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Weight loss medications aren’t just a celebrity trend. Men and women in Southern Illinois who want to lose weight for medical and aesthetic reasons can visit MidAmerica Plastic Surgery’s new medical weight loss center for semaglutide injections.

Our customizable medical weight loss program features injectable medications, monitored by board-certified nurse practitioners, for patients who struggle to lose weight despite regularly exercising and eating a reduced-calorie diet. As part of your treatment plan, we can also administer Lipotropict-B12 injections to accelerate and enhance weight loss.

MidAmerica Plastic Surgery’s weight loss program benefits patients who:

• Need to reach a healthy weight before having cosmetic surgery
• Want to lose weight as a complement to an aesthetic procedure
• Want to regain their physical and mental health by losing weight
• Want to reduce cardiac and other serious health risks associated with being overweight

What Is Semaglutide?

GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide, have been used in FDA-approved, brand name prescription medications for several years. More recently, these medications have been used to aid in weight loss to patients who meet qualifications for treatment. They work as an appetite suppressant by delaying gastric emptying after a meal, which allows you to feel fuller quicker when consuming a meal and for longer periods of time after a meal. These medications also help to reduce inflammation in the body, optimize insulin levels, and regulate blood sugar levels, all of which can further enhance weight loss. When dosed according to your needs and closely monitored by a qualified provider, these medications are expected to result in an average total body weight loss of 15-21% by the completion of the treatment.

Am I a Good Candidate for Semaglutide Weight Loss?

Ideal candidates for our medical weight loss program are usually patients with an elevated BMI of 27 or higher who aim to lose approximately 10 to 20% of their overall body weight. These patients also tend to be at higher risk for cardiac disease and other severe health conditions.

During your initial consultation, it’s essential that you reveal any underlying or preexisting health conditions that may impact your treatment. We generally do not recommend semaglutide as a weight loss solution for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have pre-existing thyroid, kidney, liver, or pancreatic disorders.

How Our Medical Weight Loss Program Works

The medical weight loss center at MidAmerica Plastic Surgery offers solutions for healthy and sustainable weight loss. Treatment is highly customized and supervised by our medical experts, with injections administered at home.

Each patient’s weight loss journey begins with an up-front consultation, which requires a $99 non-refundable payment. Your provider will then assess your BMI, review your medical history, and conduct a comprehensive physical exam to determine if you are a good candidate for our weight loss program. After discussing your health history and goals, we proceed with the following three-tiered treatment approach that includes transitioning to a weight loss maintenance plan:

1) 12-Week Weight Loss Program

• Your initial consultation, where we obtain your body composition measurements, provide an overview of the treatment program, address all your questions and concerns, and offer self-injection training.
• Prescribing of medication(s)
• Bi-weekly phone follow-up with a dedicated registered nurse
• Monthly in-office body composition measurements and Lipo-B shot
• Bi-monthly follow-up with a dedicated nurse practitioner
• Membership discounts on injectable services

2) Monthly Membership Program (available only after completion of the 12-week program)

• Prescribing of medication(s)
• Monthly in-office weigh-in plus Lipo-B shot
• Bi-monthly follow-up with a dedicated nurse practitioner
• Membership discounts on injectable services

3) Maintenance Membership Program (available only after completion of the 12-week program):

• Prescribing of medication(s)
• Bi-monthly in-office weigh-in
• Membership discounts on injectable services

While we empower you with the tools for successful weight loss, including teaching you how to administer your injections and providing you with needles, syringes, and a hygienic disposal container, we also offer patients the option of paying $50 weekly for in-office injections for those unable or unwilling to self-inject.

Common Questions:

How long will I need to have semaglutide injections?

Every patient varies, but most patients observe weight loss within 3 to 4 weeks. While treatment duration ranges based on your unique weight loss goals, most patients benefit from at least 6 months of treatment before transitioning to our maintenance program.

Will I have side effects?

While it’s common for patients to experience some side effects from the medications, we can manage your dosage to minimize any adverse reactions throughout treatment. Potential side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headaches/Dizziness
• Fatigue

Will I have side effects?

While it’s common for patients to experience some side effects from the medications, we can manage your dosage to minimize any adverse reactions throughout treatment. Potential side effects may include:

Will I gain weight back after treatment?

Studies show that regaining weight after semaglutide treatment is less likely when gradually decreasing your dosage vs. stopping “cold turkey.” It is also recommended that you remain on this medication for a minimum of 6  months to decrease the risk of rebound weight gain. Our team helps you manage this process and guides you through each step of your treatment and transition to maintenance. A reduced-calorie diet and regularly working out can also prolong weight loss and boost overall health.

How safe are semaglutide medications?

Our medical experts always prioritize your health and safety, and our injections are well understood and extensively researched for the long-term treatment of obesity.

What’s Next?

To learn more about our weight loss treatment plans in Southern Illinois, request a consultation online or call MidAmerica Plastic Surgery at (618) 288-7855 to schedule an appointment with our medical weight loss center team.

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