GLP-1 Injections for Weight Loss

We are committed to offering the most advanced solutions to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. If you’re struggling with weight management and looking for a medically supervised treatment option, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) injections may be an option for you.

What Are GLP-1 Injections?

GLP-1 injections mimic a naturally occurring hormone in the body responsible for regulating appetite and blood sugar levels. These injections help control hunger, reduce cravings, and improve your body’s ability to process glucose, which can result in significant weight loss. Originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, several GLP-1 medications are now used for weight management in individuals who have been unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

How GLP-1 Injections Work

GLP-1 injections work by:

• Suppressing appetite: By affecting the brain’s hunger signals, GLP-1 helps you feel fuller for longer. They also work on the reward pathways and neurotransmitters in the brain to turn off “food noise,” quieting the constant internal chatter and preoccupation with your next meal and unhealthy cravings.
• Slowing digestion: This hormone slows the movement of food through your digestive tract, keeping you satisfied longer and reducing the desire to eat.
• Balancing blood sugar: By enhancing the body’s insulin production and limiting the release of glucagon, GLP-1 injections improve blood sugar control, helping to reduce cravings for sugary and high-carbohydrate foods.
• Promoting weight loss: Through these combined effects, patients experience steady, sustainable weight loss when combined with lifestyle modifications like a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Benefits of GLP-1 Injections

There are a variety of benefits to GLP-1 injections. A non-surgical option for weight management, GLP-1 injections are convenient as they are self-administered once a week. By helping patients achieve a healthy weight, they can reduce the risk of or improve conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain, and sleep apnea. Patients have also reported increased energy levels, improved mobility, and an overall sense of well-being as they achieve a healthier weight. GLP-1 injections are generally safe for long-term use under medical supervision, allowing patients to maintain their progress over time.

Are GLP-1 Injections Right for You?

GLP-1 injections may be right for you if:

• You desire to lose and maintain a healthy weight.
• You are committed to making long-term lifestyle changes for a healthier future.

GLP-1 injections are NOT right for you if:

• You have a history of an eating disorder or are underweight.
• You have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer.
• You have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasms (tumors in the endocrine system).

Before starting GLP-1 injections, our medical team will conduct a thorough health evaluation to ensure you are a good candidate for this treatment.

The Treatment Process

1. Pre-Qualifying Call: Laura, one of our registered nurses, will speak with you over the phone about the process and program pricing.
2. Virtual Medication Consultation: During this telehealth consultation, one of our Advanced Practice Providers will review your medical history, medications, recent lab work, weight-loss goals, and overall health. We will determine if GLP-1 injections are right for you and provide a personalized treatment plan.
3. Injection Schedule: GLP-1 injections are typically administered once a week. Our team will teach you how to self-administer the injections at home.
4. Ongoing Support and Guidance: Throughout your weight loss journey, our team will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment as needed. Monthly follow-up visits, which will generally be conducted virtually, will be scheduled to review current dosing and refill the prescription. You’ll also have access to referrals to a nutritionist and a personalized fitness program to maximize your results.
5. Results: Most patients start noticing a reduction in appetite within a few weeks and gradual weight loss in the months that follow. Many people experience a weight reduction of 5-10% within the first few months of treatment, with ongoing results if injections are continued. Once an ideal weight is obtained, injections can be stopped or administered monthly for maintenance.

Why Choose the Quatela Center?

We understand that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging, especially when faced with underlying metabolic or hormonal issues. We also feel strongly about the health benefits that a healthy weight for your individual body type provides. Our expert team is committed to providing a comprehensive, compassionate approach to weight loss that is tailored to your unique needs.

• Expertise: Our GLP-1 certified nurse is dedicated to the care of patients seeking medical weight management, ensuring you receive the highest level of care.
• Personalized Plan: We work closely with each patient to develop a personalized weight loss plan that includes access to Advanced Practice Providers as needed, nutritional counseling, and fitness and lifestyle recommendations, as a high protein diet and weight training to retain muscle mass is important.
• Consistent Care: Weight loss is a journey, and we’ll be with you every step of the way, offering the support and guidance you need to reach your goals.

Completion Consultations

While desirable changes to the face and body occur with weight loss by any method, there may also be less favorable changes. Some patients may experience facial volume loss or loose and sagging skin on different areas of the body.

Interested patients can schedule a completion consultation with one of our plastic surgeons to discuss the changes to their face and/or body after weight loss. When patients lose weight with or without medication, they often see a deflation of their breasts, extra skin on their abdominal area, and volume loss and loose skin in the face and neck. With more significant weight loss, some patients are unhappy with the extra skin on their arms and thighs.

Procedures such as breast lifts, tummy tucks, facelifts, fat grafting, injectable fillers, arm and thigh lifts, are a great way to remove extra skin, add volume, and improve contours. While we encourage patients to continue a regular exercise regimen and healthy diet to achieve the long-lasting health benefits of their weight loss journey, these cannot improve loose skin. For patients seeking to address these changes, a personalized consultation with one of our body or facial plastic surgeons is the first step.

How Much Do GLP-1 Injections Cost?

GLP-1 injections will be provided directly from the pharmacy and mailed to your home. The cost associated with the prescription will be paid directly to the administering pharmacy and is based on the dose required. Program costs will be discussed during your initial phone call.