Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication that is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as well as promote weight loss in adults struggling with overweight or obesity.
Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps control blood sugar levels and appetite. By acting similar to GLP-1 in the body, semaglutide helps the pancreas make more insulin when needed and reduces the amount of sugar made by the liver. These effects together work to lower blood sugar levels.
Additionally, semaglutide makes you feel fuller and less hungry, which can help you consume fewer calories and therefore lose weight. When used specifically for chronic weight management, semaglutide is given at a higher dose than what is used for type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide has shown impressive benefits when used to help people struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone:
Semaglutide is taken as a subcutaneous injection - meaning it is injected into the fatty tissue under the skin. It is meant to be used along with adhering to a reduced-calorie meal plan, increasing physical activity, and making other positive lifestyle changes to best achieve and maintain weight loss.
Here is an overview of how semaglutide shots work to reduce appetite, improve portion control, and enhance weight loss over weeks and months of use:
Once injected under the skin, semaglutide is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain. It activates areas of the brain involved in controlling food intake, most importantly the hypothalamus.
Semaglutide works by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing hunger. People taking it typically eat smaller portion sizes, feel satisfied with less food, and have fewer food cravings/urges to snack. Eating less calories each day is key for shedding excess pounds.
In addition to acting on appetite centers in the brain, semaglutide also slows down the speed at which food empties out of your stomach and gets digested. Food stays in the stomach longer, contributing further to feelings of fullness and stalled hunger signals.
Another way semaglutide may enhance weight loss is by reducing the absorption of fat, protein, and other nutrients from food. Some research indicates it inhibits certain digestive enzymes needed to breakdown and absorb calories consumed in a meal. Excreting more undigested calories can promote incremental fat loss.
The recommended dosing for semaglutide weight loss shots is to start at a lower dose for the first 4 weeks, then increase to the full dose. This allows the body to adjust and minimizes potential temporary GI side effects as the medication gets started.
The medication comes in a pre-filled pen device. Patients are shown by a healthcare provider how to properly inject semaglutide under skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, was originally developed as a treatment for diabetes but has gained significant attention recently as an effective weight loss medication when prescribed in higher doses. Early research indicates it may reduce body weight by 15% or more.
Semaglutide injections may be an appropriate medical weight loss treatment for adults that meet the following criteria:
Additionally, patients with the following conditions may also qualify to use semaglutide for weight control:
Semaglutide should not be used in those with severe kidney, liver, pancreatic, or gallbladder disease due to lacking safety research. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid using it as well.
Overall, semaglutide is an excellent medical weight loss aid option for most patients meeting standard criteria. Our weight management providers can determine if you are a good fit during a consultation appointment.
Here at Vitality Balance Clinic in McKinney, Texas, we provide customized weight management programs featuring semaglutide therapy combined with nutrition planning, fitness guidance, and behavioral counseling support.
We partner each patient with an entire care team, including:
A top obesity medicine doctor oversees every patients' treatment plan, prescribes semaglutide injections appropriately, manages medication changes when needed, and monitors progress through follow up appointments.
A personal health coach is assigned to each patient to provide nutritional consultation, design reduced-calorie meal plans, offer accountability for making positive behavior changes, and help troubleshoot challenges that arise during the weight loss process.
Those who enroll in our programs have optional access to an on-site fitness trainer who can create personalized workout routines to complement semaglutide treatment, offer tips to be more active at home/work, and provide encouragement to stay motivated fitness-wise.
Together, this comprehensive approach helps patients lose significant weight with semaglutide and make lasting lifestyle changes to either reverse or prevent major health complications linked to excess body weight.
Aside from looking better aesthetically, losing a meaningful amount of weight by using semaglutide in our medically-supervised program provides a LONG list of valuable health benefits:
Excess weight puts added strain on the heart and directly contributes to high cholesterol, increased inflammation, and hypertension - major precursors for heart attacks and strokes. Shedding pounds lowers these cardiac risk factors significantly.
Just a 5-10% loss of body weight can dramatically improve fatty liver disease. This reduces chances of developing cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure down the road.
The weight and appetite regulating effects of semaglutide paired with consuming fewer carbs per our nutrition plans can stabilize blood glucose levels in prediabetics. For diabetics, these changes may allow medications to work more effectively too with less insulin resistance.
Being overweight or obese lowers sex hormone production in both men and women, causing infertility issues. Losing weight can help restore normal hormonal balance and fertility function.
Perhaps most importantly, maintaining significant weight loss long-term adds YEARS onto life expectancy on average - largely by eliminating risks for all major diseases exacerbated by obesity.
To give patients the highest chances for weight loss success using semaglutide injections in our program, we provide comprehensive education on additional topics like:
Guidance is given on tracking macros, balancing nutrition, properly portioning meals, and structuring eating schedules to align with semaglutide dosing. Meal prep tips are also provided.
Patients receive support on managing stress levels, overcoming emotional eating tendencies, building self-confidence during the weight loss process, and making positive psychology adjustments to embrace change. Building mental resilience is imperative.
We supply each patient with fitness trackers, weight tracking charts, progress monitoring apps, and other tools to take ownership over daily health behaviors that drive results. Staying accountable is vital.
Enrolling in our program grants access to the care team for 6 months total, allowing patients to seek continued support in between monthly visits during the active weight loss phase to address any concerns quickly. We provide reliable guidance every step of the way!
Through this all-encompassing approach featuring semaglutide treatment, the vast majority of our program patients achieve monumental weight loss of 10%, 15%, even 20% of starting body weight.
The medication works exceptionally well when proper nutritional, fitness, and mindset foundations are also established simultaneously. We ensure all these key elements for success are in place.
We also provide semaglutide patients our inside knowledge of local health resources, businesses, attractions and community services available in the charming city of McKinney, TX to make the weight loss journey more engaging on a day-to-day basis.
A few weight loss friendly destinations in town we recommend checking out include:
Exploring all that McKinney has to offer provides plenty of ways to stay active and eat nutritious options while using our semaglutide weight management program. The town offers boundless support for positive lifestyle changes and making progress each day towards weight loss goals!
Our unique medical weight loss programs featuring cutting-edge semaglutide therapy paired with complete lifestyle education provides life-changing results for area residents struggling with being overweight and obesity.
We also treat many other hormone imbalance concerns at Vitality Balance Clinic too like hypothyroidism, menopause issues in women, low testosterone in men, chronic fatigue, libido problems, and more.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact our office today. We are dedicated to helping patients lose weight, regain health, and improve quality of life through innovative hormone therapies and integrated care plans.
