Semaglutide For Weight Loss

Semaglutide is the generic name for a prescription medication often used to treat diabetes 2 in patients and for weight loss management. It’s the active ingredient in Wegovy®, Rybelsus®, and Ozempic®. It has been shown to lower the levels of sugar in the blood and reduce the risk of vascular events related to obesity, such as heart attacks and strokes. Semaglutide lowers the amount of glucagon released into the bloodstream and increases the amount of insulin. It slows down digestion and reduces the appetite.

While these medications all contain semaglutide, they also have different uses. For instance, Wegovy is used mainly to manage weight, but Ozempic is given to diabetic patients to lower blood sugar levels and prevent cardiovascular issues. Rybelsus is also prescribed to diabetic patients. The first two prescription medications are often given as a subcutaneous injection, with Rybelsus being taken orally as a tablet. Each medication comes in different strengths that can be tailored to the patient with unique dosages. Both Ozempic and Wegovy are given once a week, while Rybelsus is taken daily.

Because semaglutide injections are designed for people with type 2 diabetes or for weight management, they come with several benefits. It increases the insulin levels in your body and lowers blood sugar. The medication also helps to control your appetite, which can make it easier to lose weight.

Semaglutide injections help reduce overall body fat. Weight loss from Semaglutide injections can lower blood pressure, improve diabetes, improve mobility, and reduce pain. It can also decrease triglycerides, which protects cardiovascular health and the heart. By taking control of blood sugar levels, it can reduce the risk of other medical conditions associated with diabetes, such as vision problems, kidney failure, and more.

With its impact on weight loss, semaglutide treatment can also improve your mental health and self-esteem. You may experience less pain in the joints as you lose weight and an overall improvement in the quality of your life due to the health benefits of using the medication.

The medication works by acting like GLP-1, which is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body to regulate blood glucose levels. Once it has been injected, the semaglutide binds to the GLP-1 receptor and activates it to increase insulin secretion. It also lowers the secretion of glucagon when the levels get too high. This medication also slows digestion, resulting in a sense of fullness and reduced appetite.

What the FDA Has Said About Semaglutide

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of semaglutide injections for chronic weight management. It’s the first such drug approved for weight management since 2014 and is to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. The medication approved was Wegovy, which cannot be used along with any other semaglutide medications or other GLP-1 receptor agonists. It should also not be taken with any other prescription or over-the-counter weight loss drugs.

The best candidates for the semaglutide injection are adults considered to be obese with a BMI of 30 or higher or adults considered overweight with a BMI of 27-29 with a condition that is related to their weight. This condition can include diabetes type 2, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.

If you have diabetic ketoacidosis or a family history of a certain type of thyroid cancer, you may not be a good candidate for the injection. You should also tell your doctor if you’ve had pancreatitis, eye problems caused by diabetes, kidney disease, or a stomach or intestinal disorder.

You will inject the medication into the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms. It is injected under the skin rather than in the muscle. The doctor explains where to place the injection so that you can take care of it at home. You’ll want to choose the same day of the week for each subsequent injection.

For both Ozempic and Wegovy injections, you begin with a starter dose, increasing the maintenance dosage over time. With both medications, you spend four weeks on each change before increasing to the next level. You may start with a 0.25 mg dose of Ozempic, moving up to the 0.5 mg dosage, gradually increasing to the 1 mg dose and possibly the 2 mg dose if the 1 mg is tolerated well.

Wegovy starts the same at 0.25 mg, but it levels out at 2.4 mg. The 1.7 mg dose may be set for twice as long if the patient cannot tolerate the higher dosage. However, they should increase the dosage back to 2.4 mg or discontinue the medication.

If you have signs of an allergic reaction, you want to get emergency medical help right away. Signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, a fast heartbeat, hives and itching, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or lips, and difficulty breathing.

If you experience other side effects, such as changes in vision, unusual mood changes, low blood sugar, kidney issues, or a pounding heartbeat, you’ll want to let your doctor know. These are serious side effects and shouldn’t be ignored.

