Semaglutide Spotlight

Semaglutide is one of the most promising weight loss medications that has ever been developed!  Semaglutide is a once weekly injectable medication used to manage weight.  It may also lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels.  It must be used in addition to a healthy diet and exercise. 

Semaglutide was originally approved in 2017 as Ozempic for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and was approved for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy in 2021. It mimics a hormone in your gut that controls hunger called glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1).  When you eat, GLP-1 is released from your gut and tells your brain you are full. GLP-1 also slows down how fast food leaves your stomach, suppressing your appetite. GLP-1 also tells your pancreas to release insulin after you eat, thus lowering your blood sugar. You’ll then use the sugar from your food for energy instead of storing this excess sugar as fat. This leads to weight loss.  Multiple clinical studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of Semaglutide for weight loss and have shown an average weight loss of 15%.

How quickly will you lose weight with Semaglutide?  Most people begin losing weight within the first week if they make lifestyle changes.  Healthy sustainable weight loss is 0.5-2 lbs per week, but people routinely lose more than this while taking Semaglutide.

The first four doses are small to gently introduce the medication to your body without risking stomach related side effects so you may see little to no weight loss in the first few weeks without making lifestyle changes.  You need to remember that it is possible to out eat ANY weight loss medication.

Typically, the dose of Semaglutide is increased once every four weeks. Increasing the dose of Semaglutide can be very individualized and will depend on three factors:  how much weight you have lost, if you are experiencing any bothersome side effects, and how well it has controlled your hunger.  At the start of treatment, we will speak every month to discuss this.  How fast your dose increases will depend on your personal needs.

    The injection should be given subcutaneously in the fatty part of your stomach, upper arms, or thighs and the injection site should be rotated. It is recommended to take Semaglutide on the same day every week.  However, you may change the day of the week that you inject it as long as it has been at least 48 hours since your last injection.

    Losing weight and how you approach it is a personal decision.  You need to make informed decisions that align with your personal weight loss goals.  Schedule an appointment with us today and get started on your journey!