Semaglutide & Tirzepatide

Offered at our convenient location in Denver, CO

GLP-1 medical weight loss is an effective alternative to bariatric surgery, helping patients lose the weight they need to attain optimal health. The treatment involves taking GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy ) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), medications that mimic GLP hormones that serve as a catalyst for insulin production. When insulin levels increase, the body can metabolize sugars better and help patients feel more satiated.

In recent years, these medications have saved countless patients from the health risks associated with being overweight or obese. Not only that but slimming down the extra weight can be a huge confidence booster for those wishing to improve their self-image. Research has shown that these medications are safe for long-term use and allow patients to make healthier eating choices over the course of their weight loss journey and beyond.

If you are interested in learning more about GLP-1 agonists and the minimally invasive body-contouring options we have after your weight loss treatment, contact the professionals at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute (ABS) in Denver. Our practice specializes in liposuction procedures to create incredible, high-quality results. We can help sculpt your ideal curves and contours to refine the results of these popular medications.

Get in touch using our contact form, or call (303) 708-8770, and we can help you schedule your complimentary consultation today. 

The Science Behind GLP-1 Agonists

You may recognize semaglutide by its brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus. The lesser-known GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide is FDA-approved under the name Mounjaro. Both of these compounds are relatively new to the public, but clinical trials with these substances have shown impressive, safe results. In one study, obese participants with a collective average BMI of 37.9 lost approximately 15% of their total weight with once-weekly semaglutide injections. (1) Tirzepatide showed similar outcomes, helping obese participants lose an average of 20% of their starting weight. (2) Though they can provoke weight loss, these medications were originally designed to assist type 2 diabetics gain better control of their blood sugar fluctuations and are still appropriate for such individuals. For these compounds to be so effective, they need to make significant changes to the user’s physiology.

How Does Semaglutide Take Effect in the Body?

Within a healthy body, blood sugar levels rise after eating a meal. In response to this, the pancreas releases insulin to break down this rise in glucose, or sugar. Usually, people feel satiated as a result and their bodies convert the sugar into energy. In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is impaired, leading to harmful spikes in blood sugar levels. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to dangerous conditions like heart disease, peripheral nerve damage, and kidney disease. (3)

Semaglutide medications like Ozempic work to kickstart insulin production by imitating GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) which works to stimulate insulin release into the bloodstream. For non-diabetics, some excess insulin travels to the hypothalamus area of the brain, transmitting signals that are interpreted as satiation. Semaglutide can also slow down digestion, so patients can feel physically full for longer as well. Without the burden of insatiable cravings, patients can gain better appetite control and reach their weight loss goals.

How Does Tirzepatide Take Effect In The Body?

Tirzepatide is another GLP-1 agonist, but it also affects another part of energy metabolism. It mimics GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) hormones. These hormones accompany GLP-1s to further improve insulin production and release, making tirzepatide an even more effective aid for attaining weight loss goals. It also increases adiponectin, a hormone normally found in adipose tissue. (4) This specific hormone combats the onset of insulin resistance, an unfortunate part of diabetes in which the body’s cells cannot efficiently use glucose for energy.

Benefits of GLP-1 Medications

If you are overweight or obese, a GLP-1 agonist weight loss medication can serve as an effective tool in your efforts to attain a healthier weight. Consider the vast benefits that await you: 

  • Eliminate intense cravings. The rise of insulin quiets intense hunger, helping you make smarter diet choices without needing to only rely on willpower.
  • Attain the body of your dreams. Achieving and sustaining your goal weight gives you the chance to flaunt your renewed curves and/or more athletic body.
  • Increase energy and vitality. Weight loss releases pressure and pain from the joints and improves oxygenation throughout the body. (5)
  • Reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Since these medications affect insulin levels and body weight, you can mitigate your risk of type 2 diabetes. Other conditions GLP-1 agonists can fight against are hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, asthma, high cholesterol, and even some cancers. (2)
  • Avoid bariatric surgery. Medical weight loss is appropriate for many patients with a BMI over 27 and can work as an effective alternative to invasive surgery.

