October 2024
Say Goodbye to Bat Wings: Solutions for Ozempic Arms
Ozempic is a prescription medication primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, but it has recently gained popularity as a weight loss drug. Containing the active ingredient semaglutide, Ozempic works by lowering blood sugar levels after meals. It has been shown to promote rapid weight loss by reducing appetite and caloric intake, making it increasingly popular for off-label use in weight management.
While weight loss is a huge home run for many men and women it often leaves patients with problematic excess skin after weight loss. The last thing most people don't expect after hitting their weight loss goal is loose skin, rashes, and other saggy skin concerns. We’ve seen it on all areas of the body on the weight loss patients we consult with everyday.
Common areas affected by loose skin after weight loss include the face/neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. The good news is that we have both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options designed to reveal a more toned appearance to your body.
Celebrating Your New Body After Ozempic
Ozempic has proven to be effective for weight loss with relatively minimal side effects, such as nausea or upset stomach. For most people, the benefits of body weight reduction outweigh these concerns, and the weight loss achieved is often substantial. However, the downside of this massive weight loss is the saggy skin that many patients are left with.
Many women and men are now seeking surgical procedures to remove excess skin, particularly after significant weight loss with Ozempic and similar medications like Wegovy. Some patients have a few inches of skin to remove, while others may have as much as 7 inches. It’s important to consider board-certified plastic surgeons to achieve the best results after your weight loss journey.
The Not-So-Great Side-effects
Women and men alike are experiencing loose, hanging skin, and loss of elasticity and collagen. In fact, we are seeing a steady rise of people requesting skin removal after extensive weight loss from Ozempic, Wegovy, and their counterparts.
In our practice, we see both women and men who desire cosmetic rejuvenation after weight loss. Some of our Ozempic patients have a few inches of skin to pinch while others have up to 7+ inches that need removing to make clothing fit better and improve overall appearance. And why not?! They've got a new body to show off!
Ozempic’s Effect on the Arms
The arms are one of the most visible areas affected by loose skin after weight loss. Fat tends to accumulate in the upper arms, and after weight loss, this often results in excess skin or “bat wings,” which many find embarrassing. With Ozempic, there can also be a loss of muscle tone, which makes the saggy skin even more pronounced.
Loss of Muscle Tone
Ozempic, Tirzapetide, Mounjaro, and other drugs have a profound effect on body fat but also are known to cause a loss of muscle as well. The arms have a high ratio of muscle to fat and for this reason, the arms are particularly vulnerable to Ozempic weight loss and gravity pull in general.
Excess Skin Resulting In "Bat Wings" For Many Women
The term “bat wings” is commonly used to describe the excess skin that hangs from the arms when the elbow is flexed and the arms are held out to the sides. Bat wings are awkward for anyone and are often a source of embarrassment that leads to a lack of self-confidence.
Research Arm LiftArm Lift Before and After- Dallas, Texas- Dr. John Burns MD, FACS, Dallas Plastic Surgeon
What Can You Do About Ozempic Arms?
If fat is the issue and the skin quality is good, sometimes liposuction alone is sufficient. This option is rarely the case with weight loss patients as skin is not addressed with liposuction. The treatment of choice is usually an arm lift or brachioplasty where excess skin is removed from the elbow to the axilla or armpit area.
If the fat is minimal and located close to the armpit then a short scar arm lift can be considered where the scar is confined to the armpit. However, this is also rarely the case. The skin removed with a standard arm lift is significant and results in arms that are tight and well-contoured. The scar generally heals very well and is not a source of concern for most patients.
Often Done With Arm Slimming After Weight Loss
Weight loss is never confined to just one area and most patients will have several areas of concern. Combining an arm lift with another area is common, generally less expensive than doing the procedures separately, and safe if done correctly and with careful planning.
Ozempic’s Impact on the Face and Neck
The face and neck are particularly susceptible to loose skin after weight loss. Patients often experience sagging around the cheeks, jawline, and neck. This can result in a loss of youthful appearance, but procedures like a deep plane face and neck lift can help reverse these changes, giving patients a more lifted, youthful look that complements their slimmer bodies.
Treatments For Ozempic Face
The Ozempic Facelift
Addressing the “Ozempic Butt”
Weight loss from Ozempic not only reduces body fat but also impacts muscle, leading to a deflated appearance in the buttocks. Women, in particular, may lose their natural curves. The common solution is a butt lift combined with a fat transfer, known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), to restore both shape and volume. This procedure can be done in tandem with removing excess skin, ensuring the butt looks full and contoured again.
What To Do About Ozempic Butt
Tightening the Abdomen
The abdomen is another area often affected by weight loss, leading to an overhang of excess skin. Liposuction alone cannot resolve this issue; instead, a circumferential abdominoplasty (or lower body lift) is often needed to remove the excess skin and tighten the area. This procedure also lifts the thighs and butt, providing a more comprehensive body contouring result.
Thigh Lift for Leaner Legs
The thighs are a common area for both fat accumulation and loose skin after weight loss. In most cases, a thigh lift (or thighplasty) combined with liposuction is recommended to slim the thighs and remove the hanging skin. The incision for this procedure can be made in the groin for a less visible scar, or along the inner thigh for more extensive skin removal.
Ozempic Thighs: Solutions For Saggy Skin & Saddlebags
Restoring Breast Volume and Shape
Significant weight loss often results in saggy skin and drooping of the breasts. A breast lift, sometimes combined with breast augmentation, is needed to relocate the nipple and reshape the breast. For women who have lost volume, adding a breast implant or a fat transfer can help achieve the desired youthful appearance and restore confidence.
Bouncing Back From Ozempic Breasts
Consulting with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. John Burns MD, FACS
Whether you’ve achieved rapid weight loss through traditional methods or with the help of Ozempic, it’s important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon for your body contouring procedures. Dr. John Burns, MD, FACS, is trained in numerous treatment options designed to address the complex needs of patients experiencing excess skin after massive weight loss.
Book your complimentary plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Burns to review your options for Ozempic Arms.
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