It seems like everyone is talking about weight loss right now as GLP-1 medications become mainstream and are recommended by leading experts and doctors in the field. With this weight-loss boom also comes a new group of people interested in cosmetic treatments that complement their journey.
The CareCredit credit card offers flexible financing solutions * to patients throughout each part of their beauty and wellness routine to pay for these treatments and procedures. It can be used at more than 285,000 locations nationwide and has been a trusted resource for nearly 40 years. We spoke to Corona Del Mar, CA plastic surgeon Brian Reagan, MD of CosmetiCarePlastic Surgery & Medspa Newport Beach to learn more about how CareCredit can help patients finance the aftercare and effects of weight loss for both men and women, including skin tightening, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for thinning hair, vitamin injections and more.
*subject to credit approval
How can CareCredit help patients on their weight-loss journey?
“We are seeing wonderful weight-loss outcomes with the new medications available on the market. Losing weight is such a major achievement, but it can also come with new challenges like loose skin on the body or deflated faces after volume loss, which patients very much want to address. CareCredit is a wonderful tool that allows them to address these concerns by giving patients the financial flexibility to move forward with treatments that help them feel whole again after their weight-loss journey.”
What should patients know about GLP-1 weight loss and the support it requires?
“These medications have been proven to be very effective. They are, however, very serious medications and management need to be done under the supervision of a physician who can monitor a patient’s progress, review blood work, and make sure their plan is safe and tailored to their individual needs. My advice is to view GLP-1 therapy as a powerful tool, not a quick fix. With the right care team and a long-term mindset, patients can achieve healthy, lasting results.”
What are the top treatments patients are looking for after their weight-loss goals are achieved?
“Once we’ve come to a stable weight-loss point, then it’s time to talk about what can be addressed surgically and nonsurgically, related to the loss of volume and skin laxity. In terms of volume loss, this is addressed either with fillers, or, as we prefer, using the patient’s own fat to create volume through autologous fat grafting.
For skin laxity in the body, drooping breasts respond nicely to breast augmentation and/or breast lifts. We often see laxity of the abdomen and posterior trunk post weight loss as well, which lends well to tummy tucks and bodylifts. Looking at extremities, it is routine to see a brachioplasty (arm lift) or thigh lift. These procedures are often done in stages, and CareCredit plays an important role here because it offers flexible [financing] options that make it easier to move forward with the treatments they’ve worked so hard to earn after months of dedication and consistency.”
When is the best time to undergo cosmetic procedures after GLP-1 weight loss?
“During a weight-loss journey, it’s really more about adapting to the changes in your body and the decrease in appetite. Many patients—both men and women—find that while the number on the scale is changing their body shape either isn’t catching up or is changing dramatically, which prompts people to want correction immediately, while they’re still undergoing weight-loss treatment. However, any correction of loose skin or volume loss, like a facelift or tummy tuck, should really be withheld until after the final weight-loss point, after which we can assess the patient’s needs.
Patients often ask, ‘When is a good time to do my surgery?’ We would like the patients to have been stabilized in their weight-loss journey. Typically, this will be after 6 to 12 months of medication. Additionally, patients must be off the medication three weeks prior to their surgery, and can be back on three weeks after.”
Can CareCredit help patients maintain momentum on their GLP-1 journeys?
“One of the biggest challenges patients face with GLP-1 medications is consistency—staying on track long enough to see the full benefits. Our patients find CareCredit’s flexible financing helps make that commitment easier, by removing some financial stress that can come with ongoing treatment. It’s also routine to discuss the kinds of complaints patients typically have after they lose weight, such as laxity in the face and body, and to come up with an action plan for after their target goal has been reached. Having that action plan helps them maintain their journey, knowing there will be an intervention at the end that will get them where they want to be.
In my experience, this has been very empowering for patients seeking a radical weight transformation. Having a tool like CareCredit [enables] patients to maintain their ultimate weight goals while dealing with the laxity in the face and body introduced after weight loss. In the end, patients want to see their new self. They don’t want to see remnants of their old self after their weight-loss journey.
The procedures we’ve talked about empowers and enables patients to get to their final endpoint. With the right plan and support, patients can achieve lasting results that reflect the full success of their weight-loss journey, and CareCredit [helps] patients to manage their final step in their journey. Without it, patients might feel overwhelmed with costs. Having attainable financing through a company like CareCredit allows them to manage these costs reasonably. We are happy to have CareCredit as a partner that helps our wonderful patients access our services.”
