Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss with semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is an effective way to achieve a healthy body mass index (BMI) and manage your weight for improved vitality. As more Americans become obese, medical weight loss has become an increasingly popular treatment for helping adults achieve their desired physique. Approximately 74% of Americans are overweight, and half of adults in the United States will likely be obese by 2030. ⁽¹⁾ At AsandraMD we take a holistic approach to medical weight loss that has helped thousands of patients achieve their body goals. Dr. Christopher Asandra is an anti-aging physician and vitality expert who has transformed many lives with his innovative approach to weight management and regenerative medicine.

Contact our office to get started at one of our California locations:

Semaglutide

About Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss is a non-surgical solution that accelerates the natural processes of your body to help you achieve a slimmer physique. During the treatment, we administer convenient weekly injections that help you quickly make progress toward your body goals. At AsandraMD, we offer both semaglutide and tirzepatide treatments as part of our weight loss program to help you achieve your desired physique. The type of injection you receive will depend on your treatment plan.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that triggers insulin production in your body to help you lose weight. Also known as Ozempic and Wegovy, the injection is a popular treatment for type-2 diabetes because it regulates blood sugar levels. It also slows gastric emptying which can help reduce the post-meal spike in blood glucose levels. We recommend that patients combine semaglutide with consistent exercise and a healthy diet for the best results.

Tirzepatide

Unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide is a dual-acting medication. Tirzepatide is a weight loss injection that stimulates the GLP-1 and GIP (glucose insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors in your body to increase your insulin levels. By activating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells, tirzepatide stimulates insulin secretion in response to food intake, helping to lower blood glucose levels. The weekly injection helps your body lose weight for a slimmer figure by accelerating natural processes.

Skinny Shot for Weight Loss Benefits

Medical weight loss does not just improve aesthetics; the treatment has the potential to improve your overall quality of life. If you are overweight, you have a higher risk of developing diseases such as hypertension, cancer, and diabetes. ⁽²⁾ Obese individuals can experience low self-esteem that affects intimate relationships and daily performance. They even have a higher risk of experiencing workplace discrimination which can limit career opportunities. ⁽³⁾

After a medical weight loss treatment, you can:

Benefits of Lifestyle Changes for Weight Loss

At AsandraMD, we take a holistic approach to medical weight loss. We consider lifestyle adjustments, not just medication, as part of our weight loss programs because obesity is usually heavily associated with lifestyle and environmental factors. Physical activity, exercise, sleep, stress, and hormones all affect your weight. ⁽⁴⁾ Medical weight loss is one of the most effective ways to achieve a healthy BMI because you will have a team of professionals to monitor your progress and keep you accountable. Making the proper changes to help you maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise will help you achieve long-term results so you can look and feel your best.

Medical Weight Loss Candidates

The best candidates for medical weight loss programs have an elevated BMI that indicates they need to lose weight. Our team will review your medical history to determine whether semaglutide or tirzepatide is best for you. For the most effective results, you will also need to be prepared to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious meals during your treatment.

Consultation & Preparation

During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history and current medications. We will also ask about your lifestyle and provide resources to help you maintain a consistent diet and exercise routine. If you have had kidney disease you may not be the best candidate for medical weight loss. To prepare for your treatment, you will need to stop alcohol consumption 24 hours before. Please arrive at the office in comfortable clothes that you can easily remove for your injection.

Injection Procedure

During your appointment, we will use a very thin needle to administer the injection into your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. Most patients start with a small dose and gradually increase it over time as your body adjusts to the medication. The dosage you receive will depend on your starting weight, your medical history, and how well your body responds to the medication. The appointment usually takes 15 minutes and you can return home immediately.

Recovery

The treatment will start to take effect immediately by triggering your insulin production and lowering your blood sugar levels. It is best to return home to rest after your first injection and monitor how your body responds. You will need to stop drinking for 24 hours after your injection and abstain from intense exercise.

Results

After your first injection, you will start to see a difference in the way your body responds to exercise. Over the next few weeks, you will begin to see a change in your weight. Your mobility will also improve and exercise will become more comfortable. Many patients also enjoy the way their clothes fit and improved confidence from a slimmer, more athletic contour.

Corresponding Treatments

Peptide Therapy

As you age, hormonal imbalances can affect your sleep and ability to build healthy muscle mass. Peptides are amino acids that help your body maintain a healthy hormonal balance. We can add a peptide treatment to your weight loss program to help you increase your muscle mass. Peptide treatments are a well-tolerated injection that we can combine with your medical weight loss treatment.

truSculpt iD Body Sculpting

TruSculpt iD is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that helps your body break down excess fat. If you would like to contour your body further, we can use truSculpt iD to help you achieve your desired look. Excess pockets of fat are common after medical weight loss, but they do not have to be permanent. We can help you put the finishing touches on your weight loss achievements with our non-invasive body treatment so you can enjoy your hard work.

Hormone Pellet Therapy (HRT)

As you age, changes to your hormones and metabolism can leave you feeling stressed out and exhausted. The growth factors in your body can also decrease, leading to additional weight gain and issues building muscle or replenishing vital cells. Hormone pellet therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that rebalances your body with natural plant-based hormones to help you feel your best.

To learn more about our regenerative anti-aging medicine, see the blog.

Cost of Semaglutide in Newport Beach

The cost of your medical weight loss treatment will depend on the medication you choose and the number of treatments you need to meet your body goals. Many patients decide to stay on weight loss injections as a long-term solution. However, the length of your treatment will depend on your metabolism and your body type. Contact our office or call to get started at one of our California locations and learn more about how a medical weight loss program can help you lose weight for enhanced vitality and well-being:

FAQ

References

1. Healy M. News: By 2030, nearly half of all U.S…. (The Los Angeles Times) – Behind the headlines – NLM. NCBI. Published December 19, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/7943/#:~:text=19%2C%202019-
2. Lin X, Li H. Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutics. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2021;12(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8450866/
3. Elran-Barak R. Self-Esteem, Weight Status, and Trying to Lose Weight During Young Adulthood: The Roles of Sex and Ethnicity/Race. Ethnicity & Disease. 2019;29(3):485-494. doi:https://doi.org/10.18865/ed.29.3.485
4. Masood B, Moorthy M. Causes of obesity: a review. Clinical Medicine. 2023;23(4):284-291. doi:https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2023-0168