Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, a specific prescribed formulation called Wegovy was approved by the FDA in 2021 specifically for chronic weight management in overweight or obese adults.
Semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces appetite through its effects on areas of the brain that control food intake. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
There are several ways that semaglutide promotes weight loss when used specifically for that purpose:
Semaglutide activates areas of the brain involved in appetite control, leading to reduced hunger and calorie intake. People tend to eat less while taking semaglutide.
It slows down the emptying of the stomach and digestive processes. This prolongs feelings of fullness after eating.
Semaglutide tells the pancreas to make more insulin when blood sugar levels rise after a meal. This facilitates getting glucose from the bloodstream into cells to use for energy.
Higher insulin levels signal to the body to store less fat and use fat already stored for energy instead. This mobilization and burning of fat contributes to weight reduction.
Overall, semaglutide’s effects on appetite, digestion, insulin and fat burning combine to create notable weight loss over weeks and months of treatment.
In clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to be very effective at lowering body weight. Some key statistics on its weight loss efficacy include:
These impressive results demonstrate that semaglutide is one of the most effective medications available for weight control when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
An additional benefit found in trials was that most people kept the weight off long-term after stopping semaglutide. About 90% maintained at least some degree of weight loss even several months later.
This staying power gives semaglutide an advantage over many short-acting weight loss aids. Sustained improvement in weight is more likely with semaglutide compared to relying solely on diet and exercise.
Semaglutide is intended for certain adults struggling with being overweight or obese. It may be an option for individuals meeting the following criteria:
Having a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 qualifies someone as obese, making them an appropriate candidate for semaglutide treatment.
BMI is a measurement based on height and weight used to estimate body fat. Online BMI calculators can confirm if your BMI falls in the obese range.
The FDA guidelines also approve semaglutide for people with a BMI in the overweight range of 27 up to 30. However, the person must also have at least one weight-related health problem like diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.
Semaglutide is meant for patients who have not achieved desired weight loss success relying only on lifestyle changes like: - Healthy eating - Increased physical activity - Other weight loss programs
It is considered an adjunctive therapy for patients already making dietary improvements and exercising more when those efforts alone have not resulted in enough weight reduction and health improvement.
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.
If you meet criteria for using semaglutide, the knowledgeable healthcare providers at Balance & Renew Clinic can determine if it may be right for you. There are many advantages to obtaining semaglutide and medical oversight for your weight loss treatment from Balance & Renew Clinic:
We tailor programs to your specific health history, needs and goals. This includes selection of optimal medication formulations and dosing regimens to maximize safety and weight loss success.
Guidance on healthful eating and nutrition from our providers helps patients make dietary changes to complement medication effects. This promotes additional weight loss for improved physical health and self-esteem.
We utilize advanced body composition analysis to track muscle mass versus fat mass during weight reduction. Preserving muscle while shedding fat assures sustainable progress.
Patients receive ongoing medical supervision and lifestyle coaching from our weight loss professionals. We take a long-term management focus to prevent weight regain once goals are met.
Patients get brand name FDA-approved semaglutide from our fully-licensed onsite prescription pharmacy. We ensure proper handling, dosing accuracy and sterility.
You get attentive 1-on-1 care from our personable staff in our state-of-the-art facility. We make your comfort, safety and satisfaction our top priorities.
Our in-house access to medications avoids third party markup seen at typical retail pharmacies. Keeping overhead low lets us extend big medication savings directly to our patients.
We welcome you to meet with one of medical team to determine if a custom semaglutide plan from Balance & Renew Clinic can help you successfully and safely meet your weight management goals long-term when diet and exercise have not been enough.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled multi-dose pen device designed for convenient self-administration just under skin of abdomen, thigh or upper arm. The thin needles make injections comfortable and virtually pain-free.
It is given by subcutaneous injection once weekly on the same day each week. Treatment starts with a lower 0.25 mg dose, increasing incrementally every 4 weeks up to target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly.
This schedule of gradual dose escalation reduces risk of side effects that can sometimes occur when rapidly reaching full dosage. It allows the body to adjust to semaglutide treatment over about 12-20 weeks.
Patients should take the weekly injection at any time of day *at least 30 minutes before the next meal or snack. This timing maximizes semaglutide's effects on appetite and glucose regulation.
The simple fixed solo weekly self-injection regimen makes it easy to be fully compliant with semaglutide therapy for steady weight loss effects.
Clinical evaluation and lab testing should be conducted about every 6 months while on semaglutide weight loss therapy. This helps monitor safety and blood sugar regulation. Dose adjustments can be made if indicated.
Potential side effects like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea typically resolve on their own within days without needing to stop treatment. But other symptoms would warrant promptly contacting the prescribing provider for further evaluation and guidance.
