Semaglutide weight loss clinic Los Alamos, NM - Hormone Wellness Clinic

Introduction to Semaglutide for Weight Loss

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 in adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Semaglutide helps people lose weight by decreasing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and thereby helping create a calorie deficit.

When used specifically for weight loss, semaglutide is prescribed under the brand name Wegovy®. It is a once-weekly injection that works by mimicking the appetite-regulating hormone GLP-1. Semaglutide activates areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation, leading to reduced hunger and calorie intake.

In clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to be highly effective for weight loss in adults with obesity. People taking semaglutide lost significantly more weight compared to placebo. For example, in one study the average person taking semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This amount of weight loss can lead to substantial improvements in health and quality of life.

Benefits of Semaglutide for Weight Loss

There are many potential benefits of using semaglutide for weight management:

• Effective weight loss - Semaglutide users lose 2-3 times more weight on average compared to lifestyle intervention alone. This amount of weight loss (10% or more) can greatly improve health.
• Reduced cardiovascular risk - Weight loss with semaglutide is associated with decreases in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
• Improved glycemic control - In addition to its direct weight loss effects, semaglutide improves blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. This helps manage diabetes.
• Better quality of life - Losing weight can relieve joint pain, improve mobility and energy levels, boost self-esteem, and enhance overall wellbeing. Semaglutide improves physical functioning and quality of life scores.
• Prevention of weight regain - Continuous treatment with semaglutide helps sustain weight loss over time better than lifestyle intervention alone. This prevents frustrating weight cycling.
• Well-tolerated - Semaglutide has a favorable safety profile with primarily mild, transient side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious complications are very rare.

Overall, semaglutide is one of the most effective medical therapies available for managing obesity. When combined with lifestyle changes, it can lead to substantial, sustained weight loss with widespread benefits.

Who is a Candidate for Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is appropriate for adults struggling with obesity (BMI ≥30) or who are overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition. Examples of qualifying conditions include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Semaglutide may also be a good option for people who have tried losing weight through diet and exercise alone but have not been successful.

Semaglutide is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It has not been studied sufficiently in these populations to establish safety and efficacy. People with certain medical conditions like a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not take semaglutide due to a possible increased risk of thyroid tumors.

Overall, semaglutide is appropriate for motivated adults struggling with excess weight or obesity who have failed to meet their weight loss goals through lifestyle intervention alone. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if semaglutide is right for you.

How to Start Semaglutide Therapy

The process for starting semaglutide for weight management is straightforward:

• Medical evaluation - Have a checkup to measure weight, height, vital signs, and identify any conditions or medications that need to be addressed before starting. Certain baseline lab tests may be ordered.
• Review treatment program - Discuss realistic weight loss expectations and the importance of combining semaglutide with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Review possible side effects.
• Obtain approval - Semaglutide for weight loss is usually covered by most insurance plans according to their prior authorization criteria. Our staff can verify your pharmacy benefits.
• Learn injection technique - Semaglutide comes as a prefilled, disposable pen device. A nurse will demonstrate proper injection technique and timing.
• Start treatment - Begin with a low 0.25 mg weekly dose for 4 weeks before increasing to the 0.5 mg maintenance dose. This helps minimize side effects.
• Follow-up visits - Meet regularly with your provider to monitor weight loss progress, tolerance, bloodwork, and make dosage adjustments as needed.

With this simple process, most patients are able to successfully start and utilize semaglutide therapy for weight management. Our compassionate providers are experts at helping patients begin their weight loss journey with semaglutide.

What to Expect with Semaglutide Treatment

Semaglutide promotes weight loss through appetite suppression leading to reduced calorie intake. Most patients notice a decrease in hunger within a few weeks. Specific things to expect with semaglutide therapy include:

• Gradual, steady weight loss - Patients lose an average of 10-15% of body weight over 6-12 months. However, results vary based on dosage, diet, activity level, and other factors.
• Appetite suppression - Patients report feeling fuller quicker, increased satiety between meals, and less food cravings or urge to snack. This leads to eating smaller portions.
• Mild, transient side effects - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are common initially but improve over 4-8 weeks on therapy. Other reactions are uncommon.
• Better glucose control - Semaglutide lowers blood sugar and insulin resistance, even in patients without diabetes. This provides cardiometabolic benefits.
• Reduced cardiovascular risk factors - Weight loss is linked to decreases in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, inflammation, and other markers of cardiovascular health.
• Enhanced energy and mobility - Losing excess weight can increase energy levels and physical functioning, allowing greater activity.Joint pain is often reduced.
• Improved mood and self-esteem - Many patients report boosts in body image satisfaction, self-confidence, and other aspects of mental wellbeing from successful weight loss.
• More restful sleep - Weight loss can help resolve sleep apnea and other conditions disrupted by obesity, improving sleep quality.

