GLP-1s, branded as Ozempic or Wegovy, are injectable medications that, combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications, can help you control your portions, avoid unhealthy food cravings, and become a fitter, healthier version of yourself.
Weight Loss With GLP-1 Medications
Medication-Assisted Weight Loss in Austin
Obesity affects millions of people around the world and oftentimes leads to a massive decrease in self-confidence, quality of life, and overall health. While maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can go a long way toward improving your health and getting in better shape, sticking with these positive lifestyle habits is easier said than done. Losing weight can feel especially challenging when you find yourself frequently overeating or craving unhealthy foods. At Austin Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, we offer a comprehensive lifestyle medicine program that includes the use of GLP-1 medications that can help you improve your diet and give you the boost you need to start shedding excess weight.
What Is Included in Our Lifestyle Medicine Program?
- Consult with an experienced obesity medicine physician assistant (PA) or nurse practitioner (NP)
- Labs
- Body composition analysis (weight, body fat, muscle mass, etc)
- Use of a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) to monitor blood sugar with education and analysis of findings (first sensor free)
- Medication and supplies for weekly at home injections (or you can come in for weekly injections if you prefer)
- Monthly visits to track progress and titrate dosing of the medication for the appropriate weight loss while minimizing side effects
- Education for lifestyle modifications to maximize fat loss during the program and maintain long-lasting results
What Are GLP-1s?
GLP-1s are injectable medications prescribed for both weight loss and the management of type 2 diabetes. These medications work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide). This hormone is extremely important in our body’s functioning and performance. Its main responsibilities are to regulate blood sugar levels and control our appetites. So, when a patient is injected with one of these medications, it helps to reduce cravings for unhealthy food as well as give them the sensation of feeling more “full” with meals, resulting in making it easier to control caloric intake and lose weight.
Benefits of GLP-1s for Weight Loss
These are powerful medications that can offer all of the following benefits:
- Reduction of unhealthy cravings
- Improved ability to control overeating
- Control blood sugar and reduce risk of diabetes
- Improved metabolism
- Significant weight loss
- Reduced risk of various weight-related health issues
- Increased wardrobe options
- Improved mobility and athletic performance
- A slimmer, more toned physique
- Improved self-confidence
Who Is a Good Candidate for Our Program?
Our program is not only for those significantly overweight, but for anyone with a body fat percentage higher than the “ideal”. Anyone that has found it difficult to lose weight and keep it off in the past would be great for this program. Also hormonal issues such as PCOS or menopause that can often result in weight gain and make it difficult to lose weight will make you a perfect participant. The best candidates for the treatment are looking to lose fat, but need help controlling cravings and overeating. To be an ideal candidate for our program, you should also meet the following criteria:
- Have a BMI and/or body fat percentage higher than ideal
- Be willing and able to maintain a healthy lifestyle going forward
- Have realistic expectations
- Have no personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
- Have no history of pancreatitis
- Have no allergies to GLP-1s or any of its ingredients
Why Choose Austin Cosmetic Medspa for Weight Loss Treatment in Austin?
At Austin Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, our team of highly skilled providers specializing in obesity medicine will be with you every step of your weight loss journey. Unlike other practices, we provide a comprehensive program, tailored to your specific physiology and lifestyle. We are not a “cookie-cutter” weight loss program. We are committed to help you reach your goals and make the necessary lifestyle changes to maintain your results. We want to help you become a happier, healthier, more confident version of yourself, and we’ll provide you with the support and guidance you need in the process to help in the process. To learn more about what we offer or schedule a consultation, reach out to Austin Cosmetic Medspa at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at (737) 312-3221.
GLP-1 Weight Loss FAQ
How soon will I start seeing results?
How much weight can I lose?
Are there any side effects?
What are compounded medications?
How soon will I start seeing results?
Every patient has a unique experience with these medications, but on average, it takes around eight to 12 weeks to start seeing significant weight loss.
How much weight can I lose?
The amount of weight you lose with GLP-1s will depend on several factors, including your starting weight, lifestyle, and prescribed dosage. Our goal is to help you achieve fat loss rather than weight loss, while maintaining a lean body or muscle mass. In clinical studies, roughly half of the patients who took a GLP-1 for 68 weeks lost 15% of their body weight, while nearly one-third of the patients lost 20% of their body weight. Healthy weight loss for long-term success in keeping the weight off is 0.5-1% of body weight per week (1-2 pounds per week in a 200 pound individual). Weight loss in excess of this can result in the loss of lean body mass and unwanted side effects from the medications. Please note that the most successful patients in our program also adapt the lifestyle recommendations that we will provide for you. But luckily you will find that the medications can make these modifications much easier.
Are there any side effects?
Although GLP-1s are safe medications, they can cause certain side effects in some patients. The most common side effects of the treatment include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
Our providers will give you tools to maximize results while avoiding and treating side effects.
What are compounded medications?
Because many of the branded GLP-1 medications are frequently on back-order and difficult to attain, as well as the fact that most insurance companies do not cover weight loss medications, we safely utilize these medications in a compounded form. Compounded GLP-1s are patient-specific medications created in a state licensed compounding facility per a patient specific prescription sent for you after your thorough consultation and determination of candidacy for our program. Compounded drugs are required to exclusively use ingredients from FDA-licensed facilities, and test sterile compounds for potency, sterility, and purity. While these pharmacies are strictly regulated, and compounded drugs are legal, the medications they make are not FDA-approved, as they are compounded for a specific patient, based on a prescription sent by one of our experienced providers. Because of that the dose, route of administration, and efficacy may differ from commercially available, brand-name, drugs, our practice works with licensed sterile compounding pharmacies. Unlike commercial medications available in a standard pharmacy, we are able to tailor the medication specifically to you and your needs.