Semaglutide is contraindicated for patients with certain medical histories. Those taking thyroid medication may require more frequent lab testing. Having very low blood sugar or diabetic retinopathy may preclude use. Other precautions apply as well. Our staff carefully screens patients for contraindications and risk factors to verify safety before starting.
Careful patient selection and close monitoring helps make semaglutide weight loss regimens low risk and highly effective. Balance & Renew Clinic skillfully manages eligibility, safety precautions and clinical oversight aspects on each patient’s behalf.
Semaglutide Treatment Protocols and Procedures
Current blood glucose control needs evaluation before using semaglutide for weight control rather than diabetes indications. Common tests ordered can include:
Results outside of normal parameters may require establishing stable glycemic control first before weight loss treatment can safely begin.
Since vitamin B12 absorption can potentially decrease for some patients on semaglutide, we test pretreatment B12 blood levels. Supplementation during therapy may prevent deficiency if B12 decreases over time.
Liver function assessment helps verify adequate hepatic health to metabolize and excrete semaglutide properly. Lab work and review of pertinent medical history identifies any hepatic issues needing addressed first.
Good kidney performance is necessary to filter and remove semaglutide once injected. Analysis of kidney biomarkers and medical background provides information on any renal impairment requiring correction ahead of time.
The heart and circulatory system impacts medication effects and vice versa. Vital statistics like blood pressure and cholesterol provide clues to cardiovascular status. Checking for preexisting cardiac concerns minimizes risks with weight medications.
These clinical diagnostics ensure patients selected for semaglutide meet health requirements for safe and effective therapy catered to their needs. Our experienced medical staff knows exactly which laboratory tests to order before determining appropriateness of semaglutide treatment.
- Self inject 0.25 mg semaglutide - Take at least 30 minutes before meal - Have food handy in case of nausea - Note/report any concerning or serious side effects
- Increase dose to 0.5 mg semaglutide - Continue weekly timed injections before eating - Manage side effects; Contact provider if very troublesome
- Go up to 1 mg dose of semaglutide - Repeat properly timed weekly injections - Call staff for any worrying or severe issues
- Final increment to full 1.7 or 2.4 mg dose - Stick to routine for injections in relation to meals - Follow up on side effect reduction methods if needed
Then semaglutide treatment continues long-term with good compliance to weekly injection schedules for steady, lasting weight management under medical supervision.
Weight Loss and Lifestyle Recommendations
Making impactful changes to daily nutrition gives semaglutide the best chance to enable effective, healthy weight reduction. Our providers offer customized guidance on improving meal plans such as:
- Cut out empty source calories - Portion control to reduce excess food energy intake
- Limit high fat, fried and greasy items - Dramatically cut back sugar intake
- Choose whole grains and high fiber options - Incorporate lean, low fat protein sources
- Emphasize produce and plant-based proteins - Avoid starchy veggies like potatoes
Following individualized meal guidance teaches positive dietary adjustments necessary to lose weight long-term. Our staff understands the vital link between nutrition and successful pharmacotherapy.
Another key component is integrating more activity and movement to burn additional calories through: - Meeting national exercise guidelines - Walking programs - Home workout routines and apps - Local gym membership incentive programs
We help craft reasonable fitness plans catered to current ability levels and constraints yet provide challenge to advance toward better health. Combining improved nutrition and added activity sustains weight loss momentum.
We also focus on instilling more well-rounded positive lifestyle habits leading to better weight management including: - Effective stress reduction skills - Assertive goal setting strategies - Mindful eating practices - Joining local or online support communities - Scheduling proper sleep and relaxation
Learning to listen to bodily cues, understand emotional eating triggers, cultivate self-acceptance, and inviting support from others establishes invaluable foundations enabling patients to keep weight off long after meeting goals. Our providers apply proven lifestyle medicine principles tailored to each person’s needs and environment.
Local Resources in Taylor
Here are examples of helpful nearby establishments and locations making healthy lifestyle changes more convenient and rewarding for Balance & Renew Clinic patients pursuing weight loss:
We inform patients on these and other area establishments providing ongoing support for losing weight successfully through sensible nutrition, activity levels promoting calorie deficits, and cultivating overall lifestyle balance and wellbeing.
Summary of Semaglutide Treatment Benefits
Ready to learn more about adding semaglutide to your weight management regimen? The knowledgeable medical team at Balance & Renew Clinic skillfully determines appropriateness for therapy based on extensive health history analysis and diagnostic testing. We craft individualized long term care plans assisting those struggling with being overweight or obese lose substantial weight safely. Semaglutide paired with lifestyle adjustments can successfully help most motivated patients get on track for better fitness and wellbeing.
To find out if semaglutide is right for you, contact Balance & Renew Clinic today to arrange a new patient consultation with one of our highly trained weight loss experts.
