Is GLP-1 Medication Right for Your Weight Loss Goals?
Posted May 02, 2023 in Medical Weight Loss
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While originally designed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 medications have become a well-known weight loss aid. As a matter of fact, it’s been described as a wonder drug for weight loss by many.
Whenever these kinds of claims are made about a weight loss product, it’s important to learn as much as possible about it before jumping on the bandwagon. Fortunately, studies have shown that GLP-1 medications, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, can help with weight loss.
GLP-1 is a prescription medication that you inject weekly to help control your appetite.
What Are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 medications are prescription drugs that include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide.
GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the intestines and activated by eating. It prompts the pancreas to increase insulin production, which reduces blood sugar (glucose).
Doctors have used semaglutide for over 15 years to treat patients with type- 2 diabetes. Recently, medical research scientists learned that higher amounts of GLP-1 also suppressed appetite and helped diabetic patients lose weight.
How Does GLP-1 Work for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide works in two ways:
- It causes GLP-1 receptors in the brain to tell your body the stomach is full, thereby reducing or eliminating the feeling of hunger.
- It slows the digestion process to make you feel full longer.
These injections can increase metabolism and your body’s fat-burning abilities while boosting energy and mood.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are prescription medications used to treat certain medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes and, depending on the specific medication, chronic weight management. These medications should be prescribed and used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
What Are the Risks Associated With Semaglutide?
These injections are safe; however, they are associated with a few side effects. Common side-effects of GLP-1 injections include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
Using GLP-1 Medication Long-Term for Weight Loss
If your doctor finds that you are a good candidate for weight-loss treatment with a GLP-1 medication, they will explain that it works best when combined with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine. Committing to a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise will help you lose weight faster and keep it off after stopping the GLP-1 injections.
For significant weight loss of 30+ pounds, you will likely need to take your GLP-1 medication for about a year, even when committing to a healthy lifestyle. GLP-1 medication is not a quick fix for weight loss. It is a single piece in a much larger lifestyle change.
The Benefits of Medical Weight Loss
When you undertake a responsible weight-loss program that includes GLP-1 medication, medical supervision must be integral.
Careaga Plastic Surgery offers a medical weight loss program that benefits individuals looking to lose a few pounds before a surgical procedure or who simply want to get healthier.
When you visit our clinic for our weight loss program, you can expect:
- Laboratory testing that ensures the thyroid, liver, and kidney are healthy
- Testing to ensure you are not anemic
- An EKG (for older patients)
- Appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1s
- Lipotropic B-12 shots (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly)
- In-office follow-up visits every two weeks.
Using GLP-1 Medication to Lose Weight Before Surgery
Being at or near your ideal weight reduces your risk of complications during any surgical procedure. To achieve and maintain excellent plastic surgery results, GLP-1 medication can help.
Medical Weight Loss With Careaga Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL
Careaga Plastic Surgery offers a medical weight loss program in Miami for patients looking to shed excess pounds before a medically necessary or cosmetic surgery and those wanting to lose weight for health and aesthetics.
Our PA, Reana Myers, is a knowledgeable and experienced healthcare professional who, with the surgeons at Careaga Plastic Surgery, operates our Coral Gables medical weight loss and non-surgical treatment programs.
We offer both semaglutide medication and lipotropic B12 injections, which can be combined to jumpstart your weight loss journey, which along with exercise and a healthy diet, can ensure your best weight loss results.
Dr. Daniel Careaga is a highly respected, board-certified plastic surgeon in Miami, Florida, providing a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures, such as:
- Surgical facial rejuvenation
- Non-surgical facial rejuvenation
- Surgical breast and body contouring
- Non-surgical breast and body contouring
Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals
Call our Coral Gables office at (305) 960-7511 to learn how Careaga Plastic Surgery can help you accomplish your self-improvement goals.