Non-surgical treatment

Pharmacological treatment with GLP-1 analogs

Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Semaglutide and Rybelsus

Non-surgical treatment with GLP-1 analogs
Treatment with prescription, evaluation and medical follow-up.

What are GLP-1 analogs?

GLP-1 analogs are injectable medications that mimic a natural hormone produced in the intestine called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). This hormone regulates appetite, insulin production and stomach emptying.

At our clinic we work mainly with the two GLP-1 analogs approved for the treatment of chronic obesity:

  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide): acts on two hormone receptors simultaneously (GLP-1 and GIP), which makes it especially powerful.
  • Wegovy (semaglutide): a GLP-1 analog approved specifically for chronic weight loss.

Both medications are approved by COFEPRIS in Mexico for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and are administered once a week through a small subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection.

Important: these medications are not cosmetic treatments or supplements. They are prescription drugs that require evaluation, follow-up and dose adjustment by a specialist.

How do they work?

By mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, these medications act on several fronts at the same time:

  • They reduce appetite: they act directly on the brain, decreasing the sensation of hunger and cravings.
  • They generate prolonged satiety: they slow gastric emptying, so you feel full longer with less food.
  • They improve blood sugar control: they stimulate insulin release when blood sugar rises and reduce glucagon (the hormone that raises glucose).
  • Cardiovascular impact: clinical studies have documented a reduction of up to 20% in the risk of major cardiovascular events.

In the case of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), because it also acts on the GIP receptor, the effect on weight loss and metabolism is more pronounced.

How much weight can be lost?

Clinical trials show significant results:

  • Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly): average loss of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks (STEP 1 clinical trial).
  • Mounjaro (tirzepatide): loss of between 15% and 21% depending on dose, in the SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-5 trials; in a head-to-head comparison it outperformed Wegovy with ~20.2% vs 13.7%.
  • Systematic reviews confirm that tirzepatide produces around 20% weight reduction, surpassing semaglutide (10–15% in real-world studies).

Individual results vary. During your consultation, the physician will explain a realistic goal for your specific case.

Who is a candidate for this treatment?

This treatment is indicated for people who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • BMI ≥ 30 (grade I obesity or higher).
  • BMI ≥ 27 with at least one associated comorbidity such as arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides) or sleep apnea.
  • People who have not achieved sufficient results with structured diet and exercise.
  • Post-bariatric-surgery patients with weight regain.

Main contraindications

This treatment is not suitable for people with:

  • A personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
  • Chronic or acute pancreatitis.
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2).
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The complete medical evaluation at our clinic determines whether you are a suitable candidate before starting any treatment.

Myths and facts

Myth Fact
“They are miracle pills, I don't need to make an effort” They correct an altered biology, but results are optimized — and maintained — when accompanied by lifestyle changes.
“When I stop the medication I regain all the weight” Weight regain can occur if eating habits are not consolidated. That is why, at our clinic, we work on lifestyle in parallel.
“They cause eating disorders” On the contrary: they reduce cravings and food-related anxiety, making for a healthier relationship with food.
“Everyone loses the same amount” The response is individual. Mounjaro shows higher average efficacy (~20%) than Wegovy (~14%), but not everyone responds the same.
“They are only for diabetics” Although they emerged as a diabetes treatment, Wegovy and Mounjaro are approved specifically for weight management in people with obesity, regardless of whether they have diabetes.
“They are dangerous long-term” Their safety profile has been evaluated in trials lasting 1 to 4 years. They are medications under active regulatory surveillance.

Do I have to diet and exercise?

Yes, and it makes an important difference.

GLP-1 analogs do not replace healthy eating or exercise — they enhance them. Studies document that combining the drug with lifestyle changes produces greater weight loss and better long-term maintenance compared with the medication alone.

Nutrition plan with the Avena app

At our clinic we offer a digital option in which we provide access to the Avena app to follow a standardized eating plan, designed by our nutritionists specifically for patients on GLP-1 analog treatment. Through the app you can view your menu, see how to prepare recipes, generate a shopping list and receive meal reminders to improve adherence to the plan.

