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Semaglutide in Irvine, CA

Expert Surgeons
4.9 Google Rating
Serving Orange County Since 2012

About Semaglutide

Semaglutide is an injectable medication that helps regulate hunger hormones, making you feel full sooner and longer. When paired with healthy eating and physical activity, it supports steady, sustainable weight loss. Ideal for adults struggling with excess weight or weight-related health concerns, Semaglutide offers a science-backed path toward a healthier body composition and renewed confidence.

Procedure Quick Facts

Duration of Procedure:
Less than 10 minutes per injection
Anesthesia:
None required
Recovery:
No downtime; resume normal activities immediately
Results Duration:
Maintained with ongoing treatment and healthy lifestyle

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes management. By mimicking the natural hormone that signals fullness, it helps regulate appetite, stabilize blood sugar, and slow gastric emptying. Weekly injections—infused with metabolism-supporting Vitamin B12 at South Coast Plastic Surgery—create a powerful metabolic shift that reduces calorie intake without constant hunger pangs. Clinical studies show Semaglutide can lead to significant weight reduction when combined with nutrition and exercise. Because it is non-stimulant and non-addictive, many patients find it easier to stay consistent compared with traditional appetite suppressants.

What Semaglutide Can Do for You

If you have struggled with excess weight despite diet and exercise, Semaglutide may offer the extra support you need. Our experienced wellness specialists will partner with you to develop a comprehensive plan that fits seamlessly into your life.
  • Significant, Sustainable Weight Loss
    Semaglutide helps you shed pounds steadily by curbing appetite and lowering calorie intake, making long-term weight management more achievable.
  • Reduced Food Cravings and Hunger
    By acting on hunger hormones, the medication decreases urges to snack and overeat, allowing mindful eating habits to take root.
  • Non-Stimulant, Well-Tolerated Therapy
    Unlike many weight-loss drugs, Semaglutide is not a stimulant, so most patients experience minimal jitteriness or sleep disruption.
  • Supports Healthier Blood Sugar Levels
    Originally designed for diabetes care, Semaglutide can improve glycemic control, benefiting overall metabolic health.
  • Flexible At-Home Injections
    After initial training, you administer weekly injections yourself, reducing time spent in the office and fitting easily into busy schedules.
  • Compatible With Other Wellness Strategies
    Semaglutide pairs well with nutrition counseling, exercise programs, or medications like Phentermine for enhanced appetite control.

Semaglutide Videos

Watch our videos to see real patients results, learn from our experts, and discover what makes South Coast Plastic Surgery a trusted choice in Orange County.

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Key Benefits of Semaglutide

Helps patients lose a meaningful percentage of body weight without constant hunger.
Supports healthier blood sugar control by enhancing insulin response and reducing glucagon.
Offers weekly, self-administered injections that fit conveniently into daily routines.
Non-stimulant formula avoids the jittery side effects common with many diet pills.

Types of Semaglutide

Semaglutide Monotherapy

Weekly injections of Semaglutide with Vitamin B12 form the foundation of this plan. It suits patients who prefer a single-medication approach and are committed to dietary improvements and regular physical activity.

Semaglutide + Phentermine Combination

For individuals needing stronger appetite suppression, Semaglutide is paired with low-dose Phentermine under close supervision. This dual strategy can accelerate early weight loss while maintaining glycemic balance.

Semaglutide with Lifestyle Coaching

In addition to injections, patients receive one-on-one nutrition guidance, exercise planning, and behavior-change support. This holistic model is ideal for those looking to overhaul habits for long-term success.

Not sure which option is right for you?

Meet your Semaglutide surgeons

Our dedicated wellness professionals specialize in non-surgical weight-loss solutions. They combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate guidance, supporting you from your first consultation through every milestone of your journey.

Why Choose South Coast Plastic Surgery for Your Semaglutide?

Beauty Inside-Out

We care for your inner wellness as much as your outer beauty. Every treatment is provided with warmth and exceptional care to help you feel confident and supported

Clear Expectations from the Start

Share your goals in detail before you even arrive using Adoreal's personalized assessment. Your specialist will understand exactly what you're hoping to achieve before your consultation begins, making your visit more focused and personal

Dedicated Follow-Up Support

Your care doesn't end when you leave our office. Our team provides personalized check-ins to monitor your results, answer any questions, and make sure you're completely satisfied with your outcome.

Precision & Artistry

Your treatment is performed by highly trained specialists
who understand facial anatomy at the deepest level. We combine technical precision with an artistic eye to enhance your natural beauty while keeping you looking like you

A Customized Approach to Wellness Procedures in Irvine & Ladera Ranch

Your weight-loss story is personal, and so is our approach. We consider your medical history, daily routine, and motivational drivers to craft a Semaglutide plan you can maintain with confidence.

