At MiraMed and Day Spa, we understand how challenging it can be to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. That’s why we offer semaglutide, an injectable treatment shown to help with weight loss.
What is Semaglutide and How Does it Work?
Semaglutide is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist used to mimic incretin, a metabolic hormone in your body that your small intestine secretes to trigger insulin release. Your body sends these hormones out after eating a meal to help lower your blood sugar with insulin release. By enhancing insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon release, semaglutide helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, reducing cravings and overeating. Incretins also slow down the rate at which food leaves your stomach, also called gastric emptying. The result of these effects causes you to feel more full, reducing your appetite and therefore allowing for weight loss. GLP-1 is called an incretin mimetic, as it mimics these effects.
Benefits of Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Using semaglutide for weight loss offers several benefits, making it an attractive option for those struggling to shed pounds:
Significant Weight Loss: Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide can result in substantial weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week until you reach your weight goal. It will be especially effective when combined with lifestyle changes maintained after your treatment is over.
Improved Metabolic Health: Beyond weight loss, semaglutide can improve blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Reduced Appetite: With semaglutide, you’ll experience fewer cravings and a reduced desire to eat large portions.
Convenient Administration: As an injectable medication, semaglutide is easy to use and can be administered once a week.
How to Administer Semaglutide
Once prescribed, you will pick up the medication at MiraMed and Day Spa once your order arrives from our compounding pharmacy, this may take 1-2 weeks. You will give yourself an injection once a week, on the same day each week. It can be given at any time of the day with or without food. Semaglutide is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in your abdomen. You’ll start with a lower dose that may increase over several weeks to minimize side effects and help your body adjust to the medication while delivering the desired results.
What to Expect During Treatment
Initial Consultation
Your journey with semaglutide begins with a thorough consultation with our medical provider and nurse. Our healthcare professionals will review your medical history and determine if semaglutide is suitable for you based on your BMI and overall health. At MiraMed and Day Spa, we’re committed to promoting weight loss within a healthy range. We prescribe semaglutide to patients with a BMI of 25 or over to ensure that the treatment is both safe and effective.
Administration of Semaglutide
We will provide you with your first vial of 2.5mg which lasts 7-10 weeks depending on your dosage. For the first 4 weeks, you will start by injecting only 0.25mg and increase to 0.5mg on the 5th week. Our goal is to limit unfavorable side effects while helping you reach your weight goal. After the 5th week, you will continue taking 0.5mg unless instructed to increase.
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
Regular follow-ups with our team are important so we can monitor if the treatment is working effectively and allow us to make any necessary adjustments. We’ll provide guidance on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to maximize your results.
Potential Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Like any medication, semaglutide can cause side effects. The most frequent side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, constipation, and vomiting. Additional side effects include stomach pain, indigestion, and bloating. While there is a possibility of experiencing these unfavorable side effects, there are things you can do to help cope with them.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently
- Lower alcohol consumption
- Hydrate more often
- Continue with exercise
- Fiber-rich foods
- Over-the-counter stool softeners
- Low-fat meals
- Ginger, Unisom, Vitamin B6
We are able to prescribe Zofran (ondansetron) if needed for more severe nausea. If this is the case, patients should take 1 tablet under the tongue every 6 hours as needed.
Contraindications for Semaglutide
Semaglutide is not suitable for everyone. Contraindications include:
- Personal or Family History of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Semaglutide should not be used by individuals with this history due to potential risks.
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2): Patients with this condition should avoid semaglutide.
- Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: The safety of semaglutide during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
- Severe Gastrointestinal Disease: Patients with severe GI issues should consult their doctor before starting semaglutide.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes should consult their healthcare provider for an Ozempic prescription instead.
Book a Consultation Now!
If you’re ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey, schedule a consultation with us at MiraMed and Day Spa. Our experienced team is here to support you with personalized care and effective treatments. Contact us today!
Phone: (805) 770-2461
Address: 1921 State St Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Website: https://miramedanddayspa.com/
