Semaglutide / Tirzepatide
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Miami, FL
Semaglutide is an injection-based weight loss medication prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or obesity. It is most commonly prescribed under the brand names Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Bydureon. These medications implement glycemic control to regulate blood sugar, insulin, and glucose levels in the body. By keeping patients from feeling hungry, they help to regulate calorie intake and make it easier to lose significant amounts of weight.
At TribecaMed, Dr. Jason Shapiro provides state-of-the-art internal medicine which incorporates important clinical strategies of functional medicine to patients in and around Miami Beach as well as to out-of-town patients through telemedicine consultations. With over 20 years of experience, he uses his wealth of clinical and diagnostic knowledge to create customized treatment plans for every patient. For those seeking healthy and effective weight loss methods, Dr. Shapiro offers Semaglutide and Tirzepatide treatment outlines for medically-guided weight management.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Shapiro, please call our office at (305) 763-8832 or fill out this contact form to get started. We look forward to meeting with you!
Schedule a Virutal ConsultationContents
- 1 All About Semaglutide & Tirzepatide
- 2 Benefits of GLP-1 and GIP Receptor Agonists
- 3 Am I an Ideal Candidate?
- 4 Your Consultation at TribecaMed
- 5 How It Works
- 6 Common Side Effects & Treatment Results
- 7 Enhancing Semaglutide Therapy With BHRT & Peptide Therapy
- 8 Cost of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Miami Beach
- 9 FAQ
- 10 References
- 11 Contact TribecaMed Today
All About Semaglutide & Tirzepatide
Obesity is an ever-growing reality in the United States and around the world. This condition can lead to many different complications including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and stroke. Medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both intended to help treat type 2 diabetes, but physicians and their patients quickly noticed their efficiency in weight management as well. They both work to intercept the hunger signals from the brain that tell a patient they are hungry, leading to healthy and regulated weight loss without the need for surgery or invasive treatments. (1)
Semaglutide
Semaglutide works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It increases insulin production to lower blood sugar. It works to delay stomach emptying and reduce appetite by altering a patient’s ghrelin levels. Ghrelin is a hunger hormone that signals the brain when it is time to eat. Semaglutide also causes a synergistic effect that results in reduced body fat and weight loss. (2)
- Increased insulin production which lowers blood sugar
- Delayed stomach emptying which reduces appetite
- Reduced appetite by altering levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin
- A synergistic effect causing reduced body fat and weight loss
Tirzepatide
Like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide delays and reduces a patient’s appetite by slowing down the digestion process. This encourages the body to use the stored fat for energy instead of relying on sugar consumption. One big advantage of Tirzepatide treatment is that it affects both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. It is a dual agonist, meaning it works like these hormones to increase insulin secretion and regulate blood sugar levels after every meal. Tirzepatide utilizes GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists to activate important digestion hormones that control the conversion of food into energy. (1)
Benefits of GLP-1 and GIP Receptor Agonists
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide offer many benefits including:
- Appetite suppression that leads to decreased food consumption
- Fat reduction and weight loss
- Improved blood sugar control and A1C
- Reduced food and alcohol cravings
- Simple and effective treatment plans
- Little risk of adverse effects
- Simple administration in-office or at home
Treatment typically requires a simple weekly injection process, making it stress-free for patients and an easy addition to their already busy lives.
Request A Consultation“Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are excellent tools to control hunger in both female and male patients focusing on optimizing blood sugar, weight loss, muscle mass, and heart health.”
-Dr. Shapiro
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are not “one size fits all” medications. They require fasting blood work, and a consultation with Dr. Shapiro to see if you are a good candidate for these medications. Patients should be in good overall health with no acute, serious underlying medical conditions. They should also have realistic expectations and a willingness to adhere to the necessary lifestyle changes to achieve optimal results.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are not indicated:
- If you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- If you have a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- For women breastfeeding, currently pregnant, or planning a family
Your Consultation at TribecaMed
In your consultation, Dr. Shapiro will discuss your weight loss concerns and create a personalized treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals. His experienced staff will perform all necessary medical testing to accurately plan your treatment program. This testing will include comprehensive fasting blood work, an EKG (heart monitor), and InBody composition analysis (to assess skeletal muscle mass and visceral body fat). At the end of the consultation, Dr. Shapiro will create a personalized, 90-Day Treatment Plan focusing on weight loss which may include a Semaglutide/Tirzepatide injection schedule. This weight loss plan will also include protein-dense nutrition recommendations designed to support daily exercise. Your assigned patient coordinator will ensure you’re trained on how to administer the self-injections on your own.