Before your consultation, you can complete a brief personalized assessment from home, helping us understand your specific goals, concerns, and timeline.

Integrated Wellness Resources

This personalized assessment ensures your consultation is tailored to your unique goals from the moment you walk in.

Our specialist will also assess individual factors such as metabolic health, body mass index, and lifestyle constraints, along with your personal preferences to determine the best approach for your goals.

Am I a good candidate for Semaglutide?

Ideal candidates have a BMI of 30 or higher—or 27 with weight-related health concerns—and are committed to lifestyle changes that support lasting results. A thorough consultation determines whether Semaglutide aligns with your medical history and weight-loss objectives.
BMI of 30+ or 27+ with comorbidities
In good general health without contraindicated conditions
No personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Willing to self-inject once weekly
Able to follow dietary and activity recommendations
Realistic expectations about weight-loss pace

Help us understand your unique goals & concerns.

This personalized assessment ensures your consultation is tailored specifically to you, with no obligation. Your wellness journey, our commitment.

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Your Semaglutide Journey and Recovery

Comprehensive Consultation & Assessment

Your journey begins with a private consultation focused on understanding your weight-loss goals and ensuring Semaglutide is the right choice for you.

During your consultation, your specialist will:

  • Review your medical history and any current medications
  • Discuss past dieting attempts and obstacles
  • Explain how Semaglutide works and what to expect
  • Outline lifestyle recommendations for optimal success
  • Answer all questions about dosing, side effects, and follow-up

Together, you'll create a treatment roadmap tailored to your lifestyle, with safety and realistic outcomes as the priority.

The Semaglutide Procedure

Semaglutide is administered via a small, subcutaneous injection—similar to an insulin shot—requiring no anesthesia.

During the procedure:

  • Your skin is cleansed at the chosen injection site
  • A fine needle delivers medication just beneath the skin
  • Vitamin B12 is included to support energy and metabolism
  • You receive hands-on training to self-inject at home

The visit concludes within minutes, and you can immediately resume normal activities.

Semaglutide Recovery Timeline

Because Semaglutide is non-surgical, there is virtually no downtime. Most patients notice subtle appetite changes within the first week.

Immediately after injection
You may experience mild tenderness at the injection site that resolves quickly.

First few days

  • Begin noticing earlier satiety during meals
  • Stay hydrated to support digestion
  • Monitor for mild nausea and adjust portion sizes as needed

Weeks 1-2

  • Regular weigh-ins to track progress
  • Dose adjustments may be made for comfort
  • Energy levels often improve thanks to Vitamin B12

Weeks 3-4

  • Noticeable weight-loss momentum builds
  • Habits solidify as cravings diminish

You'll receive personalized follow-up schedules and access to our team for questions or dose modifications.

Your Semaglutide Results

Semaglutide results unfold gradually, with steady weight loss that protects muscle mass while targeting fat.

Early results
A few pounds lost and reduced portion sizes within the first month.

Following weeks

  • Consistent weekly weight reduction, improved energy, and better-fitting clothes.

Final results

  • Many patients achieve 10-15% body-weight loss over several months, maintainable with ongoing lifestyle habits.

With continued treatment and healthy choices, Semaglutide can help you sustain meaningful weight loss and boost overall well-being.

  • Days 3 - 5
  • Week 1 - 2
  • Week 2 - 3
  • Week 4 - 6

  • month 2 3
  • Month 4 6
  • Long time

Standard Semaglutide with Vitamin B12

Our most popular option, this combines Semaglutide’s appetite-regulating power with B12 to support energy and metabolism. It suits patients beginning their weight-loss journey or looking for a non-stimulant alternative.

Semaglutide Plus Phentermine Protocol

For select patients requiring enhanced appetite control, a supervised combination with low-dose Phentermine can accelerate initial results. Careful monitoring ensures safety and tolerability.

Semaglutide Results and Safety Considerations

Understanding how dosing, lifestyle, and biology influence Semaglutide outcomes helps you set realistic expectations and feel confident in your decision.

Achieving Natural-Looking Results

Semaglutide promotes gradual fat loss rather than rapid water loss, allowing your body to adapt and skin to retract naturally. By working with hunger hormones, it helps you adopt healthier portion sizes without feeling deprived, supporting lasting behavior change.

Your starting weight, metabolic rate, and adherence to recommended diet and exercise all influence final outcomes. Regular check-ins allow dosage adjustments that keep weight loss on a safe, steady track while preserving lean muscle.

Where Are the Incisions?

Semaglutide involves no surgical incisions; medication is delivered through a tiny subcutaneous needle.

Small injection site on abdomen

Injection sites heal quickly and typically leave no visible marks.

