What is Ozempic butt and how to avoid it?
Key highlights
- Ozempic butt is sagging skin on the butt and is one of the commonly reported side effects of drugs with the active ingredient semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy.
- Ozempic butt results from the rapid weight loss that causes sagging and wrinkly skin in curvy areas of the body.
- Significant weight loss can also lead to buttock ptosis where the gluteal tissue sags below the crease between your butt and legs.
- You can prevent and manage the Ozempic butt through hydration, regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and losing weight gradually. Resistance training can also help build muscle in the buttocks.
- If you’ve already developed the Ozempic butt, treatment options include firming creams, resistance training, body sculpting, and plastic surgery. Collagen supplements, proper nutrition and hydration can also be helpful. Speak with your doctor to select the most suitable option for you considering the risks and your goals.
Semaglutide, known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, has become a top choice in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight management. Even when taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, patients also experience weight loss because of its GLP-1 agonist action.
Though most people are happy with the weight loss as an additional benefit, people often lose body weight quickly, resulting in loose and saggy skin. Though it happens throughout the body, it impacts curvier parts of the body more, such as the face and butt. The changes in the appearance of these parts of the body because of Ozempic use are referred to as “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt”
Ozempic butt is not limited to Ozempic and Wegovy. You might be surprised by the saggy skin, but rapid weight loss with other similar drugs can cause the same side effects. Other weight loss and diabetes drugs like Zepbound (tirzepartide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide) may also lead to skin sagging on the face and butt.
You can prevent and treat loose and saggy skin when taking these drugs. We’ve covered all details on Ozempic butt, including the side effects of Ozempic butt, what it looks like, and how you can avoid and treat these unwanted body changes.
What is Ozempic butt?
Ozempic butt is a nonmedical term that refers to the loose skin in the buttock area when using weight loss drugs like Ozempic. People taking Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for a long time experience rapid weight loss, resulting in wrinkles and sagginess in different parts of the body like the buttocks. The changes are also seen in other fat-storing areas like arms, thighs, and stomach.
Ozempic butt is not a direct side effect of the drug itself. It’s the result of significant weight loss from curvy areas of the body that gives them a deflated, loose appearance. When the body loses fat quickly, including in the buttocks, the skin may not have enough time to adjust to the changes, leading to a looser and less firm appearance.
Ozempic butt side effects
When taking GLP-1 medications, you might see changes in how your butt looks. It’s important to note that these changes are not a direct side effect of the medication and are related to rapid weight loss. Some common changes include:
- Sagging or wrinkly skin
- A flat look because of fat loss
- Lipodystrophy (shifting of fat to other parts of the body
Weight loss and buttock ptosis
Buttock ptosis is a type of gluteal ptosis where the gluteal tissue (muscles in the buttock region) sags below the crease between your butt and legs. The droopiness of the gluteal muscle between your butt and legs helps doctors measure the sag in the area. It may be because of weight loss or weight gain. In females, bariatric buttock contouring (bariatric surgery) and aging are also possible reasons for buttock ptosis.
What does Ozempic butt look like?
Ozempic butt appears as saggy skin on the buttocks resulting from significant weight loss in a short period. The skin droops down, making your butt look flat and deflated. Rapid weight loss may also decrease the elasticity in your skin and lower the density of collagen fibers, leading to wrinkly skin.
What causes Ozempic butt?
Ozempic butt is caused by quick weight loss in the buttock region when taking weight loss medications. Though semaglutide weight loss medications improve lean mass, some people might experience a loss of muscle alongside fat reduction in the buttocks. The combined loss of fat and muscle makes your butt appear flat. Sagging skin is a common side effect when rapidly losing a lot of weight, with or without medication. However, everyone taking Ozempic, Zepbound, or other weight loss medication might not get saggy skin.
Skin sagging resulting from significant weight loss may depend on various factors like age, your weight before taking Ozempic, and how long you have been overweight or obese.
When your skin stretches because of extra body fat and mass, it expands and loses elasticity so it cannot regain its shape immediately after you lose a significant amount of weight. This is why you might experience saggy skin in areas of your body like your abdomen, butt, cheeks and thighs which are most susceptible to this side effect. Moreover, skin collagen and elastin synthesis decrease by 1% each year, making it difficult to get the tight skin back as you age. Young people taking weight loss drugs are less likely to experience saggy skin and Ozempic butt than older people.
Not everyone taking Ozempic will get Ozempic butt or Ozempic face. People who’ve been obese for a longer period might have more loose skin than those who have been obese for a shorter time.
How to avoid Ozempic butt
Not everyone who takes Ozempic will get the Ozempic butt. There are several things you can do to prevent this from happening:
- Gradual weight loss: Ask your healthcare provider to adjust your dose according to your weight loss goals and avoid extreme diets. It’s better to lose weight gradually to avoid unwanted skin sagginess. Share your concerns regarding skin sagging with your provider to prevent loose skin with rapid weight loss. Losing weight slowly can help give your skin the time it needs to adjust to changes in your body shape.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise helps tone muscles when you lose body weight and also improves skin elasticity. Incorporate strength training exercises that target the gluteus maximus including squats, lunges and leg press workouts in your regular exercise routine to help build muscle and prevent skin sagging.
- Healthy diet: Ozempic suppresses your diet and you might not want to each much. However, staying healthy by eating foods rich in nutrition and protein will help support healthy skin after losing weight. Avoid high-carb and high-fat foods to get the maximum benefit of the weight loss drug. Incorporate nutrients like collagen and Vitamin C and E in your diet for improved skin. Learn more about what foods to avoid while taking Ozempic.
- Stay hydrated: Water is essential for your skin, and it is especially important when taking weight loss medication.
- Moisturize your skin: Moisturizing your skin is also important for maintaining elasticity and firmness in your skin. Use moisturizers and lotions with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin and promote elasticity.
Ozempic butt treatment
Ozempic butt is not a medical condition requiring immediate medical treatment, but some people do not find it aesthetically pleasing and want to reverse it. Speak with your healthcare provider to find the most suitable treatment option for you. Below are common options for treating this side effect.
Resistance training
Regular physical workout can help improve skin elasticity and make your butt look toned. Resistance (strength) training enables you to boost lean muscle for a firmer body. The following exercises can help improve skin elasticity when taking semaglutide and similar weight loss drugs.
- Squats: Stand with both feet (hip or shoulder width apart). Bend your knees like you’d sit on a chair and stand up. Repeat 10-15 times initially, and increase the frequency as you feel comfortable.
- Step-ups: Keeping your back straight and belly muscles tight, stand in front of a small step. Act like you’re climbing the stairs by stepping up and down the step; alternate your lead foot as you step up and down.
- Lunges: Stand with both feet hip-width apart. Step forward so that one of your legs is ahead of your torso and the other is behind. Your heel will rise off the ground but your foot will land flat. Bend your knees to 90 degrees while keeping your trunk upright. Push off from your front leg and return to the starting position.
- Fire hydrant lifts: Form a tabletop position by sitting on your palms and knees. Lift your right leg at a 90-degree angle away from your body. Bring your leg back to the starting position without the knee touching the floor. Repeat on each side.
- Leg press: Using a weight machine, sit in the seat, and push the platform away with your legs placed shoulder-width apart on the platform. Let your leg come back and repeat.
Nutrition and hydration
You should eat foods rich in nutrition and protein to get back in shape and improve your skin’s health. A protein-rich diet with Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C and E can help improve skin.
Protein: Adding protein to your diet will help you gain lean mass, making up for the muscle loss during your weight loss journey. Lean red meat is the best source of protein followed by chicken, eggs, fish, and dairy products. Protein-rich vegan options include beans, tofu, quinoa, and lentils.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects your skin from damage and promotes collagen production. You can take vitamin C supplements or Vitamin C-containing natural sources like citrus fruits.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your skin from oxidative stress. You can get vitamin E from nuts, leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, and vitamin E fortified foods.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids have been known for their beneficial action in brain function, but they’re also helpful in boosting collagen production. Omega-3 fatty acids hydrate your skin and give it a plump appearance. Fish such as salmon, trout, and herring are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and soy beans are also popular sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Firming creams
Firming creams are also popular for treating sagging skin due to loss of muscle mass. Research shows that firming creams improve the signs of aging by reducing wrinkles and promoting skin tightening. However, they cannot ‘lift’ skin. Creams containing retinol may promote the production of collagen in your skin to prevent wrinkles due to sagginess of the excess skin.
