GLP1-s Were Life-Changing For My PMOS — Then I Wanted My Old Face Back
Take a breath and reserve your judgment — at 25, after nearly two years on a GLP-1 medication, I’ve never felt better.
I was 19 when I realized I felt trapped in my own body. I’d gained 30 kilos in the space of a year and seemed to have lost the body I once loved — one that fueled my happiness, freedom of movement, and self-expression through fashion — something I subsequently mourned.
It was at that point that a doctor confirmed my suspicions: I had polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome or PMOS (formerly known as PCOS), a hormonal condition affecting the ovaries, resulting in symptoms like acne, excess facial hair growth, androgenic alopecia, and, in my case, weight gain.
With any health diagnosis, there’s a swarm of well-meaning support from friends and family, but mine kept missing the mark. Many people encouraged me to eat less and exercise more. I found this advice to be flippant and unhelpful.
Although it’s not always the case for those with PMOS, healthcare practitioner Dr. Michael Mrozinski tells me that weight loss can be more of a biological issue than a willpower one. That’s because PMOS is a complex hormonal dysregulation affecting insulin, androgens (male hormones), and the broader metabolic system, he adds. What’s more, the medical support I received focused largely on the impact PMOS could have on my fertility, rather than my day-to-day life — and I so desperately wanted to feel like myself again.
So, at 23, I started looking into getting GLP-1 drugs privately.
I distinctly remember waking up one day and looking in the mirror to see an almost gaunt version of myself. I’d lost a significant amount of body fat, but I’d also lost much-needed volume in my face.
You don’t need me to tell you that GLP-1s have exploded in popularity in recent years, with 12% of US adults having tried some form of the drug — even if it’s unaffordable. It seems everyone, from celebrities like Serena Williams and Scott Disick to people closer to home, is using them to lose weight. Despite concerns about affordability and the lack of data on long-term effects, I went ahead anyway, hoping it could be life-changing.
And it was. “Losing as little as 5 to 10% of your body weight if you have PMOS can be genuinely transformative,” says Dr. Mrozinski. He adds, “We’re already seeing promising data on [improving] insulin sensitivity, menstrual regularity, and [lowering] androgen levels,” which was more than enough to give me the nudge I needed to try the treatment.
After lots of research, I went on GLP-1 drugs in September 2024. Since then, the weight has melted off, and many of my PMOS symptoms have eased. With any medication, there’s an adjustment period, but I’ve followed my GLP-1 regimen to the letter, almost in a state of relief, as the food noise finally stopped. If you’ve never experienced appetite control issues, picture stepping off a busy Manhattan street into a completely soundproof room — pure serenity. Besides mild nausea, I didn’t experience many of the side effects commonly associated with such medications, like vomiting, fatigue, and an increased heart rate. With that in mind, you might expect the experience to be entirely positive. But that’s far from the truth.
I distinctly remember waking up one day and looking in the mirror to see an almost gaunt version of myself. There I was, 15 months into my GLP-1 journey, facing a new problem. You see, we’ve been sold fitness fantasies about targeting fat in only our “problem” areas. But I can confirm that’s not how it works. I lost a significant amount of body fat, but I also lost much-needed volume in my face.
I found it unsettling that a treatment I used to manage a chronic health concern was now the cause of a new insecurity.
As more people begin taking GLP-1 medication, aesthetic doctors are noticing an increase in patients experiencing facial volume loss, a phenomenon dubbed “Ozempic face.” Aesthetics practitioner Dr. Arreni Soma tells me, “The most common facial hollowing occurs around the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes,” adding that skin laxity can contribute to patients appearing “significantly older than their years.” Don’t get me wrong: the aging process is totally natural — a privilege, even. However, at 25, I found it unsettling that a treatment I used to manage a chronic health concern was now the cause of a new insecurity. It was like being cheated out of the result I felt I deserved.
Facial fat contributes to the plump, “youthful” appearance that we value so much in a society obsessed with anti-aging. Complicated feelings about aging aside, I felt as though I looked constantly tired, which was very much at odds with my newfound energy. In truth, I knew that no one else was judging my face as harshly as I was, but I believed I was owed total perfection in this weight-loss journey.