Common side effects of semaglutide can include low blood sugar, especially if you don’t eat enough after taking the injection for diabetes 2, upset stomach, headache, dizziness, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Since it slows down digestion, the injections can also impact medications that you take by mouth.

The cost of semaglutide treatment can vary widely, depending on how much you need. As noted, a prescription is required to obtain them from a doctor, which may be covered by insurance. If you have an insurance policy that covers this medication, you may pay only $10 to $25 each month for the copay. Without insurance, you could pay between $935 and $2000 per month.

When you meet with Dr. Lapuerta for an exam and health assessment, he can let you know if you are a good candidate for Semaglutide injections. You will also find out the cost expected for your treatment over the course of your expected treatment period. Injections are not covered by insurance for weight loss indications and are only offered by Dr. Lapuerta on a cash pay basis.

Semaglutide injections have been known to interact with 250 drugs. Only two are major interactions, while most are moderate. Some, like levothyroxine, may interfere with the drug’s ability to control blood glucose levels. The medication may also slow down the absorption of medications that you take by mouth. It may impact how quickly they work. Drinking alcohol while taking the medication can also affect blood glucose levels. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach while taking the injection can cause low blood sugar if you have diabetes.

This medication is generally well-tolerated, but patients can have a sensitivity to semaglutide. If you notice any of the following, contact your doctor right away:

• Skin rash
• Hives
• Itching or swelling around the face, throat, or lips
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain

If you miss a dose, you will be directed to take the missed dose or skip it and wait for the next dose at the normal time. For Ozempic, you can take the missed dose as long as it hasn’t been more than five days past the normal time. After that, skip that dose and take the next one at the planned time. For Wegovy, take the missed dose until two days before your next dose. At that point, just wait for your regularly scheduled dose. Never take multiple doses at one time. If you missed more than two doses, you’ll need to contact your doctor. They may put you on a lower dose to prevent stomach issues.

Alternatives to weight loss drugs if diet and exercise haven’t worked in the past include surgery. Some types of weight loss surgery can reduce your ability to eat as much, which will cause you to lose weight. However, these surgeries are often considered drastic and life-changing. Doctors may require you to try other options before moving on to bariatric surgery. Liposuction can remove excess fat tissue, which will help you look thinner, however, liposuction surgery won’t prevent you from gaining weight in the future. You can discuss the options available to assist with weight loss, including semaglutide injections.

Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a well-known and respected plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He has performed more than 20,000 procedures during his practice. As a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lapuerta stays up to date with new trends and treatments, such as semaglutide injections. His goal is to provide the best care for his patients based on their unique needs.

Dr. Lapuerta takes a personalized approach by meeting with each patient to determine their goals and the best treatment to meet those goals. Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, he takes the time to create a custom plan for the patient and answer questions about risks, recovery, and the procedure itself. This helps patients feel confident in moving forward. He also reviews the medical history of the patient and completes a physical exam to determine if they are a good candidate. That’s because the team at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas is committed to patient satisfaction and safety.

Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas Facilities

Dr. Lapuerta’s practice has a QuadA-accredited out-patient surgical facility and four offices for the convenience of his patients. You can schedule an appointment at the office in Houston, Katy, Pearland or Piney Point.

Upon arrival, you’ll find a warm and friendly staff and a comfortable environment focused on putting you at ease. Every detail in our office has been created with you, our patient, in mind. You won’t be left in a crowded waiting room and will enjoy the privacy and comfort of a private consultation room to discuss your concerns and needs with Dr. Lapuerta before entering an exam room for a thorough evaluation.You will have all the time you need to understand what our practice can offer to meet your needs and exactly what you can expect to gain from your treatment and/or interventions as well as the cost and financing options available.

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Leo Lapuerta today to learn more about semaglutide injections and what they can do for you. Regardless of your needs, you can trust Dr. Lapuerta and our team to offer you honest recommendations with your best interest in mind and individualized care when developing your treatment plan. Contact us with any questions you may have or to take the next step in looking and feeling your best!