2025 is here, and it’s the season for New Year’s resolutions when many are setting new weight-loss goals. But what if this year’s resolutions weren’t just about willpower? Starting January 1, 2025, Mounjaro and Wegovy will be subsidized in Israel, joining the global momentum of GLP-1 receptor agonists as transformative tools for weight loss and metabolic health.
For eligible patients, Mounjaro will be 50% covered by Maccabi’s and Meuhedet’s supplementary insurance plans, while Wegovy will be 50% covered by Maccabi’s and Clalit’s supplementary insurance plans. These medications—also including Victoza, Saxenda, and Ozempic—are redefining approaches to obesity and type II diabetes by offering substantial, sustained weight loss.
While the health benefits of these medications are widely celebrated, their profound effects on body composition and proportions are also reshaping the aesthetic landscape, with weighty considerations at play. Patients considering weight loss injections should be aware of the potential need for plastic surgery as part of their weight-loss journey, as dramatic reductions in weight often leave behind excess skin and changes in facial appearance. This has prompted a surge in demand for body contouring and facial rejuvenation procedures.
The “Ozempic Face”
The term “Ozempic face” has entered the aesthetic lexicon to describe the volume loss and skin laxity many patients experience after rapid weight reduction. Facelift procedures, along with fat grafting and dermal fillers, are increasingly sought to restore a youthful, balanced appearance. These techniques help rejuvenate hollowed areas, smooth fine lines, and tighten sagging skin, complementing the facial transformation initiated by weight loss.
Excess skin following significant weight loss can affect additional areas, including the abdomen, arms, thighs, breasts, and buttocks. Body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), brachioplasty (arm lift), thighplasty (thigh lift), breast lifts, and buttock lifts have become pivotal in helping patients achieve proportional, harmonious body contours.
For optimal results, candidates are encouraged to wait until their weight has stabilized to ensure that results remain durable and minimize risks associated with further weight fluctuations.
GLP-1 receptor agonists lead to progressive weight loss, typically peaking and plateauing around the 12-month mark. “For patients considering plastic surgery due to excessive weight loss, this trajectory informs the optimal timing of procedures,” says Dr. Rod Rohrich, Past President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Editor-Emeritus of “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery”, the leading academic journal in Plastic Surgery.
Balanced Diet and Exercise
For patients contemplating plastic surgery after GLP-1-induced weight loss, timing is crucial. Surgery performed too early—before the weight stabilizes—can result in suboptimal outcomes or the need for revisions. Similarly, sustaining weight loss post-surgery is critical to maintaining the aesthetic results. With questions surrounding the potential for rebound weight gain after stopping GLP-1 therapy, patients are advised to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and exercise to support their long-term goals.
As we look ahead, 2025 marks a new era of weight loss solutions, offering patients the opportunity to redefine their metabolic health and aesthetic goals like never before. This transformative journey requires strategic planning to achieve enduring results and maximize the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Dr. Stav Brown is a Physician-Scientist, Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni, and Contributor to Forbes Israel, covering health, medicine, science, and innovation.
Forbes Israel Contributors are independent writers selected by the Forbes editorial team, experts in their field, providing professional commentary and reviews in their area of expertise. The content is unsponsored, reflects their personal views, and is solely their responsibility.
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individuals seeking personal medical guidance should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
