SEMAGLUTIDE WEIGHT LOSS
BELLEVUE & KIRKLAND

Compound Semaglutide Dosing Plan

Overview: What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and blood sugar. By slowing digestion, increasing feelings of fullness, and prompting the body to release more insulin, semaglutide helps patients eat less, control cravings, and lose weight safely and effectively.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has since become one of the most effective medications for weight management. Clinical studies show that patients taking semaglutide can lose an average of 14.9% of their body weight over time, making it a powerful tool for people who have struggled with traditional weight loss methods.

Semaglutide Options at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery

At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, we recognize that every patient’s needs are different. That’s why we offer multiple forms of semaglutide treatment:

• Brand-Name Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®)
  FDA-approved, standardized formulations available through your pharmacy. These are an excellent choice for patients who tolerate brand-name medications well and may have insurance coverage for treatment.
• Compounded Semaglutide
  Prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies, compounded semaglutide provides the same active ingredient as the brand-name versions, with more flexibility in dosing and formulation. This option is especially helpful for patients who need a more customized approach.
• Compounded Semaglutide with L-Carnitine
  Our enhanced compounded formulation includes L-Carnitine, a naturally occurring nutrient that helps transport stored fat into the cells’ mitochondria (“power plants”) to be burned for energy. Adding L-Carnitine supports fat metabolism, energy levels, and exercise endurance, making it an excellent choice for patients seeking added metabolic benefits or for those who cannot tolerate brand-name versions.

How It’s Taken

Semaglutide is typically administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, which patients can self-administer at home after a brief training session. For those who prefer not to inject, we also offer a daily tablet option. Your provider will help determine which method and formulation best suits your health, goals, and lifestyle.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Semaglutide in Bellevue?

Semaglutide can be an excellent option for patients who struggle with weight loss despite diet and exercise. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, our providers evaluate each patient individually — there are no strict BMI requirements.

General Candidate Guidelines

• Many candidates have a BMI of 30 or higher
• Patients with a BMI under 30 may still qualify if they have weight-related health concerns
• Patients at a healthy, stable weight are generally not candidates
• Each patient is evaluated holistically, based on medical history, current health, and weight loss goals

Who May Not Qualify

Even if you meet weight-related criteria, some conditions may mean semaglutide is not the best choice. These include:

• • A history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
  • A history of thyroid cancer
  • Past or current pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Type 1 diabetes

Patients currently taking another GLP-1 medication cannot take semaglutide at the same time, though they may be able to switch under provider supervision.

Personalized Evaluation

Our experienced providers will review your health history, lifestyle, and goals to determine if semaglutide is safe and effective for you. If semaglutide is not the right fit, we’ll discuss compounded alternatives with L-Carnitine or other medical weight loss treatments that may better suit your needs.

Benefits & Risks of Semaglutide

Benefits

Semaglutide offers patients an effective, medically supervised path to sustainable weight loss. Key benefits include:

• Supports significant weight reduction for most patients
• Appetite suppression and better portion control
• Improvements in metabolic health
• May help manage weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure
• Safe for long-term use under medical supervision
• At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, we provide compounded semaglutide with L-Carnitine for enhanced energy and fat metabolism.

Risks & Side Effects

Like all medications, semaglutide may cause some side effects, especially when first starting treatment. These are usually mild and temporary, with most patients noticing improvement after the first couple of weeks. Patients already taking other GLP-1 medications often adjust more easily.

Common side effects may include:

• Mild nausea
• Changes in bowel movements (frequency or consistency)
• Heartburn
• Abdominal discomfort

Rare but possible risks include:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly for patients with diabetes
• Gallbladder issues or pancreatitis (in uncommon cases)
• Thyroid-related risks in predisposed patients

Our providers monitor every patient closely and adjust treatment as needed to minimize risks. Following a healthy diet plan and adhering to your provider’s guidance can also help reduce side effects and improve comfort during treatment.

How the Semaglutide Weight Loss Program Works

At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, our semaglutide program is designed to be simple, supportive, and effective. Here’s what to expect from start to finish:

Step 1: Consultation

Your journey begins with an in-person or virtual consultation with one of our providers. During this appointment, your provider will:

• Review your medical history and current medications
• Discuss your lifestyle, weight loss challenges, and goals
• Determine whether semaglutide is the right treatment for you
• Explain the benefits, risks, and expected results

If approved, your provider will prescribe semaglutide and walk you through the next steps.

Step 2: Choose Your Formulation

We offer multiple options to fit different needs and preferences:

• Brand-Name Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®): FDA-approved and standardized, available through your pharmacy.
• Compounded Semaglutide: Custom-prepared with flexible dosing.
• Compounded Semaglutide with L-Carnitine: Enhanced with L-Carnitine for added fat-burning support, improved energy, and exercise endurance.

