Semaglutide GLP-1 is an effective medication with many benefits that can be prescribed as part of a medical weight loss program. One of the most challenging components of losing weight is maintaining a calorie-deficient diet. A caloric deficit leads to increased feelings of hunger, which can intensify cravings making you more susceptible to binge eating and consuming excess calories. The medication helps to induce increased feelings of satiation by assisting in suppressing your appetite and slowing down the digestive process, therefore allowing the body to feel fuller for longer. Being able to maintain this calorie-deficient diet is essential for significant and effective weight loss because it induces the body’s ketogenic response, using the excess stored fat to burn for energy rather than the new food that is being ingested.

If used correctly, adding Semaglutide GLP-1 to a medical weight loss program can provide more weight loss benefits than diet and exercise alone. Successfully losing excess body fat and maintaining that weight retention offers long-term stability and a significant reduction in a patient’s developmental risk to weight-related health conditions and constant body (and bodily systems) strain. Being part of a program that incorporates Semaglutide GLP-1 to assist with reducing excess weight, patients will experience increased energy levels, therefore increasing the likelihood of maintaining a long and healthy life. With the support of Semaglutide GLP-1, reaching your goal weight will be more attainable over a shorter timeline.

Patients who struggle with weight loss typically have no existing support system in place. It is highly encouraged to contact a healthcare professional to assist in starting a medical weight-loss program as they can offer counsel on maintaining restrictive diets and incorporating exercise regimens. Depending on the patient’s body mass index (BMI) and if they have any pre-existing weight-related health conditions, they may qualify to receive Semaglutide GLP-1 injections as part of the program. The qualifications include having a BMI of 27 or higher (< 27 is considered overweight, < 30 is considered obese by the medical community) with an associated weight-related condition. Some common health conditions that are typically considered to be associated with excess body weight include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. All these health conditions can be stabilized by constructive weight management and conditions are susceptible to worsening should the weight levels increase. Additionally, to qualify as a candidate in receiving Semaglutide GLP-1 injections for weight loss, it is important to remember as patients that this is only one component to an effective weight loss regimen, managing diet and exercise is highly encouraged and will likely be recommended by your physician to improve the efficacy and sustainability of the program.

This will be left to your physician’s discretion; they will monitor for any adverse side effects to ensure it is safe to continue to prescribe. If there are no developmental concerns, patients can continue taking the medication until they have achieved their weight-loss goal. This will vary significantly from patient to patient, as some develop side effects in just a few months while others have been prescribed for many years with little to no side effects. Continuing to take the medication even after reaching the final goal weight can be beneficial to help the patient maintain weight retention and prevent weight gain from reoccurring in the long term. This decision will be left to the discretion of the physician supervising the patient’s medical weight loss program.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we are committed to providing accurate and affordable EMG testing to support your health and recovery. Our professional team ensures that you receive clear, transparent pricing and the highest quality care. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in your journey toward better health. We are located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Woodfield NC, Hope Mills NC, Fort Bragg NC, Eastover NC, and surrounding areas.