According to the report, rapid weight loss drugs continue to surge in popularity, becoming a major driver of a 13.5% increase in spending on prescription drugs in the United States in 2023.One Adapted from the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
Driving this trend are semaglutide, better known by the brand names Ozempic, a diabetes medication, and Wegovy, a higher-dose variant specifically for weight loss. Both drugs are products of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, and their market capitalization has soared to $609 billion, exceeding Tesla's valuation by $40 billion.2
But as demand for these drugs grows, more reports are emerging of users experiencing a variety of unexpected changes to their bodies, from loose skin to sunken cheeks, colloquially referred to as “Ozempic face.” The most recently reported side effect to join the growing list is sagging breasts, also known as “Ozempic breasts.”
Ozempic use is now linked to 'deflated' breasts
Taking semaglutide doesn't just target the areas you want to lose weight, it can also lead to fat loss in areas you're trying to maintain weight. Previous reports have highlighted the drug's effects on facial fat, but one articlethree The American Society of Plastic Surgeons International Open Access Journal emphasizes that similar changes can occur in breasts and body shape.
Jennifer Brown, a 47-year-old hairstylist from Kentucky, is one Ozempic user who has experienced these side effects. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times,4 After taking semaglutide, Brown said she lost 40 pounds in one year without changing her diet or exercise routine.
But the quick results also caused her problems. “My breasts have definitely become more saggy,” she said in an interview with the LA Times, discussing how her breast implants began to move after her breast fat was reduced.
Breast tissue is generally made up of about 70% fat.5 Significant weight loss can actually cause breast volume to decrease.6 Dr. Ronald F. Rosso, medical director of Peninsula Plastic Surgery in Torrance, California.7 Ozempic explains in detail how to make your breasts saggy. The New York Post reported:8
“Sudden fat loss in the breast area can hollow out the skin envelope, causing the breast to appear deflated and the nipple to point downward. This appearance is very similar to what occurs after a patient undergoes a traditional weight loss procedure such as gastric bypass surgery. “
The drug has also been linked to sagging buttocks, often referred to on social media as “Ozempic butt.” Some women also report tenderness around their breast tissue, which experts suggest may be linked to hormonal fluctuations caused by semaglutide.9
How do Ozempic and Wegovy work?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). It works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone in the body that is responsible for managing blood sugar levels and appetite.10
When you eat, GLP-1 is secreted in the intestines, which stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas while suppressing the secretion of glucagon, another hormone important in regulating blood sugar.11 This process helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is why Ozempic was originally developed for type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide also inhibits gastric motility, slowing stomach emptying.12 This means that food stays in your stomach for a long time, causing feelings of fullness and fullness. The longer the food stayed in the stomach, the greater the weight loss effect.13
Weight loss drugs make plastic surgery more expensive
Aside from the physical side effects, semaglutide can have a significant impact on your wallet. A prescription costs between $1,300 and $1,500 depending on where you purchase it.14 Addressing unwanted effects on the body through cosmetic procedures can cost much more. According to an article from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:15
“A new trend is taking shape in many plastic surgeons’ offices. Amidst the familiar demand for nip and tucks, there has been a very real increase: patients seeking skin tightening procedures after experiencing significant weight loss.
This is not the result of traditional diets or bariatric surgery, but rather a wave of success from glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs such as Ozempic, which are increasingly seen in the media and touted by celebrities and everyday people. The same goes for individuals.”
In fact, in LA Times and New York Post articles, plastic surgeons recommended plastic surgery to “firm” sagging skin. Other techniques surgeons may use include dermal fillers, fat autografts, collagen stimulators, radiofrequency, microneedling, and laser skin tightening.16
“This is your dream weight until you spend $25,000 on plastic surgery, and you end up using syringes every three months because you have to constantly pump Sculptra and fillers to keep the skin on your skull,” Brown said.17 She underwent a series of treatments, including dermal fillers, arm lifts, and breast lifts, to counteract the morphological effects of Ozempic.
The LA Times article featured another case involving a woman who lost 115 pounds after using Mounjaro, another GLP-1RA drug made by American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. The woman reportedly spent $30,000 on her lower face lift and neck lift, noting that her friends also underwent similar procedures after losing her weight with the drug.18
Although she insists the results are “worth it,” the trend raises important questions about the need for sustainable weight loss to prevent side effects that can sometimes extend beyond simple physical changes.
