Medical weight loss options are treatments a licensed provider prescribes and monitors to help you lose weight safely. At Avellina Aesthetics, the main options are weekly GLP-1 injections such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, supportive therapies such as nutrient IV drips and mesotherapy, and ongoing monitoring led by an internal medicine physician.
Which option fits you depends on your body mass index (BMI), health history, current medications, and goals. That is why two patients at the same clinic often leave with different plans. This guide covers how each treatment works, who it suits, expected results, side effects, and cost factors.
What Are Medical Weight Loss Options?
Medical weight loss options are prescription medications, injections, and structured programs delivered under a clinician’s supervision. Unlike commercial diets, a provider reviews your health history and labs, prescribes only when clinically appropriate, and adjusts the plan as your body responds.
Weight gain often has medical drivers, including insulin resistance, thyroid problems, and certain medications. That is the main reason supervised care compared with do-it-yourself dieting tends to be easier to maintain.
Medical Weight Loss Treatments Available at Avellina Aesthetics
The practice offers several weight loss treatment options. The table shows the main differences at a glance.
| Option | How it works | May suit |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (weekly injection) | Copies the GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying | Adults who meet BMI criteria and struggle with hunger |
| Tirzepatide (weekly injection) | Acts on two hormone pathways, GLP-1 and GIP | Adults who meet BMI criteria |
| Nutrient IV therapy | Delivers fluids, vitamins, and amino acids by vein | Support during a program, not standalone fat loss |
| Mesotherapy | Small injections placed under the skin in targeted areas | Small, localized areas; not FDA-approved for fat reduction, evidence is limited |
Semaglutide Injections
Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection that copies a gut hormone called GLP-1, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer. The FDA approved it for chronic weight management under the brand name Wegovy. In a large clinical trial, adults lost about 15% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks when it was paired with lifestyle changes. Avellina provides weekly semaglutide injections starting at a low dose that rises gradually.
Tirzepatide Injections
Tirzepatide targets two hormone pathways, GLP-1 and GIP. It is sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and as Zepbound for weight management. In its main weight loss trial, average loss reached roughly 21% at the highest dose over 72 weeks, though individual results vary. The practice offers tirzepatide-based treatment when it suits a patient’s health profile.
Reading about how these two GLP-1 medications compare can help you prepare questions for your visit.
Supportive Therapies
Vitamin and amino acid IV drips may help with hydration and energy while you eat less. They do not produce meaningful fat loss on their own, so treat them as support.
Mesotherapy for stubborn fat areas uses small injections under the skin. It is not FDA-approved for fat reduction, and professional societies note the evidence remains limited and inconsistent, so it works best as a contouring add-on rather than a primary treatment.
Physician Oversight
According to the practice, care is led by Dr. Violetta Berdichevskaya, who has more than 20 years of internal medicine experience. A physician-supervised weight loss program typically includes baseline labs, dose adjustments, and regular check-ins.
Who Qualifies for Prescription Weight Loss Medication?
Adults generally qualify with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher plus a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. These thresholds come from FDA labeling and are summarized in the NIDDK overview of prescription weight management medications.
GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. They carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors, so they are not used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. They are also not used during pregnancy.
If you are unsure where you stand, these signs that a medical program may be a good fit offer a useful starting point.
How to Compare Weight Loss Treatment Options
Weigh your choices with a provider using these steps:
- Start with your health profile. Share your full medication list and history so unsafe options are ruled out.
- Ask about realistic results. Trial averages describe groups, not individuals, and progress builds over months.
- Understand side effects. Nausea, constipation, and diarrhea are most common with GLP-1 medications, usually during dose increases.
- Clarify the total cost. Pricing depends on the medication, dose, visit frequency, and labs. Insurance coverage varies by plan, so request a written estimate.
- Plan for maintenance. Much of the weight commonly returns after stopping medication, so ask how tapering will be handled.
Knowing what happens at an initial weight loss visit can make that conversation more productive.
Choosing Among Your Medical Weight Loss Options
The strongest evidence supports GLP-1 medications for adults who meet BMI and health criteria, with IV therapy and mesotherapy playing a supporting role. No single treatment suits everyone, and results depend on dosing, consistency, nutrition, and follow-up. A medical evaluation of your history, labs, and goals is the logical first step.
Speak With a Qualified Provider About Your Options
If you would like to review your choices with a physician, the team at Avellina Aesthetics can explain eligibility, expected results, and costs. Call (215) 722-6022 to request a consultation.
Avellina Aesthetics welcomes patients from Abington, Delaware, Southampton, Maryland, Allentown, Horsham, and Huntingdon Valley who want physician-guided weight management.
Frequently Asked Questions
GLP-1 medications currently show the largest average weight loss among non-surgical treatments. In clinical trials, semaglutide produced about 15% average loss and tirzepatide up to about 21% at the highest dose. The best option for you is one that is safe for your health history and sustainable.
Medical weight loss treatments are generally safe for eligible adults when a licensed provider prescribes and monitors them. Digestive side effects are common early on. Rare but serious risks — such as pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or severe allergic reaction — are also possible. Screening, gradual dosing, and follow-up visits help your provider catch and manage these early.
Cost varies too widely to quote one reliable figure. It depends on the medication, your dose, how often you are seen, and whether labs are included. Insurance may cover certain medications for approved diagnoses. Ask for an itemized estimate and confirm benefits with your insurer.
Many people notice reduced appetite within the first few weeks, while measurable weight loss usually builds over several months. Doses increase gradually to limit side effects, so early progress can be modest. Your starting weight, dose, nutrition, and activity all influence the timeline.
Weight regain is common after stopping GLP-1 medication because appetite signals return to baseline. Some patients stay on a maintenance dose and others taper under supervision. Building strong eating and exercise habits during treatment improves your chance of holding results.
Yes. These medications were studied and approved alongside reduced-calorie eating and increased physical activity. Adequate protein and resistance exercise also help protect muscle while you lose fat, which supports your metabolism and makes long-term results easier to keep over time.