Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications is a physician-guided approach to weight management, designed to help patients achieve effective, sustainable results. Because weight loss medications require careful evaluation, personalized dosing, and ongoing monitoring, working with an experienced practitioner that you can trust is almost as important as the medication itself. At his Los Angeles practice, Dr. Sean Satey offers customized medical weight loss plans backed by extensive clinical and surgical training, helping patients navigate treatment safely while working toward successful weight reduction. As fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon and 2026 President of the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Satey prioritizes patient education, transparency, and compassionate care so you feel empowered and fully informed.

To learn more about GLP-1 medications, call (424) 500-3320 or contact us online and schedule a consultation with Dr. Satey!

About GLP-1 Medications

Customized treatment from Dr. Satey can address the biological factors that affect hunger, appetite, and weight control. When appropriate, personalized weight loss plans may include prescription options, such as GLP-1 and GIP-based therapies, rather than relying solely on diet and exercise. Dr. Satey offers several prescription weight-loss treatments shown to support weight loss when combined with a structured treatment plan! ⁽¹⁾

Mounjaro®

Mounjaro is an FDA-approved, once-weekly injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar management in patients with type 2 diabetes. It contains tirzepatide, which activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors to help regulate blood sugar and appetite.

Zepbound®

Zepbound is an FDA-approved prescription medication containing tirzepatide. It works through GIP and GLP-1 receptor pathways that influence appetite and metabolic function to support chronic weight management. Zepbound is administered once weekly and is intended to be used alongside appropriate nutrition and physical activity to achieve optimal results. ⁽²⁾

Compounded Tirzepatide

Compounded tirzepatide is a medication prepared by compounding pharmacies and typically comes in multi-dose vials rather than auto-injector pens. It is not individually approved by the FDA, but Dr. Satey may consider compounded treatment when medically appropriate.

Compounded Semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide is a non-FDA-approved medication prepared through a compounding pharmacy. When medically appropriate, Dr. Satey determines whether a compounded treatment may be suitable based on the patient’s health, goals, and treatment plan.

Ozempic®

Ozempic is an FDA-approved prescription medication used for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Administered as a once-weekly injection, Ozempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce appetite. Clinical studies show semaglutide can support weight reduction when combined with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes. ⁽²⁾

Wegovy®

Wegovy is an FDA-approved, higher-dose formulation of semaglutide for chronic weight management in adult patients. Administered via a weekly injection, it works by targeting GLP-1 receptors to suppress appetite and support weight loss. ⁽³⁾

Saxenda®

Administered as a daily injection, Saxenda is an FDA-approved prescription medication that utilizes liraglutide to target GLP-1 receptors, helping influence appetite and enhance satiety.

Benefits

By influencing the hormonal shifts that drive appetite and metabolism, these medications support long-term weight management. With a weight loss regimen under Dr. Satey’s supervision, patients may benefit by:

Clinical studies have shown that GLP-1 medications can help patients effectively lose weight, but it is important to understand that not everyone responds to the medications equally and that these medications work best alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. ⁽¹⁾

Candidates

Candidates who struggle to lose weight despite best efforts with dieting and exercise may benefit from a GLP-1 weight loss regimen. Patients at risk for certain health conditions, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea, may also benefit. Weight loss medications are designed to be part of a comprehensive weight management plan, not a stand-alone solution. Candidates should be prepared to support treatment with long-term nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes.

Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant are generally not suitable candidates for these medications. Dr. Satey must conduct a thorough evaluation to determine eligibility.

Personal Consultation

If you are struggling to lose weight and wondering whether prescription weight loss medications might be appropriate, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Satey! During your initial consultation, Dr. Satey will review your medical history, weight loss journey, and BMI to understand your unique health goals. Dr. Satey may order blood tests to check for any underlying hormonal, thyroid, or metabolic issues and to set a hormone level baseline. This evaluation helps determine whether prescription weight loss treatment is appropriate and allows Dr. Satey to design a personalized care plan for you.

Dosage

After evaluating your weight loss goals and progress so far, Dr. Satey will plan your GLP-1 regimen. Dr. Satey’s medical supervision makes treatment safer, more individualized, and more effective by selecting the correct medication and dosage. Treatment typically starts at a low dose and is gradually increased based on the medication type, patient response, and tolerance. Once you reach your goal weight, he will likely place you on a maintenance dose.

Tirzepatide, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, are administered once weekly as a subcutaneous injection and should be taken consistently on the same day each week. To give the body time to adjust, treatment typically starts with a low weekly dose of 2.5 mg for the first four weeks. The dose may then be increased in 2.5 mg intervals every four weeks up to a maximum dose of 15 mg. Dr. Satey will base future dosing changes on how well your blood sugar or weight responds and whether you encounter any side effects.

Semaglutide, Wegovy, and Ozempic are administered as weekly injections. However, because they are approved for different primary purposes, their FDA-approved dosing schedules vary slightly.

Initially FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic begins at a weekly dosage of 0.25 mg for the first four weeks before increasing to 0.5 mg per week. If needed, Dr. Satey can increase Ozempic to 1 mg and eventually to a maximum weekly dose of 2 mg. Conversely, Wegovy starts at 0.25 mg weekly and is increased every four weeks. The standard maintenance dose of Wegovy is 1.7 mg per week, with a maximum allowable dose of 2.4 mg weekly. Ultimately, the main difference lies in dosing capacity: Ozempic reaches its limit at 2 mg per week, whereas Wegovy is titrated to a higher maintenance target of 2.4 mg per week.

Unlike the once-weekly injections Ozempic and Wegovy require, Saxenda is injected once daily. The initial dose starts at 0.6 mg daily and increases by 0.6 mg weekly until it reaches a target dose of 3 mg. Daily dosing helps patients adjust to the medication while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects. ⁽³⁾

Results

Rather than weight loss, one of the earliest effects most patients notice within the first one to four weeks is a shift in appetite. As appetite begins to fade, you may feel fuller sooner after smaller portions and notice a decrease in constant thoughts about food. During this time, you may also experience side effects like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or an upset stomach. These side effects are common early on and often subside as your body adjusts to the medications. Within the first several months, and as the dose increases, many patients begin to experience more noticeable weight loss, but everyone responds differently, and results vary for many reasons. The peak phase of active weight loss typically occurs between four months and a year of treatment, although the timeline varies by medication and individual response. ⁽⁴⁾

Cost of GLP-1 Medications in Los Angeles

The price of a medical weight loss is dependent on many factors. The cost will be impacted by the type of medication, dose, treatment duration, and more. After determining the appropriate treatment plan during your consultation, Dr. Satey and his team will provide a personalized cost estimate. To explore the cost of your medical weight loss and take the next step in your health journey, please schedule a consultation online or call (424) 500-3320.

We proudly serve clients throughout Los Angeles, including nearby neighborhoods and landmarks such as:

If you’re located near any of these areas, our team is just a short drive away.

FAQ

References

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity | NIDDK. 2024. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
2. Venkata Sushma Chamarthi, Daley SF. Obesity Medications: Evidence-Based Management. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK618375/
3. Kumar RB, Aronne LJ. Pharmacologic Treatment of Obesity. MDText.com, Inc.; 2024. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279038/
4. Munoz-Mantilla D. Top Weight Loss Medications. 2024. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://obesitymedicine.org/blog/weight-loss-medications/