Ozempic breasts, butt and head: what do these side effects have in common?

After the term “Ozempic head ” went viral on social media, alleged new side effects of the diabetes medication have gained popularity in recent weeks: the “Ozempic breasts and butt “. These terms, reported on the networks, refer to the decrease in the size of the buttocks and breasts after using the medicine. But, after all, do these effects really happen? And what do they have in common?

According to plastic surgeon Thiago Morais, changes in body and breast contour have indeed been observed in patients who have suffered very rapid weight loss due to the use of the medication. This happens because the semaglutide the main component of Ozempic, helps to delay gastric emptying, promoting a longer feeling of satiety and, consequently, leading to weight loss.

“Breast tissue is made up of a gland, but it also has an important part of fat”, explains the specialist to CNN . “Some women have a higher percentage of fat than glands in their breasts. So, when they take Ozempic, have this dietary restriction and lose weight very quickly, this breast fat compartment empties, which leads to sagging. It’s an effect similar to post-bariatric surgery”, he adds.

The same can happen with the butt. “The glutes are made up of muscles and fat cells, which provide support. When people lose weight too quickly, they lose muscle and lose fat cell volume in the buttocks. In other words, it loses two supports: fat and muscle. This leads to very pronounced flaccidity”, explains endocrinologist Elaine Dias JK, PhD in endocrinology from USP and metabologist, to CNN .

It is this same accelerated weight loss that can also lead to the effect that has become popularly known as “Ozempic head”, which is characterized by the disproportionality of the head in relation to the rest of the body. Ricardo Barroso, endocrinologist and director of SBEM-SP (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology – São Paulo Region), explains that this is associated with the loss of muscle mass caused by rapid weight loss.

“This issue of disproportionality between face and body occurs due to the loss of muscle mass, caused by rapid weight loss. This makes the rest of the body feel thinner than the head. So, it all has to do with the lack of muscle mass and body composition structure”, says the endocrinologist in an article previously published on CNN. Furthermore, rapid weight loss can also cause sagging of the face, a condition nicknamed “Ozempic face”.

How to avoid sagging related to rapid weight loss?

As the endocrinologist explains, in any form of weight loss — whether through the use of semaglutide-based medications, or through a diet or bariatric surgery — it is important to maintain muscle during this process. “The ideal is to really lose weight more slowly, have adequate protein and water intake and practice physical activity. In other words, always continue maintaining healthy habits”, advises JK

To this end, monitoring by a specialized professional, such as a nutritionist, nutritionist or endocrinologist, is essential for healthy weight loss. “The endocrinologist will help calculate the dosage of semaglutide so as not to lose weight too quickly. It is important that this weight loss is gradual and gradual to protect against impacts on the breasts and butt”, adds Morais. “In cases where the effects bother the patient a lot, cosmetic surgery can be performed on the breast and buttocks”, he adds.

Why does Ozempic lose weight?

Ozempic, a medicine from the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, is composed of semaglutide, a drug from the analogues of the hormone GLP-1 . It acts in the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, which plays an important role in regulating blood glucose. However, semaglutide also helps to promote a greater feeling of satiety, which can help with the weight loss process.

In fact, there is another medicine based on semaglutide that is indicated for the treatment of obesity, Wegovy which was approved by Anvisa in January 2023.

“Both medications are safe for weight loss. The only difference is the pen. The Ozempic pen goes up to 1 mg and the Wegovy pen goes up to 2.4 mg, because studies have shown that semaglutide in a higher dose is more effective for weight loss than a dose of up to 1 mg, as is the case of Ozempic”, explains JK

Semaglutide acts directly on the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, helping to regulate blood glucose levels. Therefore, it is recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the case of weight loss, the molecule helps to delay gastric emptying, promoting a longer feeling of satiety. Furthermore, the GLP-1 analogue also acts in the central nervous system, in the appetite regulation pathways.

Ozempic side effects

In a note previously sent to CNN, Novo Nordisk says that it does not endorse or support the promotion of off-label information about its medicines, that is, in disagreement with the leaflet, nor self-medication. The company states that adverse effects are direct consequences of using the medicine and are not necessarily serious or bad. According to Novo, gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, were the most frequent adverse effects reported, most of which were mild in intensity and did not lead to treatment interruption.

The company also says that the patient should seek medical supervision to minimize side effects. Eating smaller portions, stopping when you feel full, avoiding fried and fatty foods, staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol consumption can minimize these reactions, says the company.