Dr Suraj Kukadia, an NHS doctor, warned that constipation is a common side effect of GLP-1 injections such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, and can be 'absolutely miserable'. He explained that these medications slow gastric emptying, reducing appetite but also slowing intestinal contractions, leading to constipation. The British Heart Foundation lists constipation as a 'very common' side effect, affecting 1 in 10 people according to Mounjaro patient leaflets. The exact prevalence among all GLP-1 users is not known.
Rapid weight loss from these drugs can also cause facial ageing, or 'Ozempic face', because the skin cannot shrink back as it does with slower weight loss, said Dr Sebastian Bejma. He noted that rapid weight loss negatively impacts collagen and elastin levels, affecting skin rigidity and flexibility. Consultant plastic surgeon Naveen Cavale compared the skin during rapid weight loss to a deflating balloon, causing accelerated ageing. The long-term impact on skin elasticity and collagen remains unclear.
Are you on a weight loss jab, and are you really constipated? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy are incredibly effective for weight loss and diabetes management. But one of the most common side effects is constipation, and it can be absolutely miserable.
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), side effects from weight loss drugs are behind a surge in facial cosmetic procedures. BAAPS data shows facelifts rose by 11%, brow lifts by 27%, and eyelid surgery by 8% in 2025. Former BAAPS President Dr Rajiv Grover said awareness of 'Ozempic face' has driven medical reasons for patients seeking facial aesthetic procedures. How many patients have sought surgery specifically due to 'Ozempic face' is not known.
Breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgery in the UK with 4,761 procedures in 2025, closely followed by breast reduction with 4,673. However, breast augmentations and abdominoplasties (tummy tucks) are falling in demand. Superficial gluteal lipofilling (SGL) procedures plummeted by 38% in 2025. The total number of cosmetic procedures in 2025 was 26,840, a 2% drop from the previous year.
Now, it happens because these medicines slow down your gastric emptying. That's how quickly food moves from your stomach into your intestines. This is actually part of how they work for weight loss. You feel fuller for longer because the food sits in your stomach for longer, and then this can help to reduce your appetite. But this slowing down doesn't just affect your stomach. It also affects your entire gastrointestinal tract. Now, the contractions in your intestine slow down, too, meaning stool will move through much more slowly. This means there's more time for water to get absorbed, and you end up constipated.
In the UK, Ozempic is not approved for weight loss, while Mounjaro and Wegovy are. The demographic profile of patients experiencing severe side effects has not been detailed.
That being said, some people do get it worse than others, with higher doses tending to cause more constipation. But if you are already prone to constipation, or you're on other medications that slow down your gut, like opioids, it can be really severe.
Social media has allowed people to see what modern facial surgery really looks like with subtle, natural and restorative results, driven by the newer techniques of deep plane facelift and deep plane neck lift surgery.
Awareness of the side effects of weight-loss drugs such as 'Ozempic face' have also driven medical reasons for patients seeking facial aesthetic procedures.