Semaglutide & Tirzepatide

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Alhambra and Santa Ana

Semaglutide & Tirzepatide SkinZone Medical Dr. Hannah Vu

A healthier lifestyle may be achievable with the help of medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which fall into the category of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications. These medications help curb appetites, slow digestive movement, and increase insulin release. (1)

If you are looking for medically-supervised weight loss options in Southern California, SkinZone Medical is now offering a new program that features semaglutide and tirzepatide–two medications that have transformed the landscape of weight management. Dr. Hannah Vu is dedicated to providing attentive care to her patients, and will ensure you feel informed about what these medications do and how they can help you.

Whether you choose semaglutide or tirzepatide, our expert team will guide you through your journey, providing personalized care and support every step of the way. At our Southern California locations, we understand that consistent medication use is crucial for optimal results. That’s why we’ve partnered with a specialized company to ensure:

  • Easy medication management for patients
  • Timely 28-day cycle adherence
  • Seamless integration with our world-class care

Contact us today to learn more about our weight loss program featuring semaglutide and tirzepatide. You can either fill out our contact form or give one of our offices a call:

If you are interested in learning more about what SkinZone does for patients, check out our blog.

Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved. They may only be offered under specific federal guidelines and are not reviewed for safety, efficacy, or manufacturing quality by the FDA

About GLP-1 Medications

While semaglutide are both GLP-1 medications that operate similarly in the body, there are some key differences between them that patients should consider when approaching these medications.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide has quickly become a popular choice for those seeking an extra tool to enhance the efforts of their lifestyle changes. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it works by:

  • Reducing appetite
  • Increasing feelings of fullness
  • Slowing gastric emptying (1)

Many patients report noticeable effects with semaglutide, making it an excellent option to potentially kickstart your journey. (1)

Tirzepatide

While semaglutide offers impressive results, tirzepatide offers further potential. As a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide provides:

  • Potentially higher average weight loss compared to semaglutide
  • Fewer reported side effects, enhancing patient comfort and compliance
  • Improved glycemic control, beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes (2)

For patients who choose either tirzepatide or semaglutide, we will offer personalized care and convenient medication management.

Benefits

With GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, you may not only potentially lose weight over time, but you may also improve your overall health. Studies show that losing at least 5-10% of body weight can help improve the lives of people who suffer from weight-related issues like obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and more. (3)

Studies show that GLP-1 medications go a step further and may allow patients to lose as much as 9.6-22.4% of initial body weight, depending on the medication and the length of time it is taken. (2,3)

GLP-1 medications not only work alongside healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle but can also make it easier to approach these lifestyle changes in the future.

Candidates

Semaglutide & Tirzepatide SkinZone Medical Dr. Hannah Vu

If you experience one or more weight-related problems such as obesity, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and other conditions, you are most likely a great candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide. We ask that all of our patients commit to living healthily both physically and mentally–even if they plan to cease the medication eventually. We want our patients to live their best, happiest lives, so we are dedicated to providing the treatment that is right for you as an individual. We do not recommend semaglutide or tirzepatide to patients who are already on some sort of GLP-1 medication, or patients who have certain thyroid-related diseases. (1)

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Vu will break down exactly what semaglutide or tirzepatide will do for you. Based on your medical history, goals, and other factors, she can determine whether a semaglutide or tirzepatide regimen would work best for your situation. She will fully evaluate your candidacy and let you know what to expect in the weeks to come. To schedule this consultation with Dr. Vu, please contact our office in Alhambra at (626) 329-4555, or our office in Santa Ana at (714) 361-1555. You can also request an appointment through our contact form.

Preparation

To prepare for your semaglutide or tirzepatide treatment, you may want to ease into a healthy exercise and nutrition plan, if you have not done so already. You may want to talk to a nutrition professional about ways you can continue to get all the nutrients you need in a healthy way that will not impede your weight loss efforts–you will need enough fuel and energy to continue to exercise and lead a healthy life! You may also want to let your support system know that you are going to be starting a new medication or share how you are feeling with a mental health professional as you move forward on your weight loss journey. However, different individuals may prefer different ways to prepare, and can discuss all possibilities with Dr. Vu during the initial consultation.

Procedure

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are most commonly offered in the form of injections beneath the skin. The injection site can be either the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen, but we recommend changing the injection site each week. (1) We also recommend doing the injections on the same day each week so that they are more consistent. (1) If you are eligible, Dr. Vu may begin to increase your dose after the first four weeks, with subsequent dosage increases as well. Semaglutide typically starts at an initial dose of 0.25, with an increase to 0.5 after the 4-week mark. The maximum dose will not exceed 2 mg total. (1) Tirzepatide, on the other hand, typically begins at a higher dose of 2.5 mg. We can intermittently increase this amount, if needed, to a maximum of 15 mg. (2) The dose of the GLP-1 medication you receive will vary according to your body’s reaction to the dose. We can carry out injections in-office at either our Alhambra or Santa Ana office locations.

Results

In order to see results from semaglutide or tirzepatide, you must stay consistent with your weekly injection schedule. Furthermore, these medications are not meant to be fast-acting; for results to fully develop, you must remain on this weekly regimen for quite some time. The length of time, as well as the results of the treatment, will vary between patients and medications.

While semaglutide and tirzepatide work very similarly, patients taking tirzepatide may see an increase in their potential results because of the dual-action mechanisms of the medication. (2) Across two different studies, patients who took semaglutide for 68 weeks saw a 9.6– 17.4% reduction of initial body weight, while patients who took tirzepatide experienced weight loss effects ranging from 16.5% to 22.4% after a 72-week period. (2,3) Evidently, semaglutide and tirzepatide offer potential benefits in those who suffer from weight-related conditions like obesity. It is important to note, however, that these results can be reversed if a patient discontinues their medication and returns to previous lifestyle habits. (1)

The amount of time spent on either of these medications is ultimately decided by the patient. If you do decide to cease injections, you can help maintain your weight loss results by continuing to exercise regularly and practicing a healthy, nutritious diet.

Cost of Semaglutide & Tirzepatide in Alhambra & Santa Ana

The cost of your GLP-1 medication will depend on your treatment plan, as well as how long you decide to be on the medication. Dr. Vu will give you a better idea of how GLP-1 medication is typically priced when you come to SkinZone Medical for your initial consultation. You can learn more about our financing options on our website; we accept financing modalities like CareCredit and Cherry.

To set up an appointment or ask any preliminary questions, please fill out our contact form or give us a call:

FAQ

What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are very similar medications, as they both fall into the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist category. While this means that they both mimic naturally occurring hormones in the body, tirzepatide goes an extra step and operates on the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone as well. This dual-action mechanism increases tirzepatide’s efficacy, meaning it can produce enhanced results. However, both of these drugs are quite effective for most patients, and a consultation is needed in order to determine what is the right option for each individual. 

How long until I see results from GLP-1 medication?

The length of time you will need to commit to a GLP-1 medication regimen in order to see results can vary. However, studies have shown that patients need to remain on their medication for a long time in order to see substantial results; this number is in the 68-72-week range. Some patients may start to see effects within weeks of starting their medication, while others will begin to see potential results after 4-5 months. 

What happens if I stop taking my GLP-1 medication?

If you stop taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, the capabilities of the medication will eventually wear off. This means that patients can begin to experience excessive cravings again, which can lead to subsequent weight gain. However, some patients plan to lose a substantial amount of weight from their GLP-1 medication and then deliberately switch to non-medication weight management plans, consisting of regular exercise and healthy eating. Recurrent cravings may return, but patients may experience more motivation to manage their weight after having committed to a medication regimen for so long.

What are the benefits of GLP-1 medication? 

There are so many benefits of  GLP-1 medication! First of all, it opens doors to people who have struggled to lose weight with committed exercise and healthy eating alone, allowing them to improve this aspect of their health with a newfound ease. Furthermore, GLP-1 medication only mimics naturally-occurring hormones in the body. The injection routine is simple and straightforward, with substantial results that can improve the health of an individual for years to come. 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved and are not equivalent to any branded products. Always consult a licensed medical provider.

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/
  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