ASPS President's Panel: Weighing  Semaglutides in Plastic Surgery Friday, September 27 Fri, Sep 27 2:00-3:00 p.m. PDT

This panel discussion will delve into the evolving landscape of incorporating semaglutides and similar injectable therapies for weight management within plastic surgery practices. With a surge in patients seeking these medications for weight loss and metabolic optimization pre- and post-surgery, it is imperative for plastic surgeons to explore the clinical, ethical, and safety considerations associated with their use. The session will shed light on the challenges, opportunities, and future directions in responsibly integrating these therapies into plastic surgery patient care.

At the end of this activity participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the rationale behind incorporating semaglutides and GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management within plastic surgery practices including as a tool for  patient recruitment and retention.
2. Debate the ethical considerations surrounding the use of semaglutides in plastic surgery, including patient disclosure, informed consent, and the implications of off-label prescribing.
3. Summarize the evidence from relevant studies assessing the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of semaglutide therapy in nondiabetic patients with obesity.
4. Identify potential challenges and limitations associated with the use of semaglutides in plastic surgery practice, such as rebound weight gain upon medication cessation, drug costs and compounding, drug interactions, and perioperative considerations.
5. Analyze emerging guidelines and best practices for integrating semaglutides into plastic surgery patient care, including preoperative medication management, risk mitigation strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration with endocrinologists and anesthesiologists.