Restoring Confidence Post-GLP-1 Weight Loss: A Patient’s Guide to Aesthetic Restoration

Semaglutide and other GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight loss for patients across Queens, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Forest Hills. For many, it is the first time they have felt in control of their health.

However, with that transformation often comes an unexpected aesthetic shift:

• Your face looks sharper or gaunt.

• Your cheeks appear flatter.

• Your skin feels looser, despite your improved health.

These changes can be discouraging. You’ve worked hard to lose weight, but the mirror reflects a tired appearance rather than a revitalized one.

Here is the truth: Nothing is “wrong” with you. This is a physiological response when fat disappears faster than the skin can retract. At Leva Medical, we combine modern aesthetic medicine with surgical expertise to restore facial volume, tighten skin, and reshape the body naturally.

To treat the issue, we must first understand the mechanism. When weight loss happens slowly (over years), skin has time to remodel and shrink. With GLP-1 medications, weight loss occurs rapidly, causing fat pads to shrink before the skin can adapt.

Common Facial Changes ("Ozempic Face")

• Hollow Cheeks: Loss of lateral cheek fat.

• Under-Eye Hollowness: Dark circles or sunken tear troughs.

• Jowls: Sagging skin around the jawline due to lack of structural support.

• Deepened Smile Lines: Nasolabial folds become more prominent.

Common Body Changes

• Loose Abdominal Skin: The "apron" effect after belly fat reduction.

• Deflated Breasts: Loss of upper pole volume.

• Gluteal Deflation: Changes in buttock projection.

• Crepey Skin: Thinner appearance on arms and thighs.

Note: This is not aging—it is a volume deficit. We simply need to put the structure back.

We utilize a "High-Low" approach, combining non-surgical and surgical options to rebuild volume, lift skin, and reshape the body.

1. Fat Grafting (The Gold Standard)

Ideal for: Cheeks, Under-Eyes, Temples, Jawline, Breasts.

Fat grafting (or fat transfer) is often the preferred method for post-GLP-1 patients because it recycles your own tissue. We gently harvest fat from areas where you still have it and transfer it to areas that have become hollow.

• Natural Results: Restores genuine softness to the face.

• Skin Quality: Stem cells in the fat often improve skin glow and elasticity.

• Longevity: Unlike synthetic fillers, surviving fat graft results can last for years.

2. Dermal Fillers & Biostimulators

Ideal for: Fine tuning and structural support.

For patients who do not want a surgical procedure, injectable treatments offer immediate improvement.

• Sculptra®: Stimulates your own collagen production to gradually thicken skin and restore volume.

• Radiesse: Provides immediate lift and defines the jawline.

• Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Perfect for refining under-eye hollows and lips.

3. Skin Tightening Treatments

Ideal for: Mild to moderate loose skin on the face, neck, and arms.

Loose skin is the #1 complaint we hear. For patients who do not require surgical excision, we use energy-based devices to tighten and contract the skin matrix on the abdomen, thighs, and arms.

4. Surgical Body Contouring

Ideal for: Significant skin laxity and stubborn fat pockets.

When skin has stretched beyond the point of non-surgical repair, Dr. Leva designs anatomical surgical plans:

• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Removes excess skin.

• Liposuction: Sculpts remaining stubborn pockets.

• Breast Lift/Transfer: Restores projection and shape.

At Leva Medical, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient receives a 3-Pillar Blueprint:

1. Restore Volume: Using fat grafting or fillers to replace lost structure.

2. Tighten Skin: Rebuilding elasticity through energy treatments or surgery.

3. Sculpt Shape: Refining the silhouette to match your new, healthier weight.

We understand the unique journey of weight loss patients. We are not just a medspa; we are a medical practice rooted in safety and results.

• Board-Certified Physicians: Safety is our priority.

• 35+ Years Experience: Deep expertise in aesthetic and surgical restoration.

• Convenient Location: Located in Elmhurst, right next to Queens Center Mall with easy parking.

• Bilingual Team: Se habla Español.