Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication that is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as well as to promote weight loss in adults who are considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
Semaglutide helps people to feel full sooner after eating, eat smaller portions, and feel less hungry between meals. These effects lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss.
Semaglutide mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is released naturally by the body. GLP-1 plays an important role in appetite control and food intake by signaling to the brain that the stomach is full.
Semaglutide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors, which stimulates the release of insulin when blood sugar levels become high. This helps to control blood glucose. Semaglutide also slows stomach emptying and suppresses appetite centers in the brain to promote feelings of fullness and reduced hunger.
Over time, taking semaglutide changes eating patterns and food cravings, enables consuming smaller portions, increases satiety between meals, and leads to sustained weight loss.
There are several key benefits associated with semaglutide treatment:
In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide experienced significant weight loss compared to placebo groups not taking the medication. Over 68 weeks, people lost an average of 15% of their body weight with subcutaneous injections of semaglutide. This amount of weight loss has major impacts on health.
People taking semaglutide injectable solution reported reduced hunger compared to baseline. Appetite suppression and earlier feelings of fullness enabled people to eat less frequently and consume smaller portion sizes. This led to sustained calorie deficits and ongoing weight loss over time.
Semaglutide treatment is associated with improvements in lipid profiles, including decreases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides after 56 weeks of treatment. These changes likely result from weight loss.
In people with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide injections alongside diet and exercise significantly improved long-term blood sugar control. Hemoglobin A1c decreased by 1.5% after taking semaglutide for 72 weeks. Better blood sugar control reduces risks for diabetes complications.
The positive effects of semaglutide on body weight and cardiometabolic parameters may allow some people to reduce doses or stop taking other medications for conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Of course, any medication adjustments should be made carefully under medical supervision.
The key requirement to begin semaglutide therapy is having excess weight or obesity along with at least one weight-related health condition. Semaglutide can benefit adults who have:
Semaglutide is approved for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity) or a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition such as:
People without diabetes or high blood pressure may also be candidates for semaglutide if they have other weight-related conditions like:
Semaglutide should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Semaglutide is structurally similar to a human hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When injected weekly, semaglutide mimics the effects of GLP-1, stimulating the release of insulin only when blood sugar levels are high, leading to better blood sugar control than daily injections for some people with diabetes.
If you are interested in finding out if you might benefit from semaglutide, the first step is to schedule a consultation.
During the initial consultation at our Harmony Hormone Clinic weight loss clinic, we will:
In most cases, the consultation visit is the only appointment needed prior to starting semaglutide therapy. Our clinic handles obtaining insurance approvals when required. We also provide affordable self-pay options on request.
Once approved, you can begin the starter dose of semaglutide. The medication will be delivered directly to your home or available for convenient pickup if you prefer.
Semaglutide is given via a simple subcutaneous injection under the skin using a very thin, short needle. The medication comes conveniently packaged in a pre-filled pen device designed for easy self-injection.
Semaglutide dosing starts low at 0.25 mg once weekly and gradually increases to the target maintenance dosage of 2.4 mg once weekly. It takes 5 weeks to incrementally ramp up to the full dose. This allows the body to adjust and minimizes side effects.
Common injection sites include the thