Semaglutide is an exciting new medication recently approved specifically for chronic weight management. It is an injectable prescription drug originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. However, researchers discovered that it also has impressive weight loss effects.
Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake. It sends signals to the brain to reduce hunger, helps you feel full faster, and decreases overall calorie consumption. In clinical trials, patients lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks when combined with counseling on nutrition and physical activity.
Semaglutide has been studied and approved for chronic weight management in adults living with obesity, defined as having a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher. It may also benefit some people who are overweight (BMI 27–29.9 kg/m2) and have at least one weight-related health condition such as:
Talk to your doctor about whether prescription semaglutide could be an option for you. An endocrinologist specializing in obesity and weight loss will determine if you meet the criteria.
Key Takeaway: Semaglutide is specifically approved to help patients with obesity or who are overweight with comorbidities lose a significant amount of weight when combined with lifestyle intervention.
There are two ways that semaglutide promotes weight loss:
In combination, these effects result in reduced calorie intake, more manageable hunger levels, faster feelings of fullness, and ultimately significant weight loss over time.
Key Terms: appetite suppression, stomach emptying
In large clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to be highly effective for weight loss when combined with diet and lifestyle changes. Some key statistics on efficacy include:
The benefits of semaglutide go beyond the number on the scale too. Participants also saw improvements in waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, and lipid levels.
These clinically meaningful weight reductions can translate to reduced long-term health risks. Semaglutide represents an important new therapeutic option for patients struggling with excess weight and related health issues.
Currently, there are 6 FDA-approved prescription medications used specifically for chronic weight management. Semaglutide is the newest entry and has shown superiority over several others.
Here is a brief overview comparing semaglutide to other common weight loss drugs:
| Medication | Average Weight Loss | Main Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | 15-18% | Doesn't require calorie counting Larger avg. weight loss | Daily injection GI side effects common early on |
| Liraglutide | 5-10% | Also a GLP-1 drug Less frequent dosing | Lower avg. weight loss More expensive |
| Orlistat | 3-7% | Blocks fat absorption OTC available | GI side effects Gastrointestinal GI side effects |
| Phentermine | 7-9% | Suppresses appetite Well-tolerated | Risk of abuse Short-term use only |
Talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide might be a more appropriate option for you than other obesity medications you've tried in the past without success.
If prescribed semaglutide, your provider will have you start at a low dose of 0.25 mg once weekly by self-administered subcutaneous injection. The dose will be gradually increased over 5 weeks until reaching the recommended maintenance dosage of 2.4 mg per week.
During the first 16 weeks specifically, you can expect:
Our clinical team here at Vitality Hormone Center will provide dedicated support, resources, and coaching when beginning semaglutide so you can lose weight safely and effectively. We want to set you up for success in reaching your health goals!
While semaglutide will suppress appetite and reduce calories, implementing healthy lifestyle changes magnifies its effects substantially. As part of our comprehensive weight management program, we provide nutritional guidance and activity recommendations individualized to your needs including:
Commitment to the above lifestyle interventions combined with semaglutide injections provides the most weight loss success long-term.
As an Vitality Hormone Center patient, you can trust our internationally recognized experts will thoroughly assess if prescription semaglutide for weight loss is appropriate for your individual health history.
We evaluate factors including but not limited to:
Our compassionate providers will take the time to understand your struggles and determine if semaglutide could help transform your health.
Once starting the medication, patients return to our Vitality Hormone Center office for evaluation every 4 weeks initially. We closely monitor:
Adjustments are made if necessary to ensure optimum safety and results. Additional lab testing may also be ordered periodically to assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor improvements.
We make your weight loss journey as simple and streamlined as possible while providing exceptional clinical oversight and support.
Currently, semaglutide is covered by nearly all government and private prescription insurance plans. Commonly low fixed copays apply based on your specific medication coverage policy.
Our billing staff here at Vitality Hormone Center can verify your health insurance coverage details for weight loss medications like semaglutide. We work on your behalf through any prior authorization requirements and provide cost estimates before starting treatment.
Providing affordability and accessibility of effective obesity treatments is our priority.
Managing weight often becomes more challenging with fluctuating hormones, aging, and other health conditions. That's why finding an experienced hormonal and metabolic weight loss clinic provides the greatest likelihood of long-term success.
Here at Vitality Hormone Center, we specialize in targeted fat reduction treatments supported by:
✔️ Cutting-edge prescription medications ✔️ Individualized nutrition/exercise planning ✔️ Willpower accountability strengthening programs ✔️ Licensed therapists for sustainable change
We know it takes more than just a pill to lose weight and keep it off – which is why our comprehensive, compassionate care sets us apart. Contact us today for a consultation to see if medical weight management with semaglutide is right for you!
Trusted by thousands of men and women in the local community, your health transformation awaits at Vitality Hormone Center.
At 53 years old, Mary felt frustrated and hopeless after decades of failed diet attempts and increasing obesity-related health issues. She was taking 4 different medications to manage her high blood pressure, A1c of 6.8, borderline high cholesterol, and worsening acid reflux. Not to mention living with painful osteoarthritis that made exercise difficult.
