What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) analog. GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the small intestine that stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion, thereby lowering blood sugar. The weekly injection helps regulate insulin and glycemic control as well as decreasing patient appetite. It is the active ingredient in Wegovy®, Rybelus®, and Ozempic®.
Although treatments with GLP-1 originated as treatments for type 2 diabetes, some have been approved by the FDA for non-diabetic patients who could benefit from weight loss. Balanced Medical Solutions offers these solutions as part of many other weight-loss solutions that are now available. Our physicians will determine whether weight loss injections are an appropriate part of your weight-loss plan.
What is the effect of semaglutide?
Studies show that medical weight loss injections can help with:
- Slowing stomach emptying
- Control of cravings
- Improves control of eating
- Reduces appetite
- Increasing insulin release
- Improves glycemic control
How much weight can I lose with semaglutide?
Every single person is different and has a different medical profile so how much weight you will lose is not possible to foresee and anyone making promises is not following ethical medical practice standards. However, with a healthy diet, exercise and a safe medical weight loss injection regimen, your chances of success will greatly improve.
There are numerous published studies conducted by the FDA and other organizations on GLP-1 type medical weight loss medication, but one 6 month study of 175 patients showed that:
“The mean (SD) weight loss after 3 months was 6.7 (4.4) kg, equivalent to a mean (SD) weight loss of 5.9% (3.7%) (P < .001), and the mean (SD) weight loss after 6 months was 12.3 (6.6) kg, equivalent to a mean (SD) weight loss of 10.9% (5.8%) (P < .001 from baseline). Of the 102 patients who were followed up at 6 months, 89 (87.3%) achieved weight loss of 5% or more, 56 (54.9%) achieved weight loss of 10% or more, 24 (23.5%) achieved weight loss of 15% or more, and 8 (7.8%) achieved weight loss of 20% or more.” (1)
How can I find out if semaglutide is right for ME?
When you come in for your initial evaluation, you will have an in-person medical exam and visit with a weight loss specialist. We will go over your medical history, personal goals, and run comprehensive tests to help determine if there is a hormonal imbalance or another reason contributing to your weight challenges or that may contribute to you rebounding or gaining weight again after treatment. We certainly don’t want patients investing time and energy on a prescribed weight loss treatment only to see the weight come back. Thus, our thorough evaluation process helps assure that our patients see lasting success.
Patients with the following conditions usually do not qualify for semaglutide: eating disorders, pregnant/breastfeeding, BMI < 27, gallbladder disease, recent bariatric surgery, diabetic retinopathy, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer or with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
How is Balanced Medical Solutions different from online clinics offering medical weight loss treatments?
Balanced Medical Solutions in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, starts off every new patient with an initial evaluation, which aims to get at and, when possible, treat the root causes of weight gain or inability to lose weight. The most common underlying physical condition causing weight challenges, especially in individuals over 40 years old, are the hormonal imbalances that come with aging (i.e,. menopause and andropause). Fortunately, hormonal imbalances are easily and safely treatable with naturally-derived hormonal treatments like bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
Unlike online weight loss clinics, we offer in-person follow-up visits FREE OF CHARGE to help monitor your progress and assure your success over the long term. And once you are a patient with us, you can always come back for free for medical advice related to all the areas we specialize in: medical weight loss, hormonal imbalances, sexual health, anti-aging, and stem cells.
Are YOU ready to lose that unwanted weight once and for all?
We get it — you’re sick and tired of promises of something different and claims of amazing results. If you’re like most of our patients, you’ve been burned by fad diets and false hopes more times than you care to count.
If you’re skeptical about medical weight loss programs in general, all we can say is that most of our patients see results and are glad they made the initial investment of time to find out what we can do for them with our comprehensive evaluation and the new breakthrough solutions available today.
At Balanced Medical Solutions we see you as the unique and whole individual that you are. We aim to provide you with the best treatment options for YOU and advise you about the most effective ways to shed pounds and stay safe while doing it. With unlimited free follow-up visits, our whole team is always here for you.
