Dr. Carol Eisenstat, board-certified anesthesiologist and founder of Line Eraser MD, was recently featured in Newsweek in an article examining muscle loss during GLP-1 weight loss and the increasingly common term “Ozempic butt.”
The article looks beyond some of the alarming headlines surrounding medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, explaining that changes in body shape after significant weight loss are more complex than simply “losing muscle.”
What Does “Ozempic Butt” Actually Mean?
“Ozempic butt” is a term commonly used to describe a flatter or less rounded appearance of the buttocks after substantial weight loss.
In the Newsweek feature, Dr. Eisenstat explains that the appearance is often caused primarily by a reduction in fat and overall volume rather than significant muscle wasting.
She also emphasizes that losing some lean mass is not unique to GLP-1 medications. Some loss of lean tissue can occur whenever someone loses a significant amount of weight, whether through dietary changes, bariatric surgery or weight-loss medications.
While research suggests that a portion of weight lost during GLP-1 treatment can come from lean mass, the majority of the weight lost is typically fat. Preserving muscle should still remain an important part of any medically supervised weight-loss plan.
How Can Patients Protect Muscle During GLP-1 Weight Loss?
Dr. Eisenstat highlighted two particularly important strategies for preserving muscle: getting enough protein and incorporating resistance training.
She recommends prioritizing adequate protein intake and completing resistance-training exercises at least twice per week. Patients who consistently focus on these areas tend to do a better job of maintaining muscle while losing weight.
This is also why looking beyond the number on the scale is important. Tracking changes in fat and lean mass can provide a much clearer picture of how the body is responding to treatment.
At Line Eraser MD, the Slim MD weight-loss program combines medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide with individualized medical guidance and body-composition analysis.
Weight Loss Can Affect Volume Throughout the Body
Changes in the buttocks are not the only visible effect that can follow significant weight loss. Loss of facial fat and volume can also contribute to the appearance commonly described as “Ozempic face.”
These changes do not necessarily mean that GLP-1 medications themselves are directly damaging muscle or facial tissue. Instead, they can occur as the body adjusts to substantial reductions in weight and fat.
Patients interested in understanding these changes in more detail can read Dr. Eisenstat’s guide to Ozempic face, why it happens and available treatment options.
For patients using or considering GLP-1 therapy, an individualized approach can help balance effective weight loss with maintaining strength, nutrition and overall body composition. Learn more about semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight management.
Read the Full Newsweek Feature
Read the complete Newsweek article: “Ozempic Butt” Isn’t Always Muscle Loss—What Experts Want Patients to Know.
