What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide was initially used to manage type 2 diabetes. Physicians found that while it helped increase insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels, semaglutide also resulted in significant weight loss.
But how does semaglutide work? Semaglutide is a type of medication that's called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It mimics the hormone GLP-1 the body naturally produces, increasing insulin secretion and lowering blood sugar levels after meals. Semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar by triggering glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
Semaglutide slows down the release of sugar into the bloodstream, causing the body to burn more fat. It also helps delay stomach emptying, leaving you feeling fuller longer, which helps reduce appetite and overall calorie consumption.
What Can You Expect with Semaglutide?
Your weight loss journey with semaglutide begins with a consultation during which our experienced providers will evaluate your unique needs and discuss your health goals. We will start you on a lower dose of medication and gradually increase it until you reach the target dose, at which point you should experience the best possible weight loss results. We will monitor you closely and adjust the semaglutide dose as needed based on your response and progress.
Clinical studies show that weekly semaglutide injections can produce dramatic weight loss results. In one study, individuals lost an average of 9 to 13% of their body weight in a year without making any diet or exercise changes. However, we recommend maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise to boost your weight loss results while enhancing your health and quality of life. Keep in mind that results may vary from person to person.
Semaglutide FAQs
Ideal candidates for semaglutide are adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or individuals with a BMI of 27 and one or more weight-related complications, such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. We do not recommend semaglutide for people with type 1 diabetes, a family history of thyroid cancer, or a history of pancreatitis. Our experienced providers will evaluate your medical history and unique needs and help you determine whether semaglutide is right for you.
Semaglutide has been shown to be safe and highly effective under medical supervision, with far fewer side effects than most weight loss medications. Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, with some individuals reporting nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. However, most of these unwanted side effects can be minimized by starting you at a low dose of semaglutide and increasing it gradually until you reach the ideal dose for optimal weight loss.