What Are Semaglutide Injections?
Semaglutide is a diabetes medication used to control blood sugar. It may also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious complications of type 2 diabetes or heart or blood vessel disease. It works by increasing the amount of insulin in your bloodstream, reducing the blood sugar levels of a person who has trouble regulating. Though semaglutide may be used to treat diabetes, it’s not insulin. It’s a medication that can be used to help insulin do its job and lower blood sugar, but most patients are advised to use it as part of a comprehensive approach to treat type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise and any other medication or dietary supplement their doctor has approved.
Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has also found a niche helping people with weight-related medical problems rapidly lose weight. It does this in three ways:
- The GLP-1 hormone present in the medication slows down how fast your stomach moves food through, which makes you feel fuller longer and discourages binge eating.
- The hormone prevents the liver from releasing sugar into the bloodstream, which would otherwise contribute to fat buildup.
- Semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, reducing blood sugar still more.
When used for treating obesity, semaglutide should always be paired with improved diet and a regular healthy exercise program. Subcutaneous semaglutide, a brand name of semaglutide was subjected to four separate placebo controlled trials lasting 68 weeks. The testing showed that medication was more effective than the placebo for weight loss and chronic weight management. For people with weight-related medical problems, semaglutide can be an effective choice for helping lose weight, advance a successful weight loss program and maintain a healthy body weight for as long as the treatments are given.
Learn More about Semaglutide for Medical Weight Loss
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Vitalyc Medspa
Medical Weightloss Program
It’s time to start putting yourself (and your body) first—but you don’t need to do it alone. Our prescription medical weight loss program is the perfect opportunity to lose weight safely from the comfort of your home with a little help from your friends at Vitalyc MedSpa. During our supervised program, experienced nurse practitioners provide the guidance and support you need to speed up your metabolism, shed excess weight, and start looking and feeling like your very best self.
About the program:
- 3-month prescription weight loss program
- Once weekly injection done at home to lose weight
- Medication (semaglutide) regulates appetite, thereby reducing food intake by decreasing hunger and increasing feelings of fullness
- Secondary benefits: improving weight loss-related health issues such as cardiovascular factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and quality of life
- Most common symptom: nausea, which is regulated by dose adjustments
15% average weight loss
Speed up your metabolism—no restrictive diets
At-home program
Remote support from Vitalyc nurse practitioner
Who it is for:
Patients with BMI > 29 or BMI > 26 with at least one weight-related condition (hypertension, hyperlipidemia)
How it works:
Visit your Vitalyc location for initial consultation and body scan. A nurse practitioner will initiate therapy and labs will be drawn at the start of the program and four weeks later. You will have the support of Vitalyc clinicians throughout treatment.
Candidates for Semaglutide Fat Loss Treatment
Semaglutide is effective, but it isn’t for everybody. Adults who take it to lose weight should have a BMI greater than 29 or a BMI of 26 and up with one or more weight-related medical problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure.
You shouldn’t be taking semaglutide if you’re at risk of developing a thyroid C-cell tumor or you have a family history of thyroid tumors. Others who should avoid taking semaglutide include people with a history of severe allergic reactions to the medication or any of the inert ingredients of the solution.
One of the more commonly used brands, Wegovy, carries a warning for potential inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder issues, low blood sugar, kidney injuries, diabetes-related damage to the retina of the eye (diabetic retinopathy), elevated heart rate and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These side effects are rare, and because semaglutide is administered under a doctor’s supervision, they’re generally manageable.
What to Expect During the Treatment
Treatment with semaglutide generally starts with an assessment at Vitalyc Medspa. During this initial screening, our medical team will determine whether this medication is a good choice to help with your weight loss. Expect to get a physical exam and a medical history work-up. Our practitioners will assess your history of allergies and cancer and review other medications you may be taking. Your current body weight, history of weight loss attempts and body mass index will all factor into the decision to try semaglutide for losing weight.
The initial treatment will be a subcutaneous injection of a low dose of semaglutide. This is a deliberately low dose, since possible side effects include a serious drop in blood sugar and it takes time to adjust. Over four weeks, the dose is gradually increased until you’re getting the full dosage once a week. The injections are given on the same day each week for for a specified time determined with the practitioner. During your treatment period, the Vitalyc Medspa will work with you to develop viable weight management strategies that go beyond the medication. Diet and exercise patterns, building healthy lifestyle patterns and a strong social support network are all part of your strategy to lose weight, and they’ll be included as part of your weight management plan.
FAQs
How much weight will you lose on semaglutide?
The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have found that obese patients who take 2.4 mg of semaglutide weekly lose an average of 6% of their body weight by week 12. This roughly doubles to 12% of body weight lost by week 28.
How fast does semaglutide work for weight loss?
If you’re taking semaglutide for chronic weight management, you can expect to see some results by the end of the first month, though the low initial doses of this drug treatment mean the initial results will be subtle and only appear a few weeks in. Larger amounts of excess weight come off in subsequent weeks, with the peak weight loss happening between weeks 8-28.
Do you need a prescription for semaglutide?
Semaglutide is only available with a medical provider’s prescription. Because of the risk of side effects or interactions with other prescription drugs and herbal products, you’ll need to check in with a practitioner on a regular basis as long as you’re using semaglutide as a weight loss medication.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey Today
It’s never too soon to start the journey to a healthy weight. If you’re living with obesity or related medical conditions and you think semaglutide might be a viable choice for shedding excess weight, get started today by contacting Vitalyc Medspa for a free consultation.
Watch Vitalyc on Good Morning Texas!
Learn about our Medical Weight Loss program from our Nurse Practitioner, Taylor Siemens, and one of our rockstar Vitalyc patients.
