A mid-year review of medical weight loss advancements

There's no doubt that the field of medical weight loss is one that continues to be exciting and life-changing for patients and surgeons alike. Patients who have historically struggled to lose weight and attain a healthy body weight have finally been able to achieve success with the use of innovative medications and complementary lifestyle changes. The result is improved overall health and better outcomes for patients.

As awareness of this field has grown, more patients have achieved amazing results with medical weight loss solutions. Now, an even greater focus has been placed on further advancements in this field. In fact, medical research companies are focusing on this area of treatment, working diligently to develop new, more advanced medications that help patients achieve a healthier weight and better overall health.

To learn more about recent advancements in this area, we reached out to ASPS Member Surgeon Johnny Franco, MD.

Continuing evolution of medical weight loss

As the field of medical weight loss continues to evolve, notable changes are occurring. One of the most significant has been the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to end temporary approval for pharmacies to create consumer versions of these medications by compounding them rather than using the name-brand drugs.

"Over the last couple of months, there has been a big transition with the phase-out of approval of tirzepatide and semaglutide," said Dr. Franco. "What is most confusing for both patients and practitioners is that the FDA was super clear in that they are not dictating medicine, yet this phase-out occurred. Compounding is, of course, still available for patients who want something that is not a name-brand drug. This has been a bit transition for many patients and practices."

A growing focus on medical weight loss drugs and the creation of competing medications has notably helped to drive down the prices typically by brands such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

"The interesting thing about this is that even with the confusion around the FDA, it has helped to drive down some of the costs associated with name-brand medications, especially when it comes to introductory doses," said Dr. Franco.

The unexpected side effects of medical weight loss

Weight loss medications are becoming more accessible to patients of all backgrounds, but there has been a notable rise in unexpected side effects from rapidly losing weight.

"This is what we call the 'Ozempification' of aesthetics," said Dr. Franco. "We're seeing patients coming in to treat historically 'mature' issues in their 20s and 30s that we normally would not treat until their 40s or 50s. We have seen younger patients coming into our office for facelifts, tummy tucks, etc."

We can also observe this in other areas of the body, with search terms such as "Ozempic face" and "Ozempic butt" experiencing a surge in popularity across search engines and social media platforms alike. The prevalence of these side effects will undoubtedly continue to rise as more patients use weight loss medications.

Future innovations in medical weight loss

There are numerous advancements to watch for as the popularity of these weight loss drugs continues to grow.

"On the new drug front, Eli Lilly does have an oral medication on target to be released this year that is compatible with many injectables," said Dr. Franco. "However, the questions with this are, 'Where do they price it when it hits the market? Is this something that is going to be more accessible pricewise?'"

Another intriguing advancement in the field of medical weight loss to look forward to in the coming years is known as the "triple G." Currently being finalized by Eli Lilly, this medication is on track to be released in 2026, promising to be even more effective than current medications.

A final innovation to watch is courtesy of AbbVie. This medication producer has recently signed a licensing agreement with a company in Denmark for one of its highly successful medications, which is currently undergoing secondary trials.

"I know that they have been trying to confirm this for a long time, and it finally came through," said Dr. Franco.

The field of medical weight loss has undoubtedly become one of the fastest-growing and most promising industries, with strong links to plastic surgery. With a greater focus on this area comes other advancements and further innovations in the world of weight loss. This field is sure to remain exciting for many years to come, with innovative medications becoming available in the near future.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.