Medical Weight Loss
Safe, Effective Weight Loss Supervised by Ann Zedlitz, M.D. at Z Dermatology
YOUR medical weight loss EXPERTs IN LOUISIANA
Start Your Journey to a Healthier You!
Struggling to Lose Weight?
Semaglutide & Tirzepatide Weight Loss Injections in
Baton Rouge and Prairieville.
Z aesthetic Dermatology
GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss (Semaglutide & Tirzepatide)
GLP-1 medications, including Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, are advanced prescription treatments designed to support healthy, sustainable weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition and regular physical activity. These medications work by mimicking natural hormones in the body that help regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. By helping patients feel fuller longer, reducing cravings, and slowing stomach emptying, GLP-1 treatments can make it easier to maintain a calorie deficit and achieve meaningful weight loss.
At our practice, GLP-1 medications are offered as part of a physician-guided medical weight loss program, allowing patients to receive expert evaluation, personalized dosing, and ongoing support throughout their weight loss journey. Each treatment plan is customized based on your individual goals, health history, and response to the medication to help you achieve safe, effective, and lasting results..
z aestehtic dermatology
How It Works
GLP-1 medications, including Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, work by mimicking natural hormones in the body that help regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels. These medications act on receptors in the brain and digestive system to help control hunger and improve how the body processes energy.
Key ways GLP-1 medications support weight loss include:
Appetite Control
They signal the brain that you are full sooner and help reduce hunger between meals, making it easier to eat smaller portions.
Slower Stomach Emptying
Food stays in the stomach longer, which helps you feel satisfied for a longer period of time and reduces frequent snacking.
Improved Blood Sugar Regulation
GLP-1 medications help the body release insulin more effectively and regulate blood sugar levels, which can help reduce energy crashes and cravings.
Metabolic Support
By improving how the body processes glucose and energy, these medications support more efficient metabolism and sustainable weight loss.
When combined with healthy lifestyle habits, GLP-1 medications can help patients lose weight gradually and maintain results over time under medical supervision.
Stimulates Insulin Secretion (Glucose-Dependent):
When you eat, your body naturally releases GLP-1, which signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is crucial for moving sugar (glucose) from your bloodstream into your cells for energy or storage.
Semaglutide acts like GLP-1, stimulating your pancreas to release more insulin, but it does so in a glucose-dependent manner. This means it primarily boosts insulin when your blood sugar levels are high, reducing the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when levels are normal.
Suppresses Glucagon Release:
Glucagon is another hormone produced by the pancreas that has the opposite effect of insulin – it raises blood sugar by signaling the liver to release stored glucose.
Semaglutide helps to lower glucagon secretion, which further contributes to better blood sugar control by reducing the amount of glucose released from the liver.
Slows Gastric Emptying:
Semaglutide slows down how quickly food moves from your stomach into your small intestine. This delayed gastric emptying has several benefits:
- Reduces Post-Meal Blood Sugar Spikes: By slowing down digestion, it prevents a rapid surge of glucose into your bloodstream after meals, leading to more stable blood sugar levels.
- Increases Satiety: The slower emptying makes you feel fuller for longer, which contributes to reduced appetite and overall food intake
Impacts Appetite Regulation in the Brain:
GLP-1 receptors are also found in areas of the brain that regulate appetite and satiety (the feeling of fullness). Semaglutide activates these receptors, leading to:
- Reduced Hunger and Cravings: You feel less hungry and have fewer cravings for food.
- Increased Feelings of Fullness: This helps you eat less and feel satisfied with smaller portions.
Key Structural Modifications for Semaglutide's Effectiveness: Unlike the natural GLP-1 hormone, which is rapidly broken down in the body, semaglutide has structural modifications that make it:
- Resistant to degradation: It's protected from an enzyme called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which normally breaks down GLP-1.
- Long-acting: It binds strongly to a protein in the blood called albumin, which prolongs its presence in the bloodstream. These modifications give semaglutide a long half-life, allowing for once-weekly dosing.
In summary, semaglutide's multifaceted actions work together to:
- Improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin release and reducing glucagon.
- Promote weight loss by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and slowing digestion.
- Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (like heart attack or stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
It's important to note that semaglutide is typically used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How is Semaglutide different from other weight loss medications?
Unlike stimulants or appetite suppressants, Semaglutide works on hormonal pathways to regulate appetite naturally.
Do I need to follow a strict diet?
No crash diets! We encourage a low carb lifestyle avoiding processed foods and sugars.
Is the weight loss permanent?
Many patients maintain weight loss long-term with continued support and good habits.
What if I stop taking it?
We guide patients through maintenance plans to help sustain results even after discontinuation.
Why Choose Z Dermatology?
At Z Dermatology, we bring the same expert medical oversight you trust for your skin to your weight loss goals. Our Semaglutide weight loss program includes:
- Personalized dosing and medical supervision
- At-home injection options
- Supportive check-ins and guidance
- Aesthetic expertise to help you look and feel your best
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may qualify if you:
- Have a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions, or BMI over 30
- Struggle with food cravings or portion control
- Are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
- Have no history of thyroid cancer or certain endocrine disorders
What to Expect
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We'll review your medical history and ensure you're a good candidate.
Step 2: Personalized Plan
Start at a low dose and gradually increase for maximum tolerance and effect.
Step 3: Weekly Injections
Given in-office or taught for self-injection at home.
Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring
Regular check-ins to monitor your progress and adjust as needed.
When Will I See Results?
Most patients experience:
- Reduced appetite within the first 1–2 weeks
- Noticeable weight loss after 6–8 weeks
- Steady progress over time—typically 1–2 lbs per week
Some patients also notice improvements in:
- Energy and sleep
- Confidence and mood
- Skin quality (especially in obesity-related conditions)
Safety & Side Effects
Semaglutide is generally well-tolerated, but may cause:
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Headache or fatigue
These usually subside as your body adjusts. Our team monitors you closely to ensure safe use.
Note: Not for use in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Ready to Get Started?
Take the first step toward a healthier, more confident you. Schedule your consultation today and discover if Semaglutide is right for you. Call 225-778-7540 OR Email JenniferNP@ZDermatology.com. Visit us at 5305 Flanders Drive, Baton Rouge, LA or 17497 Old Jefferson Hwy. Prairieville, LA 70769
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