Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, semaglutide has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management at a higher dose than what is used for diabetes. Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. When taken weekly, semaglutide has been shown to significantly reduce appetite and food intake, leading to weight loss for many people.
Numerous clinical trials have found that people using semaglutide lose on average 15-20% of their body weight over 68 weeks when combined with lifestyle modification. For this reason, semaglutide is emerging as a highly effective medical option for weight management and obesity treatment.
Semaglutide is appropriate for patients that meet the following criteria:
Revive Hormone Institute physicians thoroughly evaluate patients to determine if semaglutide is suitable for their weight loss goals vs risks. We develop customized treatment plans to help patients successfully lose weight on semaglutide.
Semaglutide for weight loss is taken as a subcutaneous injection, similar to insulin injections for diabetes. Treatment begins with a low dose that is gradually increased over 5 weeks to reach the maintenance dose.
Starting dose: 0.25 mg once weekly Maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly
The medication comes in a pre-filled pen device that the patient learns to self-administer at home. Considerable tolerance studies have found semaglutide injections to be generally well-accepted by patients. When injected properly into fatty tissue, the needles are virtually painless for most individuals.
Revive Hormone Institute providers offer complete training on how to correctly inject semaglutide. We closely monitor patients and provide support to promote medication adherence.
In the seminal SUSTAIN clinical trials, people taking semaglutide lost up to 20.9 lbs on average compared to placebo groups after 68 weeks. Among the findings:
The amount of weight loss achieved on semaglutide depends on the individual. Those who closely adhere to medication and engage intensively in lifestyle modification tend to lose the most weight.
Research confirms that early, sustained weight loss with semaglutide has major benefits:
Therefore, obesity medicine specialists emphasize the importance of obtaining semaglutide treatment before complications from excess weight arise.
The physicians at Revive Hormone Institute specialize in medical weight management, with extensive expertise helping patients achieve sustainable fat loss through modalities like semaglutide. We offer science-based, individualized care including:
- History and physical examination - Diagnostic testing as needed - Determine causes and co-factors contributing to weight gain
- Evidence-based medications and / or lifestyle plans - Realistic weight loss goals - Follow-up schedule for ongoing progress monitoring
- Nutrition optimization - Physical activity recommendations - Behavior change coaching - Stress / sleep management
- Weight loss injections training - Motivational interviewing - Body composition analyses - Community referral assistance
The medical evidence shows addressing obesity sooner rather than later with novel agents like semaglutide leads to better health outcomes. Many patients report wishing they had pursued weight loss therapy much earlier once they appreciate how transformative losing excess fat can be.
Don't wait to take control of your health! Schedule an appointment with Revive Hormone Institute obesity medicine experts to learn about medical solutions personalized for your unique situation and goals. Our caring physicians and staff look forward to helping you successfully manage your weight.
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Wadden TA, Bailey TS, Billings LK, et al. Effect of Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo as an Adjunct to Intensive Behavioral Therapy on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1403-1413.
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