Who Qualifies for Semaglutide Injections for Medical Weight Loss?

Since semaglutide is an FDA-regulated medication, you have to meet certain criteria to qualify for semaglutide, which includes having a BMI that is 30 or higher, and in some situations, you will be eligible if you have a BMI between 27 and 30 if you have other conditions that may impede your ability to lose weight, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, PCOS or high cholesterol. If you are considering the use of semaglutide, it is important to have a consultation with a medical professional like those at True Life Wellness, as they will go over your current lifestyle, diet, and exercise as well as any medical conditions to determine your eligibility. Some conditions contraindicate (meaning they are not medically safe to use) the use of medical weight loss injections like semaglutide, which are conditions like pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type II, and thyroid cancer, as the use of semaglutide affects the production of hormones in the body.
 
Semaglutide has been proven to be extremely effective when used for those who are classified as obese during their weight loss journey, as semaglutide works on receptors in the brain, pancreas, and intestines to slow the digestion process and creates a sense of fullness, which can help stop those who overeat. Semaglutide can also be beneficial for some patients who do not produce leptin, which is the hormone produced by the body to notify the brain that it is ful. Some people do not produce this hormone naturally, which can lead to binge eating or eating till a person becomes sick.

To get approved for semaglutide injections for weight loss you will meet with a physician to go over all your current medical conditions, if you have previously attempted to lose weight without the use of weight loss injections, and the amount of weight lost during this time, and the duration you have been exercising. After this, they will take measurements of your body and determine your current BMI to see if you are eligible.
 
If it is determined you are eligible for semaglutide injections for weight loss, you will then receive a prescription from the physician you are meeting with, with a starting dose amount. This dosage will change after 4 weeks, with the starting dose being 0.25 mg for the week. For those who are using it for weight loss and have diabetes, you may eventually be moved up to a weekly dose of 2mg, but this will depend on how you are biologically reacting to the use of semaglutide.

The amount of weight you can lose while taking semaglutide will depend on the factors at play, such as your adherence to your medications, following your recommended diet, and making sure you are staying active during this time. Patients who follow their prescribed lifestyle changes while taking semaglutide can lose up to 15% of their overall body weight, with the average across those using semaglutide being between 10% to 15% of their body weight lost during this time. This may not sound like much weight loss; however, during studies, patients who did not use semaglutide did not lose nearly as much weight, with those using semaglutide losing 12% more weight than those who did not.

Many patients will find after their first month of using semaglutide that they have lost upward of 12 pounds, with patients who have also changed their diet and exercise levels to improve the likelihood of weight loss losing around 20 pounds or more. Since everyone is unique, the time it takes to start losing weight will be dependent on making sure that you are following your injection schedule properly, adhering to the diet and exercise changes, and making sure that you are not overeating. Patients who follow their weight loss plan throughout their treatment will also have a higher chance of maintaining their weight loss once they are no longer on semaglutide, as it will be easier to follow after you end your prescription.

Semaglutide injections are available at True Life Wellness Center. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 809 E Oak St. Suite #201, Kissimmee, FL 34744. We serve patients from Kissimmee FL, Meadow Woods FL, Celebration FL, Southchase FL, St. Cloud FL, Hunters Creek FL, Buena Ventura Lakes FL, Williamsburg FL, and surrounding areas.