With continued semaglutide treatment and positive lifestyle changes, most patients are able to achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss and its array of associated health benefits.

Lifestyle Changes to Complement Semaglutide Therapy

While semaglutide produces weight loss directly through its effects on appetite and calorie reduction, combining medication with lifestyle changes can boost results. Recommended adjunctive strategies include:

• Following a reduced-calorie meal plan - Work with a nutritionist to create an individualized diet that mildly restricts calories to promote further weight loss. Emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Increasing physical activity - Aim for 150-300 minutes per week of moderate exercise like brisk walking to burn extra calories and boost metabolism. Start slow and work up gradually.
• Limiting liquid calories - Cut back on high-calorie beverages like juices, soda, and alcohol. Stay well hydrated with water.
• Tracking food intake - Use a food journal or app to monitor caloric intake and macronutrients. This improves accountability.
• Practicing mindful eating habits - Eat slowly, minimize distractions during meals, and stop eating when full to enhance satiety.
• Joining a support group - Connect with others managing obesity for accountability, tips, and encouragement. This improves compliance.
• Prioritizing sleep - Aim for 7-9 hours nightly. Poor sleep increases appetite and undermines weight management.

Adopting healthy eating, activity, and thinking habits augments semaglutide’s effects for more robust, lasting weight loss and maintenance. Our dedicated providers can help craft a comprehensive treatment plan.

Hormone Wellness Clinic Weight Loss Clinic

At Hormone Wellness Clinic Weight Loss Clinic in Los Alamos, NM, we provide customized semaglutide therapy for patients struggling with excess weight or obesity. Our compassionate providers have years of experience using semaglutide to help patients achieve meaningful fat loss and improvements in metabolic health.

We conduct a thorough medical evaluation, including any necessary lab testing, to determine if semaglutide is appropriate for you. We will educate you about reasonable expectations, proper injection technique, and potential side effects. Our staff experts will work closely with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that safely maximizes your weight loss success.

In addition to semaglutide injections, we offer lifestyle counseling to help patients adopt healthy eating habits, increase physical activity, and make other beneficial behavior changes. We partner with each patient to address any barriers to compliance and provide ongoing support and motivation.

Hormone Wellness Clinic Weight Loss Clinic accepts most major insurance plans. We make the process of obtaining prior authorization for semaglutide coverage efficient and headache-free. Our goal is to provide you with affordable access to these life-changing medications.

Don't struggle with obesity and its health consequences any longer. Our dedicated team can help you finally achieve your weight loss goals. Contact Hormone Wellness Clinic Weight Loss Clinic in Los Alamos, NM today to learn more and schedule a consultation. The first step is to pick up the phone - call us now!

The Importance of Timely Evaluation and Treatment

Managing weight and combatting obesity is a challenging, long-term endeavor. However, prompt medical assessment and treatment provides the best opportunity for long-lasting success. Obesity becomes increasingly refractory the longer it persists, highlighting the need for early intervention.

Additionally, the health risks and complications associated with excess weight rise progressively over time. These include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers. Initiating treatment sooner minimizes likelihood of developing these obesity-related conditions.

Finally, living with untreated obesity can degrade quality of life and emotional well-being. Obesity often worsens depression, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, social isolation, and overall vitality. Successfully losing weight is associated with dramatic improvements in these areas.

At Hormone Wellness Clinic Weight Loss Clinic, we emphasize early evaluation and management of elevated BMI or weight-related health issues. We understand how challenging it can be to lose significant weight without medical assistance. Our holistic approach combines counselling, education, support and proven medications like semaglutide to help patients take control of their health.

Don't wait to seek help. The first step is booking an appointment with our experienced team. Taking action today will put you on the path to sustainable weight loss and a healthier, happier life. Call us now – help is only a phone call away!