Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections

Approximately 70% of American adults are obese or overweight, a severe health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease.

Losing just 5% to 10% of body weight with diet and exercise has proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with obesity or overweight, but that’s not always possible. The FDA has approved weekly Semaglutide injections for chronic weight management in obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related condition. This under-the-skin injection can help you lose up to two pounds per week when paired with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved weight loss injection. By mimicking a hormone in the body, Semaglutide increases insulin secretion while slowing down how fast your stomach empties food. This suppresses your appetite, so you feel full longer, helping you eat less and lose weight.

The drug was initially approved in 2017 at a lower dose to help control blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. People taking Semaglutide for blood sugar control lose weight as an additional benefit. After studying a higher amount of the medication in people without Type 2 diabetes, the FDA approved Semaglutide for weight loss in qualified adults.

How does Semaglutide work for weight loss?

Semaglutide mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (or GLP-1) that targets areas in the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. Your digestive tract releases this incretin hormone after you’ve eaten a meal, lowering your blood sugar by triggering insulin release to block sugar production. Doing so helps you eat less and lose one to two pounds per week. And while a reduced-calorie meal plan increases the rate at which you lose and keep off weight, dieting is not required to lose weight on Semaglutide.

Am I a candidate for Semaglutide weight loss injections?

To determine whether you are a good candidate for weight loss with Semaglutide injections, Dr. Schwartz will assess the extent of your being overweight. Adults can use Semaglutide with a body mass index (or BMI) greater than or equal to 30.

Alternatively, you may be a candidate for Semaglutide weight loss if your BMI is 27 and you have at least one of the following weight-related conditions:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes

Semaglutide should be combined with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise. However, these measures are not necessary to lose weight with Semaglutide injections.

What are the benefits of Semaglutide weight loss injections?

Semaglutide is the first of its kind as a safe and highly effective hormone-based weight loss medication.

Some of the health benefits associated with Semaglutide include the following:

Lower blood sugar without any increase in hypoglycemia
Reduced body weight, lipids, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress
Suppressed appetite
Enhanced insulin synthesis and secretion
Reduced glucagon levels in fasting and after eating
A promoted sensation of fullness in the brain
Slowed gastric emptying in the intestines to help you feel fuller for longer
Weight loss
More significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors associated with obesity

In clinical trials, Semaglutide helped most recipients lose 10% of their body weight. More than half of them reduced their weight by 15%, the amount that most healthcare professionals say can help reduce the risk for future chronic illnesses.

Are there any side effects?

The FDA studied Semaglutide’s safety and efficacy in four 68-week trials. Individuals who received the injections safely lost 6.2% of their initial body weight compared to those who received a placebo. However, it is essential to be aware of reported side effects when determining whether Semaglutide weight loss injections suit your weight loss journey. Gastrointestinal (or GI) side effects are most common when taking this medication, especially after increasing your dose. The most common side effects include the following:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Stomach pain
Headache
Fatigue
Indigestion
Dizziness
Bloating
Burping

Why choose Dr. Schwartz for Semaglutide weight loss injections?

As a nationally recognized breast, body, and facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael R. Schwartz combines over two decades of experience with artistry and science to produce impeccable results for his patients in his Westlake Village office.

Because he is double board-certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery, Dr. Schwartz is the go-to plastic surgeon in Westlake Village, Calabasas, and Thousand Oaks. He specializes in cosmetic procedures for the body, breasts, and face, where his keen eye and elegant artistry reveal themselves most in natural, smiling faces everywhere. With his wealth of expertise and national reputation, few surgeons are more qualified than Dr. Schwartz to enhance your appearance and achieve the precise look you desire.

Learn More About Dr. Schwartz