Reflecting on my rapid weight loss, I wondered if I had done enough to prevent the hollowness or if it was even possible. I kept my protein intake high, ate all the vegetables I could, and maintained a steady routine of weight-lifting. What went wrong? After speaking with numerous aesthetic doctors, it was nice to know that I had done the best I could. Dr. Catharine Denning, an aesthetic dermatologist, tells me, “While eating properly won’t stop facial weight loss, it can help decrease the risk of reduced nutrition, which can make the skin look dull and impact hair retention.” Ultimately, though, there was nothing I could have done at home to prevent the effects of weight loss on my face completely.
Another thing I’d failed to take into account is that the loss of facial fat would cause my lip and under-eye filler to collapse. Growing up, I had an underbite, which was corrected with braces. As soon as I knew that lip filler was an attainable procedure, I opted to get it to disguise that misalignment further. With under-eye filler, I sought a refreshed, well-rested appearance. What most people fail to realize, though, is that the added volume from filler needs structural support, which can come from facial fat, bone, or muscle. In my case, losing that facial fat meant the filler no longer had the foundation it once did, resulting in a noticeably diminished effect.
It seemed absurd that after investing so much in losing weight, I might have to spend even more money trying to restore the facial features I’d lost along the way.
I can confidently say that I am happy with my weight-loss results, but I still feel a sense of overall discomfort with my face. It soon dawned on me that to get my face back to what it had been before, I might have to embark on another aesthetic journey — one that involved more injectables in an attempt to balance things out, disguise my newfound dark circles, and soften my uneven lip line. Of course, this would only be a temporary fix, but it seemed absurd that after investing so much in losing weight, I might have to spend even more money trying to restore the facial features I’d lost along the way.
Both Dr. Soma and Dr. Denning agree that replacing lost volume will likely involve some degree of aesthetic intervention, most commonly injectables. As an aesthetician myself, I’ve never shied away from cosmetic treatments. It was somewhat inevitable, then, that I would consider resolving my concerns with the latest innovations in nonsurgical advancements.
Firstly, it was important for me to choose the right practitioner and treatment plan. In doing my research, I actually avoided going back to the person who initially performed my under-eye filler; my case required a more bespoke approach. I ended up short-listing a few doctors, but ultimately chose to have a tailored treatment plan with Dr. Soma, who came highly recommended.
If you’re wondering what my full laundry list of injectables is, you’ll have to wait; the best aesthetic treatments are performed over time. What I can confirm is that I’ve already had two rounds of Hyalase to dissolve under-eye filler that had started to look like a botched procedure, and, about a month later, my first session of Rejuran. This is a polynucleotide-based treatment from South Korea that uses salmon DNA to help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. Dr. Soma told me that this approach was best suited to my concerns because it supports the skin’s natural regenerative processes and avoids the issues I’d previously encountered with dermal fillers.
In addition to the polynucleotide treatment, Dr. Soma also suggested a combination of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and Juläine, an injectable biostimulator packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, to address skin laxity and help rebuild collagen and elastin from within. As I am opting for a minimally invasive treatment plan, HIFU is ideal because it utilizes ultrasound to lift, firm, and tighten the skin. I’m apprehensive about the Juläine treatment, though. My main concern is what my face will look like with the extra volume, not to mention the hefty price tag associated with this treatment. In New York, one session typically starts at around $1,000, and regular treatments are needed for the best results.
My first introduction to GLP-1 drugs came via the swirl of celebrity rumours and dramatic weight-loss transformations. I now understand why these drugs remained in wealthy circles; they’re eye-wateringly expensive. It’s not just about the cost of the prescription or even nutrition. If you’re so inclined, the cost of aesthetic treatments to fix unwanted facial fat loss or skin laxity is very real.
My experience also highlighted just how far I’m willing to go to feel “better” about my appearance. It’s no secret that perceived health and beauty are considered currencies that improve the way we navigate everyday life. I experienced a real shift in my PMOS symptoms, and that became the deciding factor for me. From that point on, I was more determined than ever to maintain both the progress I’d made and the improved quality of life that came with it.
To be completely candid, this journey has cost me thousands, but people spend money on worse. The transformative experience of finally being in control of my body — and addressing lifelong aesthetic and health concerns — altered something in me that I never knew needed changing, and that’s okay to admit. In the end, my body stopped feeling like a prison and became a vehicle for living my life.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This is a preview from the original publisher. Continue reading at the source:
Read Full Article on refinery29.com →