Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, a higher dose of semaglutide has been approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
When used for weight loss, semaglutide is believed to work by regulating appetite and food intake. It helps a person feel more full and satisfied after eating smaller portions. Over time, this caloric deficit can lead to significant reductions in body weight.
Semaglutide may be an option for adults struggling with excess weight if they:
Along with continued lifestyle changes, semaglutide offers hope to those who need additional help with appetite control and weight loss. When combined with healthy eating and activity habits, it can be a powerful tool.
Succeeding with long-term weight management is important for both physical and mental health. Here are some of the key benefits that losing excess weight with semaglutide can provide:
Losing even a moderate amount of weight can make a big difference in obesity-related illnesses, including:
In addition to physical impacts, obesity takes a toll mentally and emotionally. Weight loss can:
Being at a healthy weight in midlife and beyond lowers risks associated with aging such as:
Losing just 5-10% of body weight with semaglutide can translate to meaningful gains in health, quality of life, and longevity.
Semaglutide works by influencing areas of the brain that control food cravings and intake. Specifically, it helps in two ways:
Semaglutide activates receptors in the hypothalamus which regulate hunger and fullness. This leads to reduced appetite, faster feelings of being full when eating, and lower cravings overall.
Most people naturally eat less without feeling deprived because of this appetite-blunting effect. Consuming fewer calories aids fat burning and weight loss.
In addition to hypothalamic effects, semaglutide slows gastric emptying. Food remains in the stomach longer, contributing to longer-lasting fullness and preventing overeating.
Together, appetite suppression and slower digestion facilitate calorie deficit needed for weight loss without much conscious effort. This makes adherence to lifestyle changes easier.
While semaglutide makes weight management easier through appetite control, integrating healthy habits optimizes success. We recommend patients also focus on:
Lifestyle changes help sustain fat burning and weight loss over the long term. Our providers tailor individualized wellness plans to make this approach easier.
Semaglutide was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but researchers unexpectedly found it also causes significant weight loss. Further studies showed that non-diabetic obese people taking semaglutide lost on average 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks compared to placebo, leading to its recent approval specifically for chronic weight management.
When it comes to prescription weight loss, Optimal Hormone Wellness Center offers distinct experience and specialization. Semaglutide delivered alongside customized wellness support provides optimal outcomes.
Our compassionate providers listen to health histories and weight loss goals to create tailored treatment plans. We handle prescribing semaglutide, provide injection instructions, monitor progress and safety, and modify approaches as needed. Individualized care is the cornerstone of our practice.
In addition to medical oversight, our nurses, dietitians, health coaches and more help patients implement lifestyle changes for nutrition, activity, sleep, and behavior. Our support team has specialty training in weight management for whole health.
We stay current on the latest FDA-approved medications and protocols for patients needing more help to succeed with weight control. Whether semaglutide, Wegovy, or new therapies, we offer access in Orange.
Optimal Hormone Wellness Center combines individualized medical care, a tailored support team, and the most up-to-date weight loss treatments for optimal outcomes. We empower patients to achieve their health goals.
Here in Orange, Optimal Hormone Wellness Center makes it convenient to access specialist-level weight management care. We guide patients from initial appointment through reaching their target weight, then help maintain.
During in-depth visits, our providers discuss:
We personalize semaglutide therapy based on needs and preferences for injection type/timing, dose titration, combination treatments, and more while monitoring closely.
Patients enrolled in our Orange medical weight management program can easily record and review:
Data tracking keeps patients and providers on the same page while illustrating progress.
We help patients make healthy habits stick through:
Leveraging support resources boosts engagement, motivation, and slim down success.
Our Orange weight management clinic offers truly personalized medical care plus specialized tools and support. We empower patients to achieve realistic weight goals for better health.
Given the many adverse effects of excess weight outlined already, seeking treatment early on is wise both for health implications as well as easier management. We emphasize acting in a timely way.
Conditions like joint damage, heart disease, diabetes worsen over time if overweight/obesity persists. Getting weight under control early prevents decline.
The longer poor habits become ingrained, the more difficult they are to change. Addressing lifestyle factors soon after weight gain lowers failure rates.
Analysis shows annual per person expenditures increase dramatically with obesity - from just $2,741 for those at healthy weights up to $8,865 for Grade III obesity. Shedding pounds earlier controls healthcare spending.
Carrying excess pounds, especially as people age, worsens mobility and loss of muscle mass compounding weight issues. Timely action preserves physical abilities longer.
Struggling with weight often negatively impacts body image, self-esteem and increases rates of anxiety, depression and disordered eating patterns. Prompt weight loss alleviates these concerns.
In summary, seeking specialty care offers considerable value. We tailor plans to help patients achieve realistic yet aggressive goals based on their needs. Taking action sooner improves the chances for long-lasting success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical trials showed 68% of people taking semaglutide lost at least 5% body weight over 20 weeks and 36% lost >10%. Many patients exceed 15-20 pound losses by 6 months. Impacts are even greater with added lifestyle modifications.
Weight loss varies quite a bit person to person based on factors like starting BMI, gender, age, lifestyle habits during treatment, etc. We tailor semaglutide dose and provide support. On average, adults may lose 10-15% initial weight.
As with most medications, semaglutide carries potential gastrointestinal side effects. These usually subside within days to weeks of starting. In clinical trials, most side effects were mild/moderate nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and decreased appetite.
Like most anti-obesity meds, stopping semaglutide could result in some weight regain due to appetite effects wearing off. This highlights importance of coupling medication with lifestyle interventions. We provide guidance for transition.
Many insurances cover some anti-obesity meds recognizing their health value. Out-of-pocket costs range $1000-1500 monthly without coverage. We discuss options at your visit. Free coupons from the manufacturer may reduce expense.
Testimonials
After struggling with my weight for over a decade and trying different diets, I had almost given up hope. A friend told me about Optimal Hormone Wellness Center Orange and their weight loss medication and support program. It has been life changing! I have lost 38 pounds with semaglutide and keeping going thanks to my health coach. - Debbie D.As someone with a BMI in the mid 30s struggling with prediabetes and joint pain, I was so glad my doctor referred me to Optimal Hormone Wellness Center. The medical team has been awesome getting my health back on track. I love that they make access to these newer treatments convenient right in Orange. - Jeff P.
