In the era of GLP-1 weight loss medications, aesthetics are changing. While large amounts of weight loss can contribute to concerns like skin laxity and facial volume loss, it also makes more patients good candidates for aesthetic treatments and procedures. Noninvasive treatments for a smaller waist, for example, are a prime target for weight-loss patients looking for finishing touches, and practitioners are seeing rising interest in these options alongside traditional abdominal procedures.
Noninvasive Treatments for a Smaller Waist Are in Demand
“CoolSculpting is my current treatment of choice for body sculpting,” says Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD. “Although we used to do much more liposuction, the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro has reduced the number of people needing this kind of treatment. CoolSculpting is quick and easy for patients and essentially has no downtime.”
These patients are specifically seeking “finishing touch” treatments that provide a refined contour.
“These individuals typically want subtle contouring with minimal downtime,” explains New York plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD. “Radiofrequency-based skin tightening like Morpheus8, ultrasound fat reduction, or cryolipolysis—are best suited for patients who are close to their ideal weight, have mild to moderate fat deposits and maintain good skin elasticity.”
According to Tuscon, AZ plastic surgeon Raman Mahabir, MD, the best candidates for these sculpting treatments have stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to traditional weight loss methods. “Really the best patients for waistline-sculpting treatments are patients that genetically store their fat in that particular area,” he explains. “Sculpting treatments are best for people that only have a little bit of extra in troublesome areas.”
This group of patients may only recently be candidates for these treatments. “Many of these patients are no longer struggling with their weight and are looking for toning work to provide them with that contour,” explains New York plastic surgeon Eli Levine, MD.
Treatments Experts Love
Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD, explains that CoolSculpt, which uses cryolipolysis to freeze fat cells, which die over the next several weeks, is his preferred treatment for candidates at their goal weight. “Cryolipolysis like Coolsculpting is very effective at reducing fatty areas,” he says. “Areas like the bra fat, abdomen and under the chin do particularly well.”
And CoolSculpting isn’t the only non-surgical option.
“I prefer using a layered approach for body contouring as the waistline benefits from both fat reduction and tightening to achieve a smooth, refined look,” explains New York dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD. “UltraShape is my go‑to for breaking down stubborn fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise. If skin laxity is a concern, I’ll combine it with Micro RF or Eilis Elite to stimulate collagen and improve firmness. Used together, these treatments provide a remarkably natural, contoured result without the need for surgery.”
And for patients that are also looking for toning, Dr. Levine turns to EmSculpt. “I like this treatment because it doesn’t just address volume, but also contour,” he explains. “It helps shape things, which is what many of these patients are looking for.”
When to Consider Surgery
“As soon as you have more than a little extra padding, you also have extra skin,” explains Tuscon, AZ plastic surgeon Silvia Kurtovic, MD. “Then, if you remove the extra padding, it leaves you with unsightly extra skin. And that’s really where surgery takes over as the better approach.”
Duxbury, MA plastic surgeon Christine Hamori, MD, adds that women who have separation of the abdominal muscles, or diastasis recti, will require surgical solutions. “If that’s the case, a tummy tuck is the best option,” she says.
While surgery may put some patients off, Dr. Asaadi points out that if the patient’s goals and expectations are aligned, it can be the best choice. “Surgery delivers more significant, long-lasting results but requires anesthesia, recovery time and a higher level of commitment to the healing process,” he says. “It’s all about managing realistic expectations and what the patient is looking to achieve.”
