Weight Loss

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Englewood and Denver, CO

Let Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery help you take control of your weight loss goals and make a change for the better. Our office offers two compounded medications–semaglutide and tirzepatide–for weight loss. We do not have a monthly membership fee. Instead, you pay as-you-go for each syringe per month. 

At our clinic, you will be prescribed these medications under direct physician supervision. We treat men and women of most ages who are struggling to lose weight. You might be struggling with weight loss even after exercising and eating healthy; our bodies sometimes need that extra push to help get us to our goals. That is where our weight loss medications can help!

These medications have proven to be incredibly effective for patients who have struggled to lose weight with the more traditional methods of exercise and dieting alone. By helping patients who suffer from obesity or at least one weight-related condition lose a significant amount of weight, these medications allow for a multitude of health benefits that have the potential to create long-term wellness improvements.

If you have any questions about semaglutide or tirzepatide, please feel free to give our office a call at 303-839-7980 or fill out our contact form.

If you are interested in the other treatments our practice has to offer, please visit the blog.

About Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a once weekly injection. This compounded medication is a GLP-1 agonist (Glucagon-like Peptide-1), which is a modified molecule that our bodies make. (1) It works by increasing insulin production and lowering glucose secretion. (1) It targets areas in the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. (1) This medication lasts weeks instead of minutes like our body’s natural version. Semaglutide decreases “food noise” in our brain, reduces appetite, and slows stomach emptying so you feel fuller longer after eating each meal. Also, it can lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, improve lipid disorders and fatty liver, and aid in reducing the risk of heart and kidney disease. (1)

The most common side effects are nausea and constipation. However, a few patients may experience the opposite in the form of diarrhea. (1)

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is also a once-weekly injection. This compounded medication is like a “double” glucagon agonist that targets GLP-1 and GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) receptors. (2) Fat ingestion appears to be a more potent stimulator of the GIP secretion than carbohydrate in humans. This double-action medication aids in lowering blood sugar as well as reducing the production of sugar in the liver. Because it mimics two different hormones, it has the potential to help patients see more significant weight loss than they might see with semaglutide. (2)

Similar to semaglutide, tirzepatide slows stomach emptying so you feel fuller longer after each meal. It also decreases your appetite and cravings and lowers blood sugar levels. Many will notice an increase in energy which will result in further weight loss. Like semaglutide, this medication lasts weeks instead of minutes like our body’s natural version of the molecules. 

This medication has similar side effects to semaglutide – nausea and constipation – with a small percentage experiencing diarrhea. (2)

During your consultation, we will spend 30-45 minutes discussing your health history, weight loss goals, and the medication that will best fit your budget. You will meet with our medical assistant who has extensive experience in weight loss medications and either Dr. David Kowalczyk or Dr. Mario Imola. Once you start your medication, you will be seen in our clinic every month or sooner if needed to evaluate your progress. 

What are the benefits of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?

Some benefits of these GLP-1 medications include:

  • Weight loss
  • Decrease in food noise
  • Reduction in appetite
  • Decrease in stomach emptying so you will feel fuller longer after eating a meal
  • Stimulation of the pancreas to release insulin
  • Lower blood sugar levels
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improved lipid disorders
  • Improved fatty liver
  • Reduction in the risk of heart and kidney disease

Candidates

If you suffer from obesity or at least one weight-related condition, you may be a great candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide. Some weight-related conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Sleep apnea

We may not recommend GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide to patients who have certain conditions or allergic reactions.

During a personal consultation at our Englewood office, we can help you determine if you are a candidate for receiving GLP-1 medication. Once we have established this, we can move forward with a treatment plan for either semaglutide and tirzepatide, based on your unique situation and health goals. 

Candidates should be willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle while receiving semaglutide or tirzepatide treatment as well. This means eating healthy, exercising regularly, and staying consistent with GLP-1 weekly injections. Not only will this aid in the weight loss process, but it will help form healthy habits that will be beneficial in the long run. Patients can cease injections at any time, but they should be aware that, in the absence of semaglutide or tirzepatide, cravings and weight gain could return to their normal state and reverse some progress.

To set up a personal consultation where we can determine if you are a good candidate for one of these medications, please call our office at 303-839-7980 or fill out our contact form.

Once-Weekly Injections

These medications are both injections meant to be administered once a week, ideally on the same day each week. A professional at our practice will instruct you on how and where to administer the medication. The medication is typically injected with a small needle under the skin of the abdomen. Mild bruising or tenderness may occur after injection with fast resolution.

The length of treatment varies for each patient. It depends on your overall health and the response your body has to the medication. You can taper off the medication once you have reached your goals or you can taper down to a maintenance dose and stay on the medication indefinitely.

Cost of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Denver

There is a cost difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide. And because these medications are compounded, the prices may change over time. In general, semaglutide is cheaper per month than tirzepatide. The pricing is based on the number of units that are needed with the price increasing with the more units required per dose.

If you have any questions about pricing or financing options, please feel free to give our office a call at 303-839-7980 or fill out our contact form.

FAQ

What side effects do semaglutide and tirzepatide medications have?

Both of these medications have similar potential side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and acid reflux. If you experience nausea or vomiting, we can provide a prescription for an anti-nausea medication. Similarly, if you experience constipation, over-the-counter stool softeners and increased hydration are effective. For acid reflux, an over-the-counter anti-reflux medication will be helpful. 

What does maintenance dosing for semaglutide and tirzepatide look like?

Once you have either met your goals or reached an appropriate weight with your GLP-1 medication, you can taper down to the lowest dose of the medication and then take it weekly or bi-weekly. 

How fast can I expect to lose weight with medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide?

For some individuals, weight loss can be slow in the beginning, but it is important to be patient. There is no exact weight loss “rate” and everyone will reach his or her goals differently. We have patients who lose weight on the beginning dose, and we have others that require reaching the 3rd dose before they start seeing results. However, Tirzepatide works more effectively. People on this medication tend to lose more weight and reach their goals faster when compared to Semaglutide. 

How will I know if semaglutide or tirzepatide medication is working?

Appropriate appetite suppression and steady weight loss (1-1.5 pounds per week) are the most common indicators we use to evaluate your response. We recommend staying on the most effective dose until it is no longer working for you. It is not necessary to increase the dose if it is working properly. If you increase your dose when it is not needed, side effects are more likely to occur.

Are there people who should not use this semaglutide or tirzepatide?

Those with a personal history of diabetes type I, medullary thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or eating disorders should not use this medication.

Is there a difference between the compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide versus their name-brand versions?

You can think of compounded versions as a generic form of the medication. The potency and standards are still comparable through the pharmacy that we use. The compounded versions are made-to-order to ensure optimal potency and offer a significant cost-savings when compared to the name-brand versions that come from major pharmaceutical companies. 

References

  1. Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. PubMed. Published February 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
  2. Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/