Woman Aims to Break Weight Loss Surgery Stigma

A woman is gaining attention for her efforts to challenge the stigma surrounding plastic surgeries related to weight loss.

Jen, 41, began documenting her body transformation on TikTok in 2025 after shedding 180 pounds with a GLP-1 medication. This drug, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, is commonly prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

After losing weight, Jen experienced excess skin and decided to undergo a brachioplasty, or arm lift, to address it. She has been sharing her surgical journey and recovery updates with her followers.

In a conversation with PEOPLE, she clarified that her decision for surgery wasn’t entirely based on aesthetics.

“The excess skin is uncomfortable, too,” she explained. “It’s tough to describe. It feels like it’s not part of you. You’re just hiding it under clothes. I reached my ideal weight, and I feel great physically, but my appearance doesn’t entirely reflect that.”

Jen has been candid about one key detail: she was awake during the entire procedure. “Awake” plastic surgeries allow patients to skip general anesthesia, reducing risks and opting for local anesthesia and other medications to manage discomfort.

“Your body is numbed, so you really don’t feel much,” Jen said. “If there’s any pain, you can use laughing gas during it. I only have good memories from that day.”

She recalled that she felt “not scared at all” and remained “awake and talking” throughout the four-to-five-hour surgery conducted in October.

To ensure she received high-quality care, Jen chose Dr. Zachary Willis from Willis Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa in Ellisville, Missouri. Dr. Willis specializes in awake surgeries and has performed numerous arm lifts on weight loss patients.

“It’s all under local numbing,” said Dr. Willis. “We use a tumescent solution mixed with lidocaine to block the area. Essentially, it’s like getting a saline IV if you’re dehydrated.”

He also administrates relaxation medication to help patients stay calm, without inducing sleep.

Although awake surgical methods aren’t brand new, Dr. Willis noted that many doctors lack training in this area.

“I’m in private practice, but hospitals often have restrictions on what they can offer,” he mentioned, stating that he frequently sees patients referred to him after being turned away by other surgeons.

Jen expressed her appreciation for Dr. Willis’s work, stating she plans to return for an awake breast lift in March.

She feels that the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications will lead to more people considering awake procedures as they gain traction. Jen is determined to break the stigma surrounding weight loss medications and related skin-tightening surgeries.

“I often get comments implying that I’m vain or self-absorbed, with people telling me to just live with the excess skin,” she shared.

She remains hopeful, adding, “As research about the benefits of GLP-1s continues to emerge, I think more people will be open to understanding it. For many of us, it’s been a lifesaver.”