The usage of GLP-1 receptor agonists as weight loss medications and its impact on the aesthetic medicine

Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2025, 61(1), 66-72.

Y. P. Yordanov, A. Shef

MC “ASD Consult” – Sofia

Abstract. Obesity is a medical problem with significant social impact and increasing importance worldwide. Bulgaria is one of the most affected countries in the European Union. During the last two decades significant efforts have been applied around the globe to accelerate a broad spectrum of research and practice toward developing new and more effective approaches to address the tremendous burden of obesity. Pharmaceutical companies have been also involved. GLP-1 receptor agonists – a new class of antidiabetes medications which basic principle of action is modulation of the incretin system, demonstrated a significant weight loss effect and thus have been recognized rapidly as an effective weight loos therapy. In daily practice, medical specialists practicing aesthetic medicine are among the clinicians who most commonly encounter with patients on these medications. At the same time, specialists often have to deal with the consequences of the weight loose therapy. Therefore, it is critical for plastic surgeons and dermatologists to understand the mechanism of action, potential clinical effects, safety considerations and sequels of the therapy with incretin mimetics. Emphasis was placed on the regulatory principles and the long-term management of this group of patients.

Key words: GLP-1 receptor agonists, weigh loos, aesthetic medicine, patient safety

Address for correspondence: Yordan P. Yordanov, MD, PhD, e-mail: yordanov_vma@abv.bg