WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Weight Management with GLP-1
For many individuals, weight regulation is far more complicated than simply eating less and exercising more. If you have been trying to loose weight on your own by eating properly and exercising and is unable to maintain healthy weight, then we might be able to help you by prescribing a GLP-1 medication (such as Semaglutide or Tirzepatide)
One class of weight medications is the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. They originated as medicines for diabetes but were found to help control blood pressure and cholesterol and effective for weight loss. These medications lower the sugar in your blood and also tames down the appetite center in the brain (decreases hunger bangs) and slows down stomach emptying (you feel full longer).
In your first visit we will discuss the pros and cons of these medications and provide you instructions on how to use them. If you want the injection form, you will get your first injection in the office free of charge, which lasts for one week. This way you test the medicine and if you want to continue with it you return in one week from the first injection, then you will be given a precription for the medicine to give it to yourself every week.
What are the side effects associated with weight medications?
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, may produce side effects
- The medicine slows down stomach emptying that may cause nausea, constipation, and bloating. These symptoms are usually temporary and may be helped by eating small meals and taking nausea or constipation medicine. The newer medications may cause less side effects.
- The medicine causes weight loss from fat but also from muscle. To preserve your muscle you must consume adequate proteins from healthy foods and keep up with exercise, otherwise the loss of muscle will result in saggy skin and weakness.
If you have prior pancreatitis or gallbladder disease, or if there is a family history of thyroid cancer, you must report it as the medication can worsen these conditions.
