Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Frequently Asked Questions about Semaglutide (GPL-1) with Alison Karmin, PA-C

How effective is Semaglutide for weight loss?

It’s a very effective tool to kick start the weight loss process for patients. While it’s not a guarantee, I would say 9 out of 10 patients have good success with it. Ultimately, it’s as effective as the patient is willing to incorporate good habits like exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet. If you don’t change your habits, you’re not going to lose weight.

I always emphasize to patients the importance of an all-encompassing approach to healthy weight loss and closely monitor the progress of each patient.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a part of the GLP-1 family of medications that mimic natural hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. It was originally a diabetic medication for people with Type 2 Diabetes and over time people were finding that it was also helping them lose weight. So, in 2021, it was FDA approved as a designated weight loss agent.

How does Semaglutide work?

Semaglutide works by targeting the part of the brain that regulates your appetite. It delays gastric emptying and increases your insulin secretion, which sends signals to your brain to decrease your appetite and food intake. In other words, you feel full longer! A lot of people describe it as controlling the “food noise” and kind of quieting the chatter in your head telling you to eat. As a result, people tend to eat less, which ultimately helps them to lose weight.

Who is a good candidate for Semaglutide?

GLP-1s can be prescribed for anyone with a BMI 26 or greater. BMI is a calculation based on your height and weight. Exclusions and contraindications include anyone with Type 1 Diabetes, family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Patient safety comes first, so prior to getting a prescription we screen and do labs to make sure make sure everything is normal.

Are there any dietary restrictions when taking Semaglutide?

You don’t have to adhere to any specific diet and there are no dietary restrictions. Patients should maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet for optimal success.

So, what happens the first week of using Semaglutide?

It varies for every patient. Semaglutide is a weekly self-injection, so the patient and I do the first injection together to make sure they know how to do it. The number one side effect is nausea, and patients are prescribed an anti-nausea medication as a precaution. Some people experience it, some people don’t which is why I start everyone at a very low dose to make sure that they’re tolerating it before we taper up the dosage. Some patients may not see results right away because we are starting on a microdose, but it’s a good place to start because we don’t want anyone to have significant adverse reactions. However, some patients notice weight loss right away.

What are the typical side effects to Semaglutide (GLP-1 Medications)?

Nausea is the most common side effect. Anti-nausea medication will be prescribed to patients to be taken as needed. Potential other side effects include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort or distention, acid reflux, gastritis, amylase or lipase increase, hypoglycemia, diabetic retinopathy or injection site reaction.

What results can the average person expect from using Semaglutide?

The overall goal is to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week. However, every patient is different, some may see results right away where for others it may take more time.

How long do patients use Semaglutide for weight loss?

I’ve had patients on it for 10 weeks and others up to a year. It really depends on the patient’s goals. It’s not a lifetime medication. I tell patients that it’s a means to achieve your goal and then we can keep you on it as a maintenance medication for some time afterward. Ultimately, my aim is to help patients reach their goal and then take what they’ve learned in terms of listening to their hunger cues and adapting a healthy lifestyle into their daily life.