Replacing Lost Volume from Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a treatment that can lead to amazing weight loss results and improved quality of life. However, significant weight change can come with unexpected effects like loose skin and loss of volume in the face and body. Often referred to as “Ozempic Face” or “Ozempic Body”, this skin laxity and volume loss can be addressed using effective surgical and non-surgical methods.

There are many ways to fix issues such as these following rapid weight loss. Dr. Suresh Koneru has over 25 years of experience in plastic surgery, making him an excellent surgeon to tackle the issues you may be experiencing. With injectable fillers, body-contouring techniques, and skin laxity treatments, Dr. Koneru can find the right treatment to suit your needs. At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, Texas, he and his staff work tirelessly in support of patients hoping to sculpt, define, and enhance their bodies. 

To schedule your private consultation, please call (210) 499-5900 or fill out this convenient form.

Minimally-Invasive Treatments to Increase Volume

Semaglutide is used to manage diabetes by increasing insulin production. It also curbs food cravings and lowers your appetite, leading to significant weight loss. Skin elasticity cannot always keep up when the body goes through such changes. Patients are left at a healthier weight, but have excess loose skin and lost volume. ⁽¹⁾ There are many options to remedy these symptoms of semaglutide treatment, for both the face and the body. After removing skin and replenishing volume, you can truly appreciate and experience life in your new body. 

Injectable Fillers

The face is highly susceptible to change after weight loss, and it is often very noticeable. After semaglutide treatment, patients can experience an extreme loss of volume in the face. For patients looking for non-invasive and non-surgical options, Dr. Koneru offers several services to rejuvenate and add volume to the face.

Maintaining an aesthetically pleasing facial appearance requires certain fat pockets in areas like the cheeks, under eyes, and around the temples. If the fat supply is rapidly reduced in these areas, it can make you look much older than you actually are. Dr. Koneru offers Sculptra specifically for fat loss in the face. This filler consists of poly-L-lactic acid to replenish facial tissue and enhance volume. It can also be used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by thickening the skin itself. ⁽²⁾

Dr. Koneru and his staff offer Juvéderm Injectable Gel treatment to help rejuvenate and volumize facial features. It is a hyaluronic acid-based filler with a smooth and even consistency to provide even and pleasing results. Non-invasive, this treatment has no downtime and can last up to 18 months.

Surgical Treatments to Increase Volume

To correct volume loss in the face and body, it is sometimes necessary to undergo surgical procedures to get the most effective results. These procedures effectively address both volume loss and skin laxity after significant weight loss.

Fat Grafting

The fat grafting process involves liposuction to transfer excess fat from one area of the body to another. It can be used during a facelift, breast augmentation, Brazilian butt lift, and many other surgical procedures to add volume and structure. Dr. Koneru will use a cannula – a slim tube – to extract fat that will then be cleaned and transferred to a designated area using careful injection. It utilizes your own body tissue, making it a natural alternative to fillers, implants, and other treatments that use foreign substances for volumization. 

Breast Augmentation and Lift

Some cosmetic procedures use implants to increase the volume of certain body parts. With a breast augmentation and lift, Dr. Koneru can reconstruct your breasts and add lift and volume with the addition of implants. This can also be done with fat grafting in some cases. There are many different types of breast enhancement, and Dr. Koneru will make sure to mention them in your consultation. 

Brazilian Butt Lift

During a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure Dr. Koneru removes fat from areas of the body, like the abdomen, and reinjects it into the buttocks for a more full, round structure. Sometimes after semaglutide treatment, the areas in which most of the fat on our bodies is stored are the first to lose their shape. In many cases the buttock is severely affected by this process, leaving patients with a flat bottom and possibly loose skin around and underneath it. Brazilian Butt Lifts are a popular solution to this symptom as they do not involve implants, but use fat transfer instead. 

Skin Laxity Treatments

Since most of the weight lost when using semaglutide occurs in the midsection, it can leave patients with loose skin. This can cause discomfort and self-esteem issues, but Dr. Koneru offers treatment plans to help his patients achieve the contoured look they seek. 

Facelift

The gold standard to remove excess skin and tissue from the face is a facelift. For this procedure, Dr. Koneru will use small incisions near the ears and below the chin to effectively lift the underlying tissues of the face. This addresses both the excess skin and decreased volume in the face.

Evoke Face and Neck Lift

The Evoke non-surgical face and neck lift can be used to tighten the skin of the lower face, as well as reduce extra fat collection under the chin. After weight loss, this area is prone to sagging and extra room, and Evoke is a great option for patients who don’t wish to undergo full facelift surgery. It involves the use of an applicator, strapped around the lower face, that is programmed to address your exact problem areas. This treatment is great for those looking to get rid of a double chin or sculpt their jawline.

Tummy Tuck

Commonly known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck procedure is performed when the patient has excess skin and extra fat around the abdomen. During this surgery, Dr. Koneru will use liposuction to remove any excess fat safely and quickly. Then he removes the extra skin and sutures the abdomen back up in a tighter, more contoured position. Often performed after pregnancy, this procedure can also repair the ab muscles if necessary.

BodyTite

BodyTite can be used to reduce fat and tighten skin. This is a surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency and suction to remove fat while tightening the skin at the same time. It can be utilized to improve the contour of your body and is less invasive than a tummy tuck or even liposuction. Dr. Koneru will make small incisions and insert the device, targeting and destroying fall cells while also stimulating the skin to produce more collagen.

All of the procedures mentioned above could be great options for someone who has undergone a significant weight loss. As long as you have reached your ideal weight, any of them could be used to sculpt and shape your new body.

Ideal Candidates

Here are a few attributes that candidates for replacing lost volume from semaglutide have:

Losing weight can be very difficult, and once you reach your goal, you should have the chance to enjoy your new body to the fullest extent. If loose skin or lost volume is holding you back, you can also follow our blog to read more about these treatments.

Personal Consultation

At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery, we are committed to understanding each patient’s specific needs. During your consultation, Dr. Koneru will ask you detailed questions about your health history to determine which procedures may be right for you. This process will give him a better idea of what procedures or treatments will benefit you the most, allowing you to relax and enjoy the process. He will perform a health exam to make sure he covers all the necessary bases, and you will have a chance to ask any questions you may have about the process.

Recovery and Results

Depending on the treatments you receive, your recovery process can vary widely. After your private consultation, We will review all cost expectations, so you will be fully informed before your procedure date. 

Possible results of replacing lost volume after semaglutide can be:

Whatever your situation, there are many procedures that can cater to your specific needs. The surgical and non-surgical options are vast, and any combination of them can sculpt, tighten, and add volume to your body where you need it the most.

Cost of Post-Semaglutide Treatments in San Antonio

The cost of these treatments varies depending on your treatment plan. You will be able to ask as many questions about the process during your consultation with Dr. Koneru. To schedule an appointment at Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery, please call (210) 499-5900 or click here!

References

1. Humphrey CD, Lawrence AC. Implications of Ozempic and Other Semaglutide Medications for Facial Plastic Surgeons. Facial plastic surgery: FPS. Published online August 29, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2148-6321
2. Lacombe V. Sculptra: A Stimulatory Filler. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2009;25(02):095-099. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1220648