Semaglutide Medical Weight Loss Program

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, meaning it mimics the GLP-1 hormone which is released in the body in response to eating to reduce glucose. It is the active ingredient in the brand name prescription medications known as Wegovy and Ozempic.

Originally developed for treating diabetic patients, researchers found that it played a significant role in helping patients lose weight as it decreases appetite and reduces food intake. 

How does semaglutide help with weight loss?

Semaglutide targets the area in the brain which regulates appetite and prompts the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar. Semaglutide also works by slowing down emptying from the stomach to keep you fuller longer. Many patients develop better long-term dietary habits while on it as it helps them get better at regulating appetite and cravings. 

How does the semaglutide medical weight loss program work?

The semaglutide medication is a once-weekly injection which you can easily give to yourself at home.  

To get started, schedule a consultation with Geneva Eagon, PA-C. At your consultation, we will discuss your weight loss goals and medical history to determine if semaglutide is right for you. We will also order lab work for a more comprehensive view of your medical profile. 

Each month you’ll return for a quick follow-up visit and we’ll adjust your dosage accordingly, if needed.

How much weight can you lose from semaglutide?

According to one clinical trial, most patients lost 10-15% or more of body weight by week 68. No two bodies are the same, therefore everyone’s body reacts differently to the medication. This is why we take the time during your consultation to discuss your goals and monitor your progress on a monthly basis.

Is the skinny shot right for me?

Generally speaking, to qualify for and benefit from the skinny shot, you:

• Want to improve your overall health and lose weight
• Are overweight or obese but in overall good health (you can check your BMI using a calculator like this one)
• May want to reach your ideal body weight before specific procedures such as tummy tuck or liposuction 
• (Or any of your immediate family members) DO NOT have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Do not have any underlying pancreatic or gallbladder issues
• Have realistic expectations and understand this treatment promotes best results when combined with lifestyle changes
• Do not have poor kidney function
• Do not have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Is the skinny shot safe?

Numerous clinical trials demonstrate the safety and efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss. The most common side effects are nausea, fatigue, or stomach issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. During clinical trials, rare adverse events included gastrointestinal and gallbladder-related issues.

Is semaglutide covered by insurance?

Although semaglutide injections are not covered by insurance, your insurance may cover the consultation and labs. 

Semaglutide at Portland Plastic Surgery Group

This medical weight loss program allows us to comprehensively support you throughout every point of your body transformation journey, from weight loss to body contouring and a variety of approaches to treating the excess skin that is an inevitable result of weight loss.

While in the past we sometimes asked people who were above the recommended BMI range to return for surgery upon reaching their ideal weight, today we can confidently support that weight loss journey. 

At Portland Plastic Surgery Group, our commitment to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals is not limited to cosmetic procedures. As safety is our #1 priority, we also help patients achieve a safe BMI before recommending body contouring procedures. 

As plastic surgery procedures such as tummy tucks and liposuction do not address visceral or internal fat, semaglutide decreases this fat to prepare you for surgery.

Diet and exercise alone don’t work quickly enough for everyone, and semaglutide opens doors for people to predictably lose weight and move on to safely achieve their aesthetic goals much sooner.

Semaglutide in combination with plastic surgery can create powerful transformations that leave a massive impact on your confidence and overall health.

Scheduling a consultation 

Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and find out if the skinny shot is the right weight management treatment for you.