Ozempic Weight Loss Sherman Oaks, CA
Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication for type 2 DM that can also treat obesity. With great results, many are opting for this treatment option these days.
While it isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss, Wegovy—a drug with the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide)—is FDA-approved for weight loss. Ozempic provides up to 20 percent more results than every other previous treatment option.
What is Ozempic Weight Loss?
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes (2017) and for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease (2020). For chronic weight management, the FDA-approved semaglutide product is Wegovy (also Novo Nordisk), at a higher dose. Ozempic is sometimes used off-label for weight management when clinically appropriate; this is a decision physicians make with patients on a case-by-case basis. It stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, prevents the liver from releasing sugars, and slows down food movement through the body.
At Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa in Sherman Oaks, Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD prescribes and supervises semaglutide therapy as part of a structured medical weight-management protocol. Treatment plans include initial evaluation, dose-escalation, side-effect monitoring, and ongoing clinical follow-up.
Obesity is a Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 30. Weight loss through diet and exercise alone can be challenging at such BMI levels. Most GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide varieties, are FDA approved for weight loss in this category.
Ozempic is used off-label to cause weight loss in obesity. Off-label drug use is common and has been done over time in medical care. One example is the usage of Botox in different areas of the face that do not yet have FDA approval.
Beyond the primary benefit of stabilizing blood sugar levels, Ozempic has other benefits:
- Lowers the risks of cardiovascular events like strokes, heart attacks, etc.
- Prevents worsening of kidney disease
- Causes weight loss.
Ozempic’s impact on your weight is not random. It is a GLP-1 agonist. It imitates GLP-1—Glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone released by the intestines. This GLP-1 agonist produces a feeling of fullness and causes the stomach to empty slowly. This limits your appetite and reduces your food intake.
When it comes to GLP-1, Ozempic only mimics it since it is a GLP-1 agonist. There is another injection called Tirzepatide that mimics both the GLP-1 hormone and another metabolic hormone called GIP.
When combined with proper diet and exercise, Ozempic gives the best results.
Off-label disclosure: Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight management as a primary indication. When physicians prescribe Ozempic for weight management, the prescribing decision is made off-label based on the clinician’s judgment, the patient’s clinical profile, and the available evidence. Wegovy is the FDA-approved semaglutide product specifically for chronic weight management. Patients seeking semaglutide for weight management should discuss whether Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded semaglutide is the appropriate fit during consultation with Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD.
Ozempic Weight Loss Benefits
- Controls Blood Sugar
- Causes weight loss
- Reduces cardiovascular events
- Prevents Kidney disease progression
- Helps with Opioid and alcohol addiction
- Reduces inflammation
How Long Will Results Last?
Results start immediately, but diminish when you stop taking Ozempic.
Ozempic Weight Loss Cost & Pricing Structure
- US National Average: $300-$2,000
- Our Price: Competitive
- Additional Costs: There is no additional cost for using Ozempic injection.
- Insurance: Some insurance may cover brand-name Ozempic injections if you meet certain criteria, such as diabetes. However, co-pays and deductibles may still apply. Our cash prices are competitive.
How the Procedure Works
Medical weight management with semaglutide therapy at Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa in Sherman Oaks has four phases: the initial consultation, dose-escalation, monthly follow-ups during titration, and longer-interval check-ins during maintenance. Patients typically schedule the first visit in advance because the consultation includes detailed clinical evaluation, current-medication review, lab review, and dose-protocol planning with Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD.
Before & Preparation
- Ensure you’re in good health
- Review comprehensive labs with you
- See if you’re a good fit for this treatment
- Educate you on the potential side effects of the treatment
- Discuss ways to maintain benefits after discontinuation of Ozempic
During the Procedure
- Check the pen and ensure it is Ozempic.
- Push and turn the new needle until it is tight. Remove the two needle caps.
- For first users, you will prime your pen—tune the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol, then press the dose button until you see ‘zero’.
- Select an injection site—the arms, belly, or thighs
- Clean the injection site
- Insert the needle into the area you choose and wait for 6 seconds before you remove the needle from your skin.
- Discard the used needle
For compounded semaglutide injections:
- Due to the adjustable dose, in-office injections may be required.
Ozempic Treatment Areas
- The Belly
- The Arm
- The Thighs
Am I a Good Candidate?
The following are contraindications for this treatment:
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Allergy to any active ingredient
- Certain medications—discuss any medications you are on during your consultation
- Patient with Multiple Endocrine Neoplastic Syndrome Type 2 (MENS 2)
If you have any of the following, inform your consultant about it/them:
- Gastroparesis
- Pancreatitis
- Visual problems
- Kidney issues
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Hypoglycemia
Adults are typically considered for medical weight management with semaglutide-class therapy when their BMI is ≥30, or ≥27 with weight-related comorbidities (Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, established cardiovascular disease). Semaglutide-class medications are contraindicated in pregnancy, in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2, and in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Candidacy is determined by Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD at consultation and includes a review of medical history, current medications, lab work, and weight-management goals.
Similar & Related Procedures
- Wegovy: This also contains semaglutide like Ozempic, but at a higher dose. It is FDA-approved for weight loss. At our Medsp, we have the compounded version available.
- Saxenda: It contains liraglutide, another form of GLP-1. This requires daily injections and isn’t as convenient as Ozempic
- Zepbound: Contains tirzepatide. It is also given weekly and is FDA-approved for weight loss. We offer a compounded version of tirzepatide at competitive pricing at our Medspa.
