Semaglutide is an injectable medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes that has shown great promise for weight loss in recent years. It works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. When taken weekly, semaglutide helps patients feel fuller faster, control cravings, and eat less overall.
In 2021, an oral form of semaglutide called Wegovy was approved specifically for chronic weight management. Compared to placebo, it has been found to produce weight loss of around 15% in patients after 68 weeks. For many struggling with obesity and overweight, semaglutide represents an exciting new option for long-term weight control.
There are several key ways that semaglutide acts as an effective weight loss tool:
By controlling hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, semaglutide allows patients to feel satisfied with smaller, healthier portions. The medication promotes feelings of fullness and curbs appetite between meals. Over time, patients naturally begin to eat less without constant feelings of deprivation.
Patients taking semaglutide have reported up to 500 fewer daily calories simply because they feel less hungry and more satisfied by meals. Eating less is the foundation of any weight loss regimen, and semaglutide makes this easier to achieve.
Excess visceral fat surrounding the organs has been linked to multiple health issues. Fortunately, research shows that semaglutide preferentially causes loss of harmful visceral fat compared to subcutaneous fat under the skin.
Semaglutide has been shown to help patients in many different situations achieve meaningful weight loss:
For patients considered obese with a BMI over 30, semaglutide can offer 15% body weight reduction on average. This degree of weight loss has been tied to remission of type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, better cholesterol, and more.
Overweight patients with BMIs from 25 to 30 may also benefit from semaglutide. Weight loss of just 5% in this population can translate to huge gains in overall health and wellbeing.
Among type 2 diabetes patients, semaglutide promotes weight loss while also lowering blood sugar and reducing the need for other medications. Using semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss gives these patients better health all around.
Semaglutide can also assist weight loss efforts for those struggling with fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and infertility related to overweight. For many conditions, losing excess weight is the best path to overall wellness.
There are many excellent reasons to consider semaglutide injections from Optimal Hormone Health Center for weight loss:
The injectable semaglutide allows patients to take the maximum approved dose for obesity, which produces better weight loss outcomes than the oral Wegovy version.
Many patients report noticeable changes in their hunger, eating patterns, and weight within just a few weeks of starting semaglutide injections. Seeing rapid initial results helps keep patients motivated.
Semaglutide injections can promote weight loss whether used on its own or alongside other medications, prescription weight loss programs, nutrition plans, therapy, or bariatric surgery preparations.
With years of positive clinical trial data and real-world patient success stories, semaglutide represents a proven weight loss aid with known safety and efficacy.
Semaglutide was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but researchers unexpectedly found it also caused significant weight loss as a side effect. Further studies showed that non-diabetic obese people taking semaglutide lost on average 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared to placebo.
If you decide to move forward with semaglutide, here is an overview of how treatment will begin:
First, you will need to book an appointment with a hormone and weight loss focused provider like our clinicians at Optimal Hormone Health Center. We will assess your health history, evaluate your goals, determine if you are a candidate for semaglutide, and order any necessary lab testing.
We will provide detailed instruction on how to properly inject semaglutide yourself at home. Most patients prefer injecting the medication into the thighs or abdomen. Learning this technique is essential for self-administering treatment.
Semaglutide therapy starts with a low 0.25 mg weekly dose which slowly ramps up over 5-8 weeks to reach the full 1-2 mg maintenance dosage. This gradual increase allows the body to adjust and minimizes side effects.
You will need to schedule regular appointments with your Optimal Hormone Health Center provider to monitor your progress, health markers, medication dosage, side effect management, and weight loss goals. We individualize ongoing care based on your needs.
While semaglutide does a lot of the work in reducing hunger and eating, there are lifestyle changes we recommend to all patients starting this injectable treatment:
Working with an expert nutrition coach helps patients learn healthy meal planning, proper macros and calories, emotional eating habits, ways to maximize fullness from foods, and more critical skills.
Increasing physical activity provides enormous benefits alongside semaglutide. Our clinicians suggest patients start slow with daily movement like walking and work towards 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. We can connect you with gyms and trainers.
Speaking with mental health pros, joining local weight loss groups, using online communities, and having open conversations with loved ones can prevent feelings of isolation. A strong support system is key for the journey.
Specific over-the-counter aids like alpha lipoic acid, chromium picolinate, and green tea extract have been found to augment semaglutide’s effects. Our providers offer guidance on evidence-based supplement options.
When it comes to expert semaglutide weight loss care, Optimal Hormone Health Center offers Rutherford patients unique advantages:
We take time to understand your health background, needs, responsibilities, and goals in order to create tailored semaglutide treatment plans. There is no one-size-fits all approach at our clinic.
With advanced certifications in obesity medicine and decades of helping patients successfully lose weight, our staff knows this territory inside and out. We stay on top of the latest research and best practices.
As Rutherford’s trusted hormone and weight management specialists for over 15 years, Optimal Hormone Health Center and our providers have earned outstanding reviews and satisfaction results from neighborhood patients.
From clinicians to coaches to pharmacists to administrative staff, our entire team works together seamlessly to provide coordinated care across the stages of your semaglutide and weight loss journey.
The borough of Rutherford offers great amenities and activities that can support your efforts towards health during semaglutide treatment:
Reaching your weight goals requires commitment and community support. At Optimal Hormone Health Center, we provide the compassionate, thoughtful care Rutherford residents need to successfully lose weight with semaglutide. Let us help you achieve lasting wellness.
