Discover How This New FDA-Approved Injectable Medication Can Help You Achieve Significant Weight Loss When Paired With a Healthy Lifestyle
Obesity is a complex disease that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Losing weight and keeping it off long-term is a struggle for many. But there is new hope. An injectable prescription medicine called semaglutide was recently approved by the FDA specifically for chronic weight management.
Early clinical trials have shown promising results, with some patients losing up to 15% of their body weight while using semaglutide. So how does it work, and could it help you on your weight loss journey?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about semaglutide for weight loss and discuss with an expert whether it’s right for you.
What Is Semaglutide and How Does It Promote Weight Loss?
Semaglutide is a compound that mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is released naturally in your body after eating a meal, and it has multiple effects:
- It stimulates the release of insulin to control blood sugar.
- It slows stomach emptying and suppresses appetite.
- It decreases food intake by increasing feelings of fullness.
By acting like GLP-1, semaglutide helps regulate appetite and food intake, which promotes weight loss. It also reduces body fat and decreases some of the negative metabolic effects associated with obesity.
When used specifically for weight management, semaglutide is prescribed at a higher dose than what’s used for diabetes. The typical dosing is 2.4 mg per week through a subcutaneous injection (an injection administered just under the skin).
Research has shown that semaglutide works by:
- Activating areas of the brain involved with appetite regulation
- Reducing hunger and food cravings
- Improving control over eating behaviors
- Leading to reductions in calorie intake
In studies, these actions have translated to significant weight loss in people using semaglutide.
Learn How Semaglutide Can Regulate Your Appetite and Promote Weight Loss – Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Soni
What Weight Loss Results Can You Expect with Semaglutide?
In clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to produce greater weight loss compared to placebo and other drugs.
For example, in a 68-week study, people taking semaglutide lost an average of 14.9% of their initial body weight, compared to just 2.4% for people getting a placebo.
People using semaglutide also saw improvements in waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. The weight loss results were sustained over the 68 week study period.
Although individual results can vary, other studies have shown average weight loss in the range of 5% to 15% while using semaglutide. This amount of weight loss can have significant health benefits, especially for people who are obese.
Most people see some weight loss within the first 16 weeks of treatment. But the maximum effect may take around 40-60 weeks. It’s important to be consistent with your injections and stay with the treatment plan long-term.
Weight loss also tends to plateau after stopping semaglutide. For that reason, it works best when combined with lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Working with Dr. Soni can help you make sustainable changes.
What Are Its Potential Side Effects?
Like most medications, Semaglutide can cause some side effects. However, most of these are mild to moderate and go away within the first 4 to 8 weeks.
Potential side effects of semaglutide can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
There is also a potential risk of pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. For this reason, semaglutide shouldn’t be used by people with a personal or family history of certain pancreatic diseases or bile duct issues.
Dr. Soni will go over your health history before prescribing to determine if semaglutide is appropriate for you. The Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness team will also monitor you for any side effects at follow up appointments.
Schedule a Consultation with Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness for Personalized Guidance and Monitoring
Are You a Good Candidate for Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is approved for use in adults who meet the following criteria:
- Have a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) OR a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
- Have tried to lose weight in the past with lifestyle changes but need additional help
It’s important to note that semaglutide is not a first-line option for weight loss. Dr. Soni will initially recommend increasing physical activity and reducing calorie intake through diet changes.
Semaglutide is meant to be used as an adjuvant treatment for patients who have been unable to lose weight or maintain weight loss through lifestyle interventions alone.
This medication may be right for you if:
- You’ve made attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise but have hit a plateau
- You’ve lost weight in the past but tend to regain it back
- You struggle with appetite control and food cravings
- Your BMI indicates you are obese or overweight with additional health risks
Talk to Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness to see if prescription semaglutide can help augment your other weight loss efforts. We will determine if you are an appropriate candidate.
