According to the latest data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), nearly every type of lift procedure – from arm lifts to thigh lifts – has seen an increase in popularity over the past year. This trend is largely due to the dramatic increase in the use of GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
The ASPS estimates that 20% of patients on GLP-1 medications have already had plastic surgery following weight loss, while another 39% are considering surgery and 41% are considering nonsurgical treatments.
Why Do Weight Loss and Lifts Go Together?
So what’s behind this connection between a rise in weight loss medications and body and facial lifting surgeries? After significant, rapid weight loss, the skin doesn’t always “snap back” into place to fit the body’s new shape. The result can be folds or sagging in areas like the upper arms, abdomen, thighs, breasts and face. For many people, these changes can make it difficult to fully enjoy their weight loss results, both emotionally and physically.
Lift procedures are designed to remove and tighten loose skin to restore smoother and more toned contours. Many of our Sacramento patients describe these procedures as the “final step” in their weight-loss journey.
What Are the Most Popular Lifts after Weight Loss?
Some of the most common lift surgeries following massive weight loss both in our Sacramento practice and across the country include:
- Arm lifts to remove and tighten loose skin along the upper arms.
- Thigh lifts to tighten sagging skin on the upper, inner thighs.
- Breast lifts to lift and reshape breasts that have lost volume or firmness after weight loss or pregnancy.
- Tummy tucks to remove extra skin and tighten weakened abdominal muscles after weight loss or pregnancy.
- Lower body lifts, which serve as an “extended” tummy tuck and provide a 360-degree lift around the midsection.
- Face lift to remove and tighten loose, sagging skin in the mid- to lower face areas.
Combining Procedures for Full-Body Results
Many people decide to combine more than one lift procedure into a single surgery, in what’s been referred to lately as an “Ozempic makeover.” Similar to a mommy makeover, this combination procedure can be completely customized to fit each patient’s unique needs and goals and can reduce downtime and costs by including multiple procedures as a single surgery.
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you decide whether or not a combination lift procedure might be right for you and, if so, whether or not the procedures you would like can all be combined into one surgery.
How to Know If You’re a Candidate for a Lift
The best candidates for lift surgery are people who’ve reached a stable, healthy weight and have maintained it for several months. You should be in good general health, have realistic expectations and be committed to maintaining your results through a balanced lifestyle.
If you’re considering post-weight-loss plastic surgery and want to learn more, call our Sacramento office at 916-983-9895 or get in touch online to schedule your personal consultation today.
