Semaglutide is an injectable medication used for treating type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It helps improve blood sugar control along with diet and exercise. Recently, semaglutide has also been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight.
At Vitality Balance Clinic in Sunrise, we provide semaglutide shots as part of our comprehensive weight loss and hormone therapy programs. In this article, we will discuss key aspects of semaglutide treatment including:
Semaglutide offers several benefits that can help patients manage their weight and improve their overall health:
Clinical studies have shown that semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss in adults who are overweight or have obesity. People using semaglutide lost on average 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks in trials.
Weight loss with semaglutide also results in improvements in risk factors for heart disease. Trials found enhancements in blood pressure, lipids, waist circumference and inflammatory markers.
In addition to weight loss effects, semaglutide improves blood sugar control which helps manage type 2 diabetes. It lowers both fasting blood glucose and HbA1c.
Semaglutide works by activating receptors in the brain that reduce appetite. People feel more satisfied after eating smaller portions, leading to decreased calorie intake.
Overall, semaglutide shots offer multi-faceted health benefits for eligible overweight/obese individuals or those with type 2 diabetes. Our clinicians can advise if it is suitable for your needs.
Semaglutide has specific prescribing guidelines for chronic weight management set by the FDA and manufacturer. At our Sunrise clinic, we provide semaglutide shots to appropriate candidates.
Ideal patients include adults who:
During your consultation at Vitality Balance Clinic, our hormone deficiency experts will review your history and determine if semaglutide therapy aligns with your health profile and goals.
We also offer customized diet and fitness guidance to complement your injections for better outcomes. Semaglutide works best alongside lifestyle changes.
To understand how semaglutide facilitates weight loss, it helps to learn about its mechanism of action in the body:
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These compounds are similar to a natural hormone, GLP-1, that helps control appetite and food intake.
Once injected under skin, semaglutide is absorbed into the bloodstream. It travels to the brain where it activates GLP-1 receptors involved with appetite regulation.
Specifically, semaglutide impacts the area of the brain that controls hunger and food cravings. People feel "more full" after eating so they tend to eat less at each meal.
In addition, semaglutide slows digestion in the stomach allowing nutrients to be absorbed longer. This also promotes faster satiety.
Through these central and peripheral mechanisms, semaglutide gives a prolonged feeling of fullness and reduces hunger. This caloric deficit produces meaningful fat loss over time.
Though seen primarily as a weight loss aid, semaglutide has shown promise in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a recent trial, patients receiving semaglutide had significant reductions in liver fat content and fibrosis biomarkers compared to placebo, suggesting this GLP-1 drug could offer a new treatment option for this increasingly prevalent condition.
At our hormone clinic in Sunrise, we have an evidence-based protocol for semaglutide therapy. We partner with a high quality compounding pharmacy to provide custom weekly injection plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
We determine an appropriate semaglutide dosage for your weight loss targets usually ranging from 0.5 mg to 2.0 mg per week. Dose adjustments occur based on periodic evaluation of results and side effects.
The semaglutide solution is prepared in convenient prefilled syringes for self-administration once weekly. We demonstrate proper injection technique during your first visit.
Patients return initially after 4 weeks then every 8-12 weeks for weight/health monitoring, side effect checks, and dosage adjustments if needed. Treatment may continue for 6-12 months.
With this individualized regimen, most patients achieve safe, effective weight loss on par with clinical trials. We also offer hormonal balancing, nutritional plans, fitness guidance and general wellness support.
As with any medication, semaglutide carries some risks and side effects to consider before starting treatment:
The most common adverse effects involve the GI tract like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. These normally resolve on their own within 4-8 weeks as the body adjusts.
Some people may experience indigestion, dizziness, headache or fatigue. More serious side effects like pancreatitis, gallbladder issues and suicidal thinking are possible but very rare.
Semaglutide should not be used by people with certain health problems, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. We screen for medical precautions like thyroid cancer, diabetic retinopathy, severe kidney/liver disease and more during your hormone clinic visit.
By selecting appropriate candidates and monitoring progress, we aim to maximize efficacy and safety. Let our clinicians know of any concerning symptoms after you begin semaglutide therapy.
If prescribed semaglutide, understanding what to realistically expect can set you up for success:
Unlike extreme diets, improvements in hunger control, eating habits and weight happen progressively. Patience is key through the acclimation phase.
Work on reducing overall caloric intake, limiting snacking and making healthier meal choices to boost semaglutide benefits. Our nutrition experts assist with this.
Staying active with regular exercise helps promote weight loss and cardiometabolic enhancements from semaglutide treatment. Consider activities you enjoy and feel good doing consistently. We offer customized fitness guidance to clients.
After completing the standard semaglutide treatment course of up to 12 months, focus must turn to maintaining weight loss gains long term. Our support continues beyond injections through remote check-ins, supplementary therapies, and access to our wellness resources in Sunrise.
With diligence through the process, semaglutide clients can attain remarkable transformations in their weight, health markers, appearance and outlook. Our multidisciplinary care team strives to make this journey seamless.
At Vitality Balance Clinic of Sunrise, we utilize an integrative approach focused on optimization and longevity. Semaglutide injection therapy serves as a powerful adjunct within custom regimens for clients.
Our compassionate providers spend extensive time assessing medical history, lab work, genetics and lifestyle factors during an initial consultation. They use this data along with clearly defined health objectives to build personalized care blueprints - mapping out therapies like semaglutide, hormone balancing, gut health repair and much more in an intelligent sequence with specific targets. Patients then move through each phase of treatment under close medical supervision. We reorder labs and make adjustments along the way to keep clients progressing safely toward their end wellness goals.
To further support clients in their transformation journey, we have cultivated special access to a network of hand selected wellness resources right here in the Sunrise community - everything from functional testing labs to prepared meal services to relaxation spas. We refer clients to these establishments for seamless integration of therapies. This saves huge time researching options and removes guesswork.
Unlike many clinics that provide injections/medications without much follow up, our doctors and coaches maintain open communication even after intensive treatment programs conclude. We know lasting success requires changing lifelong habits and mindsets. We make ourselves available for continued guidance and troubleshooting as clients embark on their new chapter of living optimized.
If you have struggled with weight, obesity, diabetes, low energy or other hormone-related concerns, know there are options, and you don’t have to walk the path alone. Our caring professionals leverage the latest scientific advancements like semaglutide paired with proven lifestyle interventions for life-changing outcomes. We would be honored to earn the chance to serve you.
