Tirzepatide

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX

Tirzepatide Dr. Suresh Koneru

Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro or Zepbound, is a weight loss injection that accelerates your metabolism and slows your digestion to help you achieve a slender figure and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). Weight loss has increasingly become a topic of concern in the US as more adults struggle with obesity; approximately 2 in 5 adults in the US are obese, and 35% are overweight. (1) More adults are turning to tirzepatide for weight loss because it does not require the incisions or downtime required with weight loss surgery.

At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery, we help patients build healthy habits and restore their figures after weight changes. Dr. Suresh Koneru is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience helping patients enhance their appearance so that they can feel their best.

Contact our office or call (726) 227-6847 to learn how tirzepatide can help you finally reach and maintain your ideal weight.

About Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide stimulates insulin production from the pancreas and accelerates your metabolism to help you break down excess fat by stimulating incretin (peptide) hormones. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist that is classified as the following: (2)

  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): GLP-1 agonists stimulate insulin production from the pancreas to accelerate your metabolism and promote weight loss.
  • Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP): The body registers tirzepatide as a GIP hormone, triggering insulin production and glucagon secretion to help you lose weight. (3)

Tirzepatide also suppresses appetite to promote portion control while regulating blood sugar. The injection is FDA-approved for diabetes and is effective for weight loss due to its effects on your metabolism.

Benefits

Tirzepatide can help you recover your quality of life by:

  • Enhancing Glucose Control: By targeting the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide can help improve glycemic control and reduce the risk of complications associated with high blood sugar levels.
  • Decreasing Appetite: Through its action on appetite-regulating pathways, tirzepatide can help reduce food cravings and promote satiety, making adhering to a healthy eating plan easier.
  • Improving Insulin Sensitivity: Tirzepatide may enhance insulin sensitivity, making it easier for the body to utilize glucose and regulate blood sugar levels.
  • Enhancing Metabolic Regulation: Tirzepatide’s dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors helps improve metabolic regulation, leading to more efficient utilization of nutrients and energy.
  • Supporting Cardiovascular Health: Obesity can increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions. (4) Reducing excess weight makes it easier to perform exercises that promote heart health.

Candidates

If you are considering a medical weight loss program to help you lose stubborn fat that has not responded to dietary changes, you are likely a good candidate for tirzepatide. Individuals who may benefit most from tirzepatide for weight loss include those who:

  • Struggle with excess weight or obesity
  • Have difficulty losing weight through traditional methods such as diet and exercise
  • May have medical conditions related to obesity or excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure
  • Are motivated to make sustainable lifestyle changes to support their weight loss journey

The best candidates for tirzepatide do not smoke. They have a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 and would benefit from weight loss due to related health conditions. If you are a busy individual, tirzepatide treatments only require a 15-minute appointment. After the first few injections, you will see a dramatic difference in how your body responds to food and exercise.

Consultation

During your consultation, we will discuss your lifestyle, current medications, medical history, and treatment goals. It is important to have realistic expectations and a positive attitude toward the long-term lifestyle changes required for successful tirzepatide treatment. It is also important to note that tirzepatide is not recommended for everyone and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. The consultation process is necessary to determine if tirzepatide suits your specific weight loss needs.

How to Prepare for Tirzepatide

To prepare for your tirzepatide treatment, you will need to stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before and after your appointment. Alcohol can interfere with your treatment because it can also affect your metabolism. You will need to be prepared to make healthy lifestyle changes such as:

  • Preparing healthy meals
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Stay hydrated
  • Reducing stress
  • Attending treatment appointments regularly

You may also need to stop smoking before your tirzepatide treatment to support your body during your weight loss journey. We have noticed that many patients on tirzepatide treatment no longer have the desire for tobacco or alcohol.

Tirzepatide Injections

Tirzepatide Dr. Suresh Koneru

During your tirzepatide treatment, we will cleanse your skin and inject a predetermined medication dosage into your hip, thigh, or lower abdomen. Tirzepatide does not require downtime, but we recommend that you rest after your first injection to monitor how your body responds. After your first injection, it can take a while for your body to acclimate to the medication, and you may experience some temporary nausea, diarrhea, or upset stomach. You will need to return to the office for weekly injections and incremental dosage increases to achieve results. We will monitor your progress and provide personalized guidance throughout your weight loss journey.

