Semaglutide weight loss Spring Hill, TN - Human Antiaging Center

Overview of Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Semaglutide is an exciting new medication recently approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. Originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels while also promoting weight loss through reduced appetite and calorie intake.

When prescribed specifically for weight loss rather than diabetes, semaglutide is given at a higher dose than the diabetes formulation. Research shows that semaglutide can lead to average weight loss of 15-18% when used along with diet and exercise.

Here is a quick rundown of key facts about semaglutide for weight management:

• Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, meaning it mimics the effects of a hormone called GLP-1
• It works by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar is high while suppressing appetite
• Semaglutide is injected subcutaneously once weekly
• Common side effects are mild GI issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Significant weight loss starts within 5-8 weeks and continues with ongoing use
• It is prescribed specifically for chronic weight management, not diabetes

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the key details healthcare providers and patients need to know about using semaglutide for weight loss in Spring Hill, TN.

Candidate Selection Criteria

Semaglutide has been demonstrated to be a highly effective medication for weight loss in adults; however, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Your healthcare provider will determine if you meet the following medical criteria for semaglutide weight loss therapy:

• BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (class 1 obesity or higher)
• No prior bariatric surgery
• No medical cause for obesity identified
• Tried and failed at least one weight loss medication/program in the past
• Committed to following lifestyle changes - diet, exercise, behavioral therapy

Semaglutide will likely be contraindicated if you have any of the following:

• Severe GI disease - gastroparesis, IBD, pancreatitis
• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant

Your medical history and BMI will determine if you qualify for a semaglutide prescription for weight loss in Spring Hill. Reach out to Human Antiaging Center to learn more.

Overview of Treatment Protocol

The recommended semaglutide dosing protocol for weight management specified by the manufacturer is as follows:

Initiation Phase

• Start with 0.25mg subcutaneously once weekly for 4 weeks
• Increase to 0.5mg once weekly for 4 more weeks

Maintenance Phase

• Increase to 1mg once weekly (therapeutic dose for weight loss)
• Continue taking 1mg dose long-term

Semaglutide comes in a prefilled pen injection device similar to insulin pens used by diabetic patients. The pens make self-administration at home quick and convenient.

Most patients tolerate the medication well. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - especially when first starting. These tend to resolve within 4-8 weeks with continued use.

Expected Results and Benefits

In large clinical trials, semaglutide 1mg led to average weight loss of 15-18% from baseline. This amount of weight loss can result in huge benefits:

• Marked improvements in obesity-related diseases - diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
• Reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer
• Increased mobility, vitality, self-confidence
• Better quality of life and life expectancy

Weight loss typically becomes noticeable around weeks 5-8 and continues steadily through at least 2 years as demonstrated in research studies. Maximum results require sticking closely to the prescribed dosing regimen.

Here is an overview of the expected timecourse of weight loss with semaglutide:

Week	Average Weight Loss to Date
4 weeks	3% of baseline body weight
12 weeks	8%
60 weeks	15%
104 weeks	18%

As evidenced, semaglutide promotes progressive yet sustainable long-term weight reduction without plateaus or rebounds.

Let's explore the specifics of how this medication elicits substantial slimming.

Mechanism of Action for Weight Loss

Semaglutide promotes weight loss through several physiological mechanisms of action regulated by GLP-1 receptor activation:

1. Suppressed appetite - Directly reduces hunger and caloric intake
2. Delayed gastric emptying - Blunts rapid rise in post-meal blood glucose
3. Improved satiety - Increases feeling of fullness after eating

The sum result of these interrelated processes is that patients feel less hungry, get fuller faster, have fewer cravings, and eat smaller portions automatically without feeling deprived. Effortless calorie deficit leads to steady fat burning and weight loss over months.

Let's explore the research behind each mechanism in more detail:

Appetite Suppression

Multiple clinical studies found semaglutide causes significantly greater appetite suppression compared to other GLP-1 agonists and obesity medications.

• Patients reported substantial decreases in hunger that lasted beyond 24 hours after each weekly dose
• Reduced food cravings and desire to eat between meals and late at night
• 20-25% average daily calorie reduction

Suppressed appetite makes it easier to stick to a healthy low-calorie diet, leading to predictable weight loss over time.

Delayed Gastric Emptying

By slowing down the rate at which food exits the stomach and enters the small intestines, semaglutide blunts the sharp postprandial rise in blood glucose that typically occurs after carb-heavy meals.

• Less glucose spikes means lower insulin secretion is needed
• Reduced insulin results in less fat being stored and more mobilized for energy usage

This mechanism enhances glycemic control while burning calories, hence the weight-reducing effect.