Ozempic vs. Wegovy vs. Saxenda
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Drug Type
Primary Use
Dosage Form
Typical Dose
FDA Approval
Weight Loss Effect
Common Side Effects
Serious Risks
Insurance Coverage
Cost (without insurance)
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Drug Type
Primary Use
Dosage Form
Typical Dose
FDA Approval
Weight Loss Effect
Common Side Effects
Serious Risks
Insurance Coverage
Cost (without insurance)
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
Drug Type
Primary Use
Dosage Form
Typical Dose
FDA Approval
Weight Loss Effect
Common Side Effects
Serious Risks
Insurance Coverage
Cost (without insurance)
Side Effects & Risks
The most common side effects of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) reported in clinical trials are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. They typically appear during dose escalation and decrease over weeks. Less common but more serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia (when used with insulin or sulfonylureas), kidney injury (with severe dehydration), and retinopathy worsening in patients with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy. Semaglutide carries a boxed warning regarding the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies; it is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD reviews individual risk with each patient at consultation.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
The more serious side effects are:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Gallbladder issues
- Thyroid tumors
Why Choose Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa for Ozempic Weight Loss
Ozempic weight loss therapy at Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa is delivered within a physician-led medical spa in Sherman Oaks, where GLP‑1 dosing, metabolic risk factors, and treatment progression are managed as part of structured medical care. Ozempic weight loss therapy may be used to address medically supervised weight reduction, obesity-related comorbidities, and longer-term weight management in appropriately screened patients.
All Ozempic weight loss treatments are overseen by Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa, who brings over 25 years of clinical experience to medication selection, titration, monitoring, and follow-up. Under her direction, the medical spa coordinates wellness-focused care with her background in cosmetic injectables, recognizing that significant weight changes can affect facial structure, skin quality, and broader aesthetic planning within a single physician-directed setting.
Key reasons to consider Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa for Ozempic weight loss therapy include:
- Board-Certified Physician: Ozempic weight loss therapy is supervised by a board-certified physician who reviews medical history, concurrent medications, and cardiometabolic risk factors within a true medical spa environment.
- 25+ Years of Medical Experience and Training: Dr. Soleiman applies decades of clinical decision-making to laboratory interpretation, side-effect management, and long-term risk–benefit discussions related to GLP‑1 therapy.
- Founder & Medical Director Involvement: As Founder and Medical Director, Dr. Soleiman designs Ozempic treatment protocols, including eligibility criteria, dose-escalation pathways, and follow-up intervals, rather than relying on generic, one-size-fits-all weight-loss programs.
- Physician-Led, On-Site Care: Ozempic weight loss therapy is delivered in a physician-directed medspa where in-person evaluation, dose adjustments, and supportive lifestyle guidance are provided by medically trained clinicians.
- Integration With Aesthetic Planning: Dr. Soleiman’s extensive experience in cosmetic injectables informs how facial volume, contour, and skin changes associated with weight loss can be addressed in separate, individualized aesthetic plans for patients who desire it.
- Evidence-Based Innovator: Ozempic protocols at the medical spa reflect current clinical literature, FDA-approved indications, and evolving best practices for GLP‑1 use, prioritizing medical appropriateness over trend-driven weight-loss offerings.
Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa is a physician-led medical spa in Sherman Oaks, California, founded and supervised on-site by Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD. Patients pursuing medical weight management with semaglutide-class therapy travel to the practice from Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Tarzana, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Calabasas, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and across greater Los Angeles for evidence-based supervision and ongoing clinical follow-up.
Ozempic is one of the GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD prescribes at Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa in Sherman Oaks for adult patients meeting clinical criteria for medical weight management or related metabolic conditions. Patients in greater Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Calabasas, and Thousand Oaks are welcome to schedule an in-person consultation to determine whether Ozempic, Wegovy, compounded semaglutide, or an alternative GLP-1 therapy such as tirzepatide is the right fit for their goals.
Ozempic Weight Loss FAQs
Should I take Ozempic on an empty stomach?
How do you get the best results from Ozempic?
When is the best time to take Ozempic?
Can I switch from Ozempic to Tirzepatide?
Does Ozempic burn fat or just make you not hungry?
Is Ozempic FDA-approved for weight loss?
No. Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes (2017) and for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease (2020). Wegovy — the higher-dose semaglutide product from the same manufacturer — is the FDA-approved semaglutide brand for chronic weight management (2021) and for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with overweight/obesity and established cardiovascular disease (2024). When physicians prescribe Ozempic for weight management, it is an off-label use. Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD discusses on-label and off-label options at consultation at Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa in Sherman Oaks.
How do you get Ozempic in California?
Ozempic and other semaglutide products are prescription medications. To begin therapy, schedule an in-person consultation with a licensed prescribing physician — at Cosmetic Injectables Center Medspa in Sherman Oaks, this consultation is with Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD. The consultation includes medical-history review, current-medication review, lab review, candidacy evaluation, and selection of the appropriate semaglutide product (Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded semaglutide). Once prescribed, patients typically begin at the lowest dose and escalate over weeks per protocol, with regular follow-ups.
How much weight can you lose on Ozempic?
Outcomes vary widely by patient. Phase 3 clinical trials of higher-dose semaglutide (Wegovy) reported average weight loss of approximately 14–15% of starting body weight over 68 weeks. Lower-dose semaglutide (the Ozempic dosing range) typically produces smaller weight changes. Individual results depend on dose, duration, baseline weight, dietary pattern, physical activity, sleep, and other clinical factors. Dr. Sherly Soleiman, MD discusses realistic expectations with each patient at consultation.
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