When Mary first came to Vitality Hormone Center weighing 278 pounds, improving her health was the priority – not hitting a dream weight. After an extensive evaluation, she began semaglutide injections along with our lifestyle counseling.
Over 9 months, Mary has lost 45 pounds safely - but more importantly reduced 4 major cardiovascular risks. Her story reminds us meaningful health gains inspiring continued motivation. "I'm sleeping better, have energy to be active again with my grandkids, and finally have hope of enjoying my 60's," she says.
At 28 years old, Kyle reported feeling "stuck" at 325 pounds after years of disordered eating patterns. He was ready for a "reset" - with support building healthy habits long-term. Our mental health experts worked closely with Kyle while our medical team initiated semaglutide paired with accountability for nutrition and training goals.
Over 18 months, Kyle lost an exceptional 120 pounds through his commitment to positive change. Beyond the number on the scale, Kyle shares rewarding mental shifts like no longer overeating when stressed or socializing more comfortably. His advice? "Trust the process and don't lose hope on days when progress feels slow."
Despite proven safety and efficacy, there are some common misconceptions about semaglutide and weight medications in general.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Weight is solely due to willpower | Genetics, hormones, health conditions affect weight beyond behaviors |
| Medications are "cheating" or ineffective long-term | When combined with lifestyle change, shown improved maintenance |
| Drugs have dangerous side effects | Semaglutide studies report relatively mild side effects that decrease over time |
| Its best to lose weight completely alone | Having support systems raises success substantially |
The truth is, multifactorial tailored approaches lead to the most satisfactory long-lasting weight loss results whether that includes prescription therapy or not.
We encourage you to remain open-minded and learn the facts from reputable sources. Our knowledgeable health professionals at Vitality Hormone Center are always available to have honest, caring discussions regarding what evidence-based options would serve your unique needs best.
Getting baseline labs and check-ins throughout weight loss treatment enables properly diagnosing any underlying issues, monitoring improvements, and modifying plans as needed.
We recommend patients have the following assessments:
Testing is done through simple blood draws during appointments. This data guides medication adjustments, nutrition planning, and exercise recommendations for optimizing results. Let our attentive clinicians properly investigate potential obstacles and make actionable recommendations.
The expanding global obesity epidemic has accelerated research into safe, effective options beyond simple "eat less, exercise more" advice. Just in the past 2 decades, innovations like:
In particular, semaglutide represents a breakthrough as the first in its drug class approved for chronic weight management. The compound's unique mechanism both suppresses appetite in the brain AND slows digestion time resulting in exceptional weight loss.
Looking ahead, an oral tablet formulation of semaglutide is underway along with exploring its potential benefits treating other conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ongoing advances in obesity medicine will continue providing more solutions for people to regain their health.
We stay informed on the latest research and technologies right here at Vitality Hormone Center so we can best help patients. Contact us to learn about innovations that may be appropriate options in your personalized weight loss plan.
Currently, semaglutide is only available as a subcutaneous injection requiring patients to self-administer a dose 1x/weekly. But evolving delivery methods in development may offer greater convenience and compliance.
| Formulation | Frequency | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Injection | 1x/week | Already approved, familiar to patients |
| Oral tablet | 1-2x/day | Awaits FDA-approval, preferable dosing |
| Implant | Every 1-2 years | Long-acting option being researched |
| Nasal spray | Unknown | Less injections but irritability issues |
The weekly injections most clinics start patients on are relatively small and simple using prefilled syringes. However, the oral formulation will omit this requirement making semaglutide even more accessible.
Research into long-acting implants or sprays are promising but likely years from availability. We will keep you updated on progress in these areas!
Beyond weight, semaglutide shows positive effects on hormone levels related to men's health like testosterone. Studies demonstrate correlations between obesity and low testosterone including:
Therefore, treatments reducing adipose tissue like semaglutide may help normalize testosterone. In fact, one study found obese men losing weight via caloric restriction experienced the following hormonal changes:
The researchers determined just 5-10% weight loss boosted anabolic hormone levels and improved related aspects sexual health, mental health, strength improvements in participants.
So beyond just supporting easier weight loss, semaglutide facilitates optimal masculinity and physique goals as well!
Exciting new research reveals semaglutide may have powerful protective effects helping slow signs aging and promote longevity.
Some of the effects being investigated beyond weight loss include:
While more investigation is still needed, the early discoveries into semaglutide's anti-aging effects are game-changing. Optimal hormone balance paired with reduced obesity minimizes cellular damage - thereby preserving vitality.
We stay apprised of the emerging research here at Vitality Hormone Center and incorporate cutting-edge advancements into our tailored treatment plans. Feel free to ask our knowledgeable clinicians about the bigger picture benefits you may experience beyond just weight loss when beginning semaglutide.
Semaglutide represents a groundbreaking new treatment option for individuals struggling with obesity and weight-related health conditions. By combining this innovative medication with lifestyle changes, sustainable and significant weight loss is achievable.
At Vitality Hormone Center, our compassionate team provides comprehensive support throughout your journey, from initial evaluation to monitoring progress and optimizing hormones. We stay up-to-date on the latest obesity medicine advancements to offer cutting-edge, personalized solutions.
If you're ready to transform your health and explore if semaglutide is right for you, schedule a consultation with us today. Your path to improved vitality and longevity begins now.
