Semaglutide for Weight Loss
What is Semaglutide?
Plainly put, semaglutide is a peptide, which is a string of amino acids - the legos that build muscles. Look at a partial list of amino acids below. Which of the following amino acids have you see before?
Glutamine
Lysine
Tryptophan
Taurine (non essential)
Glutamine can be used to heal the gut. Lysine can be used to fight viral infections. Tryptophan has a calming effect in some patients. My personal favorite, taurine, is useful for the overthinker. Taurine curbs the number of thoughts the brain creates and is thus relaxing. It is inexpensive, non addicting, and can be started and stopped as needed. It makes a great staple when added to the naturopathic cabinet of supplements.
How is Semaglutide Made?
The peptide semaglutide is produced by yeast. You have seen these little guys in action if you have ever made homemade bread. In a lab, the yeast are engineered to produce a peptide. The next step is to add a lysine and a fatty acid chain so that it is stable inside the human body. And voila! Semaglutide is born. It is typically injected subcutaneously (under the skin) by a tiny insulin needle once a week. Needles are usually purchased at the same time you buy your vial. It is a simple injection you can do privately at home. You can also travel with your vial when on vacation, losing no time in achieving your goals!
What are the Benefits of Semaglutide?
The following answers are general only. Individual results vary from person to person. The answers are not meant to be medical advice and do not constitute patient/doctor relationship. Schedule with Dr. Cordova first before starting a weight loss treatment plan.
To be direct, 100% of the population does not benefit from every supplement offered to the public. The key is to weigh the risk-to-benefit ratio. And the benefits typically outweigh the risks. “Risks” in this case refer to side effects. Semaglutide is generally considered safe and low-risk. However, some side effects are nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Your personal care plan will address each of these so that you will know exactly what to do.
How much can a person expect to lose?
Typically, a weight loss of one to two pounds per week can be expected. However, your level of physical activity and muscle mass among other things can affect how quickly you lose weight.
Will I have to change my diet and exercise?
Yes. We will review your diet and talk about what kind/type/frequency of exercise is best for you. Each person loses weight in a very unique way. But yes, you will need to move to a diet of unprocessed foods and little/no sugar with consistent exercise to lose weight and keep it off.
How many office visits will I need?
The majority of the information you will receive is in your new patient appointment. It is just over one hour of discussing labs, personal history, and goals. There should ideally be a follow up from 6 weeks to 3 months to ensure you are on track. I will schedule the follow up for you.
How much does the therapy cost?
When you schedule with me, there are NO membership or hidden fees. You will have the cost of the initial visit plus the cost of the vial and needles that you purchase directly from the pharmacy. There is no mark up on the product.
How do I administer semaglutide?
Semaglutide comes in both injection and sublingual form. The injection form is done using an insulin needle, about the size of your pinkie nail. It’s an injection in the abdomen area and generally is not felt. I will demonstrate how to do it via Zoom so you are confident. Usually you have a refill so that no doses are missed until your follow up. We will choose the best form of semaglutide for you!
Is semaglutide my only option for weight loss?
No! We can absolutely review a food log and your work day to ensure you have a care plan composed of unprocessed food and gentle/moderate exercise. We will review with compassion any emotional blocks and / or self-limiting beliefs. It’s simple, but not always easy.
How long can I expect to be on semaglutide?
I generally recommend that patients not rush themselves. If you’ve been overweight for over a year or more, the body needs time and understanding from you. Therefore, using semaglutide 8 to 12 months is (generally) a decent timeframe. It may be less or more depending on your progress and how well you stick to your new food plan.
What are the side effects of semaglutide?
Mostly none at first. You must administer a small amount in order to prepare your body! Once you titrate up (increase), then you may (or may not) experience nausea or constipation. My care plan covers many of the typical side effects I’ve seen in patients over the past 3 years so you will know exactly what to do should you have side effects. Then generally, the side effects pass. You may communicate via email if you need a question answered before your follow up.
How will I feel while on semaglutide?
The food noise and cravings disappear. It could be a whole new world and one in which you enjoy! In general, there are no more voices/conversations in your mind about finding food, fixing food, stressing how to prepare the food, or not eating enough. There are no cravings or reactions towards food. It typically applies to alcohol as well.
Will I put the weight back on after stopping semaglutide?
If you return to how you ate prior to semaglutide then yes, of course you will. However, you have a clear set of instructions in your care plan from day one on how to avoid this.
How long do the effects of semaglutide last once I’ve stopped?
Generally, it leaves the system by 30 days. Should you want to return to semaglutide after 30 days, you have to start at the low dose and increase from there.
Is Ozempic and compounded semaglutide the same? Is semaglutide a pharmaceutical medication?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication. We use a compounded semaglutide. They are both primarily used as anti-diabetic medications. Compounding pharmacies are not under the FDA’s check list. However, this does not mean that their products are inferior. They have strict standards they must adhere to when providing products to the public.
Schedule your Appointment
I’ve worked with weight loss peptides for several years and I never get tired of hearing people’s success stories. Book a new patient appointment with me and expect to feel heard, valued, and guided through each step of the weight loss process in a safe yet effective fashion!
You can also schedule a free 15 minute phone call to see if this is a good fit for you.