Is Liposuction Right For You? Why You Should Consider Weight Loss Injections First

Liposuction is a quick and temporary way to eliminate excess fat and achieve a more sculpted body contour in specific areas. It’s great for people in overall good health and at their ideal weight who want to remove fat deposits that are hard to target with exercise and diet alone. However, the procedure isn’t a solution to permanent weight loss — it merely rids of extra fat in localized regions, and that fat could return after gaining weight. For patients desiring a more permanent solution to help make the necessary lifestyle changes for substantial weight loss, certain injections are an excellent option before trying liposuction.

What is liposuction? Are there side effects?

To perform liposuction, the surgeon makes small incisions to insert a fine cannula that suctions fat from targeted areas. Common treatment areas include thighs and knees, abdomen and flanks, arms, back, hips, neck, calves, and chin. Liposuction is often combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), a fat transfer to the breasts, or a tummy tuck to achieve maximum results. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, with duration varying depending on the amount of targeted fat. 

Liposuction is a surgical procedure with risks of scarring, bruising, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Other limitations of liposuction include the possibility of repeat procedures if the patient regains the weight. Because of this, liposuction is best suited as a one-time solution for areas that are too stubborn for diet and exercise alone. Patients looking to make significant changes to their weight should first try to achieve and maintain their healthy goal weight before getting liposuction. Dr. Barrett Plastic Surgery offers Los Angeles weight loss injections as part of a holistic weight management program featuring compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are two GLP-1 medications with proven results. 

What is GLP-1? What is semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Weight loss injections refer to prescribed GLP-1 agonists in the form of the medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-like peptide, a hormone naturally occurring in our bodies. Glucagon is produced in the small intestine, assists digestion and metabolism, stimulates insulin secretion, and regulates gastric emptying. Basically, GLP-1 helps keep the gut and intestines working correctly to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It also affects the part of the brain that creates satiety (or feeling “full”) and curbs cravings, which is essential when maintaining or getting to a healthy weight. GLP-1 antagonists are designed to mimic the same properties of glucagon and are usually administered via injection. Semaglutide and tirzepatide have amino acid sequencing similar to GLP-1 and can be administered via injection as part of a weight management program. Both medications mimic GLP-1, but tirzepatide also targets another hormone that aids digestion called GIP. 

Barrett Weight Management Program in Beverly Hills allows patients to reap the benefits of this advanced technology. After a consultation and necessary labs, patients will be paired with an optional weight-management coach and prescribed medication that best fits their individual needs. With their coach, they will log their diet and exercise, creating a healthy lifestyle to maintain the effects of the injections for lasting results.

How do GLP-1 injections work?

GLP-1 antagonists trigger the release of glucagon, not only making us feel fuller for longer but also assisting the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, effectively reducing cravings. The synthetic versions of GLP-1 amplify a natural process already happening within the body, promoting increased weight loss and improved metabolism/appetite regulation. 

Here are the four main weight-loss properties of GLP-1:

• Delays gastric emptying: GLP-1 helps control how long the body takes to digest and empty the food in the stomach. The slower the body takes to empty the stomach, the less it craves more food — slow digestion means less glucose (the scientific name for sugar) is released into the blood.
• Increases feelings of satiety: Satiety describes the feeling of fullness, which is the opposite of hunger. This feeling is actually controlled not by the gut but by the brain, which also has GLP-1 receptors. 
• Counteracts glucagon secretion: Glucagon is the hormone that raises blood sugar levels when low. Sometimes, glucagon can release too much glucose into the blood system, and GLP-1 will suppress unnecessary spikes in blood sugar.
• Improves insulin levels and sensitivity: Insulin is a crucial hormone that turns food into energy. When insulin levels are too low, they increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and negatively impact blood sugar levels. GLP-1 improves the body’s insulin production.

Is there a preferred GLP-1 injection manufacturer?

GLP-1 is the scientific name for the injections, but most people are more familiar with the brand names. The generic names for the medications are semaglutide and tirzepatide. Semaglutide is manufactured under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide. Each brand is the same medication but has different dosing schedules based on the manufacturer. Patients will work closely with their doctor to determine which brand is suitable for their needs.

Do I have to be diabetic to take GLP-1?

The primary medical function of GLP-1 injections is to treat type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes benefit from the drug as it helps regulate blood sugar and insulin production, with weight loss being a side effect. But, people without diabetes have found weight-loss injections combined with a healthy diet and exercise to be incredibly effective for weight management. Using these injections for weight loss and not as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes is called “off-label use.”

Are weight loss injections FDA-approved? Is off-label use safe?

Currently, all three major GLP-1 medication brands are FDA-approved to treat Type-2 diabetes. Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in adults and children 12 years and older with substantial excess weight or obesity. All three brands must be combined with a healthy diet and exercise. While Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss, patients using Ozempic and Mounjaro for weight loss is considered off-label use as it is not the intended, FDA-approved usage of the drug. 

Off-label use is completely safe as all these medications are only available via prescription from a qualified medical provider who can determine if the injections are right for you. One thing to be aware of is that insurance providers are less likely to cover the costs. 

How long do I have to take the injections to see results? How much weight can I expect to lose? 

A 2022 study of 175 patients with significant excess weight or obesity found that their total body weight loss decreased by 5.9% within three months of semaglutide injections and 10.9% at six months. However, every patient is different, and there are no promised weight-loss benchmarks when taking the medications. The recommended diet and exercise will also help achieve faster results. 

Are there any side effects?

Patients commonly report side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and hair loss while initially adjusting to the medication. 

Side effects that need medical attention include:

• Belching
• Bloating
• Excess air or gas in the stomach/intestines
• Heartburn
• Recurrent fever
• Stomach pain
• Yellow eyes/skin
• Skin rashes

Can I take weight-loss injections in conjunction with liposuction?

Although patients must be at or near their goal weight before undergoing liposuction, there’s nothing wrong with using weight-loss injections before or after the procedure. The injections allow patients to meet their goal weight faster and slim their entire figure, while liposuctionallows patientsy to contour specific parts of the body. 

Will I regain weight after stopping GLP-1?

GLP-1 is a necessary hormone for the body's daily functions, which means it’s vital to maintain healthy GLP-1 secretion throughout your life. Increasing GLP-1 levels is not a magic one-time weight loss solution; stopping GLP-1 or falling back into bad dietary and exercise habits will inevitably lead to weight gain. The best way to maintain the results from improved GLP-1 levels is to maintain a healthy lifestyle focused on clean eating and exercise. 

What are the next steps?

If you’re interested in GLP-1 medications for weight loss, Dr. Barrett Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills offers consultations for more information. To learn more about Barrett Plastic Surgery, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media at TikTok, Instagram, Realself, and YouTube for updates. Are you interested in fixing your capsular contracture? Call us at (310) 398-2648 or fill out this virtual consultation form, and we will contact you as soon as possible. We’re excited for you to take this next step! 

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