You are probably aware that the long-awaited miracle drug for medical weight loss is on the market in the form of Ozempic® and Wegovy®. Ozempic® is a type 2 diabetes drug that has been experiencing considerable off-label use for rapid weight loss, while Wegovy® has emerged as a blockbuster drug since its launch in 2022.

While still new to the market as weight-loss drugs, both rely on Semaglutide as their active ingredient. Semaglutide is a peptide with known weight-loss-inducing properties and one that some medical practices—such as Tampa-based Health + Glow—have used for several years in its medical weight-loss programs. Given the increased public interest in these miracle weight-loss drugs, Health + Glow has been fielding numerous questions about their efficacy and safety. One of the most frequently asked questions about these Semaglutide-based drugs is how long it takes for them to work their weight-loss magic. With extensive experience using Semaglutide for weight loss in Tampa, Health + Glow lead physician Dr. Swapna M. Kallikadan can answer that question.

How Semaglutide Induces Weight Loss

Semaglutide is one of the thousands of peptides living organisms utilize for various physiological functions. Comprised of amino acid chains, our bodies produce our own peptides and can absorb and utilize those made by other organisms. Semaglutide mimics a hormone that the brain uses to control appetite. A patient taking Semaglutide feels less hungry and fuller when eating. Another one of its physiological functions is to moderate blood sugar levels to help increase insulin production. This slows digestion and further suppresses the appetite, making it easier for the body to burn fat.

When do Patients Realize Weight-Loss Results?

With once-weekly injections, it takes at least two weeks before Semaglutide starts having a physiological weight-loss effect. Some patients might realize noticeable weight loss in eight weeks, buy most people experience it in 12 weeks. Those who undergo Semaglutide weight-loss treatment for at least a year tend to achieve the most significant results.

In a large clinical trial of almost 2,000 adults with a body-mass index of 30 or greater, patients who combined Semaglutide with diet and exercise achieved a mean 14.9% body-weight loss in 68 weeks. Patients in the placebo group, who only benefited from diet and exercise, experienced a mean 2.4% in body weight loss.

Most Semaglutide patients lost at least 5% of their body weight, almost 70% lost more than 10%, and roughly 50% lost more than 15%. Higher weight-loss thresholds were not part of the statistical testing in the study; however, 30% of patients lost at least 20% of their body weight.

While Semaglutide patients experienced losses of fat mass and lean body mass, “the proportion of lean body mass relative to total body mass increased with Semaglutide.” Additionally, the physical functioning scores and cardiometabolic risk factors of those on Semaglutide significantly improved compared with those on a placebo. In short, the clinical trial researchers concluded that weekly Semaglutide treatment combined with diet and exercise is “associated with substantial, sustained, clinically relevant” weight loss.

The Importance of Diet and Exercise

While other clinical studies have determined that Semaglutide can help patients lose weight without diet and exercise, researchers have found that results are significantly improved when combined. Based on this, the FDA approved using Semaglutide for weight loss “when used with diet and exercise.”

Semaglutide Medical Weight Loss in Tampa

Health + Glow has helped numerous Tampa-area patients meet their weight loss goals with its Semaglutide medical weight loss program. Our patients’ weight loss journey begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine whether Semaglutide treatment is viable. Patients with medical profiles amenable to the treatment are provided a prescription and instructions on how to self-administer the drug. We customize a diet and exercise program to align with the patient’s health profile and fitness level and maximize Semaglutide’s effectiveness. With a holistic approach to weight loss, your Health + Glow practitioner might recommend other weight loss services and will provide ongoing support and guidance as needed while undergoing Semaglutide treatment.

Begin Your Medical Weight-Loss Journey with Health + Glow!

To learn more about how you can lose weight with our Semaglutide medical weight loss program in Tampa, schedule an appointment with Health + Glow. Along with medical weight loss, our medical spa, primary care office, and IV therapy facility provide Tampa-area patients with a full slate of health and beauty treatments.