Semaglutide is an innovative medication used for weight loss and appetite control. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog that helps people feel fuller faster, leading them to consume fewer calories and lose weight.
Key Points:
In 2021, the FDA approved the higher-dose semaglutide injection Wegovy specifically for weight loss treatment. This makes semaglutide one of the most effective prescription weight loss medications available.
Our weight loss clinic, Vista Clinic, now offers semaglutide as part of our comprehensive medical weight loss program. We help patients lose weight safely under close medical supervision.
Semaglutide is self-administered once weekly by injection. It helps regulate appetite by acting on appetite centers in the brain to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness:
Thus, semaglutide promotes weight loss through effects on appetite regulation and decreased calorie intake.
Over one year, most patients lose a significant amount of weight. The average in trials was 15-18%, which translates to around 30 pounds, depending on the starting weight. Weight loss results depend on the medication dosage as well as diet and lifestyle choices.
Semaglutide can be a good option for individuals struggling with overweight or obesity (BMI over 27). This includes people with weight-related conditions like:
It may also help motivated patients who have not succeeded with traditional weight loss methods alone. Ideal candidates should:
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take semaglutide.
Table 1. Indications and Precautions for Semaglutide
| Good Candidate | Precautions |
|---|---|
| BMI over 27 | History of pancreatitis or thyroid cancer |
| Failed prior weight loss attempts | Pregnant or breastfeeding |
| Following a healthy diet and exercise plan | Type 1 diabetes |
| Committed to the treatment plan and follow-up requirements | Kidney disease or kidney medications |
In clinical trials with over 4,500 participants, semaglutide has proven to be generally safe and effective for weight loss treatment.
Some key findings on semaglutide research:
The safety data so far supports the use of semaglutide for approved weight loss indications. Patients are carefully monitored by our medical staff for potential side effects.
Our detailed semaglutide treatment protocol includes:
1. Medical evaluation: Assess if semaglutide is appropriate and safe.
2. Review program requirements: Obtain patient commitment.
3. Education: Discuss realistic expectations and side effect management.
4. Prescription and administration schedule: Start with a low dose and titrate up.
5. Follow-up visits and lab testing: Monitor progress and health.
6. Lifestyle interventions: Provide nutrition and exercise counseling.
This comprehensive approach leads to significant, sustainable weight loss for most patients. We also address the root causes of weight gain like hormonal imbalance for more lasting solutions.
| Week | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | 0.25 mg injection once weekly |
| 5-8 | 0.5 mg injection once weekly |
| 9-onwards (if well-tolerated and required) | 1 mg injection once weekly |
We start low and go slow, adjusting the dose based on individual tolerance and therapeutic response.
Obesity is a complex disease that requires long-term medical treatment. At Vista Clinic, we utilize holistic modalities as well as advanced pharmaceutical interventions like semaglutide.
Here are some interesting facts and statistics about the obesity epidemic and the science behind weight regulation:
These points highlight why our methods, combining modalities and close provider supervision, lead to the best real-world outcomes.
Along with significant weight reduction, semaglutide confers other meaningful health improvements:
✔️ Cardiometabolic benefits: Decreased blood pressure, lipids, waist circumference, etc.
✔️ Glycemic control: 1.5% HbA1c reduction from baseline in those with type 2 diabetes.
✔️ Mental health and quality of life: Less depression, anxiety, increased productivity.
We monitor vitals, labs, and symptoms closely to ensure patients are benefitting fully from treatment. Ongoing nutritional counseling provides guidance to transform eating behaviors long-term.
We employ an integrative 360° approach to ignite your body's potential for full, sustainable weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Our providers have over 20 years of expertise helping patients successfully achieve weight loss goals.
Let us help you lose weight and gain health.
In addition to semaglutide, we offer other weight loss medications that may be suitable depending on individual patient factors:
We select the most appropriate medication for each patient based on:
While potent drugs like semaglutide promote weight loss through biological pathways, lifestyle interventions boost results.
Here are some tips:
We provide extensive counseling on implementing healthy, sustainable behaviors for weight maintenance.
Losing a large amount of weight can impact body image and self-esteem. Our providers mentor patients on building self-confidence during their weight loss journey.
We also raise awareness about countering sizeism and lookism bias that remain prevalent in society.
Some key discussion points:
✔️ Beauty standards have changed tremendously over time and cultures.
✔️ A person's character determines their worth, not dress size.
✔️ Making positive lifestyle changes greatly reduces health risks related to excess weight.
✔️ No one deserves stigma or should feel pressured to lose weight to fit narrow beauty ideals.
With empathy, encouragement, and medical guidance, we promote holistic wellness during and after weight loss.
Advancements in obesity research and innovative weight loss approaches bring hope:
In the coming decade, we expect significant progress in reducing the impact of obesity worldwide.
Our clinic stays abreast of the latest advancements in weight management science to best help patients.
Vista Clinic provides individualized medical treatment focused on nutrition, mindset, fitness, and prescriptions – a 360° approach for optimal, sustainable success.
With medications like semaglutide, patients feel empowered in their weight loss journey knowing effective medical aids are available if needed. We consider the whole patient – mind, body, and spirit.
Contact us today for a consultation to see if our comprehensive weight loss program is right for you.
