GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs spur rise in cosmetic procedures for ears and buttocks

Rapid weight loss from GLP‑1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro is prompting a wave of cosmetic concerns. Plastic surgeons in the United States and elsewhere report patients seeking ear‑lobe augmentation or reduction after the ears lose fullness, and a growing number of procedures aimed at restoring buttock volume, a phenomenon dubbed “Ozempic butt.”

Doctors warn that the changes stem from loss of both fat and lean muscle mass, with studies indicating up to 40 % of weight loss on these drugs may be muscle. Health guidance emphasizes resistance training and adequate protein to preserve muscle. A clinical trial of the myostatin‑blocking drug apitegromab showed reduced lean‑mass loss when combined with tirzepatide, suggesting a possible future treatment to mitigate these side effects.

Patients are turning to surgical options, fillers, or fat‑transfer procedures, driving an uptick in related plastic‑surgery demand.