Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, it has also been approved by the FDA as a weight loss medication under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy.
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce appetite by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Key benefits of semaglutide for weight loss:
At Renewed Balance Clinic in Kirkville, we provide customized semaglutide therapy for weight management. Keep reading to learn more!
The first step is getting the right diagnoses. Obesity is a complex medical condition involving multiple hormones and biological mechanisms. It requires expert care from an experienced physician.
Here are some key areas we evaluate at Renewed Balance Clinic:
By thoroughly evaluating medical history, hormones, body composition, genetics, and other key parameters, our physicians create fully customized semaglutide weight loss plans in Kirkville.
Semaglutide is an incredibly effective medication for weight management and metabolic health. However, finding the optimal protocol is key.
At Renewed Balance Clinic, we personalize semaglutide dosage, delivery method, and accompanying lifestyle therapies based on each patient's unique needs.
With highly customized semaglutide protocols, patients can expect excellent weight loss outcomes along with improved metabolic health.
Now that we've covered the key benefits of semaglutide and how it's used at Renewed Balance Clinic, let's explore the science behind how this medication promotes weight loss.
One of the main ways semaglutide leads to weight loss is by decreasing appetite and food cravings. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it activates areas of the brain involved in hunger signaling. Patients feel satisfied with smaller meal portions and fewer daily calories.
Some additional appetite-related mechanisms of semaglutide:
Along with promoting weight loss, semaglutide also helps regulate blood sugar levels. This is beneficial both for patients diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes as well as those with obesity trying to prevent diabetes development.
Key effects on blood sugar:
Controlling blood sugar with semaglutide also minimizes fat storage from excess glucose.
In addition to overall weight reduction, semaglutide drives beneficial shifts in body composition:
Monitoring body comp changes is key for optimizing metabolic health with semaglutide.
Understanding these mechanisms of action allows us to maximize semaglutide's weight loss and metabolic benefits for patients at Renewed Balance Clinic.
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 led to the approval of a higher dose semaglutide injection specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight.
Beyond significant weight reduction, semaglutide conveys other meaningful health advantages.
Obesity and diabetes are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. By promoting weight loss and lowering blood sugar, semaglutide also improves key markers of heart health:
These vascular protective effects make semaglutide an excellent choice for patients with obesity trying to reduce heart disease risks.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) - characterized by excess fat buildup in liver cells - afflicts up to 90% of patients with obesity. Semaglutide has been shown in research studies to resolve NAFLD by:
Reversing fatty liver disease is a major benefit of semaglutide treatment.
Individuals with obesity have a greatly elevated risk for developing type 2 diabetes. By enhancing insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels, semaglutide helps prevent or delay onset of diabetes.
In a large clinical trial of prediabetic patients, semaglutide treatment reduced diabetes diagnosis by an impressive 61% over 2 years.
The metabolic advantages of semaglutide extend well beyond just weight loss for improved health.
If you are someone living in Kirkville struggling with excess weight and obesity, getting an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment is critical.
Left unchecked, obesity causes hormone imbalances leading to numerous associated health conditions:
Beyond physical effects, obesity also takes major tolls on patients' emotional health and quality of life in domains like self-confidence, relationships, work productivity, and activities of daily living.
The expert physicians and staff at Renewed Balance Clinic fully understand obesity is a chronic medical disease requiring compassionate expert care. We partner with each patient to map out comprehensive long-term treatment plans combining counseling, lifestyle changes, community support resources, and advanced medications like semaglutide.
Our goal is full transformation encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. We measure success not by numbers on a scale, but rather improved health, happiness, and ability to participate in activities meaningful to each individual patient's life.
We hope this information gives helpful education about semaglutide and the customized obesity treatment programs offered at Renewed Balance Clinic conveniently located right here in Kirkville. Our facility and physicians have specialized expertise in:
We are passionate about using a diversity of safe, evidence-based treatment modalities tailored to each patient’s underlying drivers of weight dysregulation for life-changing results.
For those living in the Kirkville area with obesity interested in learning more about customized medical weight loss plans with semaglutide, we offer comprehensive no-obligation consultations with our physicians to review your health history, perform needed diagnostic workups, and map out an individualized multi-modal treatment plan combining counseling, lifestyle changes, community support resources in Kirkville, and advanced medications as appropriate.
A: In clinical studies, semaglutide patients lost on average 12-15% of baseline body weight over 6-12 months. For someone weighing 200 lbs, this would equate to 24-30 lb weight reduction. Some patients lose more, some less - it varies individually. Key is maintaining healthy lifestyle changes long-term.
A: The most common side effects of semaglutide are temporary GI issues - mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. These tend to improve over days to weeks of treatment. Other potential side effects include headache, fatigue, dizziness, cold symptoms. We start with low doses and increase slowly to improve tolerability.
A: Most experts recommend continuing semaglutide for 6-12 months initially. Maintenance treatment for 1-2 years or longer maximizes sustained weight loss and metabolic benefits. We monitor patient progress and adjust duration accordingly. Healthy lifestyle habits must continue after stopping medication.
A: Currently ozempic is FDA approved for diabetes treatment which most insurers cover. For weight loss specifically, coverage varies - Medicare and Medicaid do not cover. Self-pay options range $500-1500 monthly based on dosage needed. Our clinic helps patients determine most cost-effective options.
A: Semaglutide is given as a subcutaneous injection (into fat under the skin) once weekly. The pre-filled Ozempic pen autoinjector makes injections quick and easy to self-administer at home. We demonstrate proper technique during clinic visits.
A: Semaglutide can be highly effective for nearly any adult struggling with overweight or obesity. Best candidates have BMI over 27 with weight-related health issues or diabetes risk factors. Semaglutide works extremely well with other medications and lifestyle modification counseling. Customized combination protocols maximize success.
A: Semaglutide has excellent safety data with minimal drug interactions. Main contraindications are prior pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and medications like insulin and sulfonylureas which raise risk of low blood sugar when combined. Our physicians thoroughly evaluate your health profile to advise appropriate treatment options.
A: We encourage you to schedule a comprehensive consultation with one of our experienced physicians at Renewed Balance Clinic Kirkville. We will review your health goals, medical history, diagnostic testing, and lifestyle to design a fully personalized semaglutide-based medical weight loss plan.
