Semaglutide, Ozempic and Wegovy, for Weight Loss and Appetite Suppression

Semaglutide suppresses appetite, reduces cravings, and melts pounds off your body. At Fertility and Lifespan Medical Institute, treatments with semaglutide are utilized as part of a comprehensive plan for weight loss and appetite suppression. Our Medical Director, Steven A. Brody M.D., is a board-certified endocrinologist and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist. He has extensive experience with the methodologies used to balance hormones, restore healthy metabolism, and lose weight.

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication that reduces stomach emptying, boosts insulin, blocks cravings, and suppresses appetite. It is in a class of drugs referred to as “glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.” Agonists are medications that mimic the effects of a hormone.

GLP-1 agonists bind to the receptor of GLP-1. However, the binding of the agonist is greater than that of the natural hormone, GLP-1, and lasts longer. Because of this, the agonists are hormones that have all the features of the underlying hormone GLP-1, but they are stronger and last longer.

Semaglutide has long been utilized as an effective drug for diabetes. It is sold under the trade name Ozempic. The manufacturer of the product is Novo Nordisk from Denmark. They took the same exact medication, boosted the dose, and renamed it Wegovy.

How much weight will I lose on semaglutide?

Wegovy is given by subcutaneous injection once a week at a dose of 2.4 mg. I always start at a lower dose, in order to ensure effectiveness and tolerance. Studies over the course of several months have confirmed that the average weight loss is approximately 15% of body weight. For someone who weighs 232 lb., this translates to a weight loss of 35 pounds.

For adults, 83% of individuals lose 5% or more of their body weight. About half will lose 15% of their body weight and about one-third will lose 20% of their body weight. Semaglutide is a powerful drug. It should only be administered under the guidance of a physician such as Dr. Brody. In all cases is important to go over potential side effects and consider their risks and benefits.

The effectiveness of Wegovy depends on the duration of treatment. By the second month, most people have lost about 8% of their body weight. Most of the benefit begins after the third month. To learn more about treatments with Wegovy (semaglutide), be sure to call the Fertility and Lifespan Medical Institute at 858-216-2096.

How does Semaglutide promote weight loss?

Semaglutide has the same action as GLP-1, which is a hormone secreted by the gut. It works at the level of the brain, the pancreas, and the intestines. It is remarkable that a gut hormone could have such dramatic effects on the brain. Semaglutide is a super potent form of GLP-1.

• At the level of the pancreas, it stimulates the release of insulin and improves insulin sensitivity. This is the metabolic feature that allows an increase in fat breakdown.
• At the level of the gut, it slows down the emptying of food from the stomach. It makes you feel full more rapidly and for a longer period of time.
• At the level of the brain, semaglutide increases satiety, the feeling of being full. This results in a remarkable degree of appetite suppression.
• There is a second effect at the level of the brain. Semaglutide has been shown to decrease the cravings for unhealthy sugars, fats, and salt. As a result, we can stick to our diets. 

For more information, schedule an appointment with Steven A. Brody M.D., Ph.D. Make an appointment online, or call Fertility and Lifespan Medical Institute, at 858-216-2096. Dr. Brody will formulate a customized plan to help restore your metabolism and effectively lose weight.

Author

Dr. Steven A. Brody Dr. Steven A. Brody, the Director of the Infertility & Lifespan Medical Institute in San Diego, has spent his professional career providing compassionate and specialized care to help families overcome infertility. Dr. Brody has authored two textbooks, one at Stanford and one with a Nobel Prize winner at Cambridge, entitled “Principles and Practice of Assisted Human Reproduction.” Dr. Brody earned his M.D. degree at Washington University and continued his education with an internship at Yale, a residency at Stanford, and a fellowship at Baylor. Dr. Brody is the only doctor in the U.S. who has achieved Board Certifications in four distinct specialty areas including: Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. If you are looking for a compassionate and thorough physician who works with you to overcome infertility and treat any reproductive disorders, call the office or book an appointment online today.