To qualify for a medical weight loss program that includes weekly Semaglutide GLP-1 injections, you need to be considered obese, which means that you have a BMI of 30 or higher, or be considered overweight (a BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related health condition. When used for weight loss, Semaglutide GLP-1 injections are only recommended for those with chronic obesity or who are at risk of health conditions due to their weight as it is very effective for weight loss and is considered unsafe when not used as recommended. It will be used as part of a medical weight loss treatment so the prescription has to be provided by a physician. Semaglutide GLP-1 injections are also sometimes recommended as part of chronic weight management in adolescents older than 12 years of age.

Since Semaglutide GLP-1 injections, such as Wegovy, are FDA-approved weight loss medications by the FDA, you would need a qualifying BMI and evaluation by a physician. While Semaglutide GLP-1 injections have proven to be highly effective in supporting long-term weight loss, as with all medications, they are not the best option for everyone and can lead to side effects so it is very important that you are honest during your consultation for approval to begin the treatments. It is only recommended when used as part of a medical weight loss program, which also includes a calorie-deficient diet and a regular exercise routine, so to be approved for Semaglutide GLP-1 injections, patients must also be able to maintain the recommended diet and exercise plans.

As with all medications, not everyone who is struggling to lose weight is considered a good candidate to get Semaglutide GLP-1 injections, even if they are engaging in a medical weight loss program. It is not recommended for those who have a family history or are at higher risk of the following conditions:

• Thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• Decreased kidney functioning
• Kidney disease
• Acute inflammation of the pancreas
• Diabetic retinopathy
 
As well, Semaglutide GLP-1 injections are not recommended for those who suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts. It is incredibly important that you are entirely honest during your consultation to see if Semaglutide GLP-1 injections are a good fit for you as it can be very dangerous if the medication will not be compatible with your existing health condition.

It can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks before the initial results can start to be noticed as it does take some time to gradually increase the dosage with Semaglutide GLP-1 injections to minimize the risk of side effects as much as possible. Because of the more gradual start to treatments, weight loss from Semaglutide GLP-1 injections is typically considered a long-term treatment to be more effective. Essentially, the longer you are taking Semaglutide GLP-1, the more effective it will be in encouraging weight loss and allowing for the weight to be kept off. That being said, most patients will stay on Semaglutide GLP-1 for weight loss for at least one year, but it is very common to be on it for multiple years, if not longer.
 
Here at Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we are happy to share that we accept over a dozen insurance companies, including all of the major and most commonly used insurance. Contact us today for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, in Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Hope Mills NC, Cedar Creek NC, Eastover NC, Woodfield NC, and Fenix NC.