Understanding How Medications Work for Weight Loss

With weight loss methods, prescription medications have certainly taken the spotlight. They have proven incredibly effective, especially when combined with exercise and a nutritious diet. 

At Ayewah Aesthetics in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York, New York, board-certified plastic surgeon Martha Ayewah, DO, leads our team in offering FDA-approved medications for weight loss, including semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro™). 

This month’s blog explores everything you need about these innovative weight-loss medications. 

Understanding semaglutide and tirzepatide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are injectable medications that can lower blood sugar levels and slow digestion. By doing both these things, your appetite becomes pretty limited. 

These medications can shrink your appetite by closely mimicking a hormone your body makes called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is responsible for making you feel full, and by increasing your feeling of fullness, you should be able to eat fewer calories and start shedding those extra pounds.

When you eat fewer calories, your body mistakenly thinks you’re starving and slows your metabolism to conserve precious caloric energy. These medications address that by assuring your body that you have enough through the increased GLP-1 production. 

Do you qualify for semaglutide or tirzepatide?

To be considered a candidate for these medications, your body mass index (BMI) needs to be over 30, or you have a BMI over 27 and a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. These medications may also be the best option for you if other weight loss methods have been unsuccessful. 

Dr. Ayewah also performs a thorough medical exam to make sure you’re a good fit for medical weight loss. 

Do semaglutide and tirzepatide work?

Initial studies have shown promising weight-loss results for both of these prescription medications. Research tells us that people on semaglutide lost 10-16% of their body weight in one year, and those on tirzepatide lost up to 20% after 72 weeks. 

However, it’s important to note that these medications work most effectively in combination with other healthy weight loss methods such as diet and exercise. Our team can cater a weight-loss program that includes these medications with a nutrition plan and regular visits to our office. 

To get started with our medical weight loss programs or to learn if you’d be a good candidate for either of these medications, schedule an appointment by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.