GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic®) are life-changing for people struggling to lose weight. These medications work so well that many people lose 10%-15% of their body weight within a year.
While dramatic weight loss has the power to improve your blood pressure, lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes, and boost your confidence — among many other benefits — there’s one downside that’s difficult to prevent: Ozempic face.
Ozempic face describes the gaunt, aged appearance that can develop when people lose a lot of weight quickly. Your face loses fat along with the rest of your body, but facial fat loss is particularly noticeable because it affects your most visible feature.
When you lose facial volume, several changes happen at once. Your cheeks may appear hollow or sunken. The skin around your eyes can look more wrinkled and tired. Your jawline might seem sharper, but not in a good way — more skeletal than sculpted.
Overall, you may appear older than you did at a higher weight.
Your face contains fat pads that give it shape and support. These aren’t the same as body fat — facial fat is more delicate and structural, like scaffolding.
When you lose weight quickly with GLP-1 medications, your body doesn’t distinguish between the fat you want to lose and the fat that keeps your face looking youthful. The medication targets fat everywhere, including these crucial facial fat pads.
Unlike gradual weight loss, when your skin has time to adjust, rapid weight loss can leave you with loose skin and depleted facial volume. Your skin essentially deflates, creating that characteristic hollow appearance.
Facial fat grafting (autologous fat transfer) offers a natural solution for Ozempic face. This procedure uses your fat cells to restore lost facial volume, giving you the fullness and contour you had before weight loss.
Here’s how it works: Dr. Koch harvests fat from areas where you have excess, typically your abdomen, thighs, or flanks. He then purifies this fat and carefully injects it into specific areas of your face that have lost volume.
The beauty of this approach is that you use your own tissue, so there’s no risk of allergic reaction. And the results look completely natural because fat belonged there in the first place.
Facial fat grafting works best for people who’ve lost significant facial volume due to rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications. You’re likely a good candidate if you’ve achieved your weight loss goals and maintained your new weight for at least 3-6 months.
Dr. Koch evaluates each patient individually, considering factors such as overall health, skin quality, and specific areas of volume loss. During your consultation, he discusses your goals and explains how facial fat grafting can address your particular concerns.
Some patients benefit from combining fat grafting with other procedures like a face-lift or neck lift, especially if they have significant skin laxity along with volume loss.
During your consultation, Dr. Koch examines your face and discusses the changes you’ve noticed since your weight loss. He explains which areas would benefit most from volume restoration and shows you what results you can expect.
That’s also your opportunity to ask questions about the procedure, recovery, and long-term results. Dr. Koch believes in educating his patients thoroughly so they can make informed decisions about their treatment.
Facial volume loss shouldn’t diminish the confidence you’ve gained from impressive weight loss. Facial fat grafting can help you look as healthy and vibrant as you feel.
Contact us for an appointment today at 669-279-3663, text us, or schedule online at drkochfacialplasticsurgery.com.
