Why Weight Loss Doesn’t Always Make You Feel Comfortable in Your Skin

For many people, weight-loss medication is the first thing that has worked for them in their weight loss journey. Their appetite and the numbers on the scale start to decrease. They start losing weight and feel better. They can do more and have more energy. In addition, as they lose weight, they may also start to see improvements in their overall health. 

The emotional experience, however, can be totally different. 

‘Ozempic body’ is simply another term for a body that has undergone extreme weight loss. It is mainly through taking the GLP-1 weight loss medications, such as Ozempic, which may leave the person with a very altered looking body. This noticeable change in body shape can have both physical and emotional consequences on some people.  

“After weight loss, patients may be relieved from being overweight for years but at the same time they might be disappointed with some parts of their body. These two feelings do not cancel each other out,” says Dr. Furkan Kurdal, an aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Erdem Hospital.  

When Weight Changes Faster Than Skin 

The skin on your body has the ability to stretch. However, once it has reached its maximum extension, it cannot return to its original state. Depending on various factors such as age, genetics, duration of excess weight, amount of weight loss, rate of weight loss, smoking, sun exposure and skin type, the skin may not return to its original form and may remain loose. In some cases, the skin may form wrinkles or develop folds.  

The degree to which the skin contracts varies from person to person and in some individuals it may be so minimal that no further treatment is required. In other cases the excess skin can be problematic and rub during exercise, trap moisture or cause discomfort in warm weather. In most cases exercise cannot improve the skin that has lost so much elasticity during obesity. 

“Exercise can improve strength and shape in weight-loss patients. However, it cannot remove skin that has lost most of its elasticity. Some patients blame themselves for not having the body they expected after spending years exercising at the gym,” says Dr. Kurdal. He notes that in such cases, patients need to be informed about their condition and possibly referred to a surgeon for body contouring. 

Another issue patients may experience is a loss of facial volume. The cheeks may appear sunken, while the skin can look looser. This may create an aged appearance even though the person’s overall health has improved significantly. 

Body Contouring Is Not the Automatic Next Step 

As with any surgery, before deciding on a body-contouring procedure, the patient needs to be in good health. For patients who have lost weight due to GLP-1 medication or bariatric surgery, their weight must be stable. Dr. Furkan Kurdal says that it is likely that patients who are losing weight will continue to see changes in their body. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]“Body contouring should not be treated as the final item on a weight-loss checklist. The surgeon should look at the patient’s health, their expectations, and their problems in everyday life. We don’t want the elimination of one problem to create others,” he emphasizes.  

Scars, also, need to be discussed with the patient. While body contouring improves the shape of the body by removing excess skin, it also leaves scars. The extent of the scars will depend on the procedures. In many cases, more than one procedure will be required to achieve the desired results and it is generally recommended that these are done in stages to avoid putting too much strain on the body at any one time. 

Life After Weight Loss: How To Feel At Home In Your New Body 

The important point is that patients need to feel comfortable in their own bodies, regardless of whether they choose to contour their bodies or accept their bodies as is.  

“The patient still needs support after weight loss,” Dr. Furkan Kurdal explains. “Weight loss treatment can make people healthier and at the same time create questions that need to be answered by the aftercare. At Erdem Hospital, we set our patients’ expectations as to what can be achieved by means of surgery and what cannot. Good care stays with the patient through the entire process.”  

It takes a lot longer to get comfortable in a new body than it takes to lose weight. Everyone needs time to figure out the best ways to get comfortable in their new body. This is a journey, not a destination, that Erdem Hospital takes pride in accompanying the patients throughout. 

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