- Semaglutide Injections -
Our goal and passion at Alternative Therapy MD is wellness and we promote a combination of a healthy lifestyle with medical weight loss to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Not only is weight loss to make you look and feel better, it also has long term benefits to aid in the reduction of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease and stroke to name a few. We have designed our wellness program to enhance a healthy lifestyle and to aid you in making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
- What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable medication, which when used in combination with diet and exercise, helps with blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetics. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 in your body to lower blood sugar levels after you have eaten a meal.
How does Semaglutide work for weight loss? GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide help to control your blood sugar, but people taking them also tend to lose weight. GLP-1, the key hormone involved, slows down how fast your stomach empties food (called gastric emptying). And in addition to causing your pancreas to release insulin, Semaglutide also blocks a hormone that causes your liver to release sugar (glucagon). Together, these functions can help you feel less hungry, causing you to eat less food and lose more weight.
- How long does it take to lose weight on Semaglutide?
With Semaglutide, you will slowly work your way up to the target dose at which time you will see the most amount of weight loss. This was the case in the clinical trials, where participants had their dose adjusted until they reached 2.5 mg dose if needed. In the phase 3 trial that measured outcomes at 20 weeks, most participants were able to reach the full dose and lost weight as their dose was increased. They saw additional weight loss over the remaining 48 weeks at the full dose. It is important to keep in mind that weight loss can take time, and you’ll see the best results when you are using your medication in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Sometimes the medication may not work for you, or you may not be able to tolerate the full dose due to side effects in which case your practitioner will provide additional options or change the protocol to better suit your individual needs.
- How long should you take Semaglutide for weight loss?
Currently, Semaglutide is only FDA-approved for obesity and to help with blood sugar control in type-2 diabetes and to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (like heart attack and stroke) in people with both type-2 diabetes and heart disease. If you are taking Semaglutide for either of these reasons, you’ll take it as directed by your healthcare provider since you are using it to manage a chronic condition. But if you do not have type-2 diabetes and are looking to try Semaglutide to help you lose weight, we’ll have a better idea of long-term safety once the FDA reviews data for this new indication. What we do know is that study participants received treatment for a period of 68 weeks (about1.5 years) during each of the four trials conducted by the company
You Ask, We Answer
Does Semaglutide curb your appetite?
Yes, it’s believed that Semaglutide helps curb your appetite. In addition to slowing gastric emptying to make you feel full longer. GLP-1 also plays a direct role in how appetite is regulated.
Is Semaglutide a type of insulin?
No, Semaglutide is not a type of insulin or a substitute for insulin. Semaglutide does stimulate your pancreas to release insulin when glucose (sugar) is present. Because Semaglutide relies upon your body’s own insulin to have this effect, Semaglutide isn’t used when your pancreas can’t make insulin, such as in patients with type-1 diabetes.
Is Semaglutide is a stimulant?
No, Semaglutide is not a stimulant. While other weight loss medications, like phentermine, have stimulating effects that help curb your appetite, Semaglutide works differently (see above).
Is Semaglutide approved by the FDA?
Yes! You can learn more here!
Is Semaglutide safe?
Yes. Semaglutide is considered to be safe and effective when used as indicated. However, safe doesn’t mean there aren’t risks. Semaglutide also carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors occurring in rodents (with unknown risk in humans). Semaglutide shouldn’t be used if you or your family have a history of certain thyroid cancers. Semaglutide should not be used in people with type-1 diabetes or a history of pancreatitis. Semaglutide should be used cautiously for people on other blood sugar lowering medications.
Is Semaglutide covered by my insurance?
No. Semaglutide is not covered by insurance for people who are not diabetic type-2. However, you can get this medication prescribed as part of this Semaglutide Weight Loss Program.
What are the known side effects of Semaglutide?
The common side effects of Semaglutide are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- *Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- *Constipation
*most common side effect
Are there any significant health risks associated with using Semaglutide?
Yes. Semaglutide may cause rare side effects, including:
- Prolonged vomiting. Patients on Semaglutide can develop gastroparesis where the stomach stops moving, and patients vomit considerably. This can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Stop using Semaglutide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have vomiting that persists more than a day.
- Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Semaglutide and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
- Changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Semaglutide
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Semaglutide with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
- Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Semaglutide and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.
12 Week Semaglutide Program
We have designed our wellness program to enhance a healthy lifestyle and to aid you in making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Monthly visits with a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurses, specialized in health and wellness medicine to include 1. physical exam, 2. body composition analysis, and 3. history review with Nurse Practitioner each month
Individual lifestyle support visits designed to increase knowledge, provide support, or make minor adjustments to your treatment plan
Weekly Lipotropic-PLUS injections (see attached ingredient sheet)
Health Counseling Monthly in- office follow-ups (repeat Body composition analysis) First injection must be completed in office with licensed RN education, with patient competency can take subsequent injections 12-week supply of Semaglutide delivered to the clinic for pickup monthly.
3-in-person Complementary Weight Management Semaglutide Consultation (Initial month 1, Month 2 and Month 3) and (4) phone call consultations in addition to monthly consultation and analysis.
1 Complementary IV Vitamin Drip
1 50% off IV Vitamin Drip
20% off additional IV drips or vitamin shot for the duration of the program
Prescriptive privilege for management of symptoms during the program (limited list) consultations in addition to monthly consultation and analysis.
$50 add on (CMP, CBC w/diff, A1C, Thyroid, Lipids, CRP)
Optional Lab work upgrade ‘Micronutrients’: $350 upgrade
At the completion of your first 3 months in the program your progress will be fully reevaluated. If you are still progressing toward your weight loss goals, then you may continue on a maintenance plan determined by the Nurse Practitioner.
Maintenance program to follow after 12 week initial program
ARE YOU READY TO SEE RESULTS?
Take Steps Towards Your Dream Body Today!
Are you ready to embark on a journey towards feeling confident and healthier?
Take hold of the reins and harness the power of our modern weight loss solutions. Your dream body isn’t as far off as you think it is. It just needs the right guidance, scientific methodology and a touch of commitment from your end.
Your journey to lasting transformation starts with a single phone call. Don’t let another moment pass by. Discover the incredible benefits that Semaglutide has to offer and learn how to kick start your journey to a healthier, happier you, full of self-confidence and vitality!
