Loose skin caused by weight-loss injections dents our confidence

After losing about six stones since December with the help of weight loss injections, Emilly Murray was left with an unwanted reminder to his old body loose skin.

Liverpool 35 -year -old says, “I can’t wear what I want to wear.” “I can’t get my legs out because it stands very hang on my skin knee.”

Although Emilly doesn’t regret that he has lost weight for the benefit of his health, Emilly makes him feel like a “catfish” because the loose skin in his thighs makes him feel conscious and the way he looks naked.

“Everything looks good when it is taken, but then I feel, when I take off my clothes, I look like a 90 -year -old woman. Terrible.”

This month, two years have passed when Wegovy injection reached NHS in certain patients who participated in the weight loss management clinics in England, Wales and Scotland. It has been specially available since the spring of 2023.

Mounjaro, another weight loss medication, was specially available in February 2024 and via NHS in June. Drugs that work by suppressing the appetite are not suitable for everyone and may have serious side effects.

Many people give loans by helping them to lose weight quickly, but some find their self -confidence, and their arms, stomach, breasts and thighs fell now.

Some of them notice a loose skin on their cheeks and neck, leading to those called “ozempic face” on social media.

When someone gains weight, the skin adapts and extends, but the skin may remain tense when they lose weight, the British Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Association (BAAPS) President Nora Nugent explains.

“Faster [the weight loss]A more loose skin, “he adds.

In some cases, loose skin may cause irritation and may cause infection, but for many people, the effects are less severe and more unwanted.

In online communities dedicated to weight loss drugs, people share clues about how they hope to reduce loose skin by forming muscle, taking collagen supplements and using lotions.

However, Ms. Nugent says the surgery is the only effective option after “important” weight loss. And for those who overcome weight problems, the cost of an operation usually shows more difficulty.

There are several types of procedures to remove the loose skin known as body shaping collectively, but it is rarely available in NHS, and only patients meet certain criteria.

Mark Soldin, a plastic surgeon working in a private practice and NHS, should show that loose skin intervenes in daily tasks such as washing and dressing themselves.

Combating obesity is a priority for health care, because losing weight can reduce the risk of developing serious diseases associated with obesity. These are cancer and heart disease, which is estimated to have a cost of about £ 11 billion per year to NHS.

However, Mr. Soldin says that body shaping is seen as a low priority for NHS managers who need to decide how to use cosmetic surgery and limited government financing.

“There are more important things for NHS to cope – broken legs, heart attacks and so on.

He says that some patients in the area he works can face at a high cost of £ 40,000 if they do not access the surgery in London and near Surrey – NHS.

This depends on the amount of loose skin and the procedures they want. The most common is for face, abdomen, thighs and breasts.

Emilly aims to have enough money for surgery in the coming spring. “I’m trying to save, but maybe I should look at loans or credit cards.”

Grace Parkin, who lives in Sheffield, saved enough money for the procedures he wanted – abdominal stretching, liposuction and rise of breast – but he goes abroad to do them because he is cheaper.

34 -year -old, “I made an effort, I lost nine stones (57kg) and I spent hate for years and years,” he says. “I want to see how I want to look.”

Going abroad for surgery is also something that should be considered carefully.

“I know [some] People are going smoothly, but we collect data about people who return from surgery abroad with complications, Ms Mrs. Nugent says.

The organization Baaps represents plastic surgeons working in the UK specially.

“The abdominal tucks are one of the most common procedures to return with a complication.”

NHS says that people who think about surgery abroad should discuss this with GPs in advance.

Charmaine Hines sees the surgery as a “last resort” due to the relevant costs and a possible scar.

Since skin extraction surgeries may last up to six hours, the risk of medical complications such as hypothermia, pressure wounds and infection is higher.

Like Emilly, Charmaine lost six stones (38kg) and they have similar frustrations about how her body looks now.

If he changes his mind, he puts some currency aside for stretching a abdomen.

“You will come to this fairy tale in your mind and you will have this perfect body and look in the mirror and feel great,” he says.

“But unfortunately, this is not the case, because [loose] skin that comes with it. “

Although not everyone is satisfied with their loose skin.

“I just embrace it,” says Laura Hughes, 47 -year -old from Aberdeen. “It doesn’t bother me.”

He wasn’t worried about developing loose skin when he started to take a weight loss medication a year ago and lost 12 stones (76kg) since then.

During this time, especially in his arms, he noticed that a loose skin slowly appeared.

Laura says that the drug has “completely changed” as she walked before, and has not “out too much”.

Now he’s publishing selfie on social media and started DJ classes, something he’s never felt confident before.

“I compensate for the lost time.”