‘Ozempic Butt’ Complaints Rise After Users Discover Unexpected Side Effect

Shortly after the ‘trend’ of taking the diabetes drug Ozempic to lose weight began, many people, including celebrities, started to notice an unexpected side-effect known as ‘Ozempic butt.’

While many official side-effects that can occur from Ozempic use were listed, such as vomiting or nausea, and even pancreatitis, among others, ‘Ozempic butt’ wasn’t officially mentioned.

“My dad said, ‘You don’t have a butt anymore’,” shared 39-year-old Jess Loren, whose weight has dropped by more than 75 pounds. 

“I try on bathing suits and I’ve got ‘ghost a**’, or what people online call ‘Ozempic butt’,” she added.

Ozempic injection pen on packaging, highlighting semaglutide medication.

Image credits: Haberdoedas/unsplash

Ozempic butt occurs due to both a rapid and a massive loss of fat and muscle

According to Dr. John Burns, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the president of Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, ‘Ozempic butt’ is connected not only with rapid weight loss but also to people experiencing massive changes in their weight, typically losing at least 100 pounds, or more than 40% of one’s excess body weight. 

“Think of a balloon that’s losing air,” explained Dr. Samuel Lin, an associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and a Boston-based plastic surgeon. 

Person showing loose jeans, highlighting Ozempic side effect.

Image credits: Kawee/stock.adobe.com

“As the balloon deflates, you notice wrinkles and extra material where the air once filled,” he added, noting that ‘Ozempic butt’ particularly occurs in older people since the proteins collagen and elastin, which promote elasticity, diminish as we age.

In short, the younger people are, the more elastic their skin is and the more likely it is to bounce back like a rubber band, while the older they are, the more likely their skin is to sag.

Woman in workout clothes looking at herself in the mirror, reflecting on Ozempic butt side effect.

Image credits: Tim Samuel/Pexels

A flatter and more poorly-shaped butt is the result of a combined loss of fat and muscle.

“Patients on Ozempic or Wegovy lose both fat and muscle while on these medications,” said Dr. Iman Saleh, director of obesity medicine in the bariatrics department at Northwell Health South Shore University Hospital.

“If you lose a significant amount of muscle and fat from the buttocks, the sagging skin can appear even more pronounced,” she explained. 

In many cases, it’s impossible to avoid ‘Ozempic butt’ completely, but it’s still possible to minimize this unwanted side effect

Ozempic injection pen and box displayed, highlighting Ozempic's side effects.

Image credits: Haberdoedas/unsplash

Person measuring hips with a tape measure, illustrating Ozempic side effect awareness.

Image credits: Huha Inc./unsplash

Some doctors advise losing weight slowly, at a rate of two to four pounds a week, and not neglecting exercise, which makes it easier for the skin to adjust. 

Focusing on strengthening the large muscles in the legs, hips, and buttocks can help to increase the muscle volume and compensate for the fat loss in these areas, while maintaining a nutritionally dense diet can help to improve the appearance of the skin.

Dr. F. Clarissa Yang, a dermatologist-in-chief at Tufts Medical Center and a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, also advises taking enough omega-3, calcium, potassium, selenium, biotin, magnesium, vitamins K, E, D, and B vitamins to minimize a loss of volume.

Netizens mostly seem to be against the “quick fix” offered by Ozempic

Text screenshot discussing Ozempic butt side effect humorously.

Amanda Adams comments on Ozempic butt side effect, stressing weightlifting and habit change.

"Social media comment criticizing Ozempic side effects on muscles.

Social media comment on Ozempic butt side effect, mentioning gastroparesis concerns.

Text message about Ozempic butt side effect, suggesting squats for muscle definition.

Text from a user discussing "Ozempic butt" as a side effect of rapid weight loss without diet and exercise.

"Social media comment about Ozempic butt side effect, expressing concern over misuse of medication.

Text bubble criticizing Ozempic butt side effect, suggests better diet and exercise for results.

Comment mentioning "flabby butt" as a side effect, with an emoji.

A Facebook comment about Ozempic side effect with the user expressing concern over misuse.

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