New Study Reveals GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs May Slow Wound Healing But Reduce Fluid Build-up After Abdominal Surgery

A 10-year study finds GLP-1 medications double the risk of delayed wound healing after abdominal surgery but significantly reduce fluid build-up (seromas).

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 10:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Wolters Kluwer.

The Growing Intersection of GLP-1 Therapy and Plastic Surgery

As GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1ras) like Ozempic and Wegovy become staples in weight management, plastic surgeons are seeing a surge in patients seeking body contouring to address loose skin after massive weight loss. Panniculectomy—the surgical removal of hanging abdominal skin and fat—is one of the most common procedures in this demographic. Lead author Dr. Zachary Andrew Koenig notes that some surgeons even prescribe these medications to optimize a patient's weight before surgery. However, new data suggests that these metabolic powerhouses may have unintended consequences for the soft tissue healing process that follows the scalpel.

Analyzing a Decade of Surgical Outcomes

Researchers at the West Virginia University School of Medicine tracked 373 patients who underwent panniculectomy between 2013 and 2023. This study is particularly significant because West Virginia has the highest rate of GLP-1 prescriptions in the United States. To ensure a clear picture of how the drugs themselves affected recovery, the team excluded patients who were simultaneously undergoing bariatric or hernia surgeries. They found that 21.7% of the surgical patients were using GLP-1 medications—a figure that has climbed sharply in the latter half of the decade.

The Wound Healing Paradox: Delay vs. Seroma

The study identified a distinct "give and take" regarding surgical complications for GLP-1 users.