Weight Loss Program

Semaglutide for Weight Loss:
How It Works

Semaglutide may also go by other names, including Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.  Semaglutide belongs to a group of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have the ability to mimic the GLP-1 hormone that the body produces as food digests in the intestine. The GLP-1 hormone also helps the pancreas make insulin to regulate the body’s glucose levels.  Semaglutide can increase insulin secretion and slow down gastric emptying—or, how fast your stomach empties food. This can suppress your appetite—so you feel full longer—helping you eat less and lose weight in the process. Semaglutide has been proven to help patients lose 5% to 10% of their body fat and, in some cases, up to 15%.
 

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Questions About Semaglutide

1Is Semaglutide for weight loss?
Yes. Semaglutide is an FDA-approved injectable prescription medication for adults who are either overweight or obese. Technically referred to as a “GLP-1 receptor agonist medicine,” Semaglutide mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) by increasing insulin secretion and suppressing appetite.
2Is Semaglutide the same as Wegovy™ or Ozempic® for Weight Loss?
Yes. Both Wegovy™ and Ozempic® are branded medicines made by Novo Nordisk, a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company. Both Wegovy™ and Ozempic® contain semaglutide and should not be used while taking other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
3How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (or GLP-1) that specifically targets areas in the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. This can help you eat less, thereby helping you lose weight.
4Is Semaglutide FDA-approved?
Yes. Semaglutide injections were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 04, 2021. In fact, Semaglutide is the first approved drug for chronic weight management in adults since 2014. 
5Do you get your Semaglutide from an FDA-inspected facility?
Yes. All of our Semaglutide injections are from a FDA-inspected facility that regularly processes drugs to be distributed throughout the United States. We take FDA-inspections seriously, and routinely check to ensure that our source has renewed their inspection annually. For more information about FDA facility inspections, please refer to the drug development and approval page on the fda.gov website.
6How much weight can I lose with Semaglutide?
You can lose 1-2 pounds per week on average by taking the FDA-approved dosage of Semaglutide—2.4 mg once per week. 
7How often should I take Semaglutide?
To stay in accordance with the program, you should take Semaglutide once a week, at any time of day, with or without food. Injections can be given at our office or you can take them at home.
8How long can you stay on Semaglutide?
Until you hit your goal weight and then a maintenance dose is an option to maintain your weight.
9Will I gain all of my weight back when I stop taking Semaglutide?
No, as long as you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle ( Low sugar/starch intake, exercise, reduce processed foods, staying with BMR-please discuss with provider) Use the medicine as tool to change your lifestyle instead of doing a crash diet. Crash Diets in the long term are not sustainable so it’s important to use medicine as a tool to help make better lifestyle changes (as with any weight loss medicine.)It also helps after you lose your weight to weigh at home weekly and have some sort of accountability.
10I would like it to work faster. What are my options?
Semaglutide has a very consistent average weight loss of 4-8 lbs a month.  Everyone is very different on they process medicine. Some people process medicine at a faster rate than others so it can be done earlier than a week if you would like to increase the concentration faster.  Please talk with a nurse or the provider about this option but generally every 5-7 days is good assuming there is no nausea. 
11Can I decrease my dose?
Yes, absolutely.
12I like my current dose. Do I have to increase it?
No, you may stay at any dose if you are happy with your progress and are not experiencing any unwanted side effects.

What Diet Should I Follow?

While using Semaglutide + MIC B6&B12, it is highly recommended that you:
  • Eat a fibrous diet. Focus on fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber
  • Eat small high protein meals as digestion is slowed down while on this medication
  • Avoid foods high in fat as they take longer to digest
  • Limit alcohol intake as this medication can lower blood pressure
  • Drink at least 32oz of water a day to avoid constipation

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

Since Semaglutide affects the digestion process, there are several gastrointestinal side effects that may occur while using the medication. The most common side effects include:

  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Bloating
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness

Patients with a family medical history of thyroid tumors should avoid taking semaglutide as it can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. You should discuss the potential risks and side effects of using semaglutide for weight loss with your doctor before starting treatment