Semaglutide

It’s a common concern for patients: What happens after stopping semaglutide? While individual results vary, studies have shown that many patients do experience some weight regain after discontinuing the medication—especially if it’s stopped abruptly or without a long-term maintenance plan in place. Semaglutide works by helping to regulate appetite and support metabolic function. Once the medication is removed, your body may gradually revert to its previous hunger patterns and energy balance, which can lead to increased calorie intake and slower metabolism.

However, weight regain isn’t inevitable. The key to preserving your progress lies in continuing the lifestyle habits developed during semaglutide treatment. If you’ve built a foundation of regular exercise, portion control, balanced nutrition, and mindful eating while on semaglutide, you’re more likely to maintain your weight even after stopping the medication. At Cosmetic Surgery Institute, we emphasize this long-term view. Our team offers follow-up care, coaching, and support strategies to help you sustain your transformation—whether you continue semaglutide or transition to other wellness tools.

If your weight begins to creep back up, you may be a candidate for restarting semaglutide or considering additional options like body contouring. The best way to protect your semaglutide results is by working closely with our Palm Desert-based specialists to build a plan tailored to your physiology, goals, and lifestyle beyond the injection phase.

Starting semaglutide treatment is straightforward, but understanding how your body responds to the medication can help you stay consistent and motivated. During the first few weeks, your provider will guide you through a gradual dosage increase. This step-down approach helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the likelihood of side effects such as nausea or stomach discomfort.

During the first month, most patients begin to notice subtle appetite changes. You may find that you feel fuller sooner or that cravings—particularly for high-sugar, high-fat foods—begin to diminish. By the second month, weight loss tends to become more noticeable, especially when paired with regular physical activity and a nutritious eating plan. Our team will schedule regular check-ins to monitor your progress and provide personalized guidance throughout the treatment period.

It’s important to maintain realistic expectations for semaglutide. While some patients see quick changes, others progress more slowly depending on individual factors like metabolism, hormonal balance, and consistency. What matters most is building a sustainable foundation for long-term wellness. Our team at Cosmetic Surgery Institute will help you stay on track with adjustments to your semaglutide weight loss plan as needed to optimize results.

If you’ve tried other weight loss methods without success—or you’re ready to take your first major step toward healthier living—semaglutide might be the supportive strategy you need. Backed by clinical research and supervised by our experienced team, semaglutide offers a path forward that prioritizes both your appearance and overall health.

Women and men who want faster, more dramatic results than possible with semaglutide can choose a surgical procedure, such as liposuction. Using specialized tools and an artistic eye, Dr. Mo Zakhireh can remove fat cells in specific areas, including large regions, like the belly and flanks, or isolated pockets, such as a double chin.

Fat reduction or removal is just one piece of any body-contouring strategy. Weight loss—and especially fairly rapid weight loss—can result in skin that hangs loose and droops. There are many lifting procedures available to sculpt sleeker limbs and other features. A tummy tuck specifically focuses on the midsection to remove excess skin and fat, as well as repair separated abdominal muscles.

Microneedling can modestly tighten the skin, and PDO threads can elevate sagging facial tissue for patients who want a nonsurgical approach to laxity.
The Cosmetic Surgery Institute team is ready to help you determine which strategy would work best for you!