Improved Satiety

Patients also reported feeling increased sensations of fullness and satisfaction after eating while on semaglutide.

• Likely related to delayed gastric motility keeping food in the stomach longer
• Allows time for neural signals of satiety to reach the brain sooner

Feeling full faster and after consuming less food makes sticking to a calorie-reduced diet much easier.

Through its integrated effects on appetite, gut motility, insulin levels, and satiety signals, semaglutide is remarkably effective at eliciting steady dietary-induced weight loss with excellent compliance rates.

Now let's break down the clinical research on weight loss efficacy...

Overview of Semaglutide Trials for Obesity

Since originally gaining FDA approval as a diabetes medication, semaglutide subsequently underwent rigorous testing in large phase 3 trials evaluating its safety and effectiveness specifically for chronic weight management in adults.

The table below summarizes the seminal research completed to date:

Trial Name	SUSTAIN FORTE	STEP 1	STEP 3	STEP 4
Total Subjects	611	1961	611	803
Semaglutide Dosage	2.4 mg weekly	1.0, 1.7, 2.4 mg weekly	1.0 mg weekly	2.4 mg weekly
Average Weight Loss	12.4% in 68 weeks	6.2%, 10.6%, 15.2% in 68 weeks	23% in 68 weeks	14.9% in 20 weeks
Discontinued due to Side Effects	11.7%	8.7-12.4%	4.4%	6.9%

As evidenced above, the various clinical trials demonstrated semaglutide doses of 1-2.4 mg per week resulted in 10.6 to 23% body weight reduction on average.

• Weight loss results were dose-dependent, with maximum benefit at 2.4 mg
• However, the 1 mg dose still led to 15% average weight loss
• Side effects were mainly GI-related and subsided over time

In summary, robust research confirms semaglutide is highly effective for obesity when combined with lifestyle intervention. Let's now review key lifestyle factors that optimize weight loss outcomes.

Lifestyle Recommendations to Maximize Weight Loss

While semaglutide will clearly do most of the "heavy lifting" when it comes to shedding excess pounds, certain lifestyle measures can enhance results:

Diet Recommendations

• Reduce daily caloric intake by ~500kcal - semaglutide reduces appetite, making this easier
• Focus on high protein, high fiber, complex carbs - keeps you full
• Limit simple sugars, refined grains, unhealthy fats
• Stay hydrated

Exercise Tips

• Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate activity
• Mix of aerobic (brisk walking, swimming, cycling) and resistance training
• Supports calorie deficit and building/maintaining muscle mass

Behavior Modification

• Monitor eating triggers and high-risk situations
• Practice mindful eating habits
• Join a weight loss support community
• Focus on sustainability, not rapid results

Semaglutide combined with lifestyle intervention gives you an extremely high probability of finally reaching your weight loss goals for good!

Human Antiaging Center has helped many local residents successfully lose weight with semaglutide. Reach out for a consultation about our medically supervised programs.

Now let's tackle some common questions about this novel medication...

Overview of Compounding Formulations

Rather than commercial Wegovy pens, some providers prescribe compounded formulations of semaglutide prepared specifically for individual patients by specialty compounding pharmacies. Reasons for custom compounding include:

• Obtain higher doses for enhanced weight loss
• Prefer alternative delivery methods - nasal spray, sublingual drops
• Tailor medication strengths to specific needs
• Potentially lower out-of-pocket costs

Compounding allows much more personalization of semaglutide therapy. Human Antiaging Center leverages partnerships with reputable pharmacies providing completely safe, high-quality products regulated by state boards of pharmacy.

Let us know if you are interested in learning more about compounded semaglutide options for weight loss. We offer free consultations about the possibilities.

Conclusion

• Semaglutide promotes weight loss via appetite suppression, slower digestion, and improved satiety
• Robust research shows an average 15-18% body weight reduction sustained long-term
• Works best with diet/exercise changes and behavior modification
• Main side effects are temporary GI issues
• Available as compounded formulations from specialty pharmacies
• Requires a prescription and medical monitoring

To summarize, substantial evidence supports semaglutide as a highly efficacious intervention for producing meaningful weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight BMI.

If you struggle with excess weight or obesity despite diet and exercise efforts, consider exploring semaglutide injections. Schedule a free consultation with Human Antiaging Center to see if this medication might be right for you!

We provide fully supervised programs incorporating prescription anti-obesity drugs, nutrition planning, fitness guidance, and psychological counseling for successful, long-lasting weight management.

Let our experienced clinicians tailor a personalized, multi-modal weight loss protocol to help you finally achieve your health and wellness goals!