Real Weight Loss Results

The results of tirzepatide treatment can vary depending on various factors, including individual metabolism, weight loss goals, adherence to lifestyle changes, and overall health condition. It is not uncommon for patients to lose 10-20 pounds during the first few weeks of their tirzepatide treatment. However, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly is still important to support your body during your weight loss journey.

Regular follow-up appointments, continued commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and collaboration with Dr. Koneru and his staff are essential for maintaining the achieved weight loss and optimizing long-term results.

Body Contouring After Tirzepatide

If you are concerned about droopy skin post-weight-loss, colloquially known as “Ozempic body,” you do not need to worry. We offer several body contouring procedures to sculpt and tone your body after weight loss if you need additional support:

  • After Weight Loss Tummy Tuck: A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) after weight loss eliminates loose, droopy skin in the abdomen. When your skin is stretched by excess weight, it can be difficult to feel comfortable in your clothing, even after you have shed the pounds. A tummy tuck helps you achieve a smoother figure and also tightens the abdominal muscles after you have achieved your goal weight.
  • Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): If you notice that you have lost volume in your buttocks after a medical weight loss program (also known as Ozempic butt), we can restore your behind with a BBL. This comprehensive procedure involves removing excess fat using liposuction from certain areas of the body and transferring it to the buttocks for augmentation and reshaping. This technique is known as fat transfer, which ensures a natural-looking enhancement by utilizing your own body’s tissues.
  • Dr. Koneru is also an expert at surgical buttocks lifts with autoaugmentation. An auto augmentation butt lift involves reshaping and augmenting the buttocks using the patient’s own excess tissue, typically from the lower back or flanks, to enhance volume and contour without the use of implants, resulting in a natural-looking enhancement.
  • Liposuction: Sometimes, excess pockets of stubborn fat refuse to budge, no matter your weight loss efforts. If you are experiencing this, we can remove them with liposuction for a smoother, more shapely figure. Common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, flanks, arms, and thighs.

See our blog to learn more about how we can help you enhance your natural beauty.

The Cost of Tirzepatide in San Antonio

The cost of your tirzepatide treatment will depend on the length of your treatment and your individual body goals. We will provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation and we offer financing to make medical weight loss more accessible. Contact our office or call (726) 227-6847 to learn more about how we can help you get to your goal weight with tirzepatide treatment.

FAQ

What are the potential side effects of tirzepatide?

Common side effects of tirzepatide may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, and headache. These side effects usually resolve over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

How does tirzepatide compare with other weight loss medications like semaglutide?

Tirzepatide offers a comprehensive approach to weight loss by targeting multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously. Studies comparing tirzepatide to other weight loss medications are ongoing and may provide insights into its advantages over other available treatments. The main difference is that semaglutide does not directly act on the GIP pathway.

Can I use tirzepatide without making lifestyle changes?

Tirzepatide is not a standalone solution for weight loss. It should be used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, including maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity. By combining tirzepatide treatment with healthy habits, you can maximize the potential benefits and achieve long-term weight management goals.

Is losing weight with tirzepatide permanent?

The results achieved with Tirzepatide for weight loss can be long-lasting, particularly when combined with healthy lifestyle habits. However, it is important to adapt to a maintenance program after achieving your desired weight to ensure sustainable results.

References

  1. Overweight & Obesity Statistics | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Published September 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity#:~:text=%25)%20are%20overweight.-
  2. Lin F, Yu B, Ling B, et al. Weight loss efficiency and safety of tirzepatide: A Systematic review. PloS One. 2023;18(5):e0285197. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285197
  3. Gasbjerg LS, Gabe MBN, Hartmann B, et al. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonists as anti-diabetic agents. Peptides. 2018;100:173-181. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2017.11.021
  4. Fruh SM. Obesity: Risk factors, complications, and Strategies for Sustainable long-term Weight Management. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2017;29(1):S3-S14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12510