Weight Management

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: You should avoid 3 month prior to becoming pregnant, do not take if pregnant. Recommended to not use if breastfeeding.

History of Certain Medical Conditions: Those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Patients with a history of MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type-2) should also avoid Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. Contraindications for Semagludite or Tirzepatide are thyroid cancer, acute kidney injury, pancreatitis, retinopathy, and severe GI disease.

If you have any questions if you should take Semaglutide or Tirzepatide always reach out to your primary healthcare provider for guidance.

Struggling With Obesity or Overweight: The primary candidates for Semaglutide & Tirzepatide are individuals who are obese (with a BMI of 30 or higher) or overweight (with a BMI of 25 or higher) and have at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

• Struggling With Previous Weight Loss Attempts: Those who have tried other weight loss methods without success may find Semaglutide or Tirzepatide to be a viable option.
• Looking for a Medical-Based Solution: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide is a prescription medication and is suited for those seeking a medically supervised weight loss plan.
• Commitment to Lifestyle Changes: While Semaglutide and Tirzepatide can aid in weight loss, optimal results are achieved when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Self administered injections are done on a weekly basis. We recommend doing this the same day of each week to stay consistent.

Injections should be stored in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. They should not be frozen or stored in direct sunlight or high heat.

A traditional syringe injection of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide require drawing medication up from a vial. Patients disinfect skin with alcohol and the top of the vial prior to injecting.  Recommended in the stomach area, pinch the skin lightly, then, carefully placing the needle underneath the skin, patients then push down the syringe and pull it out.

• Set a schedule and perform the weekly injections on the same day of the week at roughly the same time.

• Inject two inches from the belly button on either side when injecting into the stomach. This area tends to hold more fat and be a less painful place to inject into the stomach.

• Know that there is little pain overall when it comes to subcutaneous injections. These injections reach just below the skin and require a tiny needle in comparison to other injections you may have received. This is why certain injection sites are preferred and easier to inject into.

• Rotating the injection site every week prevents skin irritation. This is especially important for patients who may have certain skin conditions. While patients are unlikely to experience major swelling following their injections, injecting  weight loss medication into the same place week after week would become painful, uncomfortable, and more likely to be injected.

Every patient is unique, but most patients taking Semaglutide or Tirzepatide lose approximately 15% of their body weight. Healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week.

To maximize the benefits of Semaglutide and maintain your health, it’s advisable to implement adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. While using Semaglutide, you may experience potential side effects like bloating, stomach pain, and nausea. However, these side effects can be mitigated by incorporating the following dietary modifications:

• Avoid fried, greasy, and sugary food
• Avoid alcohol intake
• Limit caffeine intake (one cup of coffee per day)
• Increase protein intake
• Eat slowly
• Eat smaller meals
• Eat foods that are light and plain
• Stay hydrated
• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks (like water or unsweetened tea)
  • There is evidence that taking these supplements can help with side effects.
    • Magnesium Glycinate, B complex, B12

Be mindful of your food choices, opting for less sugary treats and fatty foods. This helps regulate blood sugar and aids in managing weight loss, lowering the chance of experiencing side effects. Remember, moderation and balance are crucial.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol can diminish the effectiveness of Semaglutide. Caffeine affects hydration and blood sugar levels, hindering Semaglutide’s efficacy. It boosts alertness and urine production, potentially causing dehydration without sufficient water intake. Furthermore, it can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with Semaglutide. Similarly, limiting alcohol consumption while using Semaglutide is advisable to prevent exacerbating its side effects. While there’s currently no documented interaction between Semaglutide and alcohol, excessive alcohol intake can induce dehydration and lower blood sugar levels, heightening the likelihood of experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Regular physical activity is a crucial component of any effective weight loss regimen. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of structured exercise on five days each week to support your overall well-being. If you’re just starting out, begin with a manageable goal of 15 minutes of daily exercise and gradually increase your duration over time until you reach the recommended amount.

Opt for activities like walking, biking, or swimming, as they offer excellent cardiovascular benefits. Additionally, integrating muscle-strengthening exercises into your routine twice a week, such as using free weights or resistance bands, will help enhance muscle tone and overall strength.

Although outcomes differ for every individual, the majority of both men and women typically experience weight reduction within the initial month of treatment and witness significant progress within 4 to 6 months.

Common side effects of Semaglutide injections include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Other possible side effects may include headache, dizziness, and low blood sugar. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, talk to your doctor right away.

Tirzepatide side effects may include: Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Additional study is ongoing and looking closely for other unanticipated adverse effects.  As of yet, there is no long term safety data on this drug.

Risks

Semaglutide –

• Thyroid Tumors: Animal studies have shown that drugs in the same class as Semaglutide may cause thyroid tumors, including cancer. While it’s not confirmed if Semaglutide can cause these effects in humans, patients with a history of thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not use this medication.
• Pancreatitis: There have been rare reports of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in patients taking Semaglutide. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heartbeat. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

Tirzepatide – This medicine may cause acute kidney injury. Check with your doctor right away if you have a bloody urine, decreased urine output, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness. You may also experience signs of a thyroid tumor–swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or if you feel short of breath.

If you are experiencing any of this please contact your primary care provider or go to urgent care.

As with any weight loss program, outcomes differ for each person and cannot be assured. Numerous factors influence the results a participant may achieve. Some factors, like genetics and health history, lie beyond individual influence. Yet, other variables, such as physical activity, dietary choices, and integrating this treatment into a regimen of healthier habits, can be controlled by the individual. Every person is unique. Though we can’t promise specific results, we’re committed to guiding you on how to utilize this treatment effectively to support your journey toward success.

Studies indicate that the majority of patients tend to regain some weight once they discontinue treatment. Sustaining weight loss requires the upkeep of healthy lifestyle practices, including maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise.

We do recommend a healthy lifestyle with continued healthy eating as well as a consistent exercise routine.

There are current options for patients that want to keep taking these medications to maintain their weight.

1. Weekly dosing – patients can continue taking these injections once per week but at a lower dose.
2. Less frequent dosing – the normal dosing regimen is once per week but patients who feel the appetite suppression effects of the medication last for 10 days or even 2 weeks can take the same amount less frequently.