The popularity of GLP-1 medications has changed the face of plastic surgery. Pun intended. The unwanted aesthetic side effect of a gaunt face due to rapid loss of facial volume has been coined Ozempic face. And plastic surgeons across the country have jumped in to restore that lost volume.
But now there’s a new term trending on social media and the internet at large. Ozempic ear.
Yet, is Ozempic ear an actual thing? Are these new medications truly causing ears to sag or is it just the latest marketing scam? The jury is still out.
The Hype Around GLP-1 Medications
Rapid weight reduction, such as occurs with GLP-1 medications, often leaves behind stretched, sagging skin that doesn’t magically shrink back to fit your new body. Patients notice this phenomenon most frequently in the face, abdomen, arms, and thighs. Fortunately, body contouring surgery offers a solution.
A facelift or neck lift can deliver an enhanced and more youthful appearance. A tummy tuck removes excess skin (and fat, where applicable) to give patients a smoother and flatter abdomen. With an arm lift, excess skin is removed, and the supportive tissue underneath is tightened and reshaped using internal sutures. The skin is then smoothed over to create a new and more toned upper arm. And a thigh lift is a cosmetic surgery that delivers a contoured appearance by removing excess skin and, where applicable, fat.
But what’s the reality of ear sagging as a result of GLP-1s?
Is Ozempic Ear an Actual Thing?
Some concerns about GLP-1 side effects, including sagging to the ears, have research to back them up. Others, however, are merely garnering press attention based on one expert’s observation and some anecdotal evidence backing it. Then there are those, of course, who swear that rapid weight loss from a GLP-1 is causing sagging lobes. They are often touting this while advertising the wonders of a magical and low-downtime surgery they can provide that can restore earlobes to their original shape and size.
So is Ozempic ear a real condition or a made-up problem?
According to some experts on the topic, GLP-1 patients are bound to lose some volume in their earlobes, but probably not solely because of the drug. Many plastic surgeons attribute aging and heavy earrings to having a more significant impact. Especially in older patients. So basically, each person’s anatomy and extent of weight loss will dictate the degree of change in the earlobes.
Regardless of whether a patient has ‘Ozempic ear’ or some other factor has caused their earlobes to sag, there are cosmetic solutions. Earlobe correction surgery is a very straightforward procedure where excess tissue is removed, and the ear is sutured to create a more pleasant appearance. It’s performed in-office under local anesthesia.
The other, far simpler option is filler injections. They’re less invasive and may only need to be re-administered on occasion.
Could Your Ear Lobes Use a Tune-Up?
The world may never know the answer to the question: Is Ozempic ear an actual thing? But it doesn’t really matter.
If you’re not happy with the appearance of your earlobes – regardless of the reason – contact us today.
During your consultation, we’ll go over all of the possibilities for bringing volume and fullness back into your earlobes for a more youthful appearance.
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