Potential side effects with weight loss injections can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stomach pain and upset stomach
- Fatigue
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Overactive belching
- Heartburn
Consultation:
Yes
Treatment Time:
15 minutes
Treatments Needed:
Weekly
Downtime:
None
Winning Awards In McKinney
Best Dermatologist
Star Local Media
2025
Best Physician-Dermatologist
McKinney Chamber
2011-2025
Top Docs
Living Well Magazine
2019-2026
Best Med Spa
Living Magazine
2025
Best Tattoo Removal
Living Magazine
2022-2025
Best Laser Hair Removal
Living Magazine
2019-2025
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2024-2025
Best Dermatologist
Living Magazine
2019-2023
Best Place for Botox
Living Magazine
2019-2022
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2022
Best Doctors
D Magazine
2020
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2020
Best Dermatologist
Living Magazine
2014
Best Place for Botox
Living Magazine
2014
Best Dermatologist
Star Local Media
2025
Best Physician-Dermatologist
McKinney Chamber
2011-2025
Top Docs
Living Well Magazine
2019-2026
Best Med Spa
Living Magazine
2025
Best Tattoo Removal
Living Magazine
2022-2025
Best Laser Hair Removal
Living Magazine
2019-2025
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2024-2025
Best Dermatologist
Living Magazine
2019-2023
Best Place for Botox
Living Magazine
2019-2022
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2022
Best Doctors
D Magazine
2020
Neighborhood Fave
Nextdoor
2020
Best Dermatologist
Living Magazine
2014
Best Place for Botox
Living Magazine
2014
Personalized Care Planner
Patients can design their personalized path to optimal health and wellness with the Dermatology Center of McKinney’s intuitive treatment planner.
Semaglutide Candidates
Semaglutide injections are the right fit for patients working to lose weight but have struggled despite giving it their best effort with dieting and weight loss in McKinney. Patients can reference the following list to determine if medical weight loss is right for them.
- BMI of 27 or higher (overweight or obese)
- At least one weight-related condition (hypertension, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol)
- Regularly diet and exercise but cannot seem to shed additional weight
- Suffer from a genetic condition or chronic illness that impacts ability to lose weight
- Patient’s family has a genetic predisposition to obesity
During Semaglutide
What to do:
- Eat foods with a mix of prebiotic fibers and starches like legumes, kiwi, and overnight oats to support digestion.
- Eat smaller meals, but eat them more often. This helps diminish stomach discomfort throughout the day.
- Drink plenty of water, at least 80 ounces daily. Staying hydrated helps your digestive tract work its best.
- Practice calisthenic exercises like walking, free-weight lifting, or squatting, and space out long periods of sitting with walking.
What to avoid:
- Avoid fatty, fried foods high in saturated and trans fat. These types of food cause strain to the digestive tract.
- Rotate the injection site regularly to different injection areas such as the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Semaglutide is prescribed for as long as patients need it. With that said, patients who stop taking semaglutide are likely to gain back at least part of the weight they lost regularly taking semaglutide.
Dr. Ralston is happy to discuss treatment plans that include an off-ramping period for patients who do not wish to take semaglutide indefinitely. In a recent study, patients who regularly exercised were less likely to gain back weight a year after regular injections.
While medically assisted weight loss in McKinney can help many patients achieve their ideal weight, semaglutide is not for everyone.
- Patients who are less than 18 years old
- Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
- BMI of 25 or lower
- Patients with hypersensitivity to semaglutide
- Patients with a history of pancreatitis, medullary thyroid carcinoma, or endocrine neoplasia syndrome
Each patient reacts to weight loss medications differently. Plus, when paired with new diet and exercise habits, your body needs to adjust to your lifestyle changes and the medication.
Many patients see and feel results within 4 to 8 weeks after starting their program for weight loss in McKinney. These changes might look like a few pounds lost, decreased appetite, and curbed cravings.
As you continue following the guidance of Dr. Ralston and taking your weight loss medication as directed, you can continue to see results for the duration of your treatment plan. Throughout the process, we continue to tailor your dosage and guidance to help you achieve sustainable weight loss that works for you.
You might have to change your diet to best support your weight loss medications. Strict dieting isn’t necessary; rather, understanding and prioritizing beneficial food sources. Dr. Ralston highly recommends gut-friendly foods rich in prebiotics and starches while taking weight loss medications.
He also recommends avoiding highly processed foods and foods high in fats because they can disrupt digestion and cause an upset stomach. During your weight loss program, Dr. Ralston provides dietary guidance that can help you feel your best and optimize the injections.
While dieting helps fuel your body with quality nutrients, some patients find it’s not enough for them to lose weight. When using medications for weight loss in McKinney, we can cater to a wide variety of patients who struggle to lose weight, usually from weight-related medical conditions.
Weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide mimic specific hormones in your body that influence appetite, digestion, and metabolism. These medications help you feel fuller longer, reduce the urge to eat, and encourage proper fat burning. Using these medications alongside a dietary plan and exercise gives you the boost you need to lose stubborn weight.
