The phrase “Ozempic Face” could have exploded on social media, but the facial changes that describe it as hollowing out cheeks, flat contours, sagging skin are nothing new. Surgeons have seen them for a long time in patients experiencing rapid and significant weight loss. The current difference is the speed and magnitude of conversion enabled by GLP-1 drugs and the fact that many patients are younger and otherwise healthy when these shifts appear.
Featured experts
Dr. Philip Capraro is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver, and Dr. Jose Frusso is a board-certified plastic surgeon located at Newton Center, Massachusetts.
Fat loss can be dramatic and uneven. Denver plastic surgeon Philip A. Capraro, Maryland, points out that patients who have lost over 100 pounds often have droopy skin that cannot contract quickly enough to match the difflet below. “The skin simply can’t shrink quickly enough. You should consider restoring both volume and skin support for a long-lasting natural result,” he says.
The name may be catchy, but MA plastic surgeon Joseph Russo, Newton Center, Massachusetts, MD, believes it obscures the real cause. As he explains, “It’s not the drug’s fault. Most of the aging is related to loss of volume. If you have a large or sudden weight loss, you’ll take volume from an area that was previously full, so focus on it.”
In the case of Denver plastic surgeon Philip A. Capraro, Maryland, this pattern is familiar from years of barrier-trick work. The skin cannot contract quickly enough to match the deflation beneath it, leaving a particularly visible looseness on the face and neck. “You should consider restoring both volume and skin support for a long-term, natural outcome,” he says.
Hold the line without surgery
Patients who have only changed during their weight loss journey or have only mild changes can benefit from early targeted treatment. Collagen-stimulated injections such as Sculptra and Radiesse can replenish structural support while improving skin quality over time. To restore shape and definition, hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite fillers can be strategically placed in the cheekbones, jawlines, or temples.
Skin-rich technology provides another layer of defense. Radio frequency microneedling devices such as Morpheus8, and ultrasound-based treatments such as Ultherapy and Sofwave can subtly stiffen the skin and improve elasticity. These options are particularly effective, says Austin plastic surgeon Johnny Franco, Maryland, who combines it. “The last thing you want to do is burn,” he points out. “It’s very powerful to provide structural support to areas like the jawline and cheekbones,” he said.
Textures are often overlooked, but they play a major role in overall youth. Richmond Plastic Surgeon, Virginia Ruth Hillelson, Maryland, is noting dryness, dermis thinning and surface irregularities in patients with rapid weight loss. She recommends in-office collagen stimulation devices such as fever, Morpheus 8, and Chixel, as well as tame, cleansing, high quality topics, and daily sunscreen pairings.
In the case of prevention
The most effective approach is to act before the change becomes noticeable. Dr. Franco, who personally lost over 80 pounds on the GLP-1, said, “If I could change one thing on my weight loss journey, I would have started treatment sooner. I’m talking about the prevention plan at my first GLP-1 consultation, so patients know what to expect.”
Surgical timing is also important. Dr. Capraro advises you to wait for at least six months until your weight has stabilized before considering a major lift. “If they’re still losing, they risk additional palliativeness after the procedure, meaning they’ll need surgery again,” he explains.
It’s female time
If the amount of injections or devices cannot completely correct the combination of severe volume loss and significant redundancy of the skin, surgery becomes the most predictable and comprehensive option. Face and neck lifts, often combined with fat grafts, can restore youthful contours and tighten loose tissue.
As Dr. Capraro points out, “It is necessary to assess how anatomy and weight loss have changed the foundations of the face. In some cases, repositioning the underlying muscles and fascia before redolarizing the skin is a serious aspect to rearrange the serious muscles and fascia.
He adds that the neck often requires its own attention. “A rapid weight loss can cause platysma muscles to sash and loosely sagging the skin. A neck lift can tighten the muscles, remove excess skin, and restore the definition of the jaw and jaw.” The results, he points out, are a balanced, natural finish that reflects the efforts behind weight loss.
The principle is the same, even when it is called a change in the face or weight loss of Ozempic. Act early, aim for subtle maintenance and use a provider skilled in both prevention and correction. As Dr. Franco said, “It’s about living your fit and a wonderful life.”
