Overview of Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Semaglutide is an injectable medication used for managing type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that work by mimicking the effects of the hormone GLP-1. By stimulating insulin production and suppressing appetite, semaglutide promotes weight loss and better blood sugar control.

When used specifically for weight management rather than diabetes, semaglutide is given at a higher dose under the brand name Wegovy. At the Renew Health Clinic in Oakdale, New York, we provide semaglutide injections to help patients struggling with obesity lose significant amounts of weight.

Benefits of semaglutide weight loss treatment:

  • Average weight loss of 12-15% in 1 year
  • Greater weight loss compared to other medications
  • Improvement in cardiovascular and metabolic health
  • Better physical mobility and stamina
  • Increased self-confidence

Treatment protocol: Weekly self-administered subcutaneous injection started at 0.25 mg dose gradually increased to a maximum of 2.4 mg. Requires regular monitoring of weight, BMI, blood pressure, etc. Lifestyle modifications are also recommended.

Below, we will discuss semaglutide weight loss therapy in detail - how it works, effectiveness, safety precautions, costs, FAQs, and why Renew Health Clinic is the best choice for treatment in Oakdale, NY.

How Does Semaglutide Promote Weight Loss?

Semaglutide treats obesity through the following mechanisms:

  • Suppression of appetite - It stimulates areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation. People feel less hungry and have reduced food cravings/portions.
  • Slows gastric emptying - It prolongs the feeling of fullness after a meal and delays subsequent eating.
  • Increases insulin secretion - This lowers blood sugar levels leading to less fat storage.
  • Enhances satiety signals - It amplifies the effects of hormones like GLP-1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin, which signal the brain that the stomach is full.

The combined appetite-suppressing and satiety-enhancing properties of semaglutide promote weight loss. The higher 2.4 mg dose used specifically for obesity has much more significant effects than lower doses for diabetes.

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Efficacy of Semaglutide in Clinical Trials

Many large clinical trials have demonstrated the superior weight loss outcomes of semaglutide:

Trial Dosage Avg. Weight Loss
SUSTAIN (Type 2 Diabetes) 14 mg weekly 5-7 kg over 30 weeks
STEP Trials (Obesity) 2.4 mg weekly 14.9% over 68 weeks
37% lost ≥20% body weight

  • The STEP trials compared semaglutide 2.4 mg vs placebo for weight management in over 2000 non-diabetic subjects with obesity.
  • Subjects with prediabetes also benefitted from semaglutide, with most regressing to normal glucose tolerance.
  • Improvements were seen in waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid profile.

These Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) demonstrate semaglutide's unparalleled effectiveness for weight loss and obesity treatment.

Is Semaglutide Safe To Use?

Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide use can cause some gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which subside over days to weeks of treatment. A gradual dose escalation minimizes such problems.

Rarely, semaglutide may also cause:

Potential Side Effect
Worsening diabetic retinopathy
Acute pancreatitis
Thyroid tumors

However, the high doses required specifically for obesity treatment are well-tolerated. No increased cardiovascular risks were observed over 2 years of treatment. Still, semaglutide is not advised in patients with:

  • Personal/family history of thyroid/pancreatic cancer
  • Severe kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, or GI disorders
  • Pregnancy/breastfeeding

No drug-drug interactions are reported with semaglutide. Overall, it has a good safety profile for long-term obesity treatment under medical guidance.

What To Expect With Semaglutide Weight Loss Therapy?

Semaglutide is administered as a weekly injection started at 0.25 mg and titrated up to 2.4 mg over 5 weeks if well-tolerated. Treatment is continued for as long as weight loss occurs - typically 12-16 months.

Most patients lose 10-15% of their body weight with semaglutide 2.4 mg. The amount and rate of early weight loss predict long-term success.

Along with injections, we provide dietary/lifestyle counseling to enhance weight loss results. Follow-up includes:

  • Monthly weight checks
  • Regular blood tests for electrolytes, kidney function markers, etc.
  • Monitoring weight-related comorbidities

    • Diabetes - HbA1c levels
    • Hypertension - BP readings
    • Dyslipidemia - lipid profile
    • Liver disease - LFTs, abdominal ultrasound

Adjustments to medications and treatment plans are made based on progress and adverse effects, if any.

Lose weight safely with semaglutide at Renew Health Clinic.

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What Does Semaglutide Weight Loss Treatment Cost?

As semaglutide is an injectable prescription-only obesity medication, the treatment costs are high and not uniformly covered by insurance plans.

At our clinic, you pay 1500 USD monthly for:

  • Semaglutide injections
  • Supplemental medications
  • Nutrition/exercise counseling
  • Lab testing and doctor visits

Many patients qualify for partial insurance coverage or financial assistance programs, bringing down out-of-pocket expenses.

Comprehensive weight loss plans with semaglutide tend to be more affordable at our clinic than paying individually for all components. Payment plans are available.

FAQs

Q. Why choose semaglutide over other weight loss medications?

Semaglutide leads to 14-15% weight reduction on average compared to 5-10% with other drugs. It specifically targets the pathophysiology of obesity, making it very effective. The only disadvantage is the once-weekly injection.

Q. How long does semaglutide treatment last?

Semaglutide is taken indefinitely until the desired amount of weight loss is achieved (usually 10-15% in 12-16 months). Subsequent maintenance therapy may be needed to prevent weight regaining.

Q. Does semaglutide have addiction/abuse potential?

No. Semaglutide does not act on the reward pathways in the brain. It has NO potential for addiction or abuse.

Why Choose Renew Health Clinic for Semaglutide Weight Loss?

As a designated obesity treatment center with on-site endocrinologists, Renew Health Clinic provides:

  • Licensed providers specializing in weight management
  • Decades of experience with semaglutide therapy
  • Cutting-edge pen devices for easy weekly injections
  • Support for insurance coverage and financial assistance
  • Customized plans - nutrition, activity, behavior change
  • Specialized programs for patients with comorbidities
  • Options for adding phentermine, saxenda etc. to enhance weight loss
  • Access to groundbreaking clinical trials of new obesity drugs

Our personalized, patient-focused care models deliver the highest semaglutide success rates in Oakdale, NY!

Conclusion

In summary, once-weekly semaglutide injections provide safe, effective, and sustained weight reduction for individuals living with obesity and overweight.

By suppressing appetite, enhancing satiety, and mimicking insulin, semaglutide sets in motion favorable metabolic and behavioral changes for considerable fat loss.

Over 30-50 weeks, patients can expect to lose 12-16% of their initial body weight with few side effects under medical guidance.

Cardiometabolic parameters also improve, reducing risks of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, etc., thereby promoting longevity.

Anyone struggling to lose weight despite diet/lifestyle measures should explore semaglutide obesity pharmacotherapy for better health and quality of life!

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