Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss is a way to achieve substantial weight loss results with the guidance of a medical professional or specially designed program. For example, semaglutide and tirzepatide are weight-loss medication injectables that optimize your metabolism and decrease your appetite. By mimicking GLP-1 hormones, these medications can help you holistically reach your weight loss goals. Medical weight loss is supported by lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and exercising consistently.

Dr. Daniel Murariu and Dr. Robert Peterson have decades of experience helping patients achieve their body goals with customizable, innovative treatments designed for their specific lifestyles and situations. At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, we personalize each treatment. In addition to semaglutide and tirzepatide, we offer several body contouring treatments to help you address excess skin after weight loss, a condition that is colloquially known as Ozempic body. Our team will support you through every step of the process to help you successfully improve your health.

Contact our office or call (808) 944-8551 to learn more about how medical weight loss can finally help you achieve life-changing weight loss.

About Medical Weight Loss

Approximately 74% of Americans are overweight, and by 2023, more than half of adults will likely suffer from obesity ⁽¹⁾ –a health condition that can affect nearly all areas of life. ^(2,3) As more Americans struggle with obesity, weight loss medications, colloquially known as the “skinny shot,” have become increasingly popular. With this convenient weekly injectable medication, you can accelerate your metabolism, decrease cravings, enhance insulin regulation, and ultimately gain progress toward your weight loss goals.

We have been studying weight loss solutions, including surgical methods such as gastric bypass, ⁽²⁾ but medical treatment has only recently arrived at a golden age with the advent of GLP-1 inhibitors such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. These long-term medications reduce the comorbidities that occur alongside obesity and other weight-related conditions; as a result, these medications may increase the healthy longevity of those taking them.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Approximately 12% of Americans have taken GLP-1 medications for weight loss, but accessing the medication has become increasingly difficult as the cost of the trademarked medication soars. ⁽³⁾ At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, we offer cost-effective compounded weight-loss medications–a form of GLP-1 that pharmacies make as a more convenient and affordable option for those who need the medication but cannot afford to continue taking the trademarked version.

Compounded weight loss medication bridges the gap between the cost of the medications and patients’ access to them, resulting in effective and affordable solutions to help manage chronic obesity and weight-related conditions. Being overweight and/or obese can increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions that affect daily functioning and health longevity, so we are proud to offer our patients a more accessible option for today’s most advanced weight loss solutions.

If you are struggling to afford your trademarked weight loss medication, but want to continue benefiting from the efficiency of GLP-1 medications, the team at Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery can help you find a solution. Contact our office or call (808) 944-8551 to schedule a consultation today!

Benefits

Medical weight loss medications offer several benefits, including:

Medical weight loss is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy diet, which also improve one’s quality of life. Healthy routines can help one develop long-term habits. Our professionals can provide you with helpful, personalized recommendations for adjustments you can make to your daily routine to get the most out of your medical weight loss.

Medical Weight Loss Candidates

Suitable candidates for medical weight loss typically want to improve their overall health and address at least one weight-related condition. If you are willing to commit to weekly injections and are prepared to make lifestyle changes that support your well-being, you are likely a good candidate for the treatment.

Patients with a history of pancreatitis, severe uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ketoacidosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetic gastroparesis, severe hepatic impairment, end-stage renal disease, or thyroid cancer may not be eligible for GLP-1 medications. Patients who are pregnant are not recommended to receive these medications as well.

Consultation & Preparation

During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle to create a customizable treatment plan for your needs. You can receive your convenient weekly injection at our state-of-the-art clinic, or–if you prefer–you can discuss the possibility of administering the medication yourself, in the comfort of your own home.

Treatment Process

If you choose to receive the injection at our clinic, our team will begin the process by cleansing your skin and administering the formula beneath the skin on your abdomen, hips, or thighs. We typically begin with a smaller dose and increase it as your metabolism adjusts to the medication. After reaching a full dose, you will most likely maintain that dose until you achieve your weight loss goals. After reaching your ideal weight, we can slowly reduce the dose and taper you off the medication.

