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.