This nutrition plan is standardized, so it is not intended to cover very specific requirements (for example, high-level athletic performance or complex digestive diseases such as active colitis). However, the menu structure and nutrient selection are designed to help prevent nutritional deficiencies, excessive loss of muscle mass and the gastrointestinal discomfort common in patients using GLP-1 medications.

This option is intended for people who do not want or cannot afford a fully individualized nutritional treatment, but who do want to support their pharmacological treatment with professional dietary guidance. If you have a special medical condition that requires close nutritional monitoring (for example, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney failure, competitive sports, among others), we recommend scheduling an individual consultation with the nutritionist to create a fully personalized plan.

What we recommend at the clinic

Nutrition

  • Moderate caloric deficit (~500 kcal/day), without extreme restrictions.
  • High protein intake (1.6–2.2 g per kg of body weight) to preserve muscle mass.
  • Split into smaller portions: the medication already reduces appetite; eat less quantity but with better nutritional quality.

Exercise

  • At least 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity per week (brisk walking, cycling, swimming).
  • Strength training twice a week to preserve muscle during weight loss.

Studies with GLP-1 agonists show that sustained exercise helps maintain the weight lost long-term and improves the hormonal response to treatment.

Do you handle my follow-up at the clinic?

Yes. Medical follow-up is a fundamental part of the treatment. We do not give you the medication and leave you on your own. Our clinic protocol includes:

  • Complete initial evaluation: medical history, laboratory tests, body composition measurement (electrical bioimpedance), assessment of comorbidities and goal setting.
  • Dose titration: we start with low doses that we increase gradually (every 4 weeks) to minimize side effects and reach the optimal dose for each patient.
  • Monthly follow-up appointments: review of weight, metabolic parameters (glucose, blood pressure), medication tolerance and adjustment of the nutrition plan.
  • Nutritional support: personalized advice from a nutritionist specialized in bariatric medicine.
  • Psychological support (when needed): addressing eating behaviors, anxiety and the relationship with food.
  • Periodic cardiovascular evaluation in patients with risk factors.

Main side effects

Most side effects are mild and transient, especially at the start of treatment or during dose adjustments.

Common effects (first weeks or after a dose adjustment):

  • Nausea (the most common; generally decreases over time)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Belching or reflux
  • Mild fatigue

These effects are usually manageable with our team's recommendations: eat small portions, avoid very fatty foods and stay well hydrated.

Uncommon but important effects (seek care immediately):

  • Intense, persistent abdominal pain (may indicate pancreatitis)
  • Vomiting that does not stop and signs of dehydration
  • Sudden vision changes (in patients with diabetic retinopathy)
  • Allergic reaction at the injection site

At our clinic we teach you to identify these symptoms from the first consultation. You will always have access to a direct communication channel with the medical team.

Scientific reference sources

The data presented on this page is based on the following clinical studies and regulatory sources:

  • STEP 1 (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021): phase 3 trial of semaglutide 2.4 mg in obesity. Loss of 14.9% of body weight vs 2.4% with placebo at 68 weeks.
  • SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022): phase 3 trial of tirzepatide. Losses of 15.0%–20.9% depending on dose vs 3.1% placebo at 72 weeks.
  • SURMOUNT-5 (2025): head-to-head comparison of tirzepatide vs semaglutide: ~20.2% vs 13.7% weight loss.
  • STEP UP (2025): higher-dose semaglutide (7.2 mg) showed losses of ~20.7% in people with obesity without diabetes.
  • Diet + GLP-1 combination: evidence on the synergistic effect of lifestyle changes together with GLP-1 agonists (Eureka Health, 2024).
  • Exercise and GLP-1: “One Year of Exercise After Weight Loss Increases Postprandial GLP-1 Response”, Region H Research, 2025.
  • Therapeutic positioning report on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — AEMPS, 2024.
  • Approval of tirzepatide by COFEPRIS for weight loss — Diagnostics News, 2024.