Impact of Preoperative Semaglutide Discontinuation Timing on Postoperative Outcomes in Aesthetic Abdominoplasty: A Retrospective Comparative Study.
Semaglutide is making waves far beyond the metabolic research world. A new retrospective study out of Rome just explored how this popular GLP-1 peptide interacts with surgical outcomes — specifically in patients getting aesthetic abdominoplasty after losing weight with semaglutide.
Aesthetic Plast Surg
by Bruno A, Calicchia A, Schirosi M
“Impact of Preoperative Semaglutide Discontinuation Timing on Postoperative Outcomes in Aesthetic Abdominoplasty: A Retrospective Comparative Study. Bruno A(1), Calicchia A(2), Schirosi M(3). Author information: (1)Santa Maria di Leuca Clinic, Via Tiberina 173, 00188, Rome, Italy. dott.agostinobruno@gmail.com. (2)Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy. (3)Santa Maria di Leuca Clinic, Via Tiberina 173, 00188, Rome, Italy. BACKGROUND: The widespread adoption of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide for weight loss has led to an increasing number of non-diabetic patients seeking body contouring procedures after pharmacologic weight reduction. However, concerns have emerged regarding postoperative complications potentially linked to GLP-1 therapy, particularly when continued up to the time of surgery. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative semaglutide discontinuation timing on short-term postoperative outcomes in aesthetic lipoabdominoplasty. METHODS: Eighty patients who underwent primary lipoabdominoplasty were divided into four groups: continued semaglutide until surgery (Group A), 2-week discontinuation (Group B), 4-week discontinuation (Group C), and semaglutide-naïve controls (Group D). All patients were matched for age, BMI, and surgical technique. Postoperative complications within 30 days were assessed. RESULTS: Group A exhibited the highest complication rate (45%), including wound dehiscence, infection, and seroma formation. Group B showed moderate improvement (30% complication rate), while Group C demonstrated a significant reduction in adverse outcomes (10%), comparable to the control group (10%). Gastrointestinal intolerance and prolonged drain duration were also more frequent in patients with ongoing semaglutide use. No reoperations or readmissions occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Continuation of semaglutide until surgery significantly increases postoperative complication risk in lipoabdominoplasty. A 4-week preoperative discontinuation period effectively normalizes outcomes, supporting its use as a safety measure in aesthetic surgery candidates. These findings emphasize the need for standardized perioperative management protocols for patients on GLP-1 therapy and underscore the importance of interdisciplinary coordination and nutritional assessment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 . © 2026. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Conflict of interest statement: Declarations. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Ethical Approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Consent for Publication: Each participant has given written informed consent for publication.”
Here’s what the researchers did: They reviewed 80 patients who underwent lipoabdominoplasty, splitting them into four groups based on semaglutide use. One group kept using semaglutide right up to surgery. The others stopped either two weeks or four weeks before, and a control group had never used it. All patients were matched for age, BMI, and surgical technique.
The results were clear:
Patients who continued semaglutide until surgery had the highest rate of post-op complications (45%).
Complication rates dropped to 30% if semaglutide was stopped two weeks before surgery.
A full four-week discontinuation brought complications down to just 10% — the same as the semaglutide-naïve group.
Ongoing semaglutide use was linked to more GI issues and longer drain times.
No one needed a reoperation or readmission.
Key takeaway: Managing semaglutide use before surgery matters. A four-week break before elective procedures like lipoabdominoplasty seems to level the playing field and reduce risk. This is a practical insight for researchers studying the peptide’s safety profile and anyone designing perioperative protocols for GLP-1 agonists.
The study highlights just how important timing and coordination are when working with advanced research peptides like semaglutide. For those sourcing GLP-1 receptor agonists for research, check the vendor directory to compare options.
No medical drama here — just actionable data for the research community.
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