Your weight and medical history determine the dose and formula used for your treatment. The appointment typically takes 15-20 minutes. Consistent lifestyle changes are key to significant results. Your daily routine can significantly impact your well-being and quality of life. Exercise, sleep, physical activity, stress, and hormones can affect your weight. (4) During your treatment plan, you must return once a week to receive the injection or adhere to a schedule at home.

While these medications are generally well-tolerated, some potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, low blood glucose, and dyspepsia. The occurrence of these side effects may be less likely with tirzepatide versus with semaglutide.

Additionally, it is important to note that these medications need to be stopped 1 week before any procedure involving deep sedation or general anesthesia.

Results

Medical weight loss can provide lasting results if you take good care of your body and maintain lifestyle habits such as eating healthy meals and exercising. The medication accelerates your metabolism, helping you lose weight at a rapid pace compared to the results of traditional methods.

Over the next few weeks, you can enjoy continuous improvements in your weight and notice that you can lose weight more effectively. Weight loss can take time, so it is important to be patient with yourself and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Corresponding Treatments

It is common to experience changes to one’s skin after weight loss. We offer several medspa treatments to rejuvenate one’s appearance after substantial weight loss.

Injectables

Dermal fillers restore natural-looking volume to skin that has lost it due to aging or weight fluctuations. Aging can result in volume loss, often causing sagging skin that increases your perceived age. The flexible formulas distribute themselves evenly beneath the skin and move with facial expressions. Some dermal fillers also contain microspheres that stimulate collagen production, renewing the skin over time for a more even appearance.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a special solution that rejuvenates your skin by removing impurities and stimulating collagen production. We offer different formulas of different strengths to address skin concerns and help you feel your best. Depending on the issues you want to address, our chemical peels can also penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. If you have loose skin after weight loss, some chemical peels are strong enough to reduce wrinkles and mild laxity for a more youthful look.

Skin Rejuvenation

Skin rejuvenation is a treatment that addresses changes to the skin caused by aging and other factors. It can also address spider veins and rosacea. During the treatment, bipolar radio frequency stimulates collagen production, and heat rejuvenates the skin. We can address multiple areas of the skin and customize your treatment for your specific concern.

Thermage

Thermage skin tightening improves your skin’s collagen levels with radiofrequency energy and heat to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and mild laxity, increasing your perceived age. It can address delicate areas, such as the skin beneath the eyes. It can also lift droopy eyelids. We can reduce signs of aging without anesthesia, scarring, or incisions, so you can enjoy lasting results with minimal downtime.

Potenza

Potenza is a radiofrequency and microneedling treatment that renews your skin with tiny needles, creating microwounds that are not visible to the naked eye. The needles administer the radiofrequency to your skin, causing it to contract to address mild signs of aging for a smoother, more radiant complexion. To learn more about our additional treatments, see the blog!

The Cost of Medical Weight Loss in Honolulu

The cost of medical weight loss depends on your personalized plan and the length of time that you adhere to a medical weight loss regimen. Contact our office or call (808) 944-8551 to learn more about how the treatment and its cost today!

FAQ

References

1. Healy M. News: By 2030, nearly half of all U.S… (The Los Angeles Times) – Behind the headlines – NLM. NCBI. Published December 19, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/7943/#:~:text=19%2C%202019-
2. Lam ECF, Murariu D, Takahashi E, Park CW, Bueno RS, Lorenzo CSF. Prescription drug cost reduction in Native Hawaiians after laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass. Hawai’i journal of medicine & public health: a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health. 2013;72(2):40-43. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23467573/
3. Harris E. Poll: Roughly 12% of US Adults Have Used a GLP-1 Drug, Even If Unaffordable. JAMA. 2024;332(1):8-8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.10333
4. Masood B, Moorthy M. Causes of obesity: a review. Clinical Medicine. 2023;23(4):284-291. doi:https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2023-0168