Ask a doctor

Can you gain weight from 100 units of Botox injected into your underarms?

I went from 125-145, I'm not sure if this is just from starting college but it was such a fast onset it makes me concerned, there are a few articles that have discussed this topic, but none of my dermatologists have ever mentioned this side effect .

Doctor Answers 18

Weight gain is not a side effect associated with Botox

August 17th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question lauren1596. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. It can also be used in the underarms, palms, and soles for excessive sweating. Weight gain is not a side effect associated with Botox. Stress can cause weight gain as many people eat when stressed. I remember I gained weight when I was a student myself. Please consult with a doctor for specific advice. Good luck!
Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD
August 17th, 2016

Weight gain is not a side effect associated with Botox

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question lauren1596. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. It can also be used in the underarms, palms, and soles for excessive sweating. Weight gain is not a side effect associated with Botox. Stress can cause weight gain as many people eat when stressed. I remember I gained weight when I was a student myself. Please consult with a doctor for specific advice. Good luck!
Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD

Botox and Weight Gain

January 31st, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Botox injections do not directly cause weight gain. If you have gained a significant amount of weight and have not changed your diet or exercise I would advise you to consult your internist to evaluate if there is a hormonal cause.  Best, Dr. Green

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/botox-cosmetic

Michele S. Green, MD
January 31st, 2016

Botox and Weight Gain

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Botox injections do not directly cause weight gain. If you have gained a significant amount of weight and have not changed your diet or exercise I would advise you to consult your internist to evaluate if there is a hormonal cause.  Best, Dr. Green

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/botox-cosmetic

Michele S. Green, MD

Weight Gain from Botox

January 23rd, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I do not think your weight gain is the result of the Botox injection.  A change in lifestyle, eating habits, sleeping routine, exercise, etc…. are all associated with changes in your weight.  Botox is not.  I guess the so called freshman 15 can be real!  

Web reference: http://www.drjohnbitner.com

John Bitner, MD

John Bitner, MD
Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 89 reviews

January 23rd, 2016

Weight Gain from Botox

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I do not think your weight gain is the result of the Botox injection.  A change in lifestyle, eating habits, sleeping routine, exercise, etc…. are all associated with changes in your weight.  Botox is not.  I guess the so called freshman 15 can be real!  

Learn more: http://www.drjohnbitner.com

John Bitner, MD

John Bitner, MD
Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 89 reviews

Weight Gain

January 19th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hello, 

Thank you for your question. 

Weight gain is not an associated side effect of a Botox injection. 

Take care. 

Web reference: https://edelsteincosmetic.com/learning-centre/botox-cosmetic-information/

Jerome Edelstein, MD
January 19th, 2016

Weight Gain

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hello, 

Thank you for your question. 

Weight gain is not an associated side effect of a Botox injection. 

Take care. 

Learn more: https://edelsteincosmetic.com/learning-centre/botox-cosmetic-information/

Jerome Edelstein, MD

Botox does not cause weight gain

January 17th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Botox does not cause weight gain. starting college often changes your eating habits and students often gain weight when they start college..
Evaluate your new eating habits. If you really can't find acause you may need to see a physician for an evaluation.
Esta Kronberg, MD
January 17th, 2016

Botox does not cause weight gain

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Botox does not cause weight gain. starting college often changes your eating habits and students often gain weight when they start college..
Evaluate your new eating habits. If you really can't find acause you may need to see a physician for an evaluation.
Esta Kronberg, MD

Botox does not cause weight gain

January 17th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question.

Botox does not cause weight gain. I have never seen it and never heard of it or read about it in the scientific literature.

I inject a lot of patients with Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis at the Center for Excessive Sweating, established in 1999.

Best
Dr. Karamanoukian

Web reference: http://www.EliminateSweating.com

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
January 17th, 2016

Botox does not cause weight gain

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question.

Botox does not cause weight gain. I have never seen it and never heard of it or read about it in the scientific literature.

I inject a lot of patients with Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis at the Center for Excessive Sweating, established in 1999.

Best
Dr. Karamanoukian

Learn more: http://www.EliminateSweating.com

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Botox Injection

January 15th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Weight gain is not a side effect of a botox injection. I would look into other changes in eating habits or workout regiment. Good Luck!
Richard A. Zoumalan, MD

Richard A. Zoumalan, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

January 15th, 2016

Botox Injection

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Weight gain is not a side effect of a botox injection. I would look into other changes in eating habits or workout regiment. Good Luck!
Richard A. Zoumalan, MD

Richard A. Zoumalan, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

Botox and Weight Gain, Not Possible?

January 14th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
There is no way that botox can cause weight gain. I suggest you see a cosmetic dermatologist with experience in botox and consider an internal evaluation to ensure there is nothing hormonally going on with you.  Best, Dr. Emer.
Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 203 reviews

January 14th, 2016

Botox and Weight Gain, Not Possible?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
There is no way that botox can cause weight gain. I suggest you see a cosmetic dermatologist with experience in botox and consider an internal evaluation to ensure there is nothing hormonally going on with you.  Best, Dr. Emer.
Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 203 reviews

You are on your way to the 'Freshman 40'

January 14th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question. Botox is not related to weight gain; however, starting college is.  Weight gain is so common with students starting college that it is known as the 'Freshman 40.'  It is due to a dramatic change in your diet and maybe decreased activity. Stay away from the junk food, eat healthier and get some exercise. Don't look for excuses blaming outside forces causing you to gain weight; it is all about you, your diet and your activity level. 

Web reference: http://www.jmcmahanmd.com/injectables/botox-cosmetic/faqs

James McMahan, MD
January 14th, 2016

You are on your way to the 'Freshman 40'

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thank you for your question. Botox is not related to weight gain; however, starting college is.  Weight gain is so common with students starting college that it is known as the 'Freshman 40.'  It is due to a dramatic change in your diet and maybe decreased activity. Stay away from the junk food, eat healthier and get some exercise. Don't look for excuses blaming outside forces causing you to gain weight; it is all about you, your diet and your activity level. 

Learn more: http://www.jmcmahanmd.com/injectables/botox-cosmetic/faqs

James McMahan, MD

Botox and Weight Gain

January 14th, 2016
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hi there!  Thank you for your question.  Your recent weight gain is unlikely due to your Botox injections.  If you continue to have concerns, I would suggest following up with your physician.  Best of luck to you!!

Web reference: https://www.roxyplasticsurgery.com

K. Roxanne Grawe, MD
January 14th, 2016

Botox and Weight Gain

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hi there!  Thank you for your question.  Your recent weight gain is unlikely due to your Botox injections.  If you continue to have concerns, I would suggest following up with your physician.  Best of luck to you!!

Learn more: https://www.roxyplasticsurgery.com

K. Roxanne Grawe, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.