GLP-1 Agonists in Aesthetic Surgery: Implications for Perioperative Outcomes and Body Contouring Procedures.

Abstract

Background: The increasing use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, for weight management has raised new considerations in aesthetic surgery. While these drugs offer significant preoperative weight loss benefits, their impact on surgical outcomes, tissue healing, and perioperative complications remains unclear.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on postoperative complications in patients undergoing 360° lipoabdominoplasty.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 21 patients treated with semaglutide (Group G1) was compared with a retrospectively selected control group (Group G2). Outcomes including wound healing, seroma, hematoma, bruising, hyperpigmentation, and thromboembolic events were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were performed using an independent samples t-test and Welch's t-test for unequal variances.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in major postoperative complications between the two groups. However, hyperpigmentation and bruising were more frequent in the GLP-1 treated group (p = 0.10 and p = 0.09, respectively), suggesting a potential metabolic or vascular effect of the drug.

Conclusions: While GLP-1 receptor agonists do not appear to significantly increase overall surgical risks, their effects on tissue healing and bruising warrant further investigation. The role of rapid weight loss and potential micronutrient deficiencies in perioperative outcomes should be explored in larger, long-term studies to optimize surgical safety and patient selection criteria.

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