A GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been approved by the FDA for treatment of obesity. STEP clinical trials found that almost 90% of patients lost 5% or more of their body weight. It has also been shown to reduce major cardiovascular disease events in adults.

GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a role in your appetite and digestion. Incretins (hormones released by your small intestine) are sent out by your body after you’ve eaten a meal to help lower your blood sugar by triggering insulin and blocking other sources of sugar. It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach (called gastric emptying). The result of these actions causes you to feel full, lowering your appetite and causing you to lose weight. Medications like GLP-1 agonists “mimic” these effects.

A once weekly injection, given on the same day each week. It can be given at any time of day, with or without food. It is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in your abdomen, arm, or thigh. The goal is to have limited unfavorable side effects, while losing 1-2 lbs/week (and feel the benefits of the medication - less appetite, cravings, portion sizes). We will adjust your does every week as needed, in order to achieve that goal.

Since semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, you may experience some gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. The most common being nausea and constipation. You may experience these effects more strongly when your dose is increased. Additional side effects can include stomach pain, indigestion, bloating, headache and fatigue.

• Small, frequent meals.

• Lower the amount of alcohol you consume

• Low fat meals

• Bland diet

• Ginger, Unisom, Vitamin Injection for nausea

• Stay well hydrated

• Continue with exercise

• High fiber diet

• Over the counter stool softeners

We will start you at 0.25 mg once weekly and adjust as needed. The goal is to lose 1-2 lbs/week.