Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used for chronic weight management. It helps people lose weight and keep it off.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which is released after eating a meal. It sends signals of fullness and satisfaction to the brain, helps control appetite and food cravings, and slows digestion to help promote weight loss.
When used along with diet and exercise, semaglutide has been shown to help patients lose significant weight. In clinical trials, patients lost an average of 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
There are many benefits to using semaglutide for weight loss:
- On average, patients lose 10-15% of starting body weight - Greater weight loss compared to other medications - Helps patients keep weight off long-term
- Lowers BMI and body fat percentage - Reduces risk factors for diabetes and heart disease - Improves cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation
- Self-administered once-weekly injection - No frequent dosing or titration needed - Works alongside healthy lifestyle changes
- Most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) - Side effects usually mild-moderate and improve over time - Far fewer side effects than weight loss surgery
Semaglutide is appropriate for adults who meet the following criteria:
Semaglutide is not recommended if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
By slowing the emptying of the stomach and delaying digestion, semaglutide helps control appetite and makes you feel full sooner after eating. This results in smaller portion sizes and less calorie intake.
Semaglutide acts on appetite centers in the brain, leading to decreased food cravings and hunger pangs. This makes it easier to resist tempting, high-calorie foods.
Patients report feeling satisfied and full faster after starting semaglutide treatment. The medication impacts areas of the brain that regulate food reward and cravings.
Because it blunts appetite for extended periods of time, semaglutide curbs the urge to snack between meals. Less snacking = fewer calories consumed.
Semaglutide was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but researchers discovered it also caused significant weight loss as a side effect. Further studies found that non-diabetic obese individuals taking semaglutide lost on average 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, leading to its recent approval specifically for chronic weight management.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled, disposable pen that is easy to use for self-injection. It is administered once weekly.
To start, a dose of 0.25 mg is injected under the skin of the thigh, stomach or upper arm.
After 4 weeks, the dose is increased to the maintenance dose of 1 mg once weekly if well tolerated. If some gastrointestinal side effects occur with the 1 mg dose, it can be lowered back to 0.5 mg.
Proper injection technique is important to accurately deliver the full medication dose. Balance & Renew Clinic coaches patients on how to properly inject semaglutide. We also provide access to instructional injection videos online.
It takes time for semaglutide to reach optimal therapeutic levels in the body and exert its full effects. Patience is key.
For optimal results, semaglutide must be used with lifestyle modifications including:
Patients who make sustainable healthy diet and lifestyle changes see better and longer-lasting weight improvements with semaglutide.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal, including:
These side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity. They are most common when first starting treatment or increasing the dosage. Most diminsh in frequency and intensity after 4-8 weeks on the medication.
To help minimize side effects:
In clinical studies, gastrointestinal side effects led to treatment discontinuation in up to 6% of patients.
Serious side effects are possible but rare, including gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, kidney problems, pancreatitis, severe constipation, and suicidal thoughts.
Choosing Balance & Renew Clinic for your semaglutide weight loss treatment provides many advantages:
Our experienced doctors and nurses provide comprehensive evaluations and spend time getting to know patients’ unique health histories and struggles with obesity. We create customized treatment plans to set our patients up for success.
In addition to medical care, our weight loss program includes one-on-one health coaching, group classes, nutrition support, and activity planning. We empower patients with the knowledge, tools and motivation needed to lose weight and improve health.
With evening and weekend appointments available, we make it easy to fit medical visits into busy schedules. Telemedicine visits ensure continued access between in-person appointments. We’re here for you when you need us!
We make our weight loss programs affordable by accepting most health insurance plans. We work with patients to explore coverage options. For uninsured patients, we offer competitive self-pay rates with flexible financing.
Losing weight improves health and quality of life. The providers at Balance & Renew Clinic are passionate about helping patients achieve sustainable weight loss success. We provide comprehensive medical treatment options combined with genuine supportive care. To determine if semaglutide is right for you, contact Balance & Renew Clinic today to schedule your initial consultation. Call (ADDNUMBER) or visit (ADDWEBSITE). Start your health transformation now!
