How do you avoid Ozempic butt?

Key Points

• “Ozempic butt” is a term for sagging or wrinkly skin in the buttocks area after using the injectable type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic (semaglutide).
• Weight loss is a common side effect of Ozempic; however, losing weight too quickly can cause saggy skin and a flattened appearance of the buttocks.
• To prevent Ozempic butt, lose weight slowly, maintain a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Strength training can build muscle in the buttocks area and improve skin tone.

What is Ozempic Butt?

"Ozempic butt" refers to sagging or deflated buttocks that some people experience after significant and rapid weight loss while taking Ozempic (semaglutide). This happens when fat loss occurs rapidly, and the skin does not have enough time to adjust, leading to a looser, less firm appearance.

What Causes Ozempic Butt?

Several factors contribute to the severity of "Ozempic butt," including:

• Amount of weight lost: The more weight someone loses, the more likely they are to experience sagging skin.
• Speed of weight loss: Rapid weight loss is more likely to cause sagging skin than gradual weight loss.
• How long you have been overweight: Skin that has been stretched for many years may have reduced elasticity.
• Age: Older individuals naturally have less skin elasticity, making them more prone to sagging skin.
• Genetics: Some people may be genetically predisposed to looser skin or fat distribution in their buttocks.

How to Prevent Ozempic Butt

While it’s difficult to predict if you will experience this effect, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Lose weight gradually: If you are looking to lose weight, try to do it gradually if you can. Do not try extreme diets, which can cause you to lose weight too quickly. Slow weight loss can help give your skin time to adjust to your changing body shape.
• Build muscle in the buttocks: Incorporate step-up exercises, squats, and lunges in your regular exercise routine.
• Keep your skin moisturized: To help your skin maintain elasticity and firmness, regularly moisturize it with a cream or lotion that contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.
• Eat a balanced diet: Even with reduced appetite from Ozempic, aim to consume a nutrient-dense diet. Eat foods that are rich in protein and nutrients that support skin health, such as vitamins C, E, and collagen.

If you’re concerned about changes in body composition while taking Ozempic, consult your healthcare provider. They can offer personalized guidance on weight loss strategies, exercise routines, and skin health to help you achieve your health goals while minimizing unwanted effects.

Related questions

• Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?
• Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
• What are the long-term side effects of Ozempic?

Treatment Options for Existing Ozempic Butt

While prevention is always the preferred approach, many people develop Ozempic butt despite their best efforts or discover the condition after significant weight loss has already occurred. Fortunately, several effective treatment options are available to address existing buttock volume loss and skin laxity. These range from non-invasive body contouring treatments and targeted exercise programs to more comprehensive surgical solutions.

The right treatment approach depends on the severity of your condition, your personal goals, budget considerations, and how much downtime you can accommodate. Understanding these options can help you work with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan that restores your confidence and achieves your desired results.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Body contouring treatments like Evolve and CoolSculpting can help tighten loose skin around the buttocks area and remove excess fat cells, allowing the body to remove them over time. These procedures use radiofrequency or cooling technology to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity without surgery.

Physical therapy programs specifically designed for muscle rebuilding can help restore gluteal volume through targeted exercises and resistance training. A qualified physical therapist can create a personalized program focusing on the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus muscles.

Exercises for Ozempic butt may include:

• Hip bridges: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
• Glute clamshells: 2 sets of 15 each side
• Wall sits: 3 sets of 30 seconds
• Modified squats: 2 sets of 10 reps
• Bulgarian split squats: 3 sets of 12 each leg
• Hip thrusts with resistance band: 3 sets of 15 reps
• Romanian deadlifts: 3 sets of 10 reps
• Fire hydrants: 2 sets of 12 each side
• Barbell hip thrusts: 4 sets of 8-12 reps
• Single-leg Romanian deadlifts: 3 sets of 8 each leg
• Weighted squats: 4 sets of 10 reps
• Lateral band walks: 3 sets of 15 steps each direction

Always consult with your healthcare professional before starting a new exercise program.

Surgical Solutions

For severe cases, buttock lift surgery (lower body lift) can remove excess skin and reposition remaining tissue for a more youthful appearance. This procedure is typically recommended when non-surgical methods prove insufficient. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures using fat transfer from other body areas can restore lost volume, though this requires having adequate donor fat available.

Read next

See also:

Related medical questions

• How many doses are in an Ozempic pen?
• Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss?
• How does Ozempic work for weight loss?
• Can you switch between Ozempic and Mounjaro?
• Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
• What happens when you stop taking Ozempic?
• Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated?
• Will my insurance cover the cost of Ozempic?
• Saxenda vs Ozempic: For Weight Loss?
• When is the best time of day to take Ozempic?
• Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
• Does Ozempic cause muscle loss and how to prevent it?
• Can you buy Ozempic over the counter?
• Where and how should Ozempic be injected?
• Do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro cause sulfur burps?
• Are there natural alternatives to Ozempic for weight loss?
• Rybelsus vs Ozempic for weight loss: Which to choose?
• Ozempic Face: What causes it and how to prevent it?
• How long does Ozempic last in your system?
• How long can you stay on Ozempic?
• How does Ozempic affect blood pressure?
• Is Ozempic better than metformin?
• Trulicity vs Ozempic: Which is right for you?

Drug information

• Ozempic Information for Consumers
• Ozempic prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
• Side Effects of Ozempic (detailed)
• Ozempic user reviews (1,584)

Related support groups

• Ozempic (113 questions, 227 members)
• Diabetes, Type 2 (511 questions, 1,431 members)

Medical Disclaimer