Loose Skin After GLP-1 Weight Loss: Surgical Options in Calgary

The weight left. The loose skin overstayed its welcome.

Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have made significant weight loss possible for many people. Often referred to as GLP-1 medications, they can help patients lose a substantial amount of weight. But as the body gets smaller, the skin does not always tighten along with it.

After significant weight loss, loose or hanging skin can remain around the abdomen, breasts, arms, thighs, back and other areas of the body. How much is left behind can depend on how much weight you lost, how long the skin was stretched and your skin's natural elasticity.

This isn't something another workout or a few more pounds of weight loss can necessarily fix. Exercise can build underlying muscle, but it cannot remove excess, stretched skin.

At art&fact in Calgary, our board-certified plastic surgeons see patients who have reached their weight-loss goals but are still dealing with loose or excess skin. Depending on where the loose skin is and what you want to change, surgical options may include a tummy tuck, breast lift, arm lift, thigh lift or a combination of body contouring procedures.

So, what can surgery actually do about loose skin after GLP-1 weight loss?

Why Does Loose Skin Happen After GLP-1 Weight Loss?

Skin can stretch as our bodies change, but it does not always shrink back to its original size. After carrying additional weight, especially for a longer period of time, the skin may remain stretched even after the fat underneath it is gone.

This is not something specific to Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro. Loose skin can happen after any significant weight loss. The more your body changes in size, the more noticeable that excess skin may become.

There is also a reason two people can lose the same amount of weight and look completely different afterward. Age, genetics, skin elasticity, how much weight you lost and how long your skin was stretched can all affect how much it tightens on its own.

Eventually, the problem may no longer be fat. It may simply be skin. At that point, losing more weight will not remove it, which is where surgical body contouring may come into the conversation.

How Does Significant Weight Loss Change the Body?

Significant weight loss does not affect every part of the body in the same way. In some areas, the main concern may be excess skin. In others, patients may notice a combination of loose skin and lost volume.

The breasts are a good example. Weight loss can reduce breast volume while leaving behind stretched skin, which can change both their size and position. Around the abdomen, the issue may be skin that hangs or folds over the lower stomach. The upper arms and thighs can also be left with skin that no longer sits closely against the body.

For patients who have lost a larger amount of weight, these changes may extend around the sides and back rather than being limited to one area.

This matters because body contouring after weight loss is not one procedure. What needs to be addressed in the abdomen can be very different from what needs to be addressed in the breasts, arms or thighs. The surgical plan depends on what actually changed and what you want to improve.

What Are the Surgical Options for Loose Skin After Weight Loss?

There is no single surgery designed to treat loose skin after weight loss. The right procedure depends on where the excess skin is and how that particular area of your body has changed.

At art&fact, body contouring procedures are performed by our board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Alexandra Hatchell, Dr. Mieke Heyns, Dr. Aaron Knox, Dr. Peter Mankowski and Dr. Justin Yeung.

Your surgeon will look at where the excess skin is, whether there is remaining fat or lost volume and which areas bother you. From there, they can determine which procedure, or combination of procedures, makes the most sense for your body and your goals.

Can Liposuction Get Rid of Loose Skin?

Liposuction can remove fat, but it cannot remove loose skin.

This distinction becomes especially important after significant weight loss. If there is still stubborn fat underneath the skin, liposuction may sometimes be part of the surgical plan. However, removing more fat from an area with poor skin elasticity can actually make the loose skin more noticeable.

When excess skin is the main concern, a procedure that removes and tightens the skin is usually needed. Depending on the area, that may mean a tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift or breast lift rather than liposuction alone.

When Should You Consider Surgery After GLP-1 Weight Loss?

Reaching your goal weight does not necessarily mean it is time to schedule surgery right away. Before moving forward with body contouring, your weight should be stable for at least six months.

This matters because continued weight loss can change the results of surgery. If you lose a significant amount of weight after excess skin has been removed, you may develop additional loose skin or notice further changes in the treated area.

If you are still taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or another weight-loss medication, make sure your surgical team knows. How these medications are managed around surgery is something your surgeon, anesthesia team and prescribing physician will discuss with you.

Once your weight is stable, a consultation can help determine which areas can be addressed and whether more than one procedure can safely be included in your surgical plan.

A Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective

“After significant weight loss, patients often come in with more than one area they would like to address. The goal is to understand which concerns matter most to them and then determine which procedures can safely be combined and which may be better approached in stages.” - Dr. Aaron Knox, Plastic Surgeon at art&fact

How Much Does Loose Skin Removal Surgery Cost in Calgary?

Because body contouring after significant weight loss is tailored to your body and the areas you want to address, pricing is confirmed at your consultation once your surgeon has mapped out exactly what your surgical plan involves.

For reference, current starting prices at art&fact are:

If more than one procedure is being considered, the total cost will depend on your individual surgical plan and whether the procedures can be safely combined. Your consultation includes a written treatment plan with exact pricing before you make any decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will loose skin tighten on its own after GLP-1 weight loss?

It can, to a degree. How much your skin tightens depends on factors like your age, genetics, skin elasticity, how much weight you lost and how long the skin was stretched. If excess skin remains once your weight has stabilized, further weight loss or exercise will not remove it.

Will I have scars after loose skin removal surgery?

Yes. Any surgery that removes excess skin requires incisions and will leave scars. Where those scars are located depends on the procedure. Your surgeon will show you where the incisions are expected to sit before surgery.

Can loose skin come back after surgery?

The skin removed during surgery is permanently removed, but your body can still change. Significant weight fluctuations, pregnancy and aging can affect the skin and your results over time. Maintaining a stable weight can help preserve your results.

Is loose skin removal after weight loss covered by Alberta Health Care?

Body contouring performed for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered by Alberta Health Care. If excess skin is causing a medical concern, you can discuss your individual situation with your healthcare provider.

Book a body contouring consultation in Calgary

If you are dealing with loose skin after GLP-1 weight loss, the most useful next step is a consultation where a board-certified plastic surgeon can assess the areas that concern you and walk you through your surgical options honestly. art&fact is located at 2403 33 Avenue SW in Calgary's Marda Loop. Call (403) 800-9157 or book a consultation through our contact page.

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