Everything You Need To Know About Using This New Medication for Sustainable Weight Management
Losing weight and keeping it off is one of the biggest health challenges many people face today. While diet and exercise are key, oftentimes more support is needed. This is where semaglutide can help.
Semaglutide is an exciting new prescription medication recently approved specifically for chronic weight management. It works by controlling appetite and blood sugar, leading to reduced calorie intake for easier, sustained weight loss.
If you have struggled to lose weight or keep weight off in the past, semaglutide may be an excellent option to discuss with your doctor. Read on to learn all about this groundbreaking medication and how to get prescribed semaglutide for weight loss from the experts at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness.
What Exactly Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication classified as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It helps lower blood sugar and control appetite by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
GLP-1 is released naturally in the body after eating. It triggers the release of insulin to control blood sugar while also signaling to the brain that you are full.
As a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, semaglutide replicates these effects of GLP-1 in the body, lowering glucose levels and suppressing appetite. This leads to eating less food, reduced cravings, and supporting weight loss.
Specifically, semaglutide is approved for two uses:
- Treatment of type 2 diabetes – It is prescribed along with diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar control in diabetic patients.
- Weight management – Recently approved for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or have obesity.
For weight loss, semaglutide is prescribed for long-term use to help people lose weight and continue maintaining the weight loss.
Unlock the secrets of semaglutide’s weight loss mechanism with Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness
How Does Semaglutide Promote Weight Loss?
There are a few ways semaglutide works as an effective prescription medication for weight loss and weight maintenance:
| Mechanism | Explanation |
| Appetite reduction | By activating GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide suppresses appetite and helps you feel fuller longer after eating. People eat less because they are less hungry. |
| Slowed stomach emptying | Semaglutide slows down the emptying of food from your stomach into the intestines. This prolongs the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after a meal. |
| Improved blood sugar control | By stimulating insulin and reducing glucagon secretion, semaglutide lowers blood glucose levels and prevents spikes and crashes. This minimizes food cravings. |
| Food intake reduction | Through appetite suppression and increased feelings of fullness, semaglutide allows people to reduce their calorie intake and lose weight without feeling increased hunger. |
| Weight loss maintenance | By continuing semaglutide along with a healthy diet and exercise, it helps sustain the weight loss long-term instead of regaining the lost weight. |
The way semaglutide improves glucose regulation and suppresses appetite through GLP-1 receptor activation results in better control over eating and hunger cues. This makes it easier to stick to the recommended diet and activity plan for continued success.
Who Is A Candidate For Semaglutide?
Semaglutide has been studied in individuals with obesity, meaning people who have a BMI of 30 or greater.
It has also shown significant weight loss benefits in people who are overweight with a BMI over 27 along with at least one weight-related health condition such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- Cardiovascular disease
- Sleep apnea
Therefore, to be prescribed semaglutide for weight loss you should meet one of the following:
- BMI of 30 or higher – Indicating obesity based on height and weight.
- BMI of 27 or higher + a weight-related health issue – Such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol
Meeting this BMI and health condition criteria helps ensure treatment with semaglutide is appropriate and that the benefits of weight loss will help manage these conditions.
Some key points about semaglutide and weight loss:
- It is only prescribed if you are overweight or have obesity – it is not approved for cosmetic weight loss.
- It is not prescribed for short-term use, only for chronic weight management.
- It should be combined with diet, exercise, and behavioral interventions. Semaglutide alone is not enough.
- Medical oversight is required to determine if semaglutide is appropriate for your health status.
If you are interested in using semaglutide for weight management, the first step is to schedule a consultation with a medical weight loss provider like Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness to screen for appropriateness based on a full health evaluation.
How To Get Prescribed Semaglutide
If you meet the BMI criteria for obesity, or are overweight with a weight-related condition, semaglutide may be a suitable prescription medication to help you lose weight and improve your health. Here is how to go about getting prescribed semaglutide:
1. Consult With Your Healthcare Provider
Make an appointment to see your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or weight loss specialist. This could be through your own doctor’s office or a weight loss clinic.
Discuss your challenges with weight loss, interest in trying semaglutide, and your health goals. Your provider will review your medical history and determine if semaglutide may be appropriate.
2. Undergo An Evaluation
In order to prescribe semaglutide, your provider will need to do a full evaluation. This usually involves:
- Physical exam – Weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure
- Review of weight-related illnesses – Diabetes, cholesterol, liver function
- Discussion of weight loss efforts – Diet, exercise, lifestyle changes
- Lab tests – May include blood glucose, HbA1c, kidney function
The evaluation confirms you meet the requirements for semaglutide treatment and identifies any potential risks or contraindications based on your health profile.
3. Get A Prescription
If deemed an appropriate treatment option, your doctor will write a prescription for semaglutide. The standard dose for weight loss is a 1.7mg or 2.4mg injection once weekly.
4. Fill The Semaglutide Prescription
Take the prescription to your pharmacy. Many insurance plans now cover some of the costs of semaglutide when prescribed specifically for weight management in eligible patients.
You can also use services like Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness that offer convenient telehealth consultations and home delivery of prescribed semaglutide.
5. Begin Semaglutide Treatment
Start injecting the semaglutide at home per your doctor’s instructions, usually once per week. Follow up regularly with your prescribing provider to ensure the medication is working properly and monitor any side effects.
Be sure to follow the recommended eating plan, exercise program, and behavioral support that goes along with semaglutide for best weight loss results.
Through this simple process, your medical team will determine if semaglutide for weight loss is appropriate and oversee proper prescription and administration.
Take the first step towards weight loss success by scheduling a consultation at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness
What Results Can You Expect With Semaglutide?
Clinical studies of semaglutide for weight loss have demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety:
- Average weight loss of 15% in 1 year – Much more than diet and exercise alone.
- Weight loss maintenance – Continued success keeping weight off compared to placebo groups.
- Improved cardiovascular biomarkers – Decreases in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, inflammation.
- HbA1c reduction of 1-2% – In patients with type 2 diabetes signifying better blood sugar control.
- Well-tolerated safety profile – Most common side effects are mild GI symptoms like nausea, diarrhea.
- Minimal adverse effects – Low incidence of hypoglycemia, no increased cardiovascular risks.
The amount of weight loss with semaglutide is proportional to the degree of obesity. Those with a BMI 40+ lost the most weight, while those 30-35 BMI still had meaningful 5-10% weight reductions.
Semaglutide is specifically intended for long-term weight management, not rapid weight loss. When combined with diet and lifestyle changes, it promotes gradual but sustainable weight loss for improved health.
Results vary based on the individual. Working closely with Dr. Soni will ensure you safely achieve your target goals.
Is Semaglutide Right For You?
Semaglutide may be a great option if:
| 1 | You have struggled to lose weight or experienced weight regain after prior loss. |
| 2 | You find it very difficult to control portions, hunger, and food cravings. |
| 3 | You have obesity-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension. |
| 4 | You are ready to commit to making lifestyle changes to support weight loss. |
| 5 | You have been unsuccessful at losing or keeping weight off with other medications. |
| 6 | You are looking for added help on top of diet, activity, and behavior changes. |
The benefits of semaglutide must be carefully weighed against potential risks given your medical history and current health status.
Partner With Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness
At Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness, we provide customized non-invasive aesthetic treatments and cutting-edge medical weight loss solutions, including semaglutide.
Our board-certified providers thoroughly evaluate each patient to create a personalized weight loss plan using the latest proven approaches.
We help implement the key lifestyle components to work synergistically with prescription medications like semaglutide for optimal, lasting success.
Our goal is to help you not only lose weight, but keep it off long-term and reduce obesity-related health risks. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
