Ozempic - Medical Weight Loss Injections

Yes. Semaglutide, the drug used in Wegovy and Ozempic, has been shown to support weight loss and long-term weight management in multiple studies. Tirzepatide, the drug used in Mounjaro and Zepbound, has also proven to be highly effective at helping people lose weight.

All GLP-1s are clinically-tested, stimulant-free, and non-habit forming. GLP-1s address the underlying biology that is most important for weight loss, and help lower your set point, or the weight your body fights to stay at. GLP-1s are powerful, naturally-occurring hormones made by your gut that send signals to your brain to decrease your appetite, improve your metabolic system, and regulate your digestion so you can feel full longer and maximize nutrient absorption.

GLP-1s are powerful hormones made by your small intestine that send signals to your brain and other parts of your metabolic system. They regulate your insulin response and regulate your appetite and digestion so you can feel full longer while maximizing nutritional absorption.

In a 68-week medical study of 1,961 adults living with obesity or excess weight, and who also had a related medical problem, lost an average of 15% of their body weight while taking semaglutide. In a different study, tirzepatide helped patients lose 15 – 20% of their overall weight, depending on the dosage used.

Lab testing is part of the initial screening by your medical provider to ensure you are medically eligible for weight loss treatment. Biomarkers we test for include CMP, Fasting Lipid, TSH with Reflex to T4, Hemoglobin A1C, and Insulin.

GLP-1 use is safe and effective with many pre-existing conditions with the exception of the following:

• Currently pregnant
• Currently breastfeeding
• Currently being treated for cancer
• Active eating disorder
• Active gallbladder disease
• Active substance abuse or dependency
• Type 1 diabetes
• Bariatric surgery (within the past 18 months)
• Pancreatitis within the past 6 months, or a history of pancreatitis caused by taking a GLP-1
• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN syndrome
• Personal history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Ozempic pens are administered in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Please view these videos for further instructions.

How to use Ozempic Pen

Side effects for GLP-1s may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, upset stomach, dizziness, constipation, feeling bloated, belching, gas, headaches, and fatigue. If you do experience side effects, they usually subside after a few weeks of your body getting used to the medication. Each patient will receive prescription medication to help combat the side effects should they arise along with directions on dosage to help keep side effects to a minimum. In the most recent clinical trials, less than 5% of people discontinued GLP-1 medications because of side effects.

We recommend that patients maintain the current dose, or lower the dose until symptoms resolve. All patients will be prescribed medication to alleviate nausea.

A bump at the injection site means the medication was injected just under the skin instead of into the fat tissue. You want to pinch an area of fat, ensure the needle is inserted all the way, and keep the needle injected for a few seconds before pulling it out, so all the medication has been absorbed properly. To prevent bumps, scar tissue, or irritation, rotate injection sites.

You do not have to follow a specific, restrictive diet but you will lose more weight if you eat a well-balanced diet full of whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. You’ll create better habits that will also help you keep the weight off.

Our goal is to create healthy habits for long-term health. Exercise is not a requirement, but something we strongly encourage. Movement is key to good health and patients have reported that exercise becomes easier as they start losing weight.

This program will help you lose unwanted weight and put your body in weight-loss mode. Some patients continue for over six months depending on the amount of weight they want to lose. Your team will create a maintenance plan for you once you reach your goal weight, but like everything else in life, it’s up to you. Most patients adopt a healthier lifestyle as they start shedding weight because they feel good and want to continue the new habits they have adopted.

This process on average beginning to end can take up to 7-10 business days.