GLP-1 Use Could Boost Risky US Plastic Surgery Demand
Weight-loss drugs are reshaping plastic surgery, with more patients seeking treatment for loose skin and volume loss.
GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, have led millions of individuals to lose considerable amounts of weight. However, for some, the next step is not to lose more weight, but to address the aesthetic changes that can result from rapid weight loss. According to a Gallup study, GLP-1 injectable usage for weight loss has nearly quadrupled in the U.S. since 2024, with 11 percent of the 342 million population currently on such medication.
This figure surpasses the 9.9 percent of people who smoke cigarettes, as reported in the 2024 National Health Interview Survey. While weight loss brings numerous health and cosmetic benefits, it also presents certain drawbacks. Excessive skin and altered body shape are common consequences of rapid weight loss. The increased use of GLP-1s is anticipated to drive demand for plastic surgery services as patients opt for body-contouring procedures like tummy tucks, lower body lifts, arm lifts, thigh lifts and breast reshaping to tackle loose skin and volume loss.
"When a patient loses 30+ pounds, the skin does not retract," explains Ronald Rosso, MD, a plastic surgeon and medical director at Peninsula Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles. "Post GLP-1 body contouring is a series of surgical procedures aimed at removing excess skin from the abdomen, breasts, arms and thighs, depending on the patient's specific needs."
Body-contouring procedures are generally recommended once a patient's weight has stabilized and are customized based on the extent of excess skin, overall health, and personal goals. Dr. Ash Patel, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Duke Health, concurs that the rising use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is likely to boost demand for body contouring and facial rejuvenation procedures following substantial weight loss.
Patel was a part of a 2026 five-doctor study that discovered a correlation between rapid preoperative weight loss and higher complication risks after abdominal body contouring, particularly among patients who combined bariatric surgery with GLP-1 therapy. The study, which involved 552 patients, emphasizes the necessity for stable weight, comprehensive medical and nutritional assessments, and personalized counseling before plastic surgery.
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