Medically Guided Weight Management
At Renew, we offer medically guided weight loss utilizing semaglutide. Semaglutide (also known as Ozempic or Wegovy), is a medication that works by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake, and it has several key effects on metabolism and appetite regulation. Clinical trials with semaglutide as the brand name Ozempic date back to 2008, with the FDA approving Ozempic for use in Type II Diabetes (for blood sugar control) in 2017. Semaglutide as the brand name Wegovy was approved for weight loss by the FDA in 2021.
Semaglutide works in the following ways:
Stimulates insulin release: Semaglutide enhances the release of insulin from the pancreas in response to meals, which helps lower blood sugar levels. It does this only when blood sugar is elevated, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Suppresses glucagon secretion: Semaglutide also reduces the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that normally signals the liver to release stored glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream. By suppressing glucagon, it helps reduce unnecessary glucose production in the liver.
Delays gastric emptying: Semaglutide slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness and reduced appetite. This can help with weight loss, as it encourages people to eat less.
Promotes weight loss: Through its effects on appetite and food intake, semaglutide can lead to significant weight loss (up to 15% of body weight). It's often used in the treatment of obesity, in addition to its use in type 2 diabetes management.
Improves blood sugar control: Overall, by acting on multiple aspects of glucose metabolism, semaglutide helps improve long-term blood sugar control, making it effective in managing type 2 diabetes.
Further studies: Semaglutide is currently being studied in a variety of clinical trials, including examining it’s role in neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes prevention, chronic kidney disease, alcohol use disorder, and more. Semaglutide is also reported to decrease inflammation in the body. Not only do many of our patients report “feeling better” overall or a decrease in joint stiffness/achiness, this decrease in inflammation also leads to adiponectin release and fat lipolysis. Fat lipolysis allows the body to use fat stores for energy/fuel for the body rather than remaining locked inside a fat cell.
Under the direction of our medical team, patients will be evaluated to first to see if semaglutide is a good fit for their health goals. Part of that evaluation includes baseline lab work that must be brought to the first consultation appointment, as well as a thorough medical and family history review. It is important that patients understand that weight management with semaglutide is one tool in the toolbox; proper nutrition and weight bearing exercise are also critical aspects that are non-negotiables to getting started.
Semaglutide is typically administered via subcutaneous injection once weekly. Dosing begins low, and is titrated up slowly every 4 weeks as needed based on weight loss and each patient’s tolerance. The dose at which each person responds is different for everyone, with some people responding drastically to the starting dose, while others may take 3-4 months to titrate up to a dose that their bodies respond to. Along the way, patients are counseled on potential side effects, proper nutrition, and weight bearing exercise. Once the target weight is achieved, we then begin titrating back down/off of semaglutide.
Give our team a call at 406-585-3770 to schedule a consultation appointment, discuss pricing, and find out which baseline labs we will need to get started!