Ozempic Face & Ozempic Butt

  • Ozempic face and Ozempic butt. As with any significant weight loss regime, losing volume in your curves is a risk. Luckily, ABS offers a variety of body-contouring solutions, such as the Brazilian butt lift for augmenting the buttocks.
  • Loose skin. After losing fat volume in your body, it is possible that your skin will not recoil or exhibit the youthful tightness it had before. This has come to be known as “Ozempic body”. In these cases, ABS may recommend a tummy tuck procedure if the majority of the lax skin is over the abdomen.

Candidates

In general, GLP-1 medications are most appropriate for those with a BMI over 30, but clinicians can prescribe them if you have a weight-related problem and a BMI of 27 or more.. They will also assess all other aspects of your health and lifestyle to determine if GLP-1 medical weight loss is appropriate for you.

Personal Consultation

Your personal consultation is an opportunity for you to find out more about what GLP-1 medications can do to help you attain the figure you desire. Our expertise and individualized approach will ensure you have a thorough understanding of the treatment, helping you make an informed decision. To book your appointment, call (303) 708-8770 or use our short online form to get started.

Post-Ozempic Treatments

Our skilled surgeons are here to help you fine-tune your weight loss results with the following treatments:

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck primarily resolves lax skin of the abdominal area, but with this procedure, your surgeon can also remove residual fat pockets and repair separated abdominal muscles that can occur from obesity and/or pregnancy. For this procedure, your surgeon will have to make a horizontal incision just above the pubic area to access the subcutaneous tissue. In many cases, they may combine liposuction and tummy tuck (lipoabdominoplasty) to form the most precise, natural-looking results possible.

Emsculpt NEO

Emsculpt NEO is an entirely non-invasive device that can strengthen muscles, cause fat cell death, and tighten mildly loose skin. It emits a combination of HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy) and radiofrequency (RF) for a comprehensive contouring procedure that does not require any downtime or anesthesia. Clinicians can use the applicators on the flanks, arms, thighs, buttocks, or abdomen to create an overall sculpted, athletic look.

VASER Liposuction

Liposuction is a minimally invasive option that only requires tiny incisions – about a centimeter or less- for the surgeon to accurately suction the targeted fatty areas. At ABS, we utilize VASER, an advanced body-sculpting technique that directs ultrasound energy into the fat deposits to emulsify them and prepare them for removal. This technique is safer than standard liposuction and leads to more comfortable, reduced downtime.

Cost of GLP-1 Medication in Denver

Semaglutide is $429 a month and tirzepatide is $599 a month. Our goal is to help you eliminate your sources of self-consciousness and help you become the most confident, attractive version of yourself. If you are ready to take the next step toward achieving your goal weight, call our Denver practice at (303) 708-8770 or use our online form, and a member of our staff will respond to your inquiry within a day. 

FAQ

Can GLP-1 medication be used for weight loss without metabolic disorders?

Yes, GLP-1 medication can be utilized for weight loss in individuals without metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. It is particularly effective in individuals struggling with obesity and those looking to improve their overall health and well-being.

How long does it take to see semaglutide results?

The timeline for seeing results from GLP-1 medication can vary depending on individual factors. While some patients may experience noticeable weight loss within a few weeks, others may require several months before significant changes become evident. Consistency and adherence to the prescribed treatment plan play a crucial role in achieving optimal outcomes.

Can I get plastic surgery after using semaglutide?

Yes! Many people take advantage of body contouring surgery like liposuction after massive weight loss to remove stubborn pockets of fat that will not budge, even after a prescribed weight loss plan with semaglutide or tirzepatide. Body contouring procedures such as the tummy tuck and BBL can also alleviate the presence of loose skin after taking semaglutide, conditions colloquially referred to as “Ozempic body” and “Ozempic butt”.

References

  1. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11). doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 
  2. Chavda VP, Ajabiya J, Teli D, Bojarska J, Apostolopoulos V. Tirzepatide, a New Era of Dual-Targeted Treatment for Diabetes and Obesity: A Mini-Review. Molecules. 2022;27(13):4315. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134315 
  3. Mouri Mi, Badireddy M. Hyperglycemia. National Library of Medicine. Published 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430900/
  4. Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/#:~:text=The%20FDA%20approved%20Tirzepatide%20in 
  5. Vaughan RW, Cork RC, Hollander D. The effect of massive weight loss on arterial oxygenation and pulmonary function tests. Anesthesiology. 1981;54(4):325-328. doi:10.1097/00000542-198104000-00013