, we asked facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Patrick Byrne, president of the AAFPRS, to weigh in on five common questions. 
1. Do I need to stop taking my weight loss drug before surgery?
Yes. . Weight loss drugs cause gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, which increases the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. The current recommendation is to pause these medications three to seven days before surgery to reduce complications, but every surgery is different. You’ll want to discuss this in detail with your surgeon and anesthesiologist.  

2. I just started taking weight loss medication. Should I postpone my facial plastic surgery? 
If you’re planning to lose more than 10-15 pounds, it’s best to wait until your weight is stable before undergoing surgery. Large changes—whether gain or loss—can diminish the longevity of surgical outcomes, particularly for procedures that rely on maintaining soft tissue volume, as well as skin and tissue tension. 

3. Should I wait until I’m recovered from surgery to restart my GLP-1 medications?
It’s a good idea, especially because these drugs can also contribute to nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, which may slow recovery. If patients are losing weight too rapidly, they might develop nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, vitamins, and electrolytes, which could impair wound healing and immune function postoperatively. And for patients managing diabetes, there’s the added risk of hypoglycemia, since GLP-1 drugs lower blood sugar. Your doctor will be able to tell you when it’s safe to resume your shots. 

4. Are there any procedures patients on weight loss drugs should avoid completely?
I would be cautious about performing facial fat grafting procedures on patients who are still actively losing weight, as their facial fat distribution is still changing. Similarly, minimally invasive skin-tightening treatments may not provide the desired long-term results if significant weight loss continues. For major procedures like facelifts, neck lifts, and blepharoplasty, I strongly recommend ensuring weight stability for at least three to six months before surgery to avoid excessive laxity developing post-procedure. 

5. I recently had facial plastic surgery and I’m about to start taking weight loss medication. How can I maintain my results?
The biggest concern is excessive skin laxity and unpredictable volume loss. When weight loss happens too rapidly, especially in the face, patients may experience a gaunt appearance, deeper wrinkles, and significant sagging in areas like the midface, jowls, and neck. This can make outcomes of facial rejuvenation procedures less predictable and require more aggressive surgical intervention. However, there are many ways to incorporate non-surgical treatments like injectables or skin-tightening procedures to maintain results over time. This is why doctor-patient communication is so key. By combining weight loss strategies with well-timed cosmetic interventions, patients can achieve natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.
 

 

For more information or to set up an interview with Dr. Patrick Byrne, please contact KELZ PR: Patty Mathews (patty@kelzmedia.com) @kelzpr @aafprs

ABOUT THE AAFPRS:
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world’s largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery. It represents more than 2,200 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA) and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck (inclusive of Rhinoplasty and Facial Rejuvenation). More information at www.facemd.org.
 

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