When I started taking a GLP-1 medication, I knew it would finally help me lose the weight I had been trying to shed for years—and it did. I’m down 50 pounds. What I didn’t expect was how much it would change how I felt about my face, body and confidence.
Losing weight that fast can make you look and feel different, sometimes older, sometimes less like yourself. But it doesn’t have to. With guidance from experts, you can find a new rhythm for feeling good in my own skin. Here are the changes I made that helped me rebuild confidence after weight loss and what the doctors and nutritionists I trust most recommend to others on the same journey.
Featured Experts
- David Balle, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Gross Pointe, MI
- Andrew Peredo, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
- Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD is a board-certified endocrinologist in New York
- Jennifer Hanway is a holistic nutritionist
1. Prioritize protein and greens
Everyone thinks you lose your desire to eat on GLP-1s, and at first, that’s true. But once I hit maintenance mode, my appetite normalized and I learned how to make every bite count—salmon and roasted carrots, grilled chicken with avocado, and big Sweetgreen bowls.
Gross Pointe, MI dermatologist David Balle, MD says this helps with volume loss in the face and skin quality. “Studies have shown not only do you get the volume loss like in the face, but there’s also protein loss in the body that is higher than you get with normal weight loss. So, a high protein diet…[and] incorporating skin tightening devices are important.”
That advice became my north star: protein at every meal to protect muscle, skin and energy.
2. Restore volume where it’s lost
Before the medication, my naturally full cheeks were my built-in anti-aging secret. After losing 50 pounds, they deflated and made me look sharper—sometimes too sharp.
Dr. Balle recommend a small amount of filler. “Treatments like biostimulatory or hyaluronic acid fillers can be used to restore the volume loss.” A subtle touch of filler helped me look refreshed without changing who I am. It wasn’t about chasing youth, it was about restoring balance and confidence.
3. Stay ahead of skin laxity
Loose skin can sneak up after significant weight loss, and I didn’t want that to chip away at my confidence. “Think slow, steady weight loss coupled with a skin tightening device and a good skin-care routine,” said New York plastic surgeon Andrew Peredo, MD. I took that literally and opted for Sofwave on my lower face to keep my jawline defined. It’s not dramatic, just enough to feel firm and lifted when I look in the mirror.
4. Treat your hair as part of your self-image
When you start shedding hair, it can shake your confidence even more than weight loss itself. As New York endocrinologist Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, explained, “If patients lose weight too quickly and protein intake is too low, that’s when you see muscle and hair changes.” If there is one thing you want to do is have a plan of action to help offset any hair thinning or shedding. I started Nutrafol ($88) early and it helped me regrow fullness and strength. Whether the cause was stress, hormones or nutritional definciencies, that small act made me feel in control again.
5. Move your body even when you’re tired
I used to run half marathons, but during the weight-loss process, fatigue sometimes made that impossible. Still, I moved every day—walks, yoga, light strength training. Movement helps circulation, muscle tone and mindset. “GLP-1s are more nuanced, but they still come with risks, side effects, and most importantly, they don’t teach you how to eat, move and live for long-term metabolic health,” says holistic nutritionist Jennifer Hanway. “I work with a number of clients who are combining GLP-1 therapy with diet and lifestyle interventions, which is the ideal approach.” That reminder kept me motivated to build real habits, not just rely on medication.
6. Hydrate constantly
GLP-1s can make you forget you’re thirsty, and I learned quickly that dehydration shows up first in your skin. “The complications we see are not from the drug but from dehydration. Patients need to drink water constantly,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. I made hydration my non-negotiable and I cut out alcohol completely. My skin is plumper, my energy steadier and I sleep better.
7. Keep evolving
Confidence doesn’t come from a single treatment or diet; it comes from staying curious and open to what works for you. “GLP-1s work in part because they address these pathways, but they’re still only part of the puzzle. They’re most effective when paired with diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. The goal isn’t just weight loss, it’s long-term metabolic health,” says Hanway.
For me, that means I’ll keep exploring new skin care, supplements and ways to maintain results, not out of vanity, but to maintain all of my hard work. After all, losing weight was only the beginning. Feeling confident in my new body is where the real transformation happens.
