Semaglutide is an exciting new medication that has been shown to be highly effective for helping patients achieve significant weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes. It works by acting on receptors in the brain to reduce appetite, leading to decreased food intake.
When prescribed and monitored properly by a knowledgeable healthcare provider, semaglutide can be a powerful tool for supporting weight management. At Hormone Harmony in Bergenfield, we specialize in customized weight loss plans that incorporate semaglutide shots along with diet, exercise and behavioral counseling.
In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth look at semaglutide for weight loss and how it’s used, including its benefits, side effects and what to expect when taking it. We’ll also overview the comprehensive medical weight loss offerings from Hormone Harmony.
Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking the appetite-reducing hormones GLP-1 and GIP.
More recently, semaglutide was approved by the FDA specifically for chronic weight management at a higher dose under the brand name Wegovy. This makes it one of only a handful of medications available for long-term weight loss treatment.
So how does semaglutide lead to weight loss exactly? There are a few key mechanisms:
Over time, these effects promote eating less, reduced calorie intake, and ultimately clinically-meaningful weight reduction.
At Hormone Harmony in Bergenfield, we provide customized outpatient weight loss programs tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our plans couple semaglutide treatment with lifestyle counseling to help patients achieve sustainable, healthy weight loss.
We start by performing an in-depth medical evaluation, including:
This helps us uncover any underlying issues that may be contributing to weight gain. We then develop an integrated treatment approach that addresses medical problems along with implementing semaglutide therapy.
Our weight loss regimens also incorporate:
Patients come in for regular body composition analysis and medical check-ins to monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed. We also provide ongoing education on topics like meal planning, mindful eating, stress reduction and more.
The key is applying multiple modalities over an extended period of time to achieve healthy, consistent weight loss. This is far more beneficial than extreme dieting or relying solely on appetite suppressants.
Semaglutide may be an appropriate weight loss treatment for patients who meet the following criteria:
Hormone Harmonyians carefully screen each patient to determine if semaglutide shots, used along with lifestyle changes, can be useful for them.
We also take medical history, medications and contraindications into consideration to ensure safety. For those who qualify and commit to the regimen, semaglutide often leads to substantial, sustained weight loss.
Semaglutide is administered as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it’s injected into fat tissue right underneath the skin. It comes in a prefilled pen device designed for self-injection at home.
Here’s an overview of what to expect when taking semaglutide:
Proper injection technique and safely handling needles is paramount when self-administering semaglutide. At Hormone Harmony, we provide complete training to give patients confidence with the process.
It’s also vital to stay on track with weekly shots - missing doses can impact results. Let your provider know if you have difficulties remembering or issues with injecting on your own.
Clinical studies found that people taking semaglutide experienced the following amounts of weight loss on average:
However, weight loss outcomes can vary significantly based on factors like:
Generally, people with obesity (BMI 30-35) tend to lose the most weight on semaglutide, while those who are just overweight (BMI 25-30) lose slightly less.
Semaglutide works best when combined with nutritional meal planning, regular exercise and behavior modifications. Without adequate lifestyle changes, patients are less likely to achieve desired reductions.
At Hormone Harmony, our physicians set realistic weight loss goals based on in-depth analysis of each patient’s health profile and risk factors. We then carefully monitor progress at regular intervals to ensure objectives are met safely and efficiently.
Successfully losing excess body weight with semaglutide provides numerous valuable health advantages, including:
In those with obesity, losing just 5-10% of body weight can lead to dramatic improvements in metabolic parameters and obesity-related complications.
While highly effective for weight reduction, semaglutide does come with some potential side effects to be aware of, including:
These adverse effects are usually temporary, mild and manageable with some adjustments. Staying hydrated, avoiding trigger foods, slowly ramping up dosage and taking anti-nausea medication can help mitigate issues.
Rarely, semaglutide may cause severe side effects like pancreatitis, kidney problems or suicidal thoughts. It’s critical to monitor for signs of these and report them urgently to your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking semaglutide without medical supervision.
There are a few other notable points about semaglutide for weight management to keep in mind:
Be sure to communicate openly with your Hormone Harmony doctor about how the medication is working for you as well as any challenges you experience. Dosage adjustments or alternative treatments may be advised based on efficacy and tolerability.
We also provide exceptional care for hormone imbalances, thyroid disorders, metabolic conditions and more. Our clinic focuses on getting to the root causes of health issues, not just symptom management.
To learn more and schedule your initial evaluation, visit our website or call 555-1212 today. We look forward to helping you finally reach your weight loss goals!
Taking semaglutide provides a powerful advantage for losing weight by suppressing appetite and promoting feelings of fullness. However, to achieve the best possible results, it’s vital to combine injectable medication with healthy lifestyle modifications.
The two most impactful daily habits for weight management are quality nutrition and regular exercise. By honing these areas and building sustainable behaviors, you can augment and extend the benefits of prescription treatments.
We embed individualized diet and fitness guidelines within our comprehensive weight loss program at Hormone Harmony. But in general, here are some overarching best practices to follow:
Eating for Weight Loss
Activity for Weight Loss
We also provide extensive education on nutrition labels, meal prepping, stress eating alternatives, finding workout “buddies”, and much more. Our goal is to equip patients with a toolkit to make lasting improvements.
Committing to healthier patterns around eating nutritious whole foods and being active most days, along with semaglutide injections, primes the body for successful transformation. Contact Hormone Harmony today to further explore evidence-based medical weight loss tailored to your needs!
Losing weight and keeping it off long-term is incredibly challenging on both the body and mind. As such, it’s essential for comprehensive weight management programs to incorporate a focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing.
At Hormone Harmony, our physicians always evaluate the mental and emotional landscape for patients embarking on weight loss treatments like semaglutide. We understand that thoughts and feelings can profoundly impact outcomes.
Some common issues our providers screen for include:
We also openly discuss topics like unrealistic expectations, past weight loss attempts, fears of failure, stress management, self-care practices and sources of motivation.
By better understanding the complete patient perspective, we’re able to provide tailored solutions like:
In some cases medications or therapy may be warranted if significant anxiety, depression or disordered thinking exists. We coordinate care closely between providers to align recommendations.
Losing weight shouldn’t come at the cost of mental wellness. Thus, our dual-pronged approach addresses both the physical and emotional elements involved for sustainable success. This distinguished Hormone Harmony’ medical weight loss program and why we’re leaders within the field. Contact us today to learn more!