Semaglutide is available as a once-weekly injection or a daily sublingual tablet. Both forms are effective, and your provider will help you choose the option best suited for your lifestyle.

Step 3: Training & Administration

• Injections: If you choose the injectable form, you’ll attend a brief training session to learn how to administer it yourself at home. Injections are given under the skin (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) with a small needle. Rotating sites helps prevent irritation.
• Tablets: The sublingual tablet dissolves under the tongue and is taken daily, usually around mealtimes.

Your provider will also create a personalized dosing schedule, gradually increasing your dose to reduce side effects and ensure your body adjusts comfortably.

Step 4: Lifestyle Support

All patients receive a custom diet and exercise plan included in their program.

• Diet: Focuses on high protein, fruits, and vegetables, while reducing processed, fried, and sugary foods.
• Exercise: Encourages increased activity levels with an emphasis on strength training to boost metabolism.

This portion of the program is optional, but highly recommended for faster, longer-lasting results.

Step 5: Ongoing Care & Check-Ins

Patients meet with their provider monthly, either in person or virtually. During these check-ins, your provider will:

• Monitor your progress and side effects
• Adjust your dosage if necessary
• Update your diet and exercise recommendations

You’ll also have 24/7 access to medical support for any questions or concerns.

Step 6: Results & Long-Term Success

Some patients start noticing results within 2–3 months, with clinical studies showing an average of 14.9% body weight loss after 68 weeks. Semaglutide is safe for long-term use, and many patients choose to stay on maintenance doses to help keep the weight off. Others may discontinue after establishing healthy, sustainable habits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Semaglutide

Does Insurance Cover Semaglutide?

Insurance typically only covers brand-name semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®). At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, we do offer a program for patients seeking brand-name medication through their pharmacy.

However, insurance does not cover our compounded semaglutide weight loss programs (including compounded with L-Carnitine). These programs are billed monthly as self-pay.

How Long Should I Stay on Semaglutide for Weight Loss?

The length of treatment depends on your goals and health history:

• Patients with type 2 diabetes may remain on semaglutide indefinitely.
• Weight loss patients can often taper off after reaching their goal weight.
• Some patients continue taking a low maintenance dose to help sustain weight loss long term.

Before stopping, it’s important to establish a routine with healthy diet and exercise habits. Your provider will guide you through a tapering plan to help maintain results.

Can You Keep Weight Off After Stopping Semaglutide?

Yes. While some patients regain weight, many are able to keep most or all of it off with proper lifestyle changes. This is why we encourage pairing semaglutide with a structured nutrition and exercise plan. Our optional diet and exercise program helps patients build sustainable habits for long-lasting results.

How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Start Working?

Results vary, but some patients begin noticing changes within 5–8 weeks. Significant results typically develop within 2–3 months.

During monthly check-ins, your provider will:

• Track your weight and progress
• Review side effects
• Adjust your dosage if needed
• Go over your nutrition and exercise plan

This consistent monitoring helps keep results on track.

What Is the Cost of the Semaglutide Program?

At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, semaglutide is billed monthly. Costs depend on the form of medication:

• Compounded Injections (with supplies): Starting at $399/month
• Compounded Sublingual Tablets: Starting at $699/month
• Brand-Name Program (Ozempic®, Wegovy®): $199 program fee + the cost of medication through your pharmacy

Included in the monthly fee:

• Your compounded semaglutide supply (brand-name prescription management is paid separately through your pharmacy)
• Injection supplies if applicable (alcohol pads, syringes)
• Personalized diet and exercise plan
• Monthly check-in appointments (in-person or virtual)
• 24/7 provider support

Patients may also purchase multiple months at a time. Pricing for 90-day or bulk prescriptions is available during consultation.

The Best Semaglutide Weight Loss in Bellevue & Kirkland

At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, we are proud to be leaders in both plastic surgery and advanced non-surgical treatments. Many of our patients come to us after successful weight loss and choose procedures such as skin tightening or body contouring. Now, with advancements in medical weight management, our providers also offer semaglutide weight loss programs for qualifying patients.

We provide both brand-name semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and compounded formulations — including compounded semaglutide with L-Carnitine for patients who want added metabolic support or who may not be the best fit for brand-name options. This ensures that every patient has access to the highest-quality, most personalized care available.

With our structured program, patients receive:

• FDA-approved or compounded medication options tailored to their needs
• Comprehensive support including diet and exercise plans
• Monthly check-ins with experienced providers
• In-person and virtual appointment options for convenience

By combining proven medication with lifestyle support and expert medical supervision, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery delivers some of the most effective and personalized semaglutide weight loss Bellevue and Kirkland have to offer.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-775-3561. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.