Book a ConsultationHow It Works
Our 4 Step Process
Your 60-minute consultation with Dr. Shapiro will consist of a thorough medical history, physical exam, and a detailed analysis of all your metabolic testing.
Common Side Effects & Treatment Results
These medications can cause digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, or even generalized fatigue. These symptoms typically subside as your body adjusts to treatment. Weight loss results from Semaglutide or Tirzepatide treatments are usually apparent relatively quickly within several weeks. These results are more profound as you incorporate Dr. Shapiro’s nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
To keep the weight off, you should commit time to regulating your diet and engaging in active exercise at least 4 days a week. Dr. Shapiro and his team provide detailed instructions about how to continue your journey without medical intervention.
Enhancing Semaglutide Therapy With BHRT & Peptide Therapy
BHRT
BHRT, or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, is a medical treatment for men and women that optimizes a patient’s hormones which boosts their metabolism. By rebalancing hormones like testosterone and estrogen, patients can reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, loss of libido, and weight gain.
As a treatment alternative to hormone injections or creams, pellet therapy implements small pellets of concentrated testosterone or estrogen.. During this treatment, Dr. Shapiro implants tiny rice grain-sized pellets into subcutaneous fat in various parts of the body (buttocks, abdomen, thigh or arm). As the pellets slowly and steadily release hormones into the body, patients can anticipate feeling gradual improvement in their overall health and wellness.
“Pellet therapy is an excellent choice for delivering bioidentical hormone therapy because it ensures 100% compliance without the need for daily greasy creams or shots.”
– Dr. Shapiro
Peptide Therapy
Peptides are known as the “building blocks” of protein. During peptide therapy, Dr. Shapiro prescribes a customized plan for these powerful amino acids to optimize the body’s physiological processes. He creates personalized treatments that fit the specific needs of each patient. The end results leads to improved muscle mass, loss of visceral abdominal fat, increased bone density, a boosted immune system, and even enhanced skin health just to name a few.
Cost of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Miami Beach
Dr. Shapiro customizes medical weight loss treatment programs for each individual patient. To receive a cost estimate from TribecaMed, please schedule a private consultation with one of his patient coordinators. Call our office at (305) 763-8832, or fill out this convenient contact form to book an appointment.
FAQ
These medications can cause periodic nausea, constipation, fatigue, heartburn, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, especially when starting the program. These side effects last a short period of time, usually less than 1-2 weeks, after which time they resolve altogether.
The amount of weight lost during treatment depends on the patient and their starting point. Most patients lose anywhere from 10-20 percent of their overall body weight during Semaglutide or Tirzepatide treatment plans.
Weight loss medication is primarily designed for short-term use, typically up to 12 weeks. However, in some cases, these medications may be prescribed for extended periods if deemed necessary by Dr. Shapiro.
Yes, this treatment can lead to a lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, and early-onset osteoporosis. It’s important to note that this medication also reduces alcohol craving and consumption.
Every patient varies, but most typically see small changes in their overall weight after 2 or 3 weeks of weekly injections.
Weight loss medication is not considered a permanent solution for weight loss. It is a tool that can assist individuals in achieving their weight loss goals when combined with a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise. Long-term success depends on making sustainable lifestyle changes.
References
- Thomas Leth Jensen, Brønden A, Karstoft K, Sonne D, Christensen M. The Body Weight Reducing Effects of Tirzepatide in People with and without Type 2 Diabetes: a Review on Efficacy and Adverse Effects. Patient Preference and Adherence. 2024;Volume 18:373-382. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ppa.s419304
- Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M. Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. Journal of Investigative Medicine. 2021;70(1):jim-2021-001952. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2021-001952