To qualify for a medical weight loss program that includes weekly Semaglutide 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 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 injections are also sometimes recommended as part of chronic weight management in adolescents older than 12 years of age.

Since Semaglutide injections are an approved weight loss medication by the FDA, all that you need to be approved for the treatment is to qualify according to the BMI considerations of obesity and being overweight as well as receive a prescription from a physician that is aware of all of your underlying health conditions or medical history. While Semaglutide 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 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 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 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 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 injections to minimize the risk of side effects as much as possible. Because of the more gradual start to treatments, weight loss from Semaglutide injections is typically considered a long-term treatment to be more effective. Essentially, the longer you are taking Semaglutide, 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 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. Call our office today to learn if your insurance is able to cover our weight-loss clinic services. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Hope Mills NC, Cedar Creek NC, Eastover NC, Woodfield NC, and Fenix NC.