Weight management centers around the core principles of diet and exercise. For many of us, focusing on a healthier diet and regular physical activity helps us achieve our weight loss goals. However, for many of us, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. In these cases, a combination strategy with the addition of medication can support our efforts and ensure effective, healthy weight loss.

There are many forms of weight loss medications available on the market today. Two of these medications, semaglutide and tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Ozempic and Mounjaro, are injectable medications that regulate appetite and metabolism, leading to significant results. At Monarch Plastic Surgery and Skin Renewal Center, we offer tailored treatment programs using either semaglutide or tirzepatide to help you reach your weight loss goals.

Whenever you eat, your digestive tract releases a hormone called glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), which prompts your body to create insulin and sends messages to your brain to indicate that you are full. The result is that you are less hungry and have less of a drive to eat more food.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are GLP-1 agonists, meaning they mimic the GLP-1 hormone, making you feel less hungry. Tirzepatide, however, also mimics the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which increases the action of tirzepatide. Both of these medications have the added effect of slowing the movement of food through your stomach. The result of their activity is that you feel fuller for a longer period of time and have a decreased appetite or cravings, leading to effective weight loss.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are administered as once weekly injections under the skin in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm areas.
We are happy to help you with your initial injections and teach you how to properly administer them.

For those patients who have significant difficulty with injections, we do offer a sublingual (under the tongue) form of semaglutide. This form of the medication is not as strong, leading to slower weight loss. However, in the right patient, this form of the medication may be preferable. Your health care professional will discuss all of your options with you and help you determine which form of medication is right for you.

There are multiple benefits to medical weight loss. The benefits for each individual may differ, but they often include:

• The ability to achieve and maintain a healthier weight
• Reduced risk of obesity-related condition like heart disease and diabetes
• Increased confidence
• Ongoing support through our comprehensive membership and monitoring by a health care professional