Weight loss injections have become part of everyday conversation in Singapore. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are now familiar not only among patients with diabetes but among individuals seeking medical support for weight management. The Ministry of Health Singapore (2024) reported that obesity prevalence among residents rose from 10.5 per cent in 2019 to 2020 to 12.7 per cent in 2023 to 2024, a trend that has fuelled rising interest in these medications.
Many of our patients arrive for a consultation regarding blepharoplasty, liposuction, a tummy tuck, or another aesthetic procedure while currently using, or having recently stopped, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This is precisely the kind of information your surgeon needs before any procedure is planned, and it is one of the most commonly omitted details during pre-surgical consultations.
What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, and Why Do They Matter to Your Surgeon?
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone produced naturally in the gut. They slow down digestion, reduce appetite, and help regulate blood sugar. This slowing of digestion, known as delayed gastric emptying, is precisely why these medications are so effective for weight loss, and precisely why they raise an important safety concern under anaesthesia.
When a patient undergoes general anaesthesia or sedation, the body’s protective reflexes, including the cough and gag reflex, are temporarily suppressed. If the stomach still contains food or fluid, even after standard fasting, there is a heightened risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration, where stomach contents enter the airway. This can lead to serious respiratory complications.
The American Society of Anaesthesiologists (2023) issued consensus guidance recognising that standard preoperative fasting periods may not be sufficient for patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists, given that gastric emptying can remain delayed even after the recommended fasting window. Case reports have since described patients regurgitating solid food during anaesthesia despite having fasted for the standard duration beforehand.
What This Means for Your Procedure
If you are currently using, or have recently used, a GLP-1 receptor agonist such as semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide, your surgical team needs to know the specific medication and dose, how recently you took your last dose, and whether you have been experiencing nausea, bloating, reflux, or slow digestion.
Depending on these factors, your surgeon or anaesthetist may recommend adjusting your fasting instructions, modifying your pre-operative diet in the days beforehand, or, in some cases, postponing your procedure briefly until the timing is safer. None of this is intended to delay your aesthetic goals unnecessarily; it is intended to protect your airway during the procedure itself.
Why Honesty at Consultation Matters
It can be tempting to leave weight loss injections off your medical history, particularly if you feel slightly self-conscious about using them, or if you assumed they were unrelated to a procedure involving your eyelids, nose, or body contour. However, anaesthesia safety is whole-body safety. A medication that affects your digestive system is relevant information regardless of which part of the body is being treated.
At Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, our consultations include a thorough medical history precisely so that small details, like a weekly injection you may have stopped considering significant, do not get missed. Please bring a list of all medications and supplements you are currently taking, including weight loss injections, to your consultation, regardless of how the procedure may seem unrelated. If you are considering a surgical or aesthetic procedure and are currently using a weight loss injection, speak with your doctor honestly and early. It is a simple conversation that makes a meaningful difference to your safety on the day of your procedu