Is Scarring a Concern?

Because no cuts are made, scarring is virtually nonexistent. Some patients notice a faint pinpoint mark that disappears within days.

Scar Healing Timeline

The tiny needle puncture closes rapidly:

Hours after injection
Minor redness may appear

24-48 hours
Redness fades; skin returns to normal

1 week
No visible sign of injection

Rotating injection sites helps maintain skin integrity.

Understanding Risks and Safety

Medical examination room with a treatment table covered in white sheets and various medical equipment against the walls.

Understanding Risks and Safety

Semaglutide is generally well tolerated, but awareness of potential side effects allows prompt management.

Potential risks may include:

  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Constipation or indigestion
  • Mild injection-site irritation
  • Rare risk of pancreatitis
  • Very rare thyroid-related concerns

Your specialist will review these risks with you in detail and explain how they are minimized through proper dosing and monitoring.

Reducing Your Risk

Your safety is a top priority at South Coast Plastic Surgery. Steps taken to support a safe Semaglutide experience include:

  • Comprehensive medical history review
  • Baseline and follow-up lab work
  • Personalized dose escalation to minimize GI symptoms
  • 24/7 access to our team for questions or concerns

By attending scheduled follow-ups and communicating openly about any symptoms, most patients complete treatment comfortably and successfully.

How Much Does Semaglutide Cost in Irvine, CA?

The cost of your procedure will vary based on a variety of factors. During your consultation, your doctor will discuss your desired outcomes in detail and provide a fully transparent breakdown of all associated costs. Our practice helps patients achieve their aesthetic goals with a variety of financing options.

Financing options available through:
Book your consultation

Trusted by Our Community

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4.8/5 stars for 334 reviews / 90% word-of-mouth referral rate / Over 15 years serving Orange County

Dr. Song performed my breast implant surgery nearly 10 yrs ago with the ideal breast implant. I've had no issues in this time. I live on the other side of the country now, but I would've loved to come back for removal, since I'm on an all natural journey. I hope to find someone who can take care of me, keep me safe, & assured during & after surgery as Dr. Song & his staff did.

N. Snoozzz

Thank you Dr. Song. I’m 10 days post opp and am so happy with my experience with my mommy makeover! I can’t tell you how comfortable Dr. Song and his staff made me feel throughout this whole process. Surgery is a bit of a scary decision and sometimes I agonized about for years but I can promise you are in the best care with this team. I highly highly recommend them and am already so happy with my results !

Frequently Asked Questions About Semaglutide

Everything you need to know about Semaglutide, explained by South Coast Plastic Surgery's experts

About the procedure

How does semaglutide help with weight loss?
Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone that signals fullness, helping you feel satisfied with smaller meals and reducing overall calorie intake. It also slows stomach emptying and supports healthier blood sugar levels.
How often will I need injections?
You will administer a small subcutaneous injection once per week. Our team will show you exactly how to self-inject during your first appointment.
Where can I inject semaglutide?
Common sites include the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. Rotating sites each week helps minimize skin irritation.
When will I start seeing weight-loss results?
Many patients notice appetite reduction within the first week and measurable weight loss by the end of the first month, provided they follow dietary guidelines.

Recovery & Results

Is there any downtime after injections?
No downtime is required. You can return to work and normal activities immediately after each injection.
How long will I need to stay on semaglutide?
Treatment length varies. Some patients use semaglutide for several months to reach their goal weight, then transition to maintenance strategies.
What side effects should I watch for?
Mild nausea, diarrhea, or constipation are the most common and usually improve as your body adjusts. Severe side effects are rare, but you should contact us if you experience persistent abdominal pain or signs of pancreatitis.
Can semaglutide interact with my current medications?
Certain medications, especially other glucose-lowering drugs, may interact. We will review your full medication list to ensure compatibility.

Safety & Risks

Is semaglutide covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. While many insurers cover semaglutide for diabetes, weight-loss use is often considered elective. We can provide documentation for preauthorization if needed.
Do you offer financing for treatment?
Yes. We partner with CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit to provide flexible monthly payment options.
Will I regain weight after stopping semaglutide?
Maintaining weight requires continued healthy eating and activity. We help you build sustainable habits so results can last even after tapering off medication.
Can I exercise while on semaglutide?
Yes. In fact, combining semaglutide with regular physical activity can enhance fat loss and overall health benefits.

Cost & Insurance

Is semaglutide covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. While many insurers cover semaglutide for diabetes, weight-loss use is often considered elective. We can provide documentation for preauthorization if needed.
Do you offer financing for treatment?

Yes, We partner with Cherry and CareCredit to offer convenient monthly payment plans for qualified applicants.

Still have questions?

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