Semaglutide

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is an injectable weight-loss treatment that optimizes your metabolism to help your body eliminate excess fat. This weight loss medication has become increasingly popular due to its ability to promote safe and effective weight loss. Approximately 30% of adults in the United States are overweight, and convenient injectable treatments are helping thousands of Americans finally take control of their weight. ⁽¹⁾ The treatment not only supports overall cardiovascular health, ⁽²⁾ but it can also accelerate your metabolic function and improve your insulin sensitivity for long-term weight management.

Dr. Marcelo Ghersi is well-known for their ability to sculpt patients’ bodies, emphasize their best features, and help them achieve stunning results with weight loss programs. Weight loss is not just cosmetic– it can improve your quality of life by increasing your mobility and self-esteem. Many patients also find that their relationships improve after weight loss, and they feel more like themselves again. At Aeris, we can easily transform your body with a series of 15-minute weekly appointments.

If you are considering semaglutide for weight management, we invite you to contact our office or call (305) 446-7700 for more information on how medically assisted weight loss can transform your figure.

About Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication. It is classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it increases your body’s insulin production. Your body registers the medication as the GLP-1 hormone ⁽³⁾ which helps you regulate your appetite by increasing feelings of satiety and stabilizing your blood sugar levels. When used as a long-term treatment to optimize your metabolism, semaglutide can help you maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI), providing long-term benefits rather than temporary weight loss solutions.

Originally created as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, this powerful medication has shown tremendous results in helping individuals achieve significant weight loss when combined with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Medically-assisted weight loss programs are especially helpful for individuals who need to undergo massive weight loss because the treatment can help you quickly and safely lose weight.

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is a dual agonist that stimulates glucagon production by mimicking both GLP-1 peptides and GIP hormones. Although both semaglutide and tirzepatide can help you lose weight effectively, the type of treatment you need will depend on your medical history. During your consultation, we can discuss the best treatment plan for your needs.

Semaglutide Benefits

Semaglutide can help you eliminate excess fat quickly and safely by optimizing your body’s natural hormonal process. Patients who receive treatment can enjoy:

Semaglutide Candidates

If you recently experienced weight changes and have been struggling to lose weight with adjustments to your diet and exercise routine, a medically assisted weight loss program is likely a good fit for you. However, semaglutide is most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle changes, ⁽⁴⁾ so you may need to modify your daily routine for the best results. Suitable candidates for semaglutide will need to:

It is also important that you have realistic expectations about what you can achieve with the treatment. Candidates should remember that the weight loss treatment cannot correct sagging skin. Where necessary, during your consultation, we can examine your skin and discuss body contouring options as part of a comprehensive plan.

Consultation

Our practice provides personalized care under the guidance of Dr. Ghersi, ensuring each patient receives an individualized approach tailored to their health needs and goals. During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history, discuss your weight loss goals, and examine your overall health profile. We will discuss how semaglutide will fit into your lifestyle and discuss your expectations for the treatment.

Preparation & Treatment Process

To prepare for a semaglutide treatment, you will need to stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before and after your appointment because the sugar in alcohol can affect your insulin levels. During the treatment, your injector will use a thin needle to administer the medication. Patients typically receive the injection in the hip, abdomen, or thigh. You will need to come to the office in clothes that are easy to remove for the treatment. In just a quick and convenient 15-minute appointment, we can administer the medication and you can resume your normal routine immediately afterward.

Semaglutide Recovery

Semaglutide injections do not require downtime or a recovery period. However, you may experience some mild side effects, which can include nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain after your first injection. These symptoms usually diminish as your body adapts to the medication. It is important to communicate with our office if severe or persistent symptoms occur. You can return to your normal lifestyle immediately after the injection. We will schedule follow-up appointments to assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your dosage as your treatment progresses.

Results

Although semaglutide injections can take a few weeks to take effect, over time, you can start to enjoy a slimmer figure and will notice a change in the way your body responds to food. However, you must continue to eat a healthy diet and maintain a regular exercise routine. If you continue to exercise and eat a healthy diet, you can maintain your results.

Body Contouring After Weight Loss

After weight loss, it is common to experience loose skin because the skin becomes stretched by excess fat and cannot “snap back” once you have lost the weight. Body contouring procedures can eliminate pockets of excess fat left over after your weight loss journey and tighten loose skin for a smoother figure. We offer several different treatments to help you meet your needs.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes pockets of fat with gentle suction that preserves your surrounding tissue. During the procedure, we can use a thin cannula to remove excess fat with a discrete incision in the natural folds of your skin. Many patients find that liposuction helps them put the finishing touches on their weight loss journey and achieve a slimmer figure. We can also prepare the tissue to remove the purest fat cells and inject them into another area of your body to sculpt your figure strategically.

Brazilian Butt Lift

A Brazilian butt lift is a procedure that increases the size of your buttocks with a fat transfer. We can remove excess fat from one area of your body and inject it into the buttocks to sculpt your figure, balance your proportions, and help you achieve a slimmer profile. A BBL is an effective way to sculpt your body, and a fat transfer does not require any synthetic materials to help you achieve your desired results.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure that eliminates excess skin in the midsection for a tighter, more athletic appearance. If you have a large amount of excess abdominal skin, we can make a horizontal incision along your underwear line to remove excess tissue, strengthen abdominal muscles, and reposition your skin for a flatter, contoured abdomen. We can combine a tummy tuck with liposuction if you have both excess skin and fat that you wish to remove.

Cost of Semaglutide in Miami

The cost of a semaglutide treatment will depend on the length of your treatment and the amount of weight you would like to lose. We can provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation. Many patients choose to remain on semaglutide as a long-term solution due to its effectiveness.

To learn more about semaglutide and how it could fit into your weight loss journey, contact the Aeris office today at (305) 446-7700.

FAQ

References

1. Overweight & Obesity Statistics | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity#:~:text=Nearly%201%20in%203%20adults%20(30.7%25)%20are%20overweight.&text=More%20than%202%20in%205%20adults%20(42.4%25)%20have%20obesity.
2. Lingvay I, Brown‐Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide for cardiovascular event reduction in people with overweight or obesity: SELECT study baseline characteristics. Obesity. 2022;31(1):111-122. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23621
3. 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
4. Mahapatra MK, Karuppasamy M, Sahoo BM. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist with cardiovascular benefits for management of type 2 diabetes. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. 2022;23(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-021-09699-1