We have been getting many calls about Semaglutide for weight loss. We wanted to educate you about this medication, the good, bad and the ugly so if you are wanting to try this medication, we will be prescribing only following specific standards.
Semaglutide has been used for treating Type 2 diabetes since 2017. There have been many studies with the diabetic population to not only show the improvement in lowering blood sugar but also decreasing cardiovascular risk. Many of the risks were due to obesity in the diabetic population.
Semaglutide works by reducing your appetite. There are specific receptors in our brain that are triggered in response to when we eat meals to stop eating when we are full. Semaglutide works in this way by binding to these receptors, so we have the feeling of being full without eating, hence decreasing the amount of overall calories that we eat.
Sounds perfect right? The problem with feeling full, you get the same unpleasant side effects that if you ate all of the food as you do when you take Semaglutide. For Example:
- Belching.
- bloated, full feeling.
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines.
- gaseous stomach pain.
- passing gas.
- recurrent fever.
- stomach discomfort, fullness, or pain.
It is important to know that this has been very helpful for people to lose weight. It may take up to 8 weeks before you notice significant results. It is a very expensive drug as well.
Month One-
0.25 mg a week for four weeks =$500
Month Two
0.5mg a week for four weeks= $750
Month Three
1mg a week for four weeks=$1000
The unfortunate misconception is that people think that the medication will permanently remove weight and if lifestyle modifications are not made to maintain weight loss, after discontinuing the medication, the weight will come back on. So, you have to maintain low calorie intake and regular cardio exercise and resistance training for the weight to stay off.
Given all of this, we have guidelines in place to help a specific group of clients.
If your BMI is over 30, you are a candidate.
If your BMI is over 27 and have any comorbid conditions that increase your risk of cardiovascular events such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, you are a candidate.
This has been an incredible drug to help diabetics and people at risk for cardiovascular events, we want to keep it available for clients who can benefit from the results. This is not the most effective drug for people who have a normal BMI or are just looking for a solution to 5-10 stubborn pounds.
Please set up a telehealth appointment so we can discuss other weight loss options that we have if Semaglutide is not for you.