Prevalence Patterns of Body Contouring Procedures Among Injectable Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users

Abstract

Background: The introduction of injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy has transformed weight loss in plastic surgery patients, often leading to excess skin and soft tissue amendable to body contouring procedures.

Objectives: This project aims to examine the relationship between injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist use and the growing need for body contouring surgeries, focusing on trunk and extremity procedures.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the PearlDiver database, examining prescription data for Ozempic, Wegovy, and liraglutide, and correlating these with body contouring procedures across 30 U.S. states from 2011-2022. Multimodal statistics were used to compare surgery rates and assess dosage and time interval patterns among GLP-1 receptor agonist users and non-users.

Results: Significant correlations between GLP-1 receptor agonist use (881 Ozempic, 59 Wegovy, and 4,655 liraglutide users) and increased body contouring surgeries were found. Ozempic showed weak correlations with brachioplasty (r = 0.23) and panniculectomy (r = 0.21), and Wegovy with breast procedures (r = 0.28), while liraglutide showed consistent correlations across surgeries. Time to surgery varied from 87 days (Wegovy) to 1,018 days (liraglutide), with higher surgery rates among users (p < 0.01) and dose-related differences, especially in Ozempic and Wegovy users.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates a dose-dependent link between the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and an increase in subsequent aesthetic body contouring surgeries, highlighting the need for surgeons to adapt to the merging of medicinal body transformation and aesthetic plastic surgery.