Woman, 41, Was Tired of ‘Hiding’ Excess Skin After Losing 180 Lbs. on a GLP-1. Then She Got an ‘Awake’ Arm Lift (Exclusive)

A woman is making waves on social media as she seeks to challenge the stigma associated with weight-loss related cosmetic surgeries. Jen, a 41-year-old from the United States, gained attention on TikTok after documenting her remarkable weight loss journey, during which she shed an impressive 180 pounds, largely thanks to a medication known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists).

Beginning her transformation saga in 2025, Jen has openly shared the challenges and triumphs she faced while using GLP-1 to treat her obesity and manage her type 2 diabetes. However, her dramatic weight loss left her with excess skin, prompting her to explore surgical options, specifically a brachioplasty, commonly referred to as an arm lift, to remove the surplus skin.

In a candid interview with PEOPLE, Jen expressed that her motivation for the surgery extended beyond mere aesthetics. “The excess skin is uncomfortable, too,” she explained. “It’s hard to describe it. It almost doesn’t feel like it’s a part of your body. You’re hiding it behind clothes. I met my goal weight, I’m at where I’m happiest and feel the best in my body, but it’s almost like my outward appearance doesn’t match it.”

Jen has shared her experience throughout the surgery and recovery process, offering insights into what the procedure entails. Notably, she opted for an “awake” surgery, which allows patients to remain conscious during the procedure by using local anaesthesia and sedation options such as laughing gas, thereby avoiding the risks associated with general anaesthesia. “Your body is numbed, so you really don’t feel anything,” she said. “If you have any type of pain, there is laughing gas that you can take during it. But I only have positive memories from the surgery.”

Describing the surgery, which lasted four to five hours, Jen expressed that it was not at all frightening, recalling how she was “awake and talking” throughout the as she underwent the procedure in October. To ensure her safety and comfort, Jen chose Dr. Zachary Willis, a surgeon known for his expertise in awake procedures, at Willis Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa in Ellisville, Missouri. Dr. Willis has built a reputation for treating weight loss patients, performing 87 awake arm lifts in the same year.

In discussing his procedure, Dr. Willis offered insight into the method. “It is just all under local numbing,” he explained. He noted that patients receive a mixture of saline with a local anaesthetic which is injected into the targeted area, numbing it effectively. “We also give patients relaxation medication when they first come in,” he added. “It allows them to just be nice and chill, but we don’t ever give them anything that puts them asleep.”

Despite advances in awake procedures, Dr. Willis commented that many hospitals and medical practitioners remain uninformed or untrained in these techniques. “I’m in private practice, but a lot of these hospitals are stuck in what they’re allowed to do,” he noted. Patients frequently come to him after being turned away by local surgeons who do not have the capability to perform awake procedures.

Jen has expressed her gratitude for Dr. Willis’s skills, stating, “His work really speaks for itself.” Designed to empower her further, she has scheduled another appointment for a breast lift in March, also expecting to be awake during this procedure.

Looking ahead, Jen anticipates that the popularity of awake surgeries will rise sharply, coinciding with the increasing use and accessibility of GLP-1 medications. As she continues to advocate for transparency and acceptance concerning weight loss procedures, she faces criticism from some quarters. “I get so many comments of people being like, ‘You’re vain, you’re self-absorbed, you’re a horrible person. You should just live with the excess skin,'” she shared.

Despite the backlash, Jen remains hopeful that ongoing research regarding GLP-1s will change public perception. “The more research comes out about the benefits of being on [GLP-1s], I hope more people are open. I hope that people see how it’s been a miracle for a lot of us out there,” she said, aiming to inspire others to embrace their journeys without shame or judgement. As her social media presence continues to grow, Jen’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding body image and the choices individuals make in pursuit of their health and happiness.