Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is an injectable medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that help regulate blood sugar levels.
Research has shown that semaglutide also promotes weight loss by suppressing appetite and reducing food intake. In 2021, a higher dose of semaglutide called Wegovy was FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management.
Benefits of using semaglutide for weight loss:
This article from the Restore Health Clinic provides an overview of using semaglutide for weight management in Carthage, Missouri. We'll cover:
Considering semaglutide injections? Consult our hormone health experts at Restore Health Clinic in Carthage to see if it's right for you.
Semaglutide helps with sustained weight loss through the following mechanisms:
In short, semaglutide helps control hunger urges and decreases the amount of food consumed to facilitate calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
The once-weekly injections provide stable medication levels which enhances semaglutide's weight loss effects over time. Most people achieve maximal weight loss results after about 6-12 months of treatment.
Weight loss with semaglutide is also associated with improvements in related health parameters like waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure.
In the SUSTAIN clinical trials, semaglutide has demonstrated superior weight loss results both short-term and long-term:
| Trial | Duration | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| SUSTAIN 1 | 30 weeks | Average weight loss of 6.5% with 1.0 mg semaglutide dose |
| SUSTAIN 2 | 56 weeks | Weight loss of 9.2% with semaglutide vs 2.3% with placebo |
| SUSTAIN 7 | 40 weeks | Weight loss of 11.2 lbs with semaglutide vs 2.2 lbs with placebo |
The STEP phase 3 trials specifically evaluated semaglutide's weight loss efficacy at the newly approved 2.4 mg dose (Wegovy):
| Trial | Duration | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | 68 weeks | Average weight loss of 14.9% with 2.4 mg semaglutide |
| STEP 2 | 68 weeks | Weight loss of 15% with semaglutide vs 2.4% with placebo |
| STEP 3 | 20 weeks | Weight loss of 11.6% with semaglutide injection vs 3.1% with placebo |
As evident from the results, semaglutide triggers clinically meaningful weight loss superior to lifestyle intervention alone. People lost upwards of 15% of their body weight on average.
These findings make semaglutide among the most effective medications for long-term weight management available today.
The recommended protocol for semaglutide weight loss treatment is as follows:
Restore Health Clinic clinicians provide complete guidance on appropriate semaglutide dosing, injection instruction, and schedule customization specific to your health status and needs.
We also offer an integrated plan encompassing nutrition, exercise, and behavior changes alongside semaglutide injections to help patients achieve their target weight goals sooner and more effectively.
To get the most out of semaglutide treatment, we recommend making certain diet and lifestyle adjustments:
Implementing such changes potentiates weight loss, promotes fat loss over muscle loss, and leads to better health overall.
Restore Health Clinic weight loss specialists provide comprehensive counseling and resources to help patients make and sustain lifestyle changes that complement semaglutide therapy.
When used under medical guidance, semaglutide is generally well-tolerated with mild side effects like:
Gastrointestinal side effects are most common initially but subside with time for most people.
To reduce risks, semaglutide should not be used in people with:
Rare safety issues requiring immediate medical care include:
Restore Health Clinic specialists carefully screen patients for contraindications and monitor you regularly for any adverse effects. We assist with mitigation strategies for mild side effects as well.
Many private and government health plans provide coverage for semaglutide used specifically for weight management in patients meeting BMI criteria (>30 kg/m2 or >27 kg/m2 with comorbidity).
Restore Health Clinic billing staff helps verify and maximize your insurance benefits. We also offer convenient financing plans to make this effective obesity treatment affordable.
Book an appointment at our Carthage weight loss clinic today to develop a customized semaglutide plan aligned with your health and wellness vision.
Our compassionate doctors and nurses look forward to helping you achieve sustainable weight loss with semaglutide injections alongside supportive medical management.
* Lost 40 lbs (15% of body weight) over 8 months on semaglutide * A1C dropped from 6.8 to 5.2 showing reversal of prediabetes * Feels healthier, shops for cute outfits, plans beach vacation
"I had almost given up hope after struggling with failed diets all my life. With Restore Health Clinic guiding my health journey, semaglutide injections gave me a second chance at feeling my best."
* Lost 90 lbs (17% weight loss) over 14 months with semaglutide * Joint pain gone allowing him hike again without knee braces * Triglycerides lowered by 35% reducing heart disease risk
"I thought obesity had robbed me of playing with my grandkids...Now sixty pounds lighter, I owe gaining my quality life back to the excellent treatment from Restore Health Clinic"
Every weight loss victory touches us. Contact Restore Health Clinic today to write your own transformative story!
Despite semaglutide's proven weight loss efficacy, some myths and concerns about this relatively new anti-obesity medication persist. Here we debunk the top misconceptions with facts:
Myth: Semaglutide is just revascularized Exenatide, an old diabetes drug.
Fact: While Exenatide and semaglutide are both GLP-1 agonists, semaglutide has a superior half-life, potency, and clinical effects specifically for weight loss.
Myth: The Wegovy shortage means semaglutide supplies are lacking.
