Wegovy (semaglutide) in Dallas, Little Elm/Frisco, TX
Semaglutide (under the brand name Wegovy) is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and it’s also used as a weight loss drug. Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss.
Wegovy can be used by adults with a body mass index (BMI) that is greater than or equal to 30 mg/kg². It can also be used by adults with a BMI of 27 mg/kg² with at least one weight-related medical condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy (semaglutide) is also approved as a chronic weight management drug in adolescents who are age 12 and older. It is used in combination with lifestyle changes such as healthy diets and exercise.
Wegovy, a GLP-1 agonist, was originally used to treat Type 2 diabetes due to its ability to lower blood sugar. However, it was discovered that it can also cause weight loss, making it an effective medication for weight management. It can be used for people with type 2 diabetes as well as people without type 2 diabetes.
How does Wegovy (semaglutide) work for weight loss?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that plays a role in appetite and digestion. After you have eaten, incretin hormones released by your digestive tract are sent out by your body. These hormones help lower your blood sugar by triggering insulin release and blocking the production of sugar.
The incretin hormones also reduce the rate at which food leaves your stomach, thereby reducing your appetite and making you feel full for longer. Feeling full for a longer period of time and not eating frequently causes you to lose weight.
6 Month’s Wegovy (Semaglutide) Dosage Plan in Dallas, Little Elm/Frisco, TX
Wegovy is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. It is available as a single-use injection pen. You can only use the injection pen once and discard it after use.
Wegovy should be injected once a week and on the same day each week. This means if you had the injection on Monday this week, you should have it on Monday next week and continually. You can have the injection at any time of day, but it must be the same day once every week.
Do not inject the medication into the same spot every time. Change your injection site with each administration. However, you can inject the medication in the same body area.
You will start administering the medication with the smallest dosage and slowly increase your dosage every month. This helps make the side effects of the medication manageable and also minimizes side effects.
6 Month’s Wegovy (Semaglutide) Dosage Plan in Dallas, Little Elm/Frisco, TX
Below is a typical dosing schedule for six months;
- Month 1: 0.25 mg once weekly
- Month 2: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Month 3: 1 mg once weekly
- Month 4: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Month 5: 2.4 mg once weekly
- Month 6: 2.4 mg once weekly
Maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly for as long as you want to continue the medication.
The highest dosage is 2.4 mg once weekly. This dosage is also the target maintenance dosage. Some people may not be able to tolerate the target maintenance dose due to increased side effects that may occur. If you can tolerate the highest dose of 2.4 mg, your healthcare provider may ask you to wait another month before getting another dosage or may ask you to stop the medication.
Side Effects of Wegovy
The most common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These side effects are more strongly experienced when your dose is increased, especially at the highest dose.
Other common side effects of Wegovy include:
- Dizziness
- Bloating
- Burping
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
FAQs
How much weight can you lose in 6 months on semaglutide?
A study conducted found that people who received semaglutide injections every week lost an average of about 15 pounds after three months, while they lost an average of about 27 pounds after six months. This shows that they’re able to lose an average of about 5 pounds per month.
Semaglutide is a weight loss drug that you need to take continuously if you want to maintain your weight loss results. This is because when you stop taking it, you will likely regain much of your weight. Also, it should be combined with healthy lifestyle practices likely eating healthy low-calorie diets and engaging in exercises.
How quickly do you lose weight with semaglutide injections?
How quickly you can lose weight with semaglutide can vary depending on several factors. The effect of semaglutide can differ from person to person, and results may also vary. Semaglutide has shown rapid and significant weight loss results in patients. Most patients taking semaglutide injections weekly experience notable weight loss within a few weeks to a few months.
Data shows that semaglutide injections help patients lose 10-17% of their body weight in the first few weeks of taking the medication. It is important that you follow the prescribed treatment plan to ensure that you achieve your weight loss goals.
How fast can the Semaglutide dose be increased?
The rate at which the semaglutide dose can be increased varies from person to person. This can depend on individual circumstances and the doctor’s guidance. Generally, the semaglutide dose can be increased weekly until you attain the peak dose of 2.4 mg.
Increasing the semaglutide dose is done gradually to allow the body to adapt to the medication and minimize side effects. Before your dose is increased, your provider will carefully assess your progress, monitor your blood sugar levels, and evaluate the ability of your body to adapt to the new dose before increasing your dose.
How is weight loss associated with semaglutide dose?
The dose of semaglutide is generally increased weekly until you attain your peak dose of 2.4 mg so that you can experience the increased effect of the medication. The higher your dose, the higher the weight loss results you should expect.
On average, individuals taking semaglutide injections weekly may experience a weight loss of at least 5% to 15% of their initial body weight. Weight loss results may vary as some individuals may achieve greater weight loss than others. To ensure optimal results and minimize side effects, a treatment plan/program is usually prescribed. It is recommended that you follow the treatment plan accordingly.
Is semaglutide suitable for you?
Semaglutide is primarily intended for people with Type 2 diabetes who are also overweight. However, it can also be used as a weight loss medication for people without Type 2 diabetes. If you are battling with obesity or excess weight and you haven’t experienced weight loss with conventional weight loss approaches, semaglutide may be suitable for you.
If you have a huge appetite and you find yourself eating frequently, semaglutide may be suitable for you. The medication can help reduce your appetite so that you don’t feel like eating for a long period of time.
Before using semaglutide, it is generally recommended to consult with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and other criteria to determine if semaglutide is suitable for you.
Do you need to continue taking semaglutide for the rest of your life?
In general, you’re expected to continue taking semaglutide continually until you achieve your desired weight loss goal. Semaglutide is a weight loss medication that should be used continually if you want to keep your weight off. However, you may be asked to stop taking the medication if you have achieved your weight loss goal.
The decision to continue taking the medication or discontinue depends on various factors and the discretion of your healthcare provider. You should be able to maintain your new weight by adhering to healthy lifestyle practices if you stop taking the medication.
