what you need to know about weight loss with Semaglutide

Jun 07, 2023

The most recent addition to effective weight-loss treatments is Semaglutide. It has recently gained popularity on social media thanks to celebrities who have praised it for its capacity to sate hunger. Influencers proudly share their before-and-after images on apps like TikTok and Instagram.

 

But why is this medication such a game-changer for losing weight? Research seldom supports new fads, but this once-weekly injection was FDA-approved to treat obesity and has been shown to be successful in several clinical trials.

 

Describe Semaglutide

The original brand name for Semaglutide was Ozempic, a prescription drug used to treat individuals with diabetes and reduce blood sugar levels. However, it soon became clear that it may assist patients in losing excess weight since individuals who used it naturally dropped 15% of their body weight on average. Additionally, their diabetic symptoms went better and were simpler to control. Doctors began to administer semaglutide off-label to treat obesity that didn't respond to diet and exercise as the evidence of the drug's usefulness as a weight reduction aid developed, realizing its potential to significantly modify body composition.

Semaglutide is FDA approved for weight loss

Under the trade name Wegovy, semaglutide was given FDA approval in 2021 for the treatment of obesity. Due to its amazing outcomes, it has subsequently experienced a meteoric rise in popularity as a weight reduction tool, ushering in a new age of efficient therapies. The medication, which comes in the form of a once-weekly injection, reduces appetite without significantly altering lifestyle choices, although it functions best when accompanied with a lower-calorie diet and greater physical activity. With semaglutide to aid in weight loss, most patients find it simpler to withstand urges and eat more healthfully.

 

Semaglutide: How Does It Operate?

Semaglutide's success in the fight against obesity has proven what many specialists have long suspected: that using willpower alone is ineffective for weight loss. Some people's bodies actively oppose burning calories, putting on weight by slowing metabolism or secreting hormones that make them hungry. To assist patients in achieving their weight reduction objectives, semaglutide directly treats some of these underlying causes.

Semaglutide mimics the action of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which is released in the stomach and acts on several important body receptors. For instance, it helps you lose weight by reducing your blood sugar level so that you can burn fat more effectively. In order to make you feel fuller for longer after a meal, it also slows down how rapidly food leaves the stomach.

Targeting brain regions that control appetite and hunger, however, is one of the most significant ways that GLP-1 promotes weight reduction. As a result, it makes it simpler to stick to a healthy, lower-calorie diet by increasing satiety and lowering food cravings.

 

Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss with Semaglutide?

With a BMI of 30 or more, more than 40% of persons in the US are considered obese. Obesity is seen as more than just a cosmetic issue because it raises your chance of developing a number of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and more. Semaglutide may be an option for you if you've tried and failed to reduce weight. The following patients should normally use this medication:

 

more than 30 BMI

BMI above 27 and other weight-related issues

BMI below 30, depending on the situation and general health

no thyroid cancers in the family

pre-diabetes, or diabetic

High A1C with no response to previous therapies

Visit us for a consultation so that our staff can help you decide if semaglutide is the best option for you. Together, we'll create a specialized treatment strategy to use the right medications and lifestyle modifications to help you shed pounds and feel your best on the inside and out.

 

Expectations When Using Semaglutide

Once a week, semaglutide is injected under the skin of the upper arm, thighs, or belly. along with a baseline weigh-in that examines important metrics like your BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more. During your weight reduction journey, semaglutide is usually started at a dose of 0.25 mg and increased slowly every 4 weeks. A maintenance dosage of 2.4 mg will eventually be reached, however this can be changed according to your particular requirements and tolerance.

 

To ensure that your treatment plan is efficient and assists you in achieving and maintaining your objectives, we also offer body shaping counseling with our nurse practitioners. We distribute the injections directly to the patient from our clinic .

 

Semaglutide Results

Semaglutide is one of the most effective weight loss drugs on the market, but you shouldn’t expect to see drastic results overnight. Once starting treatment, most people lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week, but this can vary depending on a number of factors. Combining semaglutide with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise will maximize your results.

 

If you experience health problems associated with excess body fat, you should see these conditions improve with treatment. Many people report lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels as a result of their weight loss. The majority of patients achieve their weight loss and health goals within a year and have better long-term success in maintaining their results than those who have not taken semaglutide. We'll go through the advantages of utilizing semaglutide for weight reduction during your appointment and let you know what to anticipate once treatment starts.

Considerable Side Effects: Are There Any?

Although semaglutide side effects are thought to be uncommon and often moderate, some patients may develop nausea, bloating, heartburn, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and other symptoms as a result of the medication. Dizziness, weariness, and low blood sugar are less frequent symptoms. Contact our office if you notice any side effects that worry you after taking semaglutide. If necessary, your treatment plan can be adjusted by our staff as we address any concerns you may have.