What Are the Steps to Get Prescribed Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a prescription medication, so you will need to talk to a healthcare provider to access it. Here are the general steps:
1. Make an appointment with a doctor
See Dr. Soni at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness to discuss medical weight loss options. They will review your health history, BMI, past weight loss attempts, and goals.
2. Get a prescription
If you are determined to be a candidate, he can write a prescription for semaglutide (Wegovy). This is the only FDA-approved form of semaglutide for chronic weight management.
3. Fill your prescription
Bring your prescription to your local pharmacy. Many insurances cover some portion of Semaglutide treatment. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your specific insurance plan.
4. Take your medication consistently
Wegovy comes in a pre-filled pen that you inject under your skin once weekly. Consistency is important to see results. Follow up with Dr. Soni for support.
With Semaglutide, many people with obesity or who are overweight are able to lose significant weight when combined with diet and exercise. Talk to Dr. Soni to see if this treatment option may be right for you.
Ready to Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Semaglutide? Schedule an Appointment with Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness
What Lifestyle Changes Should Accompany Semaglutide Treatment?
Semaglutide is not a miracle drug that will make you lose weight on its own. This medication works best when combined with a comprehensive lifestyle intervention under medical supervision.
We recommend making changes like:
- Following a reduced-calorie meal plan that helps create a moderate daily calorie deficit to promote weight loss. This may involve increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while reducing sugary and processed foods.
- Increasing physical activity to burn more calories. Ideally getting 150-300 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
- Working with a dietitian or nutritionist to develop healthy eating habits you can maintain long-term. This helps preserve weight loss after stopping semaglutide.
- Seeing a therapist or counselor to address any underlying emotional or psychological factors related to eating and weight gain. This can help promote healthy behaviors going forward.
- Joining a support group to help stay motivated and accountable during the weight loss process. Sharing your journey with others can be very beneficial.
- Tracking food intake, activity, and weight to identify patterns and celebrate progress. Apps and fitness trackers can help with this.
- Prioritizing sleep and stress management. Getting enough high-quality sleep and keeping stress levels in check helps optimize weight loss results.
The goal is implementing lifestyle changes you can sustain in the long run, even after discontinuing semaglutide treatment. Talk to our doctors about strategies to make this medication work for you.
How Long Is Semaglutide Treatment for Weight Loss?
There is no specific time limit for how long semaglutide can be used. The duration of treatment depends on how much weight you need to lose, how your body responds, and any side effects.
Clinical trials have studied the use of semaglutide for weight management for up to 68 weeks (over one year). But it may be used for longer periods as directed by your doctor.
Dr. Soni recommends using semaglutide along with lifestyle interventions for 6 to 12 months initially. After this timeframe, you can re-evaluate with your provider whether extended treatment is beneficial or if you are ready to try maintaining weight without it.
Keep in mind weight loss tends to plateau around month 9 or 10 of semaglutide use. If you stop treatment, you’ll likely regain some weight over time.
For these reasons, many people end up using semaglutide for 18 months to 2 years. Dr. Soni will determine the appropriate length of treatment on an individual basis. The goal is to use it long enough to achieve and sustain significant weight loss through lifestyle changes.
The Ethos Aesthetics Approach
Here at Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness, we offer comprehensive medical weight loss programs tailored specifically to you and your needs. Our board-certified providers will take the time to understand your unique health history and challenges to help you achieve sustainable results.
Rather than a “one size fits all” approach, our customized programs can include:
- We offer semaglutide for qualified candidates, along with other FDA-approved medications that can augment weight loss when needed.
- Our registered dietitians will design an individualized eating plan that nourishes your body and cravings. No excessive restrictions!
- We’ll coach and equip you with tools to make exercise, sleep, stress management and other healthy behaviors a part of your routine.
- We can safely enhance your natural shape with CoolSculpting and other non-invasive techniques.
Don’t struggle alone – get personalized help fast! Schedule a consultation today with Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness to discuss your weight loss options. We look forward to helping you live healthy and feel confident at any size!
