At a Glance
Injectable Options: semaglutide (Wegovy®), tirzepatide (Zepbound™), and compounded GLP-1 formulations
Cost: Competitive pricing of $500 per month for semaglutide and $650 per month for tirzepatide
Recovery: On average, patients may return to office jobs and non-strenuous activities after 3-7 days
Insurance: We accept most medical insurance plans, including Anthem/BCBS and TRICARE plans with weight loss coverage
Our team understands the challenges of weight management and is committed to helping our patients achieve their goals. This is why we are thrilled to introduce Richmond Aesthetic Weight Loss! Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Neil Zemmel, our clinic provides personalized care to ensure each patient receives the most effective treatment tailored to their unique needs. Specializing in medication-assisted weight loss, our board-certified physician assistant Sarah Ashcraft, PA-C assists with treatment plan creation and monitoring, as well, helping our patients on their journey to improving their overall health and wellness.
Our comprehensive weight loss clinic offers medically sound and monitored weight loss programs utilizing GLP-1 medications, including the popular injectable drugs Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide). We are also offering compounded GLP-1 formulations for patients without weight loss insurance coverage. Our compounding pharmacy partner is Virginia’s first nationally accredited compounding pharmacy. Our pharmacy partner maintains the highest standard of cleanliness and efficacy, meeting or exceeding rigorous national standards with on-site inspections.
GLP-1 injectable medications have shown significant potential in promoting weight loss for those who are overweight or obese. With ingredients like semaglutide and tirzepatide, these weight loss drugs are typically administered through once-weekly injections to help reduce appetite and facilitate weight loss. At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, we are dedicated to offering safe, effective solutions to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Stay tuned for incredible before-and-after patient photos!
- Our Approach to Weight Loss
- What Are Weight Loss Injections?
- Weight Loss Injection Candidacy
- Weight Loss Injection Options
- Amount of Weight Loss with Injectable Drugs
- Weight Loss Injection Cost
- Insurance Coverage for Weight Loss Injections
Our Approach to Weight Loss & Weight Management
Richmond Aesthetic Weight Loss – Changing Lives Through Weight Loss
Dr. Zemmel, Sarah Ashcraft, and our team at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery provide a personalized and balanced approach to weight management. Our weight loss clinic offers comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. While the weight loss process may slightly differ for each patient, you can expect the following from our team:
- Initial Consultation: We start with an in-depth consultation to understand your medical history, lifestyle, and weight loss goals, allowing us to create a customized treatment plan.
- Customized Treatment Plans: We develop a personalized strategy that may include GLP-1 medications like Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide) to suit your medical profile and weight loss targets.
- Competitive Pricing: Our team offers budget-friendly pricing for weight loss injections and accepts most major medical insurance plans (e.g., Anthem/BCBS and TRICARE) to make managing weight management more accessible.
- Ongoing Support and Monitoring: Our commitment includes continuous support and regular monitoring to ensure your treatment is effective and safe. We are always available to adjust your plan and provide encouragement.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthier weight through safe and compassionate care. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and support you need to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
What Are Weight Loss Injections?
Injectable drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide have become an increasingly common way for men and women to lose or manage their weight. Many of these medications were originally formulated to treat type 2 diabetes but have also been found to provide weight loss benefits for those who are obese or overweight. Popular brands like Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide) involve once-weekly injections which helps to reduce appetite and can lead to weight loss.
How Does Tirzepatide Differ from Semaglutide?
In a 15-month longitudinal clinical trial*, patients who were receiving tirzepatide were significantly more likely to achieve weight loss, and their changes in weight were larger at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months in comparison to patients taking semaglutide. Tirzepatide patients had a mean weight change of -15.3% at 12 months vs -8.3% in semaglutide patients. There were no significant differences observed in the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects in those receiving tirzepatide vs semaglutide.
*Rodriguez PJ, Goodwin Cartwright BM, Gratzl S, Brar R, Baker C, Gluckman TJ, Stucky NL. “Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity.” JAMA Intern Med. 2024 Sep 1;184(9):1056-1064. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.2525. PMID: 38976257; PMCID: PMC11231910.
Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Injections?
Eligibility for weight loss injections is determined on a case-by-case basis according to each patient’s medical history. In general, those who are obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight with weight-related medical conditions (e.g., high blood pressure or high cholesterol) are considered ideal candidates. If diet and exercise alone have not helped you lose weight, an injectable weight loss drug may be beneficial for helping you achieve your goals.
To help you manage your weight long-term, you may need to adjust your lifestyle habits by adopting a healthy diet and regularly exercising. The best way to learn whether weight loss injectables like Zepbound™ are right for you is to schedule an appointment with an experienced physician, such as Dr. Zemmel.
What Are My Weight Loss Injectable Options?
Our team at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery offers multiple injectable options to help candidates lose weight. This includes Zepbound™ and Wegovy®. To learn more about each injectable drug, see the information below.
Zepbound™
Composed of tirzepatide, Zepbound™ is FDA approved for chronic weight management, as well as for controlling blood sugar in those with diabetes. This weight loss drug works by slowing down how fast you digest food, helping you to feel full longer.
Wegovy®
A semaglutide-containing injectable, Wegovy® is FDA approved for weight loss. This drug helps to decrease hunger and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake and weight loss over time.
How Much Weight Can I Lose with Injectable Drugs?
Weight management injectables can lead to varying levels of weight loss, depending on the brand, dosage, and patient. Factors like whether the patient has type 2 diabetes and their ability to follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen also play a role in how much weight loss can be expected. While results will vary for every patient, studies have shown the prescription injectables can have the following weight loss effects:
Weight that is lost while using injectable drugs like Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide) can come back after you finish taking the medications. As a result, it is important for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle following treatment to manage your weight long-term.
For those who experience significant weight loss — whether from an injectable, bariatric procedure, or lifestyle changes alone — our plastic surgeon performs body contouring after major weight loss to remove excess skin and isolated pockets of fat. This transformative procedure can often put the finishing touches on a physique you have worked so hard to achieve.
How Much Do Weight Loss Injections Cost?
Patients interested in weight loss injections can take advantage of our competitive pricing at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery. While the total cost of these injectable drugs may vary according to each patient’s treatment plan, in general our patients can expect to pay about $500 per month for semaglutide and $650 for tirzepatide. More details about your treatment cost will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Will My Insurance Cover Weight Loss Injections?
Insurance coverage for weight loss injections can vary widely depending on the specific insurance plan and the medication prescribed. Many weight loss injectables are initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, and their off-label use for weight loss might not be covered by all insurance providers. However, some insurance plans do cover these medications for weight management, especially if they are FDA-approved for this purpose, like Wegovy®. Our team can prescribe these injectables through patients’ insurance for those eligible for weight loss coverage.
To determine your eligibility for weight loss injection coverage, please check with your individual insurance plan to see if you are covered. We want these life-changing weight loss services to be available to as many patients as possible, so we are accepting most medical insurance plans (including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and TRICARE plans with weight loss coverage). We are also offering cash pay plans for patients without medical coverage.
Do you have medical weight loss coverage? Here is a list of employers who have offered anti-obesity medication coverage. You can also check your coverage for Wegovy here or Zepbound here.
For those who are not eligible for weight loss insurance coverage, our team also offers compounded GLP-1 medications. More detailed information about this option will be provided during your consultation.
Consultations at Richmond Aesthetic Weight Loss
Ready to get started on your medically supervised weight loss journey? Our experienced team looks forward to helping you improve your health and overall well-being through effective weight management. For appointment scheduling, please call (804) 423-2100. You can also follow along with our team on Instagram @richmondaestheticweightloss.