Study Examines Impact of Weight-Loss Drugs on Panniculectomy Risks

Research suggests GLP-1 medications may have mixed effects on healing after body contouring surgery.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:48am

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A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined the impact of GLP-1 weight-loss medications on complication risks for patients undergoing panniculectomy, a procedure to remove excess abdominal skin after major weight loss. The research found that while GLP-1 users did not have higher overall surgical risks, they were more likely to experience delayed wound healing but less likely to develop fluid build-up (seroma) compared to non-GLP-1 users.

Why it matters

As GLP-1 medications become more common for weight loss and diabetes treatment, plastic surgeons need to understand how these drugs may affect outcomes for body contouring procedures like panniculectomy. The findings suggest a complex relationship between GLP-1 use and specific aspects of post-surgical healing, which could impact how these medications are managed around the time of surgery.

The details

Researchers analyzed outcomes for 373 panniculectomy patients at West Virginia University from 2013-2023, 21.7% of whom were taking GLP-1 medications prior to surgery. GLP-1 users were more likely to have conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, but had similar BMIs. While GLP-1 users faced higher rates of delayed wound healing (18.5% vs. 7.5%), they had lower rates of seroma (4.9% vs. 14.0%). Other complications like wound reopening, infection, and rehospitalization were similar between groups.

  • The study analyzed panniculectomy patients from 2013 to 2023.
  • The research was published in the April 2026 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The players

Zachary Andrew Koenig, MD

Lead author of the study and researcher at West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, where the study was published.

West Virginia University

The medical center where the panniculectomy patients included in the study were treated.

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What they’re saying

“As GLP-1 receptor agonist [GLP1ra] medications become increasingly integrated into the care of patients undergoing body contouring, our findings suggest that these drugs may have subtle effects on wound healing, even if they don't increase overall surgical risks.”

— Zachary Andrew Koenig, MD, Lead author

“Our findings suggest that while GLP1ra therapy does not appear to increase major surgical risk, it may affect specific aspects of healing that warrant proactive management.”

— Zachary Andrew Koenig, MD, Lead author

What’s next

The researchers emphasize the need for ongoing research, including formal guidelines related to GLP-1 medications and plastic surgery.

The takeaway

This study highlights the complex relationship between GLP-1 weight-loss medications and post-surgical healing for body contouring procedures like panniculectomy. As these drugs become more widely used, plastic surgeons will need to carefully manage their impact on specific aspects of the healing process.