Hillcrest Plastic Surgery is fully dedicated to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. If you’ve struggled to shed stubborn body fat, or you’re experiencing negative health effects of excess body weight, our medically supervised weight loss program could be the key to your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our medically assisted weight loss program begins with a full health screening and consultation to ensure you are a good candidate. After that, we’ll schedule regular check-in sessions during which the team will track your progress and you will receive additional education. You will also receive a personalized nutrition overview developed by our experts to help support your weight loss goals.
Unlike other popular weight loss programs, Hillcrest Plastic Surgery is first and foremost a physician-led program. Everyone will see the doctor and not a mid level provider or nurse. Furthermore, Dr. Ovalle is not only board certified in plastic surgery but also has additional board certification in obesity medicine - the only physician in Florida to do so! This allows our practice to offer expert level medical weight loss care as well as the unique ability to manage any pre-exisiting or anticipated aesthetic concerns with a full service suite of surgical and noninvasive therapies. Moreover, Hillcrest Plastic Surgery goes above and beyond to provide the support and guidance you need to reach your goals quickly and safely. Your treatment plan will be fully customized to you and grounded in evidence-based medicine.
Our mission is your success, so we’re with you every step of the way, including after you’ve completed your personalized regimen. Patients who are in the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery Weight Loss Program and need to address loose skin or other body contouring concerns receive special rates on their elected cosmetic procedure.
No, the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery Weight Loss Program is not covered by insurance. The costs of the program will be explained by our patient care coordinators and due at time of service. You may elect to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider, but Hillcrest Plastic Surgery makes no guarantee of coverage or remuneration.
The total cost of your treatment program depends on a variety of factors, including medication used and length of treatment. During your consultation, your physician will discuss suggestions for your care and related costs.
Payment for the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery Weight Loss Program is collected as a monthly fee, which covers the cost of your medication, as well as follow up appointments and any additional sessions you may have with your doctor to address concerns that arise.
The cost for our program includes the non-refundable cost of your initial examination and bloodwork to determine if you qualify.
The Hillcrest Plastic Surgery Weight Loss Program eligibility will be overviewed by our patient care coordinators. The program is intended for patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with the presence of at least one medical comorbidity related to overweight/obesity (i.e. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc). Additionally, patients with a BMI of greater than 25 with the presence of at least one medical comorbidity related to overweight/obesity who have also tried and failed other attempts at weight loss will be considered. There are some health factors which may disqualify you as a candidate.
These and other potential factors are why we require you to complete a full health assessment and set of bloodwork prior to starting the program. During your consultation, we will address any and all concerns you may have to make sure you are making the best decision for yourself and your health.
Hillcrest Plastic Surgery will facilitate all care in relation to our weight loss program. However, if you have an pre-existing medical conditions or considerations prior to starting treatment with us, you will need to have a separate, appropriate managing physician (i.e. PCP, endocrinologist, bariatric surgeon, psychiatrist, etc).
Such conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Any comorbid medical condition (i.e. hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc)
- Previous bariatric surgery
- Pre-existing eating disorder diagnosis
Once treatment begins, it is important to remain consistent with your prescribed medications, nutritional and physical activity plan to get the most out of our program. Failure to do so may result in less than satisfactory results, including the potential to gain any weight you have lost back.
It is also important to note that once treatment begins, the cost of care is non-refundable, even if you choose not to complete the program.
Additional Information About GLP-1 Agonist Weight Loss Medication
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide belong to a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. These medications mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone which your body naturally makes in response to eating food, which slows gastric emptying (i.e. how fast food moves through your stomach) and gives your brain a signal of fullness to decrease appetite. It also stimulates the pancreas to release insulin and signals the liver to stop releasing stored glucose, which can improve blood sugar levels.
Tirzepatide is both a GLP-1 and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. The GIP hormone is also naturally made by the body to trigger insulin secretion and sensations of fullness. This means Tirzepatide may offer an extra weight loss boost compared to Semaglutide; however, it is more costly and may have a slightly higher chance of side effects in some patients.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide injections are safe to use along with a healthy diet and exercise plan to help appropriate candidate patients lose weight.
These medications have also been studied to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes as well as lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in individuals with heart disease.
Before beginning these injections, it is imperative to disclose important details about your medical history (such as allergies, age, pregnancy, other medical conditions, etc.) that may exclude you from the usage.
Possible side effects of Tirzepatide and Semaglutide are similar. More common, mild-to-moderate side effects can include:
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Upset stomach/abdominal discomfort,
- Nausea, and vomiting
- Headaches, fatigue
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Rare but severe side effects may include:
- Pancreatitis
- Intestinal blockages
- Kidney failure
- Gallbladder issues
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- Allergic reactions
Weight Loss Disclaimer for Hillcrest Plastic Surgery
Hillcrest Plastic Surgery makes no claims of any specific weight loss guarantee. We cannot guarantee you will lose any specific amount of weight or that you will not regain weight after completion of our program. While we venture to provide as much guidance and support as possible, you ultimate success is contingent on your commitment to treatment and maintaining the appropriate long-term lifestyle changes.
Hillcrest Plastic Surgery also does not provide medical management of other chronic medical conditions related or unrelated to clinical overweight or obesity. Cosmetic surgery is not weight loss surgery; facial, breast and body contouring surgery are intended to improve or restore the aesthetic form only.
Finally, Hillcrest Plastic Surgery cannot and does not guarantee insurance coverage of any anti-obesity medication or non-medication treatment offered, as well as any surgical or non-surgical facial rejuvenating or body contouring options recommended. The patient takes on all financial costs associated with treatment.
Contact Us a Weight Loss Program Consultation Today
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Ovalle at the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, call 407-999-2585 or request a consultation online.
