Postoperative Outcomes in Body Contouring Procedures Following Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use: A 10-Year Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Utilization of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ras) has increased dramatically in recent years. Although GLP-1ras appear safe to use overall, it remains unclear whether preoperative GLP-1ra use impacts body contouring surgery outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates the postoperative course of patients receiving body contouring procedures by GLP-1ra use.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined patients who received panniculectomies, brachioplasties, thighplasties, and abdominoplasties at a large academic institution between November 2014 and November 2024. Propensity score-matched analysis paired cohorts by age, smoking status, and BMI and hemoglobin A1c at the time of surgery. Univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 590 patients were included in this study. Of these, 100 patients utilized GLP-1ras before surgery. Propensity score-matched analysis paired 72 GLP-1ra and 143 non-GLP-1ra patients. Thirty day readmissions and emergency department visits in matched and unmatched cohorts were similar by GLP-1ra use (P > .05). Postoperative cellulitis occurred less frequently among GLP-1ra users in matched cohorts (P = .008); however, GLP-1ra use status did not predict cellulitis on multivariable logistic regression. Duration of GLP-1ra use and timing of discontinuation before surgery did not predict the incidence of wound dehiscence, seromas, or hematomas. Patients using GLP-1ras for obesity had lower rates of wound dehiscence than patients using GLP-1ras for diabetes (P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with non-GLP-1ra controls, GLP-1ra users have similar postoperative outcomes following body contouring surgery. Wound dehiscence is more prevalent among patients taking GLP-1ras for diabetes compared with weight loss, potentially because of worse glycemic control or associated comorbidities.