Semaglutide Weight Loss Treatment
In-person care, transparent pricing, and a clear exit strategy. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication that helps reduce hunger and helps you feel full sooner.
Dr. Fortino and his clinical team provide medically supervised semaglutide and GLP-1 weight loss, with nearly 30 years of experience in medical weight loss.
- First visit $100 · semaglutide from $150/month.* Follow-up visits are included, with no long-term contracts.
- Tailored dosing, starting low and increasing only when needed, to keep side effects down.
- Step-down and maintenance plan from day one, so you aren’t left on your own when you reach your goal.
- Seen within 2 business days in most cases, once your online paperwork is complete.
- Voted a 2026 Philly Favorites Gold Winner, Weight Loss Center (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
Already taking semaglutide through an online program? Dr. Fortino can review your current dose and help you switch to in-person care without a gap in treatment.
Every semaglutide plan is built around you. It starts with metabolic nutrition guidance to help your body respond well to treatment. Then, as you near your goal, it includes a clear exit strategy and maintenance plan, so you can keep your results long after your last dose.
Our goal is simple: better long-term health and quality of life by treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Start Semaglutide With a Plan, Not Just a Prescription.
Tailored dosing, side effect support and a step-down plan from your first visit.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide weight loss injections, also known as Wegovy and Ozempic, are weight loss treatments designed to reduce appetite and food cravings.
Semaglutide injections for weight loss work by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, signaling fullness, which helps you feel full faster and satisfied with smaller portions, leading to weight loss.
Patients taking Semaglutide diet shots for weight loss can expect to see significant results, with an average weight loss of up to 15% of their body weight. This reduction in body weight can also lead to improved energy levels, enhanced mobility, and can be helpful for type 2 diabetes support.
In addition to promoting weight loss, Semaglutide has been shown to improve blood sugar control, reduce the risk of heart disease, and enhance metabolic health. It also helps lower cholesterol levels and may contribute to better blood pressure regulation, supporting over all well being.
If you’re looking for a Semaglutide doctor near me, Dr. Fortino and his trained staff of Nurse Practitioners provide expert guidance and personalized care.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey
GLP-1 Weight Loss Doctor Near You
As an alternative to FDA-approved branded products, where appropriate, a provider may prescribe a compounded drug, which is prepared by a state-licensed sterile compounding pharmacy partner. Although compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law, they are not FDA-approved and do not undergo safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review.
Zepbound and Wegovy are FDA-approved for weight loss. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, but may be prescribed off-label for weight loss at a healthcare provider’s discretion.
Still searching for a Semaglutide doctor near me?
Dr. Fortino and his team provide personalized medical weight loss treatment plans tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of Semaglutide?
- Reduces Appetite: Helps control hunger, making it easier to eat fewer calories.
- Increases Fullness: Helps you feel fuller faster, reducing overeating.
- Promotes Fat Loss: Supports effective fat burning and weight loss.
- Metabolism: Can enhance metabolism for easier weight management.
- Sustains Long-Term Loss: Proven to help maintain weight loss over time.
- Regulates Blood Sugar: Helps manage blood sugar, aiding in weight control.
How do Semaglutide weight loss injections work?
Semaglutide weight loss injections are a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimic a natural hormone in your body. They help control blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce hunger.
With Semaglutide, you’ll feel full faster and experience reduced food cravings, making it easier to eat less and achieve effective weight loss.
How much weight will I lose on a GLP-1’s weight loss?
Individual weight loss varies, but patients taking Semaglutide injection for weight loss should see results in the first two weeks. On average, patients lose four to five pounds in the first week.
For optimal results, it’s important to pair weight loss injections with a healthy lifestyle, including a low-carb, high-protein diet plan. Dr. Robert Fortino offers a personalized meal plan designed to support your weight loss journey
Will I be hungry on Semaglutide?
Yes, diet shots for weight loss can help curb your appetite. In addition to slowing stomach emptying, which helps you feel full longer, GLP1 also directly regulates your appetite, making it easier to control food cravings.
For those looking for an alternative appetite suppressant to weight loss injections, Phentermine appetite suppressant medication may be an option.
Dr. Fortino will determine which weight loss medication is best for you after reviewing your medical history and conducting a thorough examination.
What foods should I eat while taking Semaglutide?
While taking a Semaglutide diet shot for weight loss, focus on a balanced diet to support your goals.
Dr. Fortino recommends a low-carb, high-protein diet, including lean meats, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and healthy fats. Limiting refined sugars and processed carbs helps stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and crashes that can lead to increased hunger and cravings.
By maintaining steady blood sugar, your body is better able to manage energy levels, reduce overeating, and support sustainable weight loss.
