Weight loss injection – medically supervised weight reduction by Dr. Sattler
The weight loss injection is an effective method for anyone who wants to achieve his or her weight goals quickly and safely. It helps to activate the metabolism and to suppress hunger cravings – but not everyone can use it. We will be happy to advise you in a personal consultation at our practice where we will discuss whether the weight loss injection is suitable for you. This way, you can be sure that you are well informed and that you will make the best decision for your health. We will also provide you with professional support throughout the treatment, in order to keep you safe and well.
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1. Requirements for the weight loss injection
The weight loss injection is only suitable for people with certain health conditions. You will have to fulfil the following criteria for a prescription:
- A body mass index (BMI) of at least 30, which corresponds to the medical definition of obesity
- Alternatively, a BMI of 27 or more if there are any additional weight-related illnesses such as high blood pressure or other cardiovascular diseases
- A minimum age of 12 years
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are excluded from the treatment
To check whether you meet the requirements, you will have to arrange a consultation with Dr. Sattler at our practice in Hamburg. Dr. Sattler is not only a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, but also holds additional qualifications in nutritional medicine. During this consultation, we will clarify whether the therapy is suitable for you and which requirements must be met. We will be happy to advise you in our practice about the possibility of a weight loss injection treatment.
2. How the weight loss injection works
The weight loss injection contains substances that were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. These substances are also effective in supporting weight loss. The main molecule, Semaglutide, works in a similar way like your own hormones, which are responsible for the feeling of hunger and the regulation of blood sugar. Semaglutide ensures that the pancreas releases Insulin in an effective way after eating, which keeps blood sugar levels stable. Semaglutide also has other effects that support weight loss:
- Reduced feeling of hunger and less cravings
- Extended satiety due to slower gastric emptying
- Lower blood pressure and lower blood fats
Due to these effects, caloric intake is reduced, which promotes weight loss. Studies have shown that treatment with Semaglutide in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, can lead to weight loss of 15 to 20 percent of your body weight. However, the exact weight loss depends on various individual factors.
3. Consultation and application
Before you can start your weight loss injections you will require a comprehensive and individual consultation, which we offer to you in our practice. To begin with, we will check whether you fulfil the requirements for this form of therapy and discuss all the important aspects of it – from the benefits and limitations to questions about the correct application and dosage.
After prescribing the weight loss injection, we will show you how to use it correctly. The needle is usually injected under the skin once a week. If you would like to use it at home, we will explain the procedure to you step by step so that you can carry out the treatment safely and correctly yourself. Alternatively, you can also have the injection performed by our practice team or by Dr. Sattler himself.
We will support you throughout the therapy and we will schedule regular check-ups to monitor your progress and adjust the dosage if necessary. This ongoing supervision is crucial to ensure the long-term success of the treatment and to respond adequately to your individual needs in time.
4. Follow-up treatments for an optimal body contour
Once the weight loss injection has been successfully applied and the preferred weight loss has been achieved, it may be advisable to consider certain aesthetic follow-up treatments to further optimize your appearance and to tighten unwanted sagging skin. We can offer various operations to you:
- Breast lift: Tightens the breasts and restores a youthful shape and firmness after significant weight loss.
- Abdominoplasty: Tightens the abdominal region and removes excess skin that often remains after severe weight loss.
- Upper arm lift: Reshapes the upper arms by removing excess skin and tightening the contour.
- Thigh lift: Creates a defined contour of the thighs to reduce sagging skin after weight loss.
- Fat grafting: Any remaining fat will be liposucked and will be re-injected to the face, breasts, labia or buttocks.
- Liposuction: Removes any remaining fat deposits from specific areas of the body to balance out the overall appearance.
- Wrinkle treatment: Smoothes out wrinkles and rejuvenates the skin to compensate for age-related loss of skin elasticity.
- Lip injections: Ensures fuller lips and harmonized facial aesthetics after significant weight loss.
5. Weight loss injection – frequently asked questions (FAQ)
There are different types of weight loss injections. The best-known products are Wegovy® containing the substance Semaglutide, and Mounjaro® containing the substance Tirzepatide. Both injections are used for weight loss and work in a similar way.
There is the possibility that the feeling of hunger increases again when you stop taking the weight loss injection, which can lead to weight gain, especially if you have not adjusted your lifestyle accordingly.
Therefore, we would like to emphasize that the weight loss injection alone is not a guarantee to achieve a long-lasting weight loss. For an effective and long-term weight loss, the treatment should be combined with a healthy diet, regular exercise and, if necessary, behavioural therapy. These additional measures support the injection therapy and contribute to long lasting weight loss results.
The cost of the weight loss injection Wegovy® with the highest dosage of 2.4 mg Semaglutide costs around € 300 per month in Germany. The cost of the weight loss injection Mounjaro® with the highest dosage of 15 mg Tirzepatide costs just under €350 per month in Germany (prices in German pharmacies in 2024). In addition, you will have to consider the costs for the consultations and examinations by Dr. Sattler and, if applicable, the costs for the application of the injections by Dr. Sattler or Dr. Sattler’s team.
We kindly ask you to check your financial status before you arrange your consultation, since the costs are usually not covered by any health insurance and will have to be paid from your own pocket.
The main differences between the weight loss injection and the so-called fat-dissolving injection is the way they work and the purpose of their use. The weight loss injection (e.g. Wegovy® or Mounjaro®) affects the entire metabolism by reducing the feeling of hunger and increasing the feeling of satiety. As a result, it can support long-term weight loss and is particularly suitable for people who are overweight or truly obese.
Fat-dissolving injections, on the other hand, are injected specifically into small fat deposits and aim to dissolve localised fat deposits. Dr. Sattler generally advises against fat removal injections, as liposuction is much more effective and easier to control than fat-dissolving injections.
The effect of the weight loss injection usually sets in shortly after the start of treatment. Many patients therefore notice a reduction in appetite and will have less hunger cravings after a short time.
Weight loss is usually noticeable within the first 1 to 3 months but also depends on individual factors such as initial weight, metabolism and accompanying lifestyle changes.
The weight loss injection can either be administered by yourself at home or conveniently and safely in our practice. Many patients feel more comfortable if the injection is carried out by our experienced practice team or Dr. Sattler himself. This way you can be sure that the injection is carried out correctly and you can relax and focus on the effect. If you would still like to inject it yourself, we will show you step by step how to do it safely.
The most common side effects of the weight loss injection affect the gastrointestinal tract and might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. These symptoms occur relatively frequently but are usually minor to moderate and generally resolve after a short period of time.
During your consultation, we will provide you with comprehensive information about possible side effects and give you tips on how to treat symptoms. This way, we ensure that you are well informed and prepared for the treatment.
The costs of weight loss injections are not covered by German health insurance companies (as of 2024). As these weight loss medications are considered lifestyle drugs, which primarily serve to improve the quality of life, they are not covered by the health insurance catalogue and must therefore be paid for by the patient.