You’ve tried Weight Watchers. You’ve done Keto. You’ve white-knuckled through another diet only to watch the weight come back. Now you’re seeing ads for Ozempic and Mounjaro everywhere, and you’re wondering: could weight loss injections finally be different?
If you’ve been researching these medications, you’ve probably noticed the same drugs appearing under different names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound. The information online can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out which option might actually work for you.
Here’s what you need to know: There are two main types of weight loss injections available right now—semaglutide and tirzepatide. Both are FDA-approved medications that help with weight loss, but they work slightly differently in your body and may produce different results. This isn’t about one being “better” than the other. It’s about understanding which medication aligns with your specific health goals and medical history.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand how each medication works, what kind of results you can realistically expect, and what medical supervision looks like at Calibrate Clinic in Lafayette.
Ready to discuss your specific situation? Schedule your free consultation with our Lafayette medical team. There’s no obligation, just honest guidance about your options.
How Weight Loss Injections Actually Work
For years, you may have been told that weight loss is simply about willpower and eating less. That’s not the whole story. Your body produces hormones that regulate hunger, fullness, and how your body stores energy. When these hormones aren’t working properly—which can happen due to genetics, age, hormonal changes, or years of dieting—losing weight becomes incredibly difficult no matter how much effort you put in.
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide work by mimicking natural hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. They help you feel full longer, reduce cravings for high-calorie foods, and stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Many women describe it as finally having control over their hunger for the first time in years. The constant food thoughts quiet down. The 3 PM cravings become manageable. This is why most patients experience 15-20% body weight reduction when combined with medical supervision and support.
Now that you understand why GLP-1 medications work differently than traditional diets, let’s compare the two main options available.
What Is the Difference Between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. It targets GLP-1 receptors in your body to control appetite and blood sugar regulation. Clinical trials show that people taking semaglutide typically lose about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when combined with lifestyle changes. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, that’s about 30 pounds of weight loss.
Real patients at Calibrate Clinic have experienced similar results. One Lafayette patient lost 30 pounds in seven months after trying every diet program imaginable over 40 years. Another lost over 40 pounds in one year.
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. While semaglutide targets GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. This dual-action approach is why some patients see slightly different results. Clinical studies show that tirzepatide may lead to slightly higher average weight loss—around 20-22% of body weight. For that same 200-pound person, that could mean 40-44 pounds.
However, some people respond better to semaglutide, while others do better with tirzepatide. Your individual response depends on your unique physiology and health history.
Comparing Weight Loss Injections Side by Side
Feature Semaglutide Tirzepatide
How It Works Targets GLP-1 receptors Targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors
Average Weight Loss About 15% of body weight About 20-22% of body weight
Dosing Once weekly injection Once weekly injection
Common Side Effects Nausea, digestive issues Nausea, digestive issues (may be slightly more common)
Both are once-weekly injections you give yourself at home using a very small needle. You’ll start with a lower dose and gradually increase over several weeks to minimize side effects.
The most common side effects are digestive: nausea, occasional vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. These typically happen when you first start or when your dose increases, and they usually improve within a few weeks. Our medical team provides specific guidance on managing any discomfort.
What to Expect in Your First Three Months on Weight Loss Injections
During your first month on weight loss injections, you’ll start at a lower dose while your body adjusts. Some people notice reduced appetite within the first week. Others take a few weeks. Weight loss varies—some people lose 5-8 pounds right away, others 2-3 pounds. Both responses are normal.
By your second month, your body has typically adjusted and side effects improve or disappear. You’ll notice you’re thinking about food less often and feeling satisfied with smaller portions.
By month three, most patients have lost 10-15 pounds or more. Just as importantly, they’ve developed a new relationship with food. Your clothes fit differently. You have more energy. You’re sleeping better.
What Happens If I Stop Taking Weight Loss Injections?
This is one of the most common questions we hear, and it’s an important one to address honestly.
Some patients maintain their weight loss through the habits they’ve developed during treatment. Others may regain some weight, which is why many people choose to continue on a maintenance dose long-term. Weight loss medications work by addressing the biological factors that made weight loss difficult in the first place. When you stop taking them, those biological factors return.
This doesn’t mean you’re back to square one. The eating habits, portion control, and food choices you’ve practiced while on medication often stick with you. Many patients find they’re able to maintain much of their weight loss even after stopping, though some regain is common.
This is part of the ongoing conversation you’ll have with our medical team based on your individual goals, response to treatment, and what maintenance approach makes sense for your long-term health.
Understanding Cost and Insurance in Lafayette
Most insurance companies classify weight loss treatments as “elective” procedures, which means they typically don’t cover these medications unless you have diabetes or other qualifying conditions. This puts the financial responsibility directly on you.
At Calibrate Clinic, we proudly offer the lowest medication prices in the Lafayette, Louisiana region. We provide transparent pricing during your free consultation so you know exactly what to expect with no surprise costs. We accept CareCredit financing to make treatment affordable.
Our goal is to make medical weight loss accessible without the financial stress of traditional weight loss programs that can cost $4,000 or more for 30 pounds of weight loss.
Safety and Medical Supervision
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved medications that have been extensively studied in clinical trials. They’ve been used by millions of people, and we now have years of data on their safety and effectiveness.
These are prescription medications that require medical supervision. At Calibrate Clinic, supervision starts with your free consultation where we review your complete medical history and determine whether weight loss injections are appropriate for you.
You should not take these medications if you have:
– A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
– Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
– A history of severe pancreatitis
– Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Medical supervision continues throughout your treatment. If you experience side effects or have questions about your progress, our Lafayette medical team is here to help. This ongoing support is part of what makes medical weight management different from trying another diet on your own.
Choosing the Right Medication for You
Consider these questions when deciding between semaglutide and tirzepatide:
What does my medical history suggest? Your current health conditions and medications factor into which option is most appropriate.
Have I tried GLP-1 medications before? If you’ve previously taken semaglutide with good results, continuing makes sense. If you tried it without the results you hoped for, tirzepatide’s dual-receptor action might be worth exploring.
What are my weight loss goals? Both medications are effective, but if you have significant weight to lose, tirzepatide’s slightly higher average weight loss might appeal to you.
The most important factor is having an honest conversation with a medical provider. During your free consultation at Calibrate Clinic in Lafayette, we’ll help you understand which medication aligns best with your health profile and goals.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Many women we work with have tried everything else first—Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Keto, Whole 30, and countless other programs. They’ve lost weight and gained it back more times than they can count.
What they discover is that this approach is fundamentally different. It’s not another diet. It’s medical treatment that addresses the biological factors that have been working against them for years.
We offer the most affordable pricing in the Lafayette area, provide both semaglutide and tirzepatide, source our medications from FDA-regulated pharmacies, and start every patient relationship with a free, no-obligation consultation.
Ready to explore whether weight loss injections are right for you? Call us at 337-270-6919 to schedule your free consultation at our Lafayette location at 913 South College Drive, Suite 201. You can also visit our contact page to request a callback.