From disappearing boobs and bum to crepey arms and hollow face – how I got rid of my sagging Ozempic skin

The Sun

5 days ago

THANKS to weight-loss jab Mounjaro, I've lost 8.5st in a year. I'm five dress sizes down and thrilled.
But what I wasn't prepared for was the sagging. It's everywhere. And it's shaken my confidence.
8
8
'Surprisingly, it's not just how much weight you lose, it's how quickly,' explains aesthetic doctor and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic, Dr Sophie Shotter.
'Rapid weight loss doesn't give skin time to recoil,' she says.
'Studies show after losing over 50 per cent of excess weight, previously obese people have 40 per cent less elastin and significantly reduced collagen density.'
As someone who has yo-yo'd with my weight for decades, that resonates.
Hormonal issues linked to polycystic ovary syndrome and my thyroid, saw me sign up to WeightWatchers at 14, followed by stints on the Atkins diet, liquid Cambridge diet and general calorie and carb-counting, all of which left me with disordered eating and a major tendency to emotionally eat, too.
I spent time in therapy to work on my relationship with food and my body. I ended up dropping down to 12-and-a-half stone and maintained that weight for a few years.
But then I froze my eggs in October 2021 and my hormones went haywire.
I was then put on medication, but I developed anxiety and depression, which brought back the emotional eating, and I found it difficult to leave the house.
I came off the hormone treatment, but the damage had been done and I reached 18 stone by January 2023.
Once I gave Mounjaro a go in May 2024, I haven't looked back.
Now, despite getting down to a size eight, I'm still covering up all the bits I did when I was a size 18.
So, in a bid to enjoy this new body, I'm on a mission to tackle the sag.
Here's what actually works . . .
BINGO WINGS
My arms have always been a bugbear — and while the fat is long gone, I'm still hauling around 5cm of hanging skin. At rest, they look rippled and crepey. Raised, they jiggle like jelly.
'The upper arms, especially the inner side, are one of the first areas where crepey, sagging skin appears after losing weight,' says my go-to aesthetician and founder of Ace Skin Health Clinic, Corina Mihalachi.
'The skin here is naturally thinner and due to constant movement and often reduced muscle tone, it quickly loses firmness.
'This can create the appearance of loose 'wings'.'
I've been lifting weights and following a high-protein diet to build up my triceps, as Dr Shotter says 'more muscle will help fill out the slack skin and give a little increase in girth.'
I've also been slathering on Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment, £28.90/118ml — great for boosting collagen, although as Shotter notes 'it won't lift the skin'.
A cheaper option would be The Solution Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion, £9.99/200ml.
Mihalachi also recommended Radio Frequency microneedling, which combines skin puncturing and heat to stimulate collagen and elastin.
It's helped — but for the defined arms I want, I'm planning a brachioplasty, which costs anywhere between £4000-£12,500 in the UK.
'This procedure removes excess skin,' says surgeon Patrick Mallucci.
'It creates a more contoured shape — but leaves a long scar inside the arm.'
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
MUFFIN TOPS
My tummy looks saggy now, as the skin is so loose that my belly button has turned downwards like a sad face.
A small pouch peeks over my underwear, making low-rise jeans a no-go.
To ease bloating and define my waist, I've been supporting my gut with fermented foods like kimchi and yoghurt, drinking 2.5 litres of water daily and taking Artah's GI Cleanse Supplement, £38. A cheaper alternative is Gut Love supplements by Protein Works, £9.99 for a 30-day supply.
I've also been working on my core by doing mat-based pilates via YouTube.
Shotter says: 'This can help to thicken the main abdominal muscle, giving a mild improvement in tightness.'
At Mallucci London, I've had Emsculpt Neo, a treatment using High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic energy to simulate 20,000 sit-ups in 30 minutes. Costing £199-£400 per session, it's pricey but effective.
I'm not in low-rise jeans yet, but high-rise ones and a cute crop top feel do-able, as I now have more definition on my upper abs. But when it comes to the lower part of my stomach I need a little more help with my pouch.
Mihalachi suggested Radio Frequency (RF) Microneedling, which uses energy to boost collagen. She then applies repairing polynucleotides and exosomes topically to further regenerate and firm sagging skin.
At home, I'm topping up with The Inkey List Exosome Hydra-Glow Complex, £20/30ml.
PANCAKE BUM
AT 41, I don't expect to sport the behind I had in my youth, but when I reached my goal weight of ten stone a couple of months ago, my bum was pancake flat – despite working out regularly.
So I decided to up the anti on my glutes and, along with my abs, I also had a course of EMSculpt Neo on my bum – think 20,000 squats in 30 minutes.
'Like with the abdomen, this can lead to muscle growth beyond what exercise alone can achieve,' says Dr Shotter.
The idea here is that the muscle growth will help fill out the loose skin a little to give me some more projection. To a certain extent, it has delivered some – although just like with sagging on the breasts, the only real fix is a surgical lift.
But if surgery isn't an option, you could try padded bum-lifting shapewear like the George at Asda shaping bum-enhancing shorts, £7.50.
If I'm not wearing clothes that skim my bum, then these are my go-tos.
DEFLATED FACE
'WHEN losing weight, the fat pads that give the face fullness and structure begin to shrink,' says Mihalache.
'This can cause a hollow appearance around the eyes and cheeks and sagging along the jawline and neck. The skin may look looser, thinner and, in some cases, more textured – especially if elasticity was already compromised.'
In my case, my nasolabial folds are more pronounced, my cheeks have deflated and I've developed a hint of jowling.
I'm religious about my skincare, all of which help counteract the visible effects of rapid weight loss.
And if you want to follow suit it's worth including actives like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, both found in the Byoma Brightening Serum,£12.99/30ml - which plumps, hydrates and boosts collagen and elastin. SPF is also a must to protect from UV rays, as they break down collagen and elastin fibres which you desperately need in order to avoid 'Ozempic sag.
Try the Skin+Me Daily Moisturiser with SPF50, £22/24ml. And at night invest in a prescription retinoid like tretinoin that turbo charges collagen production and can be found in the personalised Dermatica night treatment, £24.99/12.5ml.
Shotter says injectables offer the next level of support. 'Dermal fillers help plump up sunken skin restoring lost volume to reinstate facial contours.
'Additionally, injectable biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse, from £400, go a step further by boosting your own collagen to rebuild the skin's internal scaffolding.'
Meaning, if you don't have extreme laxity, wave goodbye to sagging and say hello to a defined jawline, sculpted cheekbones and cheeks that sit where they used to. Sign me up.
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...
Don't skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry.
Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.
Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone.
Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need.
Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.
Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.
Don't ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance.
Don't stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
DROOPY BOOBS
MY boobs have disappeared – the volume has gone and they look like I've breast fed three kids and yet I have no children.
There's really nothing an in-clinic treatment, skincare, or supplementation can do when it comes to sagging breasts.
'These will need lifting either with or without implants, though more often than not, an implant is required to restore lost volume,' explains Mallucci.
'Lightweight implants are ideal as the inelastic skin is not tolerant of too much extra weight.
'Like with all surgeries associated with sagging, scarring is unavoidable.
'Additionally, when it comes to breast-lift surgery of this nature an 'anchor shape' scar is what patients can expect as this cut allows for the most amount of excess skin removal.'
I'm booking in for one as soon as I've saved enough pennies.
It's worth noting that the average cost for a breast lift with implants is £8,500 in the UK.
But in the meantime to fill out my bras I'm relying on the John Lewis silicone cleavage boosters, right, £22.
They push up my boobs, filling my bras better, and magically eliminating the crepey, wrinkled appearance of my skin.