Semaglutide & Tirzepatide

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Semaglutide & Tirzepatide New York Surgical Arts

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication that can help patients lose weight. Like semaglutide, tirzepatide can also help patients see weight loss results, but with enhanced mechanisms. These medications mimic hormones naturally produced by the body to lessen recurrent cravings and slow the digestive process. For patients who have had difficulty losing weight in the past, these medications can open new doors by proving to be extremely effective. (1)

Dr. Gordon Andan is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon at New York Surgical Arts. With offices in both New York City and Garden City, Dr. Andan offers semaglutide and tirzepatide at his practice so that his patients can have access to potentially life-changing weight loss results.

To schedule a personal consultation during which you can learn more about what semaglutide and tirzepatide can do for you as you navigate weight loss, please call (516) 746-0155 or fill out our contact form.

For more insight into the treatments we offer, visit the New York Surgical Arts blog.

About Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. This means that they can mimic the GLP hormone that the body naturally produces. This hormone facilitates certain digestive system functions, including appetite triggers, insulin release, and the speed at which the stomach empties into the small intestine. While the two medications are similar in this way, they differ in others.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is an effective weight loss medication and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is also known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. Semaglutide is taken at lower doses than tirzepatide. In one study, patients were able to see a reduction of 9.6 to 17.4% of their initial body weight after 68 weeks. (2)

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide can enhance weight loss results for patients. This is because it acts on two different hormones–GLP-1 and GIP. GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) is another hormone, like GLP, also with key functionalities regarding the digestive system and related processes. Because of its dual agonist abilities, patients may see greater weight loss with tirzepatide. (3,4) According to recent research, patients can see weight loss ranging from 16.5% to 22.4% of their initial body weight after committing to tirzepatide for 72 weeks. (3)

Benefits

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both effective weight loss modalities. These medications are great alternatives to weight loss methods that require somewhat invasive surgeries, such as the gastric bypass. Instead of undergoing surgery, patients can instead participate in easy weekly injections that they can stop at any time, while still achieving incredible results. Losing up to 5-10% or more of one’s initial body weight can contribute to health improvements for patients with obesity or weight-related conditions, and these medications can help patients achieve this kind of substantial weight loss. (2)

With semaglutide and tirzepatide, patients can see significant improvements in their weight loss journeys. This weight loss can, in turn, facilitate a multitude of health benefits. These include:

  • Reduced risk of sleep apnea
  • Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Management of blood sugar and blood pressure (2)

Candidates

Candidates for GLP-1 medications are often people who suffer from at least one weight-related condition. While these medications are primarily indicated for people with type 2 diabetes, these medications can greatly benefit patients who suffer from obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, sleep apnea, and more. If you have tried to lose weight by exercising and dieting, and you have yet to see substantial results, then you may be a good candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Personal Consultation

During a personal consultation with Dr. Andan, you will gain a better understanding of how semaglutide and tirzepatide work. Based on your individual weight loss journey, Dr. Andan will be able to recommend one of these GLP-1 medications after an evaluation of your medical history and current health status. He will explain how to inject these medications and where the injection sites will be.

To schedule this personal consultation at one of our offices in New York City or Garden City, call (516) 746-0155 or fill out our contact form.

Procedure

Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are administered through a weekly injection in the upper thigh, lower abdomen, or upper arm. We recommend using a different injection site every week. As the weeks progress, Dr. Andan may adjust your dose accordingly. Semaglutide often begins at a 0.25 mg dose for the first 4 injections, but Dr. Andan may increase the dose in increments, not exceeding 2 mg. (1) Tirzepatide, on the other hand, usually begins at a dose of 2.5 mg per week. After the first 4 weeks, Dr. Andan may also increase this dosage, without ever exceeding the maximum dose of 15 mg. (3)

If you miss your dose of semaglutide or tirzepatide, you should try to receive it within 5 days for semaglutide and 4 days for tirzepatide. If you are not able to receive the dose within these time frames, simply resume the normal schedule when your scheduled injection day arrives again. (1,3) You can continue to receive these injections for however long you want. However, the best results are seen after a long-term commitment to the regimen. These medications are designed to be taken long-term and produce gradual results.

Results

Semaglutide & Tirzepatide New York Surgical Arts

After committing to a semaglutide or tirzepatide medication regimen for over a year or longer, you will likely see great improvements in your weight loss. These results may inspire more confidence or even reinforce your dedication to committing to a healthy lifestyle. As long as you continue your weekly injections, you will continue to see a reduction in your appetite and earlier fullness when eating a meal.

If you go off your GLP-1 medication, however, your cravings and appetite may increase once again. There is a possibility for rebound weight loss in this scenario. (1) Some patients go off the medication once they have achieved the results they were looking for, and then they switch to other weight loss methods involving intentional dieting and exercise. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain your weight loss results if you want to stop receiving GLP-1 injections.

Post-Weight-Loss Body Contouring

To address the skin-sagging effects of rapid weight loss with GLP-1 medications, Dr. Andan offers a number of skin removal procedures. These include:

Cost of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in NYC

The total cost of your treatment with GLP-1 medications will depend on your individual treatment plan. We can provide you with accurate cost information during a personal consultation at either our New York City or Garden City office.

To schedule a personal consultation during which we can discuss the details of your treatment with you at length, please call (516) 746-0155 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you shortly. We look forward to helping you navigate your weight loss journey!

FAQ

What are semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both medications designed to help patients with type 2 diabetes manage their symptoms, but they are also highly effective for weight loss. They are categorized into a class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which means they can mimic hormones that are naturally present in the body.

How do semaglutide and tirzepatide work?

These medications work by mimicking hormones–GLP-1 for semaglutide, GLP-1 and GIP for tirzepatide–that help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, leading to improved metabolic function and subsequent weight reduction. The specific hormones that these two medications function as are key to the digestive process. They manage appetite, digestion speed, and insulin release.

Who should use semaglutide and tirzepatide?

While semaglutide and tirzepatide are helpful for people who struggle with type 2 diabetes, people suffering from obesity or who have at least one weight-related condition can also benefit immensely from these medications. If these patients have tried diet and exercise regimens and have not been successful, they may want to consider semaglutide or tirzepatide.

What results can patients expect after taking GLP-1 medications?

Results vary among individuals, but studies indicate that many patients can lose significant amounts of weight when they use one of these medications alongside a proper diet and regular exercise. Patients can expect to experience less recurrent cravings. They may also feel more full with smaller meal portions. Patients can expect to see their blood sugar and blood pressure improve, along with an improvement in other weight-related conditions, if present.

Can semaglutide and tirzepatide be taken together?

No, semaglutide and tirzepatide should not be taken at the same time. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether semaglutide or tirzepatide would be most beneficial for your weight loss journey.

Who should not use semaglutide or tirzepatide medications?

Patients with certain health issues, such as a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) should avoid taking semaglutide or tirzepatide. It is also important for patients to have a healthy mindset regarding weight loss. During a personal consultation, a professional can help determine if a patient is a viable candidate for medically assisted weight loss with a GLP-1 medication.

References

  1. Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. PubMed. Published February 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
  2. Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Clinical Insight on Semaglutide for Chronic Weight Management in Adults: Patient Selection and Special Considerations. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:4449-4461. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s365416
  3. Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/
  4. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038