GLP-1s, the new blockbuster drug class, has taken off in popularity as a powerful treatment for patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, but they've driven a drastic increase in plastic surgery procedures, too, Bloomberg reported June 25.
Between 2022 and 2023, face lifts went up 8% and tummy tucks and other modifications were up 5% according to a report published June 25 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
"While the data suggests that the drastic growth of plastic surgery during the immediate post-pandemic period has stabilized, the demand for aesthetic procedures remains comparatively robust," Steven Williams, MD, president of ASPS, said in a news release. "As patients increasingly prioritize their aesthetic health, it remains imperative that they also prioritize education and safety by seeking out board-certified plastic surgeons."
Michele Shermak, MD, a plastic surgeon in Baltimore, told Bloomberg that about 20% of her patients take GLP-1 medications presently. The drug's takeover has essentially created a "whole new category of patients," Dr. Shermak told Bloomberg.
And, GLP-1-induced weight loss can leave behind loose skin, for which patients may also seek out plastic surgery to correct.
There are some concerns about patients possibly regaining the weight, and ethical questions about what to do, if they do gain it back. However, it is common for some weight-gain to occur following a plastic surgery or contouring procedure, according to the ASPS.
Plastic surgeons should be aware that "patients [are] increasingly try[ing] to differentiate quality care and truth among the messages they receive in social media and paid advertisements," Dr. Williams said the release, so having conversations about patient expectations, outcomes, and potential for dissatisfaction, is crucial.