This approach also promotes better metabolic health, reduces the risk of insulin resistance, and contributes to overall well-being.
For tasty meal ideas and more on how a low carb, high protein meal plan can support your weight loss journey, visit Dr. Fortino’s blog for recipes and weight loss tips.
What are the side effects of Semaglutide?
Semaglutide weight loss injections are generally well-tolerated, with mild side effects, especially when compared to the health risks associated with obesity or being overweight.
Common side effects of Semaglutide injection for weight loss may include:
- Acid reflux
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and gas
- Stomach discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, pain, or bloating
It is common to experience one or more of the above-mentioned side effects when beginning Ozempic injection for weight loss or Wegovy weight loss injections. These side effects typically subside as your body adjusts.
To help minimize these side effects, it’s recommended to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it over time.
Always consult with Dr. Fortino and his medical staff to ensure the best experience with your Semaglutide weight loss treatment plan.
Who shouldn’t take GLP-1 injections for weight loss?
Weight loss injections may not be suitable for individuals who meet any of the following criteria:
- Are under 18 years old
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Have an allergy or hypersensitivity to Semaglutide or any components of the medication
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Have a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome
- Have a history of pancreatitis
- Have end-stage renal disease (currently on dialysis)
- Are Type 2 diabetic patients using insulin or sulfonylureas
- Have diabetic retinopathy
It’s important to consult with Dr. Fortino and his staff if any of the following conditions apply to you.
Dr. Fortino will review your medical history and create a personalized treatment plan for your weight loss journey.
Do I need a doctor to prescribe Semaglutide?
No, Semaglutide is a prescription medication and requires a doctor or medical providers approval.
To begin Semaglutide weight loss treatment, you must visit our Semaglutide or Wegovy Clinics for a medical consultation.
Dr. Fortino will determine if Semaglutide or Tirzepatide is right for you based on your health and weight loss goals.
Dr. Fortino is Philadelphia’s most trusted Semaglutide weight loss doctor.
What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide weight loss treatments?
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both weight loss medications. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by reducing appetite and helping you feel full faster.
It helps regulate blood sugar levels, and is used by patients to help with weight management and support.
- Tirzepatide, on the other hand, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it works by mimicking two natural hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, to regulate blood sugar, control appetite, and reduce cravings, offering enhanced weight loss benefits.
Both medications are effective, but Tirzepatide weight loss injections may provide additional benefits due to its dual action, which can result in greater weight loss for some individuals.
Dr. Fortino can determine which weight loss medication or treatment is right for you based on your health goals and needs.
Our top priority is helping you achieve sustainable weight loss and enjoy a healthier, happier life.
Does Semaglutide affect testosterone levels?
Semaglutide primarily works by regulating appetite and supporting weight loss through GLP-1 receptor activation and does not directly affect testosterone levels.
However, if you are undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), it is important to discuss any potential interactions or concerns with Dr. Fortino.
Dr. Fortino will evaluate your individual health needs and ensure that both your weight loss goals and TRT are appropriately managed for optimal health outcomes.
Is Semaglutide better than Tirzepitide?
Neither is better for everyone. Semaglutide acts on one hormone pathway (GLP-1). Tirzepatide acts on two (GIP and GLP-1), and in head-to-head research using the brand-name medications it produced greater average weight loss. Individual results vary.
That doesn’t make it the right choice for you. Dr. Fortino weighs your health history, how you tolerate treatment, your goals and cost. Many patients do well on Semaglutide, some do better on Tirzepatide, and some switch. Because you see Dr. Fortino in person at every visit, that decision gets revisited as your body responds.
Read more: Semaglutide or Tirzepatide: How I Choose.Neither is better for everyone. They work differently, and the right one depends on you.
Why do some people stop losing weight or plateau on Semaglutide?
A Semaglutide weight loss plateau does not necessarily mean the medication has stopped working. As weight decreases, the body’s energy needs and metabolism can change, and weight loss may naturally slow over time.
When a patient stops losing weight on Semaglutide, Dr. Fortino looks beyond the scale. He may evaluate nutrition, protein intake, physical activity, muscle mass, body composition, sleep, stress, medications, insulin resistance, and metabolic health to better understand what may be contributing to the plateau.
Using tools such as SECA medical body composition analysis can also help distinguish changes in fat mass from muscle mass. Depending on the individual, the overall treatment plan may need to be reassessed.
A plateau doesn’t automatically mean you need more medication. Dr. Fortino believes the important question is why progress has slowed and what changes, if any, are medically appropriate for the individual patient.
Still searching for a Semaglutide doctor?
If you’re looking for a experienced Semaglutide doctor, Dr. Fortino provides weight loss plans tailored to you.
Our top priority is to help you live a healthier,
happier life.
