Understanding “Ozempic Face” and Facial Changes After Weight Loss

Weight loss—whether achieved through diet and exercise or with the help of medications such as Ozempic® and other GLP-1 inhibitors—can bring tremendous health benefits. But one effect patients don’t always anticipate is how weight loss affects the face.

Social media has popularized the term “Ozempic face”, describing hollow cheeks, sagging skin, and a more aged appearance. While the phrase may be new, these changes are not. Plastic surgeons have long seen similar effects in patients who experience rapid or significant weight loss, such as after bariatric surgery. What’s different today is the speed and scale of transformation made possible by GLP-1 medications, and the fact that these changes are now appearing in younger, otherwise healthy individuals.

Why Weight Loss Affects Facial Appearance

The face naturally carries fat that provides youthful support and contour. When patients lose weight rapidly, that volume disappears unevenly, leaving skin that often cannot contract fast enough to match the new shape.

The result can be:

• Hollowed cheeks
• Flattened facial contours
• Loose skin along the jawline and neck
• A more aged or tired appearance

Importantly, the medication itself isn’t the cause—it’s the volume loss that comes with weight reduction.

Non-Surgical Options for Early Prevention

At the Aesthetic Associates Centre in Buffalo, NY, we help patients maintain their natural appearance throughout their weight loss journey. For those noticing mild to moderate facial changes, early treatment can make a big difference:

• Biostimulatory Injectables (Sculptra®, Radiesse®): Stimulate collagen to restore skin support.
• Fillers (Hyaluronic Acid, Calcium Hydroxyapatite): Add contour to cheeks, temples, and jawline without an “overfilled” look.
• Skin Tightening Devices: Radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8) and ultrasound-based systems (Ultherapy®, Sofwave®) tighten skin and boost elasticity.
• Skin Health & Texture Care: We combine medical-grade skincare, daily sunscreen, and advanced in-office treatments such as Thermage, Tixel, or growth factor serums to improve tone, hydration, and resilience.

What We Do at the Aesthetic Associates Centre: Our philosophy is to take a balanced approach, blending tightening and volumizing treatments while preventing the “puffy” look that can result from too much filler.

Prevention: The Smartest Approach

Patients benefit most when treatments begin before changes become severe. At the Aesthetic Associates Centre, we often recommend a customized prevention plan at the time a patient starts their GLP-1 medication or structured weight-loss program.

“The goal is to help patients look as good as they feel,” says Dr. Samuel Shatkin Jr., MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and director of the Aesthetic Associates Centre. “By addressing volume loss and skin laxity early, we can maintain natural contours and avoid the need for more aggressive corrections later.”

When Surgery Is the Right Choice

For patients with more advanced changes—severe hollowing, excess skin, or loose neck bands—surgery often offers the most comprehensive results.

Options may include:

• Facelift & neck lift: Tightens skin and repositions deeper tissues.
• Fat grafting: Restores natural fullness in the cheeks, temples, and jawline.
• Neck rejuvenation: Improves jawline definition by correcting platysma banding and loose skin.

At our Centre, we recommend patients reach a stable weight (for at least six months) before considering surgery to ensure lasting results.

Celebrate Your Weight-Loss Success With Confidence

Weight loss should be celebrated—not overshadowed by unwanted facial changes. Whether you call it Ozempic face or simply post-weight-loss transformation, the principles are the same: act early, aim for natural balance, and work with an experienced provider.

At the Aesthetic Associates Centre in Buffalo, NY, we specialize in helping patients look as vibrant on the outside as they feel on the inside. From minimally invasive treatments to advanced facial surgery, we provide personalized options to restore confidence and maintain lasting beauty. Schedule a consultation today to explore the treatment plan that’s right for you.

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