Losing weight is incredibly difficult. Even with a healthy diet, a good exercise plan, and all the motivation in the world, shedding extra pounds can feel like an uphill battle.
One of the reasons losing weight is challenging is because our bodies are wired to resist it. Rather than shedding weight, the body naturally conserves resources to maintain weight. As you can imagine (and have probably experienced), this makes it very difficult to achieve weight loss goals.
Over the last year, nearly half of all Americans attempted to lose weight. If you are one of the millions struggling with weight loss, injectables may be an option to help jumpstart your weight loss and bring your goals within reach.
B+A Surgeons is a family team founded by Dr. Nicole Basa and Dr. Alan Abando over 16 years ago. As a practice that specializes in bariatrics, we have created a destination in Cedar Park for patients who want to improve their health in a safe, caring, and judgment-free environment.
At B+A, we know that surgery is not the right choice for everyone. That’s why we developed a comprehensive non-surgical weight loss program to help you reach your goals, no operations required.
In this blog, we are discussing one of the tools we use to help patients lose weight—weight loss injectables.
Understanding Weight Loss Injectables
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of buzz about weight loss injectables in Austin. Due to the popularity of these medications, we often have patients who are inquiring about these treatments. So what do we think about it?
Weight loss injectables can be an effective tool for weight loss, but they are not a standalone solution or “miracle drug” for losing weight. Long-term, sustainable weight loss only happens when you make lifestyle changes.
However, injectables can be an effective way to jumpstart the weight loss process and help you make those lifestyle changes. This works in several ways:
- Injectables can help you experience noticeable weight loss and provide a boost of confidence and motivation to continue working toward your goals.
- Injectables can help control your appetite, revealing the amount of food your body actually needs.
- Injectables can facilitate the transition into healthier eating habits and help you adjust to smaller portion sizes.
In summary, weight loss injections should be part of a larger weight management plan for long-term success. If you’ve been to B+A before, you’ll quickly realize this is a common theme in our clinic. Whether we’re talking about surgery or medications, focusing on lifestyle and behavior modifications is essential for success.
Your Options for Weight Loss Injectables in Austin
Semaglutide
In recent years, semaglutide has become one of the most popular injections for weight loss. Although originally developed to help type 2 diabetics regulate their blood sugar, researchers quickly discovered this medication also helps patients lose a significant amount of weight.
How It Works
Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a hormone in your body called GLP-1. Your body naturally releases GLP-1 after you eat to regulate blood sugar levels and manage the digestive process.
GLP-1 serves several functions in your body, including:
- Stimulating insulin secretion
- Lowering levels of blood glucose
- Slowing down how quickly food leaves the stomach
- Signaling to the brain that you are full
When semaglutide introduces this GLP-1-like hormone in the body, it results in appetite suppression. Your brain will receive the “I’m full” message (even when you’ve only eaten a small amount of food).
Additionally, semaglutide slows digestion, which causes food to stay in the stomach longer. This means you’ll have the feeling of fullness for a longer period of time. In combination with a suppressed appetite, this slower digestive process makes it easier to hit the caloric deficit necessary for weight loss.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is similar to semaglutide, but it is a stronger medication that can lead to a more significant amount of weight loss. Instead of acting only on the GLP-1 receptor, tirzepatide acts through two pathways.
How It Works
Tirzepatide mimics GLP-1 for the effects described above, but it also acts on something called GIP receptors. GIP is another hormone involved in insulin regulation and blood sugar. Because tirzepatide targets both of these hormone receptors, it has a dual impact on blood sugar control, insulin release, appetite regulation, and weight loss.
Semaglutide & Tirzepatide at B+A
If you are interested in semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight loss, you’ll start with a consultation at B+A Surgeons. During this consultation, we will review your medical history, talk about your previous attempts to lose weight, and discuss your weight loss goals.
Candidates for Semaglutide & Tirzepatide
Not everyone is a candidate for these weight loss injectables in Austin. At your consultation, we will take several factors into consideration to determine if this is the right medication for you, including:
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body mass index measures body fat based on height and weight. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are generally best for patients with a BMI of 30 or greater.
Family Medical History
If you have a personal or family history of any of the following, you are not a candidate for these medications:
- Pancreatitis
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
If you have any of the above conditions, we can still help you lose weight with other treatments and methods!
Weight Loss Goals
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are best for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight. If you are struggling to lose the last 10 or 15 pounds of extra weight, there are better treatment options for you.
Before Starting Your Treatment
Before starting these medications, we will get baseline labs (including a complete blood count and complete metabolic panel). In addition to these labs, we will complete two tests in our office:
SECA Scale
At B+A, we use an advanced body composition analyzer called the SECA scale. This piece of equipment measures body fat percentage, muscle mass, body water content, and other parameters—all from a single step on the scale.
We use the SECA scale to get baseline measurements and will continue using the scale throughout treatment to track your progress.
Resting Metabolic Rate
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) refers to the number of calories your body burns at rest. Knowing this number (and how it changes over time) helps to inform the number of calories you need to stay within a calorie deficit.
During Your Treatment
At B+A Surgeons, we follow patients closely during their course of weight loss injectables in Austin. You will come to our office weekly to receive an injection. If you are experiencing any side effects or difficulties with the medication, we can address the problem during these weekly check-ins.
In addition to weekly visits, your doctor or dietician will also repeat RMR and SECA scale testing at the 3-month mark (once you hit the maintenance dose of your medication). This information allows us to see your progress and determine how to proceed with your treatment.
Other Injections for Weight Loss
If you are not a candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide, we offer other weight loss injectables to help you achieve your weight loss goals. We give these injectables at B+A Medical Aesthetics, located right next door to B+A Surgeons.
B12 & MICB12
B12 is an essential vitamin that plays an important role in energy metabolism. When patients have deficiencies in this vitamin, they tend to have low energy levels, making weight loss more difficult. B12 injections can help replenish these levels to boost energy and improve weight loss.
MICB12 injections include the B12 vitamin along with amino acids that help with fat metabolism. The frequency of B12 injectables can vary depending on your needs. Some patients may receive a weekly injection for a set period of time, while others may receive monthly injections.
Lipostat IM
Lipostat IM is a weight loss injectable that includes MIC, B-complex vitamins, and amino acids that assist in fat burning. This medication is great for anyone who wants to lose weight, even if they only have 10 pounds to lose. This injectable is usually given once a week for 6 weeks.
Surgical Weight Loss Options
Some patients determine they want to use weight loss injectables with weight loss surgery. B+A Surgeons provides the following minimally invasive weight loss surgery options in Austin.
Gastric Bypass
A gastric bypass surgery re-routes part of the digestive system and reduces the stomach size to help limit caloric absorption.
Gastric Sleeve
During a gastric sleeve procedure, our surgeons remove approximately 70% of the stomach. This surgery helps reduce hunger signals and restricts caloric intake.
Modified Duodenal Switch (SADI)
The modified duodenal switch surgery combines our gastric bypass and sleeve procedures.
Contact B+A Surgeons for more information on weight loss injectables in Austin.
If you want to learn more about treatments for weight loss, the team at B+A Medical Center is here to help. We have the tools, resources, and expertise to help you reach your weight loss goals—whether it’s through injectables, medications, lifestyle adjustments, nutrition plans, or a bariatric operation.
When we prescribe weight loss injectables in Austin, we are here as your partner through your weight loss journey. With frequent check-ins and testing, we ensure that you are feeling your best and are on track to meet your goals.
Ready to get started? Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced providers today, or use our virtual treatment builder to get personalized treatment recommendations sent directly to you.
Up next: Overweight Surgery in Cedar Park