Other Debilitating Side Effects of Ozempic
Use of GLP-1RAs has been linked to serious health problems. 2021 study19 A study published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine found an increased risk of gastroparesis, a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine.20
Researchers investigated two women who suffered drug-induced gastroparesis after taking GLP-1RA. Characteristic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea appeared, but gradually resolved when they stopped taking the drug.
another study21 In addition to gastroparesis, GLP-1RAs increase the risk of biliary tract disease, pancreatitis, and intestinal obstruction, according to a study published in JAMA. Metabolic, nutritional, urinary, cardiac and eye disorders were also associated with semaglutide use, according to data from EudraVigilance, a European system that monitors and analyzes adverse reactions to drugs.22
GLP-1RA is associated with pancreatic carcinoma development23 and acute kidney injury24 also. The long-term risks of semaglutide are not yet known, but Wegovy carries a black box warning because rodent studies have shown it to cause thyroid C-cell tumors at doses similar to those used in humans.25 The prescribing information also lists warnings and precautions for the following conditions:26
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acute pancreatitis |
acute gallbladder disease |
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hypoglycemia |
acute kidney injury |
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Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema |
Diabetic retinopathy complications |
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increased heart rate |
suicidal behavior and thoughts |
Boost GLP-1 Naturally with Akkermansia
Instead of relying on GLP-1RAs, a much safer way to increase GLP-1 levels is to colonize your gut with Akkermansia muciniphila, a type of bacteria that naturally secretes GLP-1-inducing proteins. Researchers noted in their study published in the journal Nature Microbiology:27
“A. muciniphila induces uncoupling protein 1 and systemic GLP-1 secretion from brown adipose tissue, increasing thermogenesis and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J mice. “I order it.”
Akkermansia, which ideally makes up about 10% of the gut microbiome, is beneficial to the colon and plays an important role in supporting gut health. However, many people lack this essential microbe. This may be due to impaired mitochondrial function and subsequent intestinal oxygen leakage.
One of Akkermansia's most important functions is its ability to produce mucin, a thick gel-like substance that forms a protective barrier in the intestinal lining. Mucins protect the epithelial cells of the intestinal wall from mechanical damage, harmful pathogens, and chemical irritation caused by gastric acid and enzymes.
It also nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, aiding healthy digestion, promoting production of essential nutrients, and maintaining the overall balance of gut flora.
Mucins can also support the immune system as they contain antibodies and antibacterial peptides that help fight infections. It also traps potential pathogens and other foreign substances that are expelled from the body through the digestive process.
How to increase your Akkermansia level
It is recommended to eat foods that help support Akkermansia, such as fruits rich in polyphenols such as berries. Dietary fiber is important for nourishing your gut, but it has to be the right kind. Ideal foods for your microbiome are soluble fiber, especially inulin, which is found in most vegetables.
Examples of vegetables high in inulin include Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and bananas. However, if your microbiome is not significantly regulated, it is important to increase your fiber intake gradually, as introducing large amounts of fiber too quickly can worsen gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
Berberine — A Natural Alternative to Ozempic
Berberine, a naturally occurring compound in plants such as goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric, has been called “nature’s Ozempic.”28 Because of its weight loss potential. Berberine, traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Oriental medicine, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and immune-supporting properties.29
One systematic review found that berberine may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.30 This is very important because insulin resistance is closely linked to weight gain and obesity.31
another study32 According to a study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, berberine “may help alleviate pathological conditions of metabolic disorders, the mechanism of which is associated with the regulation of intestinal microflora.”
Berberine also helps activate the AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) pathway, which is responsible for controlling how energy is produced and used in cells. By activating AMPK, berberine helps normalize lipid, glucose, and energy imbalances.33
It is wiser to find the root cause of weight gain
I firmly believe that the elusive “miracle cure” for weight loss will not exist in our lifetime. Relying on medications to lose weight puts you at risk of developing permanent, debilitating health problems, and the weight will likely return once you stop using the drugs.
In fact, participants in one study34 One year after stopping semaglutide, I had regained two-thirds of my previous weight loss. This is a phenomenon called “Ozempic rebound.” Most changes in cardiometabolic parameters also returned to pretreatment levels.
To achieve longer-lasting results, you need to address excess consumption of linoleic acid (LA), a major contributor to the overweight and obesity epidemic. LA is a type of omega-6 fat found in seed oils such as soybean, cottonseed, sunflower, rapeseed (canola), corn, and safflower.35
Consider reducing your LA intake to less than 5 grams per day. This is similar to what our ancestors consumed before chronic diseases, including obesity, became widespread.
Avoid processed foods, fast foods, and restaurant foods as virtually all contain LA. Preparing food at home is your best option. To learn more about linoleic acid, read my article “Linoleic Acid — The Most Destructive Ingredient in Your Diet.”
