Semaglutide is an innovative new medication used for weight loss and appetite control. It is an injectable prescription drug originally developed for treating type 2 diabetes, but recent clinical trials have shown dramatic weight loss results as well. Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite. By stimulating GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide promotes feelings of fullness, helping people eat less and reduce their calorie intake.
In 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a high-dose semaglutide injection specifically for chronic weight management. Compared to lifestyle interventions alone, patients using Wegovy semaglutide shots experienced nearly 15% greater weight loss on average. This makes semaglutide one of the most effective medications available for obesity today.
While not yet FDA-approved for weight loss, the diabetes formulation of semaglutide called Ozempic has also demonstrated impressive weight loss capabilities. In clinical trials, over half of non-diabetic patients prescribed Ozempic solely for weight loss purposes lost 10% or more body weight. Until Wegovy becomes more widely available, compounded semaglutide from specialty pharmacies offers another option for accessing semaglutide off-label.
As the United States faces rising obesity rates, new medical therapies like semaglutide provide hope for improving health and wellbeing. In this article, we'll explore the basics of semaglutide weight loss treatment, its effectiveness and safety profile, how to access it, and additional lifestyle recommendations to maximize success.
Here at Rebalance Hormone Health in Grand Canyon, Arizona, we offer customized non-diabetic weight loss programs utilizing compounded semaglutide injections. We partner with an accredited specialty pharmacy to provide access to semaglutide medication for weight management.
Our clinical team includes experienced nurse practitioners and medical assistants who specialize in weight loss treatments, appetite control, and holistic health optimization. We conduct thorough lab testing and medical evaluations to determine if semaglutide therapy is appropriate for each patient's unique needs. If qualified, we develop customized treatment plans that couple semaglutide injections with nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modalities for enhanced results.
We also offer convenient services like teaching proper injection techniques, providing supplies like syringes and needle disposal, closely tracking progress, managing side effects, and modifying dosages when needed. Our goal is to make this powerful medical weight loss therapy as accessible, safe, effective, and hassle-free as possible.
We accept new patients seeking non-diabetic weight loss in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Continue reading to learn more about our semaglutide weight loss programs or (contact) today to schedule a consultation.
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Here's an overview of how this medication elicits appetite suppression and weight loss:
In essence, semaglutide changes how the body and brain regulate food intake, promoting quicker satiety, less interest in eating, better blood sugar control, and over time, significant fat loss.
| Main Weight Loss Mechanisms of Semaglutide | |
|---|---|
| Appetite suppression and reduced hunger | Promotes feelings of fullness so less food is consumed |
| Delays gastric emptying | Food remains in stomach longer increasing satiety |
| Improves blood sugar regulation | Promotes storing vs burning blood sugar which reduces available energy |
Its effects build gradually, leading to sustainable lifestyle changes compared to more extreme diets. Over 1-2 years, total weight loss averages 15-20%, with some patients losing even more.
Several major clinical trials in recent years have demonstrated the immense weight loss capabilities of semaglutide in obese and overweight adults.
In the SUSTAIN FORTE trial, non-diabetic participants prescribed weekly 1mg Ozempic semaglutide injections solely for weight management experienced the following after 68 weeks:
In the STEP 1 trial, diabetic patients prescribed daily 0.25-2mg semaglutide as an adjunct to intensive diet and exercise counseling over 68 weeks achieved:
In both trials, treatment was well-tolerated with mostly mild gastrointestinal side effects that diminished over time. These studies confirm semaglutide's position as best-in-class for weight loss pharmacotherapy.
If clinically appropriate, our Rebalance Hormone Health providers may prescribe off-label compounded semaglutide for individualized non-diabetic weight loss. Dosing strategies can vary, but often follow similar approaches as research trials.
Treatment typically starts with a low dose around 0.25mg weekly, increasing incrementally every 4 weeks by an additional 0.25-0.5mg to allow the body to adjust and reduce gastrointestinal side effects. The starting dose plus slower titration (vs large initial doses) also helps mitigate other short-term side effects.
Once maximum tolerated dosing is achieved, typically between 1-2mg, it is maintained for 6-12 months with regular check-ins to assess progress and tolerability. After hitting target weight loss goals, providers may continue maintenance dosing or slowly taper down. Lifestyle counseling emphasizes adopting sustainable nutrition and exercise habits to preserve weight loss post-treatment.
While formal trials lasted 68 weeks, real world evidence shows most weight loss occurs in the first 32 weeks. Ongoing use up to 2 years is considered safe and appropriate for recalcitrant obesity. Throughout treatment, labs, vitals, body composition scans, and progress check-ins help optimize results.
Semaglutide is administered as a simple painless self-injection into fat tissue. While ultimately a patient self-management therapy, our staff provides comprehensive injection training and supplies like needles, syringes, sharps containers, alcohol pads, etc. most insurance won't cover.
The flexibility of specialty compounded semaglutide allows for custom strengths and quantity. Common strengths used for weight loss include 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg and 2mg. Most patients inject 0.5ml volume regardless of strength. Given its long half-life, shots are only once weekly.
Rotation of different abdominal injection sites is taught to avoid irritation and suboptimal absorption. Favorable sites are away from the navel where blood flow is better. We teach proper handling, mixing, injecting, rotating sites, and safe disposal. Most patients find the process quick and relatively painless.
While using Rebalance Hormone Health for semaglutide weight loss, patients follow up approximately every 4 weeks initially. We closely track progress through several metrics:
Dose titration timing is influenced by weight changes, side effects, lifestyle modifications, and pace of goal trajectory. Significant individual variability is expected. Rapid responders may increase dosing sooner while slower responders titrate up more gradually. Various other medications or modalities may be added if progress stalls.
While equipping patients with information & tools for self-management at home, our engaged care team actively guides treatment strategy based on regular aggregated health data. We modify the plan when needed rather than following rigid cookie-cutter protocols. Comorbidity improvements provide additional motivation along the journey.
Semaglutide efficacy is enhanced when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. We educate patients on adopting habits that amplify and preserve their hard-earned weight loss including:
Nutrition: * Emphasizing protein, fiber, & whole food sources * Balancing macronutrients - carbs, protein, fats * Portion control mindfulness * Reducing processed & high glycemic foods * Staying well hydrated * Journaling foods or using health apps
Exercise & Movement: * 150-300 minutes moderate activity weekly * Incorporating both cardio and strength training * Adding more non-exercise movement daily * Tracking steps, heart rate, activity duration * Leveraging accountability buddies/groups
Other Lifestyle Areas: * Prioritizing sleep quantity & quality * Developing healthy stress relief outlets * Practicing mindful eating habits * Identifying food triggers & mind trappings * Focusing on sustainability vs perfection * Celebrating non-scale victories too!
Lifestyle approaches enhance, not replace, pharmacological interventions. Patient empowerment through education allows personalized plans. We also help troubleshoot barriers like physical limitations, motivation lulls, life disruptions interfering with adherence, etc.
As GLP-1 agonists, semaglutide side effects relate mostly to gastrointestinal disturbance since these receptors are abundant in gut tissue. Very common (>10%) treatment-related adverse events include:
Yet for most patients, side effects peak during initial dose escalation then fade over 4-8 weeks once acclimated. Slow incremental dosage increases and utilizing antiemetics helps most overcome acute issues. Rare side effects like pancreatitis mandate prompt reporting.
Before starting, we screen for factors such as:
Semaglutide is not recommended in patients under 18 years old or with severe renal impairment. While very safe data exists for treatment durations beyond 2 years, longer term use may increase risks slightly. Like most medications, risks and benefits are carefully evaluated.
Currently, 5 medications have FDA approval specifically for chronic weight management: phentermine, orlistat, liraglutide, naltrexone/bupropion, and semaglutide. Below we compare semaglutide to other options regarding pounds lost, efficacy over time, cardiometabolic benefits, and safety.
| Treatment | Avg lbs Lost | % >5% Loss at 1 yr | % >10% Loss at 1 yr | Cardiometabolic Benefits | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | 31 lbs | 82% | 69% | Yes | GI |
| Liraglutide | 22 lbs | 63% | 33% | Yes | GI |
| Phentermine | 21 lbs | 46% | 26% | Minor | CV |
| Naltrexone/Bupropion | 16 lbs | 49% | 25% | Yes | GI, CV |
| Orlistat | 14 lbs | 28% | 16% | Minor | GI |
Semaglutide demonstrates superior weight loss efficacy and sustainability compared to the other options. Over 80% of patients achieve clinically meaningful 5% body weight reduction after 1 year - significantly higher than alternatives.
Unlike short-term medications like phentermine, it shows no evidence of tachyphylaxis where effects decrease over time. The magnitude of weight change correlates with improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Despite early GI discomfort, long-term semaglutide demonstrates a very favorable safety profile.
For these reasons, semaglutide provides the most compelling risk-benefit analysis for most patients. Of course, contraindications or patient preferences may dictate using alternative agents in certain individuals.
In general, semaglutide can be considered for patients meeting these qualifications:
More specifically, ideal candidates have:
Treatment is highly personalized with motivational support provided. One incredible aspect of semaglutide is the diversity of patients experiencing success - all ages, genders, ethnicities, weights, health statuses, and backgrounds.
At Rebalance Hormone Health, we're passionate about writing a new narrative for people living with overweight and obesity. Rather than shamers or judgers, we strive to be empathetic educators, encouragers, and empowerment coaches. Obesity as a disease is wildly misunderstood, undertreated, and socially stigmatized - but we firmly believe no one should be denied compassion and quality care.
Our providers always start from a place of seeking to understand an individual's unique experiences and barriers first with patience and open hearts, not assumptions or quick fixes. We meet patients where they're at along each journey rather than demanding unrealistic hypotheses for treatment like "all you have to do is eat less and exercise more!"
Each program begins with informed consent & shared decision making. We ensure patients fully grasp the realistic risks, benefits, alternatives and procedures before pursuing potential pharmacotherapy. Candidates then undergo comprehensive screenings & diagnostics to uncover root drivers - from hormone balances to food addictions to chronic stress levels. Treatment plans address the whole person not just calories in/out.
At every visit, our nurse practitioners provide thorough education explaining complex topics simply and relatable analogies demystifying medicine. We encourage questions and reciprocal dialogue where patients feel heard, understood, and valued as partners directing their care. Lives change remarkably when given facts, tools, and non-judgemental support in navigating obstacles.
The powerful combination of compassion plus science produces amazing results as we incorporate the latest medical innovations like semaglutide. If interested in our customized non-diabetic medical weight loss programs utilizing weekly semaglutide injections plus lifestyle change support, (contact) today for a free consultation or to learn more!
Semaglutide is a breakthrough medication that offers a safe and effective solution for individuals struggling with obesity and weight management. The clinical evidence speaks for itself, demonstrating significant and sustainable weight loss results. At Rebalance Hormone Health, we are committed to providing personalized and compassionate care, utilizing the latest advancements in medical science, such as semaglutide therapy.
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