GLP-1s and Plastic Surgery: What You Need to Know

As GLP-1 medications continue to reshape conversations around weight loss, more individuals are arriving at plastic surgery consultations with newly transformed bodies and fresh goals. At Colorado Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Nick Slenkovich, a double-board-certified Denver plastic surgeon, works closely with each person to ensure their aesthetic results align with their health, progress, and evolving self-image.

If you're actively taking a GLP-1 or have recently lost weight with one, understanding how these medications intersect with plastic surgery is essential. Let’s explore how to approach your next steps with safety, confidence, and expert guidance.

How GLP-1s Work and What That Means for Your Body

GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are medications originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes but are now widely prescribed for weight loss due to their ability to regulate appetite and blood sugar. While they can lead to transformative weight loss, the effects on the body go beyond the scale.

These physical changes often include:

• Loose or sagging skin on the arms, abdomen, thighs, or face
• Volume loss in the face or buttocks
• Disproportionate contours following fat loss in some areas but not others

Dr. Slenkovich understands that these changes can significantly influence surgical planning. His approach is fully customized to support long-term goals and deliver outcomes that reflect each person’s new body and lifestyle.

Timing Is Everything: When to Consider Surgery

One of the most important factors in combining GLP-1 use with plastic surgery is timing. To achieve the best outcomes, it's critical that your weight is stable. Surgery performed while weight is still fluctuating can compromise results and increase the risk of complications.

Dr. Slenkovich typically recommends that individuals:

• Maintain a stable weight for at least 6 months before surgery
• Complete their weight loss journey (including medication tapering, if applicable) before body contouring procedures
• Be medically cleared for elective surgery by their prescribing physician
• Follow established guidelines for stopping the GLP-1 for a specific timeframe prior to surgery and during the recovery period, which we will discuss with you during your consultation

When the timing is right, people are better positioned to heal well, enjoy long-lasting results, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Options After GLP-1 Weight Loss

Plastic surgery after weight loss is never one-size-fits-all. Dr. Slenkovich takes a comprehensive approach, considering your anatomy, lifestyle, and preferences to recommend a combination of treatments that will enhance your new shape while maintaining natural-looking proportions.

Common post-GLP-1 procedures include:

• Tummy tuck: Removes excess abdominal skin and tightens the underlying muscles.
• Arm lift: Addresses "bat wings" or sagging upper arms.
• Thigh lift: Reshapes the thighs for smoother, firmer contours.
• Body lift: A more extensive procedure to reshape multiple areas after major weight loss.
• Facial fat grafting: Restores volume lost in the cheeks, jowls, jawline, nasolabial folds,  or under eyes.
• Fat transfer to the buttocks (Brazilian butt lift): Enhances shape and symmetry in those with lower body volume loss.

In addition to surgical options, non-surgical treatments such as skin tightening, injectable fillers, or regenerative skincare can be highly beneficial. These options are especially effective for addressing subtle signs of aging or volume loss and may serve as a helpful complement or alternative to surgery.

Your Consultation Is the First Step

If you’ve lost weight with a GLP-1 and are now considering plastic surgery, you deserve expert guidance that honors your progress and personal vision. Double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Slenkovich and the Colorado Plastic Surgery Center team are here to help you confidently move forward.

Schedule a consultation to explore your options, ask your questions, and learn what’s possible when medical innovation and surgical artistry come together.