Collagen
Collagen is an important component of the skin that provides it with elasticity, structure, and plumpness to prevent sagging. The production of this natural protein in your body diminishes as you age, making your skin less elastic and wrinkly. You can use collagen-containing creams to reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate skin. Alternatively, add natural sources like bone broth, eggs, berries, fish, and citrus fruits to your diet to improve skin health and elasticity
Body sculpting (contouring)
Body sculpting or body contouring has become popular to improve body shape in a shorter period. This procedure does not add muscle mass but reduces fat to fix the appearance of body parts instead of contributing to weight loss. Your doctor will select a surgical or non-surgical option depending on the requirements and the sagging skin. The removal of excess fat and skin from the buttocks provides a more defined shape to the targeted area. While surgical options like liposuction or tummy tuck provide more noticeable results, they are risky and have a longer recovery time.
Plastic surgery
If you’re looking for a quick solution to Ozempic butt, your healthcare professional might suggest plastic surgery. While plastic surgery can help tighten your buttocks after significant weight loss, it has risks like excessive bleeding, nerve damage, necrosis, and delayed healing. Also, this treatment is more expensive than other options. You can talk to your doctor about plastic surgery to choose one of the following procedures:
Buttock implants
Like breast implants, you can also get butt implants to make them look firmer and more structured. It involves inserting silicone implants into the buttock region by making cuts at the top or bottom area, per need. Your surgeon will carry out the procedure after giving general anesthesia to avoid pain. You may not be able to sit on your backside directly for 3-4 weeks after the surgery.
Though buttock implants are among the most popular options for sagging butt, you might get an infection, hematoma (blood buildup under your skin), seroma (fluid buildup under your skin), permanent scarring, skin discoloration, uneven appearance because of shifting of implants, implant rupture, or permanent tightening or tissues or muscles around the site of the implant. Some people also experience chronic pain.
Lower body lift
When looking for a comprehensive solution for butt and belly lift together, you can opt for a lower body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy. The surgery is carried out under anesthesia and lifts the skin around the circumference of your body. The procedure gives you instant results, but it takes around a year for complete recovery. Moreover, the chances of complications are higher with a lower body lift.
Common risks associated with a lower body lift for Ozempic butt include:
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Delayed healing
- Numbness
- Wound separation
- Uneven results on both sides
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in your legs)
Brazilian butt lift (BBL)
The Brazilian butt lift makes your buttocks fuller and less saggy. The surgeon transfers the fat from your belly, thighs, or lower back to inject into your hips to improve their appearance without implants. It takes around six months to recover completely, but weight changes during that time might affect your results. However, the procedure is semi-permanent, and you might observe loose skin again in around ten years or more.
Though Brazilian butt lift is gaining traction, it is a risky procedure. Apart from side effects like infection, bruising, swelling, infection, skin discoloration, delayed healing, and nerve injury, it might even result in death. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that one in every 3000 BBL surgeries resulted in death, which is far higher than any other cosmetic surgery.
Other Ozempic and Wegovy side effects
Individuals using weight loss drugs with the active ingredient semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy have reported multiple side effects. The most common side effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists include gastric side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and stomach pain and cramps.
Serious side effects of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs include:
- Allergic reactions
- Injection site reactions
- Kidney disease
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Belching (burping)
- Changes in vision
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Bottom line
Ozempic (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved drug for type 2 diabetes management but is also used off-label for weight loss. ‘Ozempic face’ and ‘Ozempic butt’ are also commonly reported among patients as a result of rapid weight loss.
Individuals experiencing Ozempic butt may have a flat butt or observe loose and wrinkly skin in the buttock area. While Ozempic butt is not a medical problem and does not require treatment, you can prevent it with regular exercise, hydration, and protein-rich nutritious meals.
If you already have saggy and wrinkly skin in the buttock region due to significant weight loss, you can try resistance training to improve the appearance of your buttock. Other treatment options for Ozempic butt include collagen supplements, firming creams, body contouring, and plastic surgery. Speak with your healthcare professional to select a suitable treatment method for your health condition and skin tightening goals.
