A top doctor has gone viral and left social media users stunned after claiming a common medication that treats a condition which affects over half a billion people globally can allegedly “speed up” ageing.
Dr Gary Motykie is board-certified surgeon and has 15 years’ of experience under his belt.
In recent years, he has become a social media sensation with over 258,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok (@drgarymotykie ).
In a recent video, which has racked up 1.3 million views, the surgeon has left users shocked after discussing ‘Ozempic face’ – a term reportedly used by medical professionals to describe side effects that may be caused by a type 2 diabetes drug.
“If you undergo rapid weight loss while using Ozempic, [there will be] alterations in your facial appearance, particularly in the cheeks and neck,” Dr Motykie told Jam Prime.
“These changes can manifest as the development of wrinkles or a loss of fullness, resulting in loose skin below the eyes, along the temples, jawline and near the mouth.”
The injectable prescription medicine is known as semaglutide but branded as Ozempic by its Danish manufacturers, Novo Nordisk.
According to the product website it is used to “improve blood sugar (glucose)” and to “reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events” in “adults with type 2 diabetes”.
The company says it is “not a weight loss drug” but “may help you lose some weight”.
Dr Motykie says patients shouldn’t be concerned about “Ozempic face” as the side effects can be reversible and medical professionals can recommend treatments for patients, too.
He said: “Whatever happens to your body, is also going to happen to your face.
“Everybody knows as we get a little bit older and we’re losing volume in our face, we tend to look gaunt, we tend to look tired and we tend to look older.
“All of those are effects of losing fat in the face, along with losing fat in the body.”
While stopping the medication may not “bounce back” youthful skin, there are surgeries available such as fat grafting or dermal fillers.
He said: “Over the last six months, we’ve noticed a surge in patient interest in facial fat grafting.
“Typically, patients initially explore dermal fillers, but as they grow weary of recurring expenses, they tend to consider [this] as an alternative.
“The only necessity for fat grafting is the availability of little excess body fat to transfer to the face.
“Most patients typically have a little excess fat that they are willing to spare in order to look more attractive and youthful.”
Typically, fat grafting costs around $5,000 to $8,000 (USD) and while it may seem pricey, it can give more long-lasting results.
And it is often a one-time procedure, as opposed to getting fillers – which need to be continously topped up.
Social media users have been quick to react to Dr Motykie’s video, with many stunned by the revelation.
Someone else commented: “Been on it 2 weeks and I’ve lost 8lbs.”
“OK I have a friend on this she lost some weight but her face aged so bad she looked 10 years older […]” Tina added.
“Yikes,” said another user.
Someone else said: “I’ve been seeing Ozempic Face on every news website! Thank you for explaining in a simple, but good, way.”
“It’s called seeing your cheekbones for the first time in years,” said another person.
“Forget Ozempic face…If I lose the weight I have gained…I will look like the Grim Reaper,” joked another user.
“Insanity,” said someone else.
However, not all social. media users agreed with some claiming to have not experienced any weight loss.
Another person added: “I took Ozempic and look nothing like this.”
Someone else said: “I’ve been taking ozempic for 4 weeks, and I haven’t even lost a 1kg lol.” [sic]
Dr Motykie previously hit the headlines after claiming how US President Joe Biden may have gone under the knife – including having a face and brow lift.
The surgeon claims the world leader may have splashed “up to $100,000” (USD) on plastic surgery.
He said: “I would estimate that Joe Biden would’ve spent up to $100,000 in today’s dollars on plastic surgery if he were to have undergone these procedures here in Beverly Hills.
“It’s hard to say because the prices of plastic surgery fluctuate by region and, of course, the prices when he did these procedures, likely 20 or so years ago, would have been lower than they currently are today.
“I recently uploaded a video to my Instagram evaluating President Biden’s transformation.
“It appears that he may have had several procedures that were performed with outdated techniques.
“For example, it appears he has had a facelift and brow lift, but it left him with pixie ears and unnatural forehead lines.
“His hairline has also been restored but the transplanted hair doesn’t appear as natural as it would if it had been done with modern technique.”
