Semaglutide or lipo first?

If you have stubborn fat, starting with liposuction can be beneficial, especially if you know the specific areas you want to target for fat reduction. This approach is effective because weight loss from methods like semaglutide can be unpredictable in terms of which areas will lose fat first. Some people choose to use semaglutide initially to achieve overall weight reduction before addressing remaining fat with liposuction. However, our recommended strategy is to perform liposuction first to remove targeted fat, followed by the use of semaglutide to help maintain the weight loss and enhance overall results.

Hello and thank you for your question!
If you're 25 lbs overweight and insulin resistant, starting semaglutide **before** liposuction is typically the better option. It can help you overcome the weight loss plateau, improve your metabolic health, and reduce surgical risks. By getting closer to your goal weight first, your surgeon can better target stubborn fat areas and achieve more precise, lasting contouring results. Losing weight after lipo is possible, but it may alter your results or affect skin tightness. Starting semaglutide now gives you a stronger foundation for both surgery and long-term maintenance.
Best of luck in your journey!
Genie Alexander, RN BSN for Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS
Center for Classic Beauty
Danvers & Boston, MA

While you can do either first you may want to lose the weight first. The liposuction can then address stubborn fat pockets that remain with weight loss. Options such as J-Plasma can be added to liposuction if loose skin is a concern as well.

Weight loss before any cosmetic surgery is always a good idea. Whether you choose semaglutide or lifestyle modification, is up to you. You can obtain the medication even though you are not a diabetic. The risks are fairly low given the medication has a short half life. Consult with a surgeon or physician who is experienced in these medications before beginning any GLP-1 agonist.
All the best,
Dr.Bruno

It's a common question with no easy answer: should you tackle surgery or liposuction first? The best approach depends entirely on your individual body and goals.

Let's consider a couple of scenerios:

Significant skin excess and abdominal bulge: If you have loose skin and a protruding belly due to internal fat, weight loss might be the best starting point. Shedding those extra pounds can flatten your stomach, making the surgical results more dramatic.

Minimal skin laxity and localized fat: For those with minimal skin issues but stubborn fat pockets, liposuction can sculpt your body before considering surgery. Subsequent weight loss can enhance the results.

Every scenerio is unique. The ideal path forward is a personalized decision made in consultation with your surgeon. They can assess your specific needs and recommend the best approach to achieve your desired outcome. I hope this helps.

In general, I prefer my patients to lose weight after liposuction. I think it tends to make the results look better as the opposite (gaining weight after liposuction) tends to look worse.

It is always better to lose weight before cosmetic surgery rather than after. Semaglutide is a good option, although tirzepatide is even more effective.

Both liposuction (lipo) and semaglutide are methods to help reduce body weight, but they work in different ways and have different implications.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body. It's instant and can help shape your body, but it doesn't address the underlying metabolic issues related to insulin resistance. It also has risks associated with surgery, like infection, scarring, and complications from anesthesia.

Semaglutide, on the other hand, is a medication that can help you lose weight by changing the way your body responds to insulin and reducing your appetite. It's less invasive than liposuction and addresses the metabolic issues related to insulin resistance. However, weight loss with semaglutide is gradual and requires commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

The decision to use lipo or semaglutide first would depend on a number of factors including your overall health, your goals, and your personal preference. Here are some things to consider:

1. If you're looking for instant results and are willing to undergo surgery, liposuction might be an option to consider first.
2. If you want to address the underlying insulin resistance, semaglutide might be a better first step.
3. If you're concerned about the risks of surgery, you might want to try semaglutide first.
4. If the cost is a concern, you might want to consider which option is covered by your insurance.

Remember, this is a decision that should be made in consultation with your doctor, who knows your health history and can provide personalized advice.

Your surgeon was correct. You can have liposuction prior to semaglutide weight loss. It will help remove those stubborn areas. Semaglutide will be an excellent option to help you maintain your new contour. You can find a provider who can dispense compounded Semaglutide to you for a lower cost per month then the prescription version. I recommend you seek someone who has advanced Obesity Medicine training to guide your program. Good look!

Generally, if someone is more than 50 pounds over their normal weight I would recommend the semaglutide first. Liposuction is is great to permanently remove excess fatty deposits on the body. Particularly, if there is more fat in one area, such as the arms, than the rest of the body.