Many people are taking GLP-1 medications to treat diabetes and other illnesses. And they’ve been largely successful with the medication.
One of the benefits of GLP-1 medications that many didn’t expect, however, is weight loss. Some patients on this medication have experienced serious weight loss.
And while this can be exciting, patients may be left with loose or hanging skin that is embarrassing. Plastic surgery is often the best way to remedy this. Yet, given the newness of these meds, there are still questions as to whether GLP-1 medications affect surgical risks.
How Do GLP-1 Medications Work?
You’ve likely seen the commercials for them.
Common GLP-1 medications include semaglutides such as Ozempic and Wegovy; Tirzepatides including Zepbound and Mounjaro; a Dulaglutide such as Trulicity; Liraglutides such as Saxenda and Victoza; a Lixisenatide like Adlyxin; and Exenatides including Byetta and Bydureon BCise.
These medications work by mimicking a hormone in the body known as GLP-1. The hormone serves several roles in the body.
It triggers the pancreas to release insulin that will allow the body to use food for energy. It also lowers blood sugar. Without enough insulin, blood sugar increases, and this can lead to diabetes.
GLP-1 also affects the parts of your brain that process hunger and satiety (fullness). It does this by promoting slower digestion so that the body releases less sugar from ingested food into the bloodstream. This increases the sense of being full (or satiated) after eating.
Finally, the body uses glucagon to raise blood sugar levels when necessary. Another role of GLP-1 is in to lower glucagon secretion to prevent more glucose from entering the bloodstream.
With this more effective management of blood sugar, GLP-1 medications reduce one’s food intake, appetite, and hunger. And that means weight loss and the above-mentioned loose skin.
When patients seek out plastic surgery for this, the tummy tuck is one of the most common procedures recommended. It not only removes excess skin, but it also tightens the underlying muscles to flatten the abdomen.
Yet, recent studies on these new medications have given doctors reason to think about just how GLP-1 medications are affecting surgical outcomes.
Do GLP-1 Medications Affect Surgical Risks?
There’s not a simple yes or no answer here. The results are mixed.
According to a recent article on the ASPS website, patients who used GLP-1 medications were at a higher risk of delayed wound healing: 18.5% as compared to 7.5% in the non-GLP-1 group. However, GLP-1 users also had a lower rate of fluid build-up (seroma) under the wound: 4.9% versus 14.0% for the non-GLP-1 group.
There are always factors to consider in any study. Yet, both of these differences remained significant even after adjusting for them. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was not significantly different between the two groups either.
Still, one of the most important considerations is that the population taking GLP-1 medications is going to be more likely to have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which could impact wound healing.
Whatever the case, most board-certified plastic surgeons recommend stopping GLP-1 medications before surgery. Mostly because its ability to stop the stomach from emptying could lead to aspiration or other more serious situations that could require hospitalization.
Work With Only the Most Experienced Surgeons
If you’ve experienced dramatic weight loss, you may be considering plastic surgery but are concerned about whether GLP-1 medications affect surgical results.
We understand.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our highly experienced and skilled board-certified plastic surgeons. We won’t move forward until after you’ve had a comprehensive session and we have a thorough understanding of your situation and aesthetic goals.