Semaglutide is an exciting new medication used for sustainable weight loss and management. It is injected under the skin once weekly and helps people feel fuller faster, control hunger cravings, and lose weight without extreme dieting. Our clinic, Optimal Balance Hormone Therapy, is proud to offer semaglutide weight loss programs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
In this informative article, we will cover the basics of semaglutide weight loss therapy, its benefits over traditional diets, eligibility criteria, potential side effects, and more. We aim to empower readers with knowledge to take control of their health. Losing weight can transform quality of life - we want to help make that journey easier.
Keep reading to learn all about semaglutide for weight loss from our experienced hormone clinic!
Semaglutide is an incretin mimetic, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. It helps regulate appetite, food intake, and calorie absorption.
Some key facts about semaglutide:
The way semaglutide promotes weight loss is multi-factorial:
Unlike traditional diets relying on sheer willpower and restrictive eating, semaglutide helps make dietary changes more sustainable in the long run.
Let's explore the specific approved uses of this exciting medication...
In 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide specifically for chronic weight management under the brand name Wegovy®. Another brand, Ozempic®, was already approved for diabetes but noticed weight loss side effects.
Ideal candidates for semaglutide weight management include adults who are obese or overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition:
and/or
It offers hope for people struggling to lose weight through diet and lifestyle alone. Semaglutide is appropriate for both men and women meeting eligibility criteria.
| Weight Category | BMI Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 |
| Normal Weight | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 - 29.9 |
| Obese | ≥ 30 |
In clinical studies, semaglutide has shown impressive weight loss results along with improvements in cardiometabolic factors. Let's review some of that exciting data...
Multiple large peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated semaglutide's safety and efficacy for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
In a 68-week phase 3 trial published in 2021:
Another double-blind phase 3 study reported:
The remarkable results show semaglutide is highly effective for weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Benefits go beyond the number on the scale too. Participants also saw improvements in waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, and glycemic control.
Let's now break down the timelines and projected results people can expect with semaglutide...
Semaglutide weight loss plans usually follow a specific timeline based on dose adjustments. Results come steadily but require patience - most see maximal effects 9-12 months into consistent treatment.
Here is the standard weekly dosing protocol schedule:
Starting low and titrating up slowly improves tolerance. It allows the body to adjust to side effects like nausea before reaching full therapeutic doses.
The following chart outlines approximate semaglutide weight loss timeframes observed in research studies:
| Duration on Semaglutide | Average Weight Loss % |
|---|---|
| 12 weeks | 5% |
| 26 weeks | 10% |
| 1 year | 15% |
As demonstrated, weight loss is progressive over months. Maximum effects occur after 9-12 months - emphasizing the importance of persistence through early plateaus.
Of course, individual results can vary significantly. Not everyone achieves 10-15% weight loss, which highlights the need for lifestyle support...
The key advantage of semaglutide is promoting satiety and reducing hunger to support caloric deficits. But the medication alone cannot dictate how many calories someone eats. This is where adjunctive lifestyle modification maximizes success.
We recommend all semaglutide patients engage in lifestyle counseling for nutrition, fitness, and behavior change. Even small sustained tweaks make a difference! Some best practices include:
With commitment to a healthy regimen, semaglutide weight loss results can be outstanding. Certain patients lose up to 25% of their baseline weight over 1-2 years - vastly improving health.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's discuss important safety information...
Like any medication, semaglutide carries potential side effects worth noting. The most common include:
Gastrointestinal complaints are most prevalent - especially early on. But they usually resolve within days to weeks as the body adjusts.
Rarer but serious risks requiring emergency care:
Semaglutide is not recommended in certain medical conditions:
Contraindications include:
For safe and effective treatment, practitioners should screen patients for appropriateness through:
With careful monitoring, semaglutide offers immense benefits for chronic weight management. Now let's answer a common question about treatment duration...
Ideally, semaglutide therapy extends beyond initial weight loss into a weight maintenance phase. Evidence shows regained weight when it's discontinued unless nutrition and lifestyle remain excellent.
Here are general timeframes for semaglutide weight loss and maintenance:
Weight Loss Phase
Weight Maintenance Phase
Like insulin for diabetes or levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, obesity patients may require lifelong medication to sustain results. Of course, that decision ultimately lies between the patient and practitioner after reassessing at intervals.
We've now covered the essentials about semaglutide for weight management. Next, we'll discuss why our Optimal Balance Hormone Therapy clinic provides unparalleled treatment programs for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and beyond...
Here at Optimal Balance Hormone Therapy, we're pioneering comprehensive medical weight loss with compassionate, personalized care. Our experienced practitioners offer both pharmaceutical and nutrition/lifestyle plans tailored to your unique needs.
Why our semaglutide obesity clinic delivers exceptional results:
✔️ Board-certified specialists in obesity medicine and endocrinology
✔️ Latest medical weight loss medications like semaglutide
✔️ Individualized nutrition counseling
✔️ Custom fitness recommendations
✔️ Emotional wellness support
✔️ Group classes for knowledge and accountability
✔️ Flexible self-pay options
We partner with each client for life. Your health goals become our goals as we design collaborative treatment aligned with your priorities. Losing weight takes immense commitment - but you don't have to do it alone.
We invite you to join our supportive community where you can feel understood, motivated, and empowered. Contact Optimal Balance Hormone Therapy today to schedule your free consultation!
Conclusion
We hope this guide served as an informative introduction highlighting everything semaglutide has to offer for sustainable weight loss. While no medication substitutes for hard work improving lifestyle habits, semaglutide can make the process much more achievable.
To learn more and take the first step, please reach out to Optimal Balance Hormone Therapy. Our caring medical staff provides the know-how to help patients lose weight safely.
Now is the time to improve your health. We'll be with you every step of the way!
