Olympia Aesthetics & Wellness runs a physician-supervised GLP-1 program about 25 minutes north of downtown Tampa. Labs first, an in-person visit every month, and one provider, Dr. Oliver Morris, managing your dose from start to finish.
Telehealth programs sell you the drug. What we sell is the drug plus the medicine around it: a physical exam, labs that get repeated, a monthly body composition scan so we know you are losing fat and not muscle, and a dose decision made by someone who has seen you. That is what Tampa patients drive up for.
Both are once-weekly injections. Both work on appetite and blood sugar. The right one depends on your goals, your labs, your history, and your budget.
The molecule in Ozempic and Wegovy. A GLP-1 receptor agonist that slows stomach emptying and quiets appetite. In the STEP 1 trial, adults on semaglutide 2.4 mg lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks versus 2.4% on placebo.
The molecule in Mounjaro and Zepbound. Works on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. In SURMOUNT-1, adults on the 15 mg dose lost an average of 20.9% over 72 weeks versus 3.1% on placebo. Usually our pick for higher starting weight or when semaglutide side effects were the problem.
A1c, lipids, kidney, liver, and thyroid before the first dose, then repeated at scheduled checkpoints. Labs are how we confirm safety and track metabolic improvement, not just weight.
You see Dr. Morris every month. Dose moves up only if you are tolerating it well, and we track fat versus muscle with an InBody scan so the weight you lose is the weight you want gone.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is the same molecule, semaglutide, approved for weight management. We prescribe semaglutide for weight loss, either as brand-name Wegovy when your coverage allows or, for most patients, as personalized semaglutide prepared by a licensed US pharmacy. Either way the evaluation, labs, and monthly visits are the same. Our semaglutide page covers dosing and side effects in detail.
Same active molecules, different manufacturing, different price, and different flexibility. Here is the honest comparison we walk through at consultation. Cost ranges are what we see across Tampa Bay and come from our Tampa Bay medical weight loss guide.
| Brand-name Wegovy or Zepbound | Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA status | FDA-approved for chronic weight management | Not FDA-approved; prepared per prescription by a licensed compounding pharmacy |
| Form | Single-use pen | Vial and syringe, or pen, depending on the pharmacy |
| Typical monthly cost in Tampa Bay | $900 to $1,300 cash; $25 to $300 with coverage, plan dependent | $250 to $400 for semaglutide; $350 to $500 for tirzepatide |
| Insurance | Sometimes, with prior authorization | No |
| Dose flexibility | Fixed pen doses | Doses can be individualized in smaller steps |
| How we use it | When you have coverage or prefer brand | Most of our patients, with the same labs and visits either way |
Compounded medications are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. We only work with licensed US pharmacies, and we do not prescribe below-market products that skip labs and follow-up.
We quote the full program cost at consultation so you know the total for the expected treatment window, not a teaser monthly number, and there are no membership or renewal fees. For context, brand-name Wegovy or Zepbound without coverage runs roughly $900 to $1,300 a month at the pharmacy counter, and compounded programs in Tampa Bay typically run $250 to $500 a month depending on the medication and dose. Our tirzepatide cost breakdown goes deeper on what drives the number.
In the trials that led to approval, semaglutide 2.4 mg produced an average loss of 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks (STEP 1) and tirzepatide 15 mg produced 20.9% at 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1), both against placebo groups that lost about 2 to 3%. Real-world results depend on dose, adherence, protein intake, and strength training, which is why those things are built into the program. Citations are at the bottom of this page.
Dr. Oliver Morris, a board-certified physician and the practice’s medical director, supervises every patient personally: he reviews your labs, sets the protocol, and sees you at each monthly visit. About 25 minutes. Take the Veterans Expressway north, exit toward Tampa Road or FL-584 west, and follow it to US-19 in Palm Harbor. We are at 33295 US Hwy 19 N, Suite 109, Palm Harbor, FL 34684, inside Sola Salon Studios in the Coral Landings plaza, with free parking at the door. From South Tampa or Westchase the run is often smoother than crossing town at rush hour, and same-day treatment after a consultation is often possible if you mention it when booking at (727) 274-1972.
Good candidates have a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, or sleep apnea, and want a structured medical program rather than a subscription. Many of our Tampa patients tried a telehealth service first and came to us because nobody was actually managing the medication.
We do not prescribe GLP-1 medications for patients who are pregnant or trying to conceive, who have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, who have had pancreatitis, or who are looking to lose a few vanity pounds. If that is you, we will say so at the consultation and point you toward something that fits. Our full program page lays out the eligibility check, the timeline, and the taper plan, and Clearwater patients have a dedicated page as well.
A program. The injection is one part of it. You get an in-person evaluation, baseline labs, a monthly visit with body composition scanning, dose adjustments based on how you respond, and nutrition and strength guidance so the weight you lose is fat rather than muscle. Dr. Oliver Morris supervises every patient’s protocol.
Yes, and we draw them in the office. Baseline labs include A1c, lipids, kidney and liver function, and thyroid, then repeat labs at scheduled checkpoints. Labs are how we confirm the medication is safe for you and how we track metabolic improvement, not just the number on the scale.
Nausea, reduced appetite, earlier fullness, and constipation are the common ones, mostly in the first weeks and at each dose step. Slow titration, hydration, and protein-forward meals manage most of it. Rare but serious risks, including pancreatitis and gallbladder problems, are exactly why we screen with labs and see you monthly rather than shipping refills.
Yes. Bring your current medication, dose, and any labs you have. Dr. Morris will review them, repeat what is missing, and continue or adjust your dose from there. Most patients who switch say the difference is having one provider who actually knows their course.
Your medication is prepared by a licensed US pharmacy and delivered to you each month. Visits are in person by design: the first evaluation, labs, and monthly follow-ups happen at our Palm Harbor office, about 25 minutes north of downtown Tampa.
We quote a full program price at consultation rather than a teaser monthly number, with no membership fees or hidden renewal charges. If you have brand-name coverage for Wegovy or Zepbound, bring your plan details to the consult and we will talk through the options.
References
Book a consultation with Dr. Oliver Morris. We will review your history and goals, order labs if you are a candidate, and quote the full program price before you commit to anything.
Palm Harbor, FL · Serving Tampa