Why GLP-1 Medications?

Control appetite and cravings to lose weight.

The GLP-1 medications, semaglutide and tirzepatide, are game-changers for weight loss. By mimicking GLP-1, a natural hormone involved with appetite regulation, these medications decrease hunger and cravings, enabling calorie restriction and weight loss.

When used as part of a holistic strategy focused on lifestyle change, GLP-1 medications can help enable lasting weight loss results.

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About Semaglutide & Tirzepatide

Control hunger and cravings to lose weight and achieve your weight loss and health goals.
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    The Science

    Semaglutide and tirzepatide work like your body’s natural GLP-1, which is an intestinal hormone involved with the regulation of appetite, insulin release, and digestion. Tirzepatide additionally works like GIP, another intestinal hormone involved with the regulation of appetite. Both medications decrease hunger, appetite, and cravings, enabling weight loss.

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    Weight Loss – Semaglutide

    The seminal semaglutide weight loss study from 2021 reports average weight loss with semaglutide to be 15.9% of weight. Disclaimer – individual patient results vary.

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    Weight Loss – Tirzepatide

    The seminal tirzepatide weight loss study from 2022 reports average weight loss with tirzepatide to be 22.5% of weight. Disclaimer – individual patient results vary.

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    Comprehensive Program

    A weight loss program, like the MDTW Program, that includes nutritional and lifestyle support can help ensure safe, successful, and lasting results.

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    Side Effects

    Side effects tend to be minor and transient, and include nausea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, GERD, and bowel habit changes.

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    Risks

    Risks are low and can be minimized with quality care and guidance. Risks include dehydration, muscle loss, and malnutrition. Other unproven but possible risks include pancreatitis, eye inflammation, and a rare form of thyroid cancer.

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GLP-1 Treatment Options

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Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as in the branded medications Ozempic® and Wegovy®, and is typically lower priced.

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Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient as in the branded medications Mounjaro® and Zepbound®, and is typically lower priced.

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Branded GLP-1 Medications

The branded medications are typically higher priced and reliant on insurance coverage, which is often difficult to obtain for weight loss.

Comparison of Treatment Options

Compounded semaglutide (Sema) vs. compounded tirzepatide (Tirz) vs. branded GLP-1 medication (Br).
Sema
Tirz
Br
FDA Approval
FDA approval is obtained by pharmaceutical companies for medications they patent. Compounded medications are not FDA approved.
Price
Compounded GLP-1 medications contain the same active ingredients as in the branded medications and are typically lower priced.
Assured Quality Control
FDA oversight guarantees quality and potency. For compounded meds, it is important to vet the pharmacy to ensure quality and potency.
Customization
Compounded medications are offered in many more formulations and dosages than FDA-approved medications, making personalization and optimization possible.
Convenience
Compounded GLP-1 medications can be dispensed from the office or delivered to your door, and have not been in short supply like the branded medications.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance covers FDA-approved medications when their criteria are met, which can be difficult for weight loss. Insurance does not cover compounded medications.

Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers

We are conveniently located in Brea, CA, at 255 W Central Ave, Suite 203. Our service area includes Brea, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Fullerton, and surrounding Orange County and Los Angeles County cities.

Choose MDTW to get high-quality, personalized care from experienced, board-certified clinicians for testosterone replacement for men, bioidentical hormone replacement for women, GLP-1 weight loss, and (new!) pain free hair restoration with Alma TED.

David Oliak, MD and Allison Mollet, PA-C are board-certified and have worked together as concierge care providers since 2006. Visit our About Us page to read more about Dr. Oliak and PA Mollet.

GLP-1 medications can help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are highly effective for weight loss, well tolerated, and low risk when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, and managed by a qualified healthcare provider.

MDTW provides high quality, personalized care with thorough initial consultations, and ongoing follow-up, support, and guidance to achieve safe and successful results. Dr. Oliak and PA Mollet are experienced, with >20 years in the weight loss field. And we dispense semaglutide and tirzepatide from the office, so you don’t have to wait for your medication. Quality care makes all the difference!

In you are a candidate for treatment, as determined on the day of your consult, you can start your treatment the same day.

Yes! If you are a candidate, based on an evaluation by a board-certified clinician that includes an in-office testosterone test, get your first dose of testosterone in the office the same day.

Every patient is different, however, most feel the effect of the medication within 1-3 days and see the scale start to move within 1-2 weeks.

Studies show that patients lose an average of 15% of their weight with semaglutide, and 21% of their weight with tirzepatide. These are averages – individual patients can lose more or less than the average. Our experience has been that these medications, when combined with good eating and exercise habits, enable most patients to lose substantial weight.

Semaglutide works in the body like GLP-1, which is an intestinal hormone that is important for regulating appetite and cravings. Tirzepatide works in the body like GLP-1 also, but also works in the body like GIP, which is another intestinal hormone that regulates appetite. In terms of results, tirzepatide on average works better to control hunger and cravings than semaglutide, and on average is more effective at lower doses. Studies show that weight loss results, while impressive with both medications, is better with tirzepatide.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are administered as a weekly subcutaneous injection. You can do the injections at home (we will teach you how) or come in the office weekly for your injections.

Compounding pharmacies buy pharmaceutical grade medications from drug manufacturers (same as pharmaceutical companies) and sell them in a wider variety of formulations (mixtures of medications, dosages, forms of delivery like topical, vaginal, sublingual) than what is available from pharmaceutical companies.

We use only large, US-licensed compounding pharmacies that buy their pharmaceuticals from FDA registered manufacturing facilities, and provide certificates of analysis to prove the integrity of the pharmaceuticals they use.

Possible side effects include nausea, heartburn, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms, when they occur, tend to be mild and go away on their own. The most common time for these side effect to happen is when you first start treatment, and when your dose is increased. Other possible risks, which can be avoided or minimized with good care and good eating and exercise habits, include dehydration and muscle loss.

When GLP-1 medication is stopped, hunger and craving suppression go away. Often, when GLP-1 medication is used as a tool to change eating and exercise habits, weight loss can be maintained when the medication is stopped. For some patients, a maintenance plan with injections spaced out longer than 1 week is effective. For others, another course of GLP-1 medication when weight regain starts is effective. After you reach your goal weight, we will help you decide what approach would be best for weight maintenance.

No, MD Total Wellness does not accept insurance. We accept all major credit/debit cards as well as payments from HSA or FSA accounts. Our affordable, pay-as-you-go monthly pricing includes personalized care with board-certified clinicians, medication, and in-office blood testing.

Are You Ready To Lose Weight?

The first step is a free consult with a board-certified weight loss expert to see how our program can help you to reach and maintain your weight loss and health goals.

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