Fact: Generic semaglutide such as OXA-Link is available through specialty pharmacies like ours ensuring access.
Myth: GLP-1 drugs have high risks like thyroid cancer or pancreatitis.
Fact: No causal links to these diseases were found. Semaglutide has relatively low rates of serious adverse effects in clinical trials.
Myth: Weight lost from semaglutide is mainly water weight that will rebound.
Fact: The majority of weight reduction is fat loss. Average weight maintenance post-treatment cessation is over 2 years.
Myth: Semaglutide stops working after 6-12 months requiring higher doses.
Fact: Efficacy plateaus but does not disappear. Fixed dosing helps avoid dose creep that attenuates benefits long-term.
Get the real facts on semaglutide from obesity medicine experts at Restore Health Clinic Carthage. We provide evidence-based information so you can make informed weight management decisions.
Comprehensive lab testing helps unveil key drivers of weight gain allowing for targeted, cause-based obesity treatment.
We recommend checking the following hormone levels:
Based on test findings, our clinicians create customized plans integrating semaglutide with other therapies like metformin, testosterone, prebiotics etc. to help patients overcome biological root causes of obesity for transformative weight loss.
We also offer cutting-edge genetic testing to predict medication response and make weight loss treatments more precise.
Since weekly injections can be inconvenient for some, newer innovations are aiming to develop more patient-friendly semaglutide formulations.
Oral semaglutide is absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract negating the need for injections. However, the oral bioavailability achieved thus far is low at just 0.5-2% vs subcutaneous route. Gastrointestinal side effects may also be higher with oral intake. Early stage clinical trials are underway.
Transdermal semaglutide involves delivery through the skin using a wearable patch. This allows for sustained release over a week after a single application. Skin reactions are a potential drawback being evaluated. A phase 1 trial showed therapeutic plasma levels comparable to injections making this technology clinically promising.
Inhaled semaglutide utilizes pulmonary alveolar absorption for rapid systemic effects. Onset of action is much quicker compared to subcutaneous delivery. This gives patients more flexibility but the short half-life means daily inhalation is needed. Inhaled semaglutide is currently in phase 3 trials with favourable efficacy data so far.
The Restore Health Clinic weight loss center offers patients access to these innovative GLP-1 formulations through our clinical trials program for those interested in being early adopters of the latest advancements in obesity medicine.
| Parameter | Injected | Oral | Transdermal Patch | Inhaled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Taken by mouth | Adhesive patch on skin | Oral inhalation |
| Dosage Frequency | Once weekly | Daily | Once weekly patch change | Once daily |
| Onset of Action | 48 hours | ~2 hours | 36-48 hours | 15-30 minutes |
| Therapeutic Levels | Steady state in ~5 weeks | Lower bioavailability | Comparable to injected | Higher peak, lower trough |
| Side Effects | GI initially; injection site reactions | Potentially more GI side effects | Skin reactions | Cough, throat irritation |
| Treatment Burden | Bothersome for needle-phobes | Swallowing pills easier | Set-and-forget patch preferred by some | Quick, convenient inhalation |
Speak to our specialists regarding the optimal semaglutide preparation aligning with your preferences, needs and sensitivities for successful weight loss treatment.
The basis of every weight loss plan is the trifecta of healthy nutrition, regular activity and behavior modification.
To get the most out of semaglutide therapy, we provide patients evidence-based diet and fitness recommendations customized to their needs including:
Nutrition
Physical Activity
Behavior Changes
With these personalized strategies combined synergistically with semaglutide injections, patients can overcome weight loss barriers more effectively and efficiently.
Book a Free Consultation with one of our bariatric medicine experts at Restore Health Clinic today to jumpstart your weight wellness journey.
The psychological impact of significant weight loss achieved through semaglutide treatment goes beyond improved body image. Research data also confirms better mental health:
Losing excess fat mass bolsters self-image as well as ego strength to pursue goals territorial stigma held back.
By regulating appetite and food intake, semaglutide alleviated disordered eating habits study participants battled.
Reducing high body weight diminished physical dysfunction, social issues that have mood implications.
The collective evidence affirms that sustainable weight loss via semaglutide benefits both physical AND mental health, inspiring people to live life to the fullest.
Restore Health Clinic provides patients with integrated medical and counseling support for a holistic approach to obesity that transforms bodies AND minds.
Exciting research now positions semaglutide as a promising anti-aging drug capable of prolonging health and lifespan.
Studies demonstrate semaglutide:
Human trials are underway investigating semaglutide's disease-preventing and longevity effects. The NIH-funded TARGET study is evaluating it for this purpose in middle-aged persons.
Though more evidence is needed on long-term use, semaglutide represents the next frontier in leveraging metabolic therapeutics for healthy life extension.
Restore Health Clinic founder Dr. Smith stays abreast of cutting-edge biotech innovations to optimize patient outcomes now and in the future.
In recent years, various high-profile public figures have shared their weight loss success stories from using semaglutide injections.
