Consequences of Weight Loss Injection
sunken face & sagging skin
After the weight loss injection, a sunken face and excess skin often appear – we offer medical solutions.
Medications such as Semaglutide (e.g., Ozempic®, Wegovy®), Liraglutide (e.g., Saxenda®), or Tirzepatide (e.g., Mounjaro®) – often colloquially referred to as a weight loss injection – can support weight loss. However, the rapid reduction of fat often has visible consequences. Many patients report that their face suddenly appears sunken or that the skin on their abdomen, upper arms, or thighs has sagged.
These changes are completely normal and medically explainable:
- The face loses volume because the fat pads that previously supported the skin from within disappear.
- The skin, which has stretched over years, cannot always fully retract.
- Despite exercise and a healthy lifestyle, excess skin often remains.
Why not just weight counts
A slender body does not automatically mean a fresh or youthful appearance. Especially in the face, excessive volume loss can make one look tired or older. At the same time, excess skin on the body can limit daily well-being – for example, due to friction, wrinkle formation, or problems with clothing choices.
Treatment options at Metropolitan Clinic Zurich
We advise you on how to harmonize your new body feeling after weight loss with a balanced external appearance. Depending on the initial situation, various methods are available:
Minimally invasive treatments
- Wrinkle injection with hyaluronic acid or autologous fat
- Skin boosters to improve skin quality
- Thread lift for mild tightening effects
- modern laser or radiofrequency procedures for skin tightening
Surgical procedures
- Facelift or neck lift to restore facial contour
- Upper arm lift or thigh lift for excess skin
- Tummy tuck for a smoother profile
- Autologous fat transplantation for natural facial volume
Your personal path
Every body reacts individually to weight loss – regardless of whether it was achieved with a weight loss injection such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda®, or Mounjaro®. Therefore, we take the time to find the right solution together with you – with the goal of a natural and balanced result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular exercise and targeted muscle training are essential for general health. Exercise can build muscle, stimulate metabolism, and positively influence skin structure. However, it has its limits: If a lot of weight is lost in a short period due to a weight loss injection like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda®, or Mounjaro®, the skin often remains saggy. Especially in the face or on body regions such as the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs, exercise alone cannot sufficiently reduce the excess tissue. In such cases, medical treatments are often the only way to achieve a firmer contour again.
Which method is best suited depends on various factors: the amount of excess skin tissue, skin quality, age, and, of course, individual wishes. Minor changes can often be compensated with minimally invasive procedures such as wrinkle injections, skin boosters, thread lifts, or autologous fat transfer. For pronounced excess skin, for example after significant weight loss, surgical tightening is usually the more sustainable solution. In a personal consultation, we will explain all options and together find the appropriate treatment plan.
Almost every surgical procedure leaves traces in the form of scars. However, our specialists ensure that incisions are made as inconspicuously as possible – for example, in natural skin folds, in inconspicuous areas, or in hairy areas. With modern suturing techniques and targeted post-treatment, scars usually heal very well and become barely visible over time. Your cooperation is also important: consistent sun protection, special care products, and adherence to follow-up appointments support an optimal result.
Minimally invasive treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections, skin boosters, or thread lifts usually show immediate visible effects that stabilize in the following weeks. For surgical procedures, patience is required: the first improvement can be seen after the swelling subsides, but the final result usually appears after a few weeks to months. However, the results are generally long-lasting and can persist for many years – especially if a healthy lifestyle is maintained.