San Diego
Ozempic Weight Loss in San Diego
At Adonis Saremi, MD, in La Jolla, San Diego, California, we offer medically supervised Ozempic® (semaglutide) weight loss programs for patients with stubborn weight who have not gotten results from diet and exercise alone. Originally developed for diabetes, semaglutide has now gained FDA approval for weight management under the brand name Wegovy®.
At Adonis Saremi, MD, in La Jolla, San Diego, California, we offer medically supervised Ozempic® (semaglutide) weight loss programs for patients with stubborn weight who have not gotten results from diet and exercise alone. Originally developed for diabetes, semaglutide has now gained FDA approval for weight management under the brand name Wegovy®.
Under the expert care of Dr. Saremi, a board-certified, California-licensed physician, you’ll get custom Ozempic weight loss services when clinically indicated. Every plan is designed around your health history and lifestyle needs. Care is available through telemedicine or in-person concierge visits, with safety and ethical prescribing as the standard throughout treatment.
Why Choose Ozempic for Weight Loss?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication initially developed and approved by the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a drug that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone your body produces after eating that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. When used at higher doses, as in weight management, it has multiple effects that support substantial and sustained weight loss.
Over time, clinical trials and real-world evidence began to show significant weight loss benefits in patients using Ozempic, even in those without diabetes. As a result, semaglutide was further studied and eventually approved under a different brand name, Wegovy, specifically for weight loss.
Clinical trials have shown significant weight loss with semaglutide: In the STEP 1 and STEP 2 trials, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2021), non-diabetic adults with obesity lost up to 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks, while those with type 2 diabetes also saw meaningful, though slightly less, weight reduction, highlighting semaglutide’s effectiveness across diverse populations.Medical Evaluation
Before starting, you’ll undergo a thorough medical assessment under the guidance of Dr. Adonis Saremi to determine if Ozempic is right for you. This typically includes:- Member’s weight history
- Body Mass Index (BMI) analysis
- Medical history/ Surgical history review (esp. thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder issues)
- Lab tests (e.g., blood glucose, thyroid function, lipids, kidney/liver health)
- Review of weight-related conditions like diabetes, hypertension, PCOS, etc.
- Allergies
- Current medications and contraindications
- Family and social history
- Blood pressure & Pulse
Personalized Treatment Plan
Once cleared, we create a customized weight loss plan based on your:- Health profile
- Weight loss goals
- Lifestyle and dietary habits
- Existing medications
Ozempic (Semaglutide) Prescription & Titration
Next, Dr. Adonis Saremi provides an individualized Ozempic regimen. The dosage typically starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and is gradually increased over several months to a maintenance dose of 1 mg or up to 2.4 mg.
(Note: 2.4 mg is FDA-approved under Wegovy for weight loss. Additionally, off-label treatment with generic medications such as metformin, bupropion, naltrexone, topiramate, and others may be considered but with ethical and safety considerations.)Transition & Maintenance Phase
After reaching your weight loss goals, we help you maintain the results. Through individualized dosing, continued lifestyle coaching, and relapse-prevention strategies, our maintenance phase keeps you motivated, supported, and on track, so the weight stays off for good.Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching
Ozempic works best when paired with expert support. Our program includes meal planning, portion control strategies, and protein guidance to preserve muscle during fat loss, supporting safe, sustainable results.Physical Activity Planning
We also offer customized activity recommendations suited to your level, incorporating light-to-moderate exercise to boost metabolism and muscle tone. With tools like step goals and activity tracking, staying active becomes easy and rewarding.Ongoing Medical Supervision
Members will receive weekly check-ins via secure messaging and monthly telemedicine visits with Dr. Adonis to ensure consistent support, accountability, and progress tracking. During these sessions, Dr. Adonis will:- Evaluate the member’s overall well-being and response to treatment
- Review any updates to the medical history
- Monitor weight loss trends and lifestyle habits
- Assess for potential side effects
- Provide guidance on nutrition and physical activity
What Results Can You Expect?
Weight Loss Outcomes
Individuals using semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This is significantly greater than the 2.4% weight loss observed in the placebo group (report published in NEJM, 2021), which means you can expect to lose 5% or more of your body weight within the first 12 weeks.
Metabolic and Health Improvements
Semaglutide not only supports weight loss but also leads to clinically meaningful improvements in metabolic health.
- For individuals with type 2 diabetes, the SUSTAIN-7 trial (The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2018) demonstrated that semaglutide lowered HbA1c levels by approximately 1.4%, outperforming other GLP-1 receptor agonists like dulaglutide.
- Even in non-diabetic populations, semaglutide has been shown to reduce insulin resistance, fasting glucose, and postprandial blood sugar levels.
- Weight loss induced by semaglutide also results in reductions in waist circumference and visceral adiposity.
These changes suggest that semaglutide may offer broader cardiometabolic benefits beyond weight loss alone.
Behavioral and Appetite Effects
Ozempic works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and satiety. Research (van Can et al., Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2014) shows that semaglutide reduces food intake by acting on brain areas responsible for hunger, delaying gastric emptying, and promoting feelings of fullness. Hence, you can expect a reduced appetite and fewer cravings, especially for high-fat, high-sugar foods. Many users feel full sooner and snack less, particularly in the evening. These effects support better adherence to calorie-restricted diets and healthier eating habits. While appetite suppression often fades after stopping the medication, sustained behavioral changes can help maintain weight loss in the long term.