When any person loses weight, but particularly with the rapid weight loss often seen with new anti-obesity medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound, they may experience loss of volume in their face. This can lead to a perceived “gaunt” appearance. Some have termed this “Ozempic face.”
There are fat pads distributed throughout the face beneath the skin. In our youth, these structures give the face it’s plump and firm appearance. These fat pads naturally thin and descend with age, causing the sagging and deepening of nasolabial folds and/or appearance of marionette lines. This can be exacerbated by weight loss. Therefore, dermal fillers can play an important role in addressing this common byproduct of otherwise desired loss of adipose tissue.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, such as Galderma’s Restylane® line (which I use) can be used to correct the loss of fat pad volume that occurs with aging. HA is a natural component of our skin. The same principle applies when fat pad thinning is accelerated by overall body fat loss. Collagen-stimulating fillers, such as Galderma’s Sculptra®, can also be used in this way. Encouraging the body to create more of the natural skin structural protein collagen is a very effective way to correct for the effects of aging and/or weight loss on the face.
For patient’s enrolled in our concierge weight loss program, we offer discounts on dermal filler. We also offer discounts on neurotoxin (Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport) as well as esthetics services such as facials and microdermabrasion. The overall goal of weight loss is to improve the patient’s well-being. This includes the self-confidence that stems from satisfaction with one’s appearance. Optimization of both the internal and external yields optimal health.
