The blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic is gaining notoriety for an unexpected side effect known as 'Ozempic feet,' which refers to sagging or aging skin on the feet due to rapid fat loss. This phenomenon has emerged as a new concern alongside other cosmetic issues linked to the drug, including 'Ozempic face' and 'Ozempic butt.' While the medication has become a favorite among celebrities, experts warn that the cosmetic downsides are increasingly apparent.
Dr. Barry Weintraub, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York, explained to DailyMail.com that significant fat loss can affect water retention in the body, leading to excessive sagging in the feet. Ozempic, along with its counterpart Mounjaro, is primarily approved for treating type 2 diabetes but is widely used off-label for weight loss, particularly among high-profile figures. Recent figures from 2024 suggest that nearly one in eight Americans have taken a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic.
Fans are now speculating that celebrities such as Sharon Osbourne and Oprah Winfrey may be showing signs of this surprising foot-related side effect. Osbourne, 72, recently posted a photo on Instagram with her grandson, prompting eagle-eyed commenters to point out signs of extreme weight loss in her feet. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey, 71, was seen onstage at the 55th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, where viewers noticed excessive wrinkling on her feet.
The skin on the top of the foot is particularly delicate and thin, with lower fat reserves than the sole of the foot. As people age, the fat pads in their feet can diminish, leading to loose skin and wrinkles. However, the use of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can significantly reduce fat reserves throughout the body, including the feet, resulting in sagging and wrinkles due to muscle loss, Dr. Weintraub noted.
On April 5, 2025, Osbourne's Instagram followers highlighted the unusual wrinkling on her feet. The contrast between her smooth facial complexion and her feet led to comments such as, "Beautiful airbrushed photo but feet tell your age," and "How strange when the skin on your hands and feet don't match the skin on your face." Dr. Weintraub commented on Osbourne's condition, saying, "Without having had the opportunity to examine Sharon in person, the veiny and sagging skin on the top and sides of the foot might be a result of the new lack of water retention due to a decreased BMI caused by Ozempic or other such weight-loss drug." He added that as the heart becomes less taxed with extra weight, water retention decreases, making the underlying structures of the foot, like veins and tendons, more visible.
Osbourne has not publicly commented on the potential side effect but has mentioned previously that she had to stop taking Ozempic because she was losing too much weight. In contrast, Winfrey admitted in 2023 to using a GLP-1 drug to shed nearly 50 pounds after years of yo-yo dieting. She has not specified which weight loss drug she used but mentioned that she nearly reached her goal weight of 160 pounds (72 kg). In February 2025, Winfrey was photographed at the NAACP Image Awards, where the skin on the top of her feet appeared looser and saggy.
Once an ambassador for the diet program WeightWatchers, Winfrey stepped down after acknowledging her use of a weight-loss drug. She now describes these drugs as a "maintenance tool" rather than a quick fix for weight loss. Earlier this year, she shared her insights about taking GLP-1 medications, stating, "One of the things that I realized the very first time I took a GLP-1 was that all these years I thought that thin people had more willpower. They ate better foods. They were able to stick to it longer. They never had a potato chip."
To address the issue of 'Ozempic feet,' Dr. Weintraub suggested potential solutions such as a "foot lift," which involves incisions along the sides of the foot where they are less noticeable. He also mentioned Skinvive, a new injectable treatment that acts as a skin plumper, which can be used to disguise the protruding bones and tendons in the feet, similar to its use in the hands.
'Ozempic feet' is just the latest body part affected by the rapid weight loss associated with Ozempic and similar drugs. The term 'Ozempic face' has also gained traction, describing the gaunt appearance seen in celebrities like Katy Perry, Scott Disick, and Jessica Simpson, who have all been noted for their slimmed-down looks. Additionally, the term 'Ozempic butt' has surfaced, referring to the deflated appearance of a person's backside after significant weight loss. Some users have reported that their backsides have shrunk to the point where they can "feel every bone," and have become self-conscious about their appearance.
In 2024, approximately 5% of Britons had used medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, which work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to slow digestion and reduce appetite, leading to substantial weight loss. As this trend continues, medical professionals are beginning to explore the potential side effects associated with these drugs, including 'Ozempic feet.' Dr. Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, has noted that 'Ozempic feet' is gaining attention as an emerging side effect.
Dr. Esho, an aesthetic doctor and founder of Cultskin, stated that taking Ozempic could also lead to changes in shoe size due to reduced fat volume or shifting bone structure as cushioning is lost. Patients may find that shoes that once fit snugly now feel loose or uncomfortable, which can further impact their posture and gait.
Dr. Naveed Asif, at the London General Practice, acknowledged that data on feet-associated side effects of Ozempic is limited but suggested that this may change as more long-term insights are gathered. He emphasized that patients should seek medical help if they experience changes in sensation in their feet, such as pain or numbness, as well as swelling or skin changes.
In rare cases, particularly among individuals with diabetes and long-term high blood sugar levels, GLP-1 medications can lead to rapid drops in blood sugar, triggering treatment-induced neuropathy, which can manifest as tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the feet. However, Dr. Huang, director of clinical innovation at Voy, noted that Ozempic can also have positive effects on foot health, as less weight to carry reduces pressure on the feet, often leading to improvements in pain and mobility.
If patients are experiencing discomfort in their feet, Dr. Esho recommends supportive footwear or orthotic insoles, along with referrals to podiatry specialists. In more advanced cases, aesthetic solutions like dermal filler injections or fat grafting can restore volume and comfort in the soles, techniques adapted from facial volumization. Ultimately, a gradual and medically supervised approach to weight loss is crucial to avoid complications such as 'Ozempic feet.'
