Semaglutide
Weight Loss in Houston, TX
Achieving lasting weight loss often requires more than diet and exercise alone. At Memorial Plastic Surgery, we offer medically supervised weight loss programs designed to help you lose weight safely and sustainably. Depending on your health history, goals, and provider’s recommendations, treatment may include lifestyle guidance, ongoing monitoring, and prescription GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide.
These medications work by helping regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism, allowing many patients to feel fuller longer and reduce cravings while building healthier habits for long-term success.
How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?
GLP-1 medications help support weight loss by working with your body’s natural hormones to regulate appetite and blood sugar.
- Semaglutide works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) in the body.
- It stimulates insulin release, effectively lowering blood sugar levels, especially after meals.
- Semaglutide also slows down the emptying of the stomach, reducing appetite and promoting weight loss.
What Are the Main Differences Between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
- Side Effects: Both semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Individual experiences vary.
- Greater Weight Loss: Some patients experience more significant weight loss with tirzepatide than with semaglutide, making it a potentially more effective option for weight management.
How Treatment Works
- Semaglutide is administered once a week as a subcutaneous injection, taken on the same day at the same time each week.
- Your healthcare provider will provide detailed instructions on how to properly inject weight loss medication, including the injection site and technique.
- Common injection sites include the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.
- New needles should be used for each new injection.
- The injection site should be different each time.
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It is important to follow the prescribed dosage and administration schedule.
- If you miss a dose, follow the instructions for your prescribed medication or contact your healthcare provider.
- Your provider can advise when to take the next dose and whether your schedule needs to change.
- Never take more than one dose at the same time.
What are the Possible Side Effects?
- Common side effects of weight loss treatments may include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These side effects are usually mild and improve over time.
- Less common side effects may include abdominal pain, constipation, and changes in appetite.
- In rare cases, allergic reactions or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) may occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe abdominal pain or persistent nausea and vomiting.
- Signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives/itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or lips, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What are the Precautions and Considerations?
- Inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions, including a history of pancreatitis, thyroid problems, vision problems, or kidney disease.
- Semaglutide is contraindicated for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Weight loss medication may interact with certain medications, so it is important to disclose all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- Semaglutide should not be used in combination with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.
- It is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, consult your healthcare provider for appropriate alternatives.
Getting the Best Results
- Weight loss medication is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise, and not as a stand-alone quick fix.
- Work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized meal plan that supports your blood sugar control and weight loss goals.
- Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine, as advised by your healthcare provider.
Follow-Up and Monitoring
- Your healthcare provider will schedule monthly follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, adjust the medication dosage if needed, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
- It is important to attend these appointments and communicate any changes in your health or medication experience.
How Much Weight Can I Expect to Lose?
- While results vary, most patients will lose an average of 15% of their current body weight after 1 year.
- Other study cohorts report 6% body weight loss after 3 months and 11% after 6 months.
- The duration of treatment with weight loss medication varies by individual depending on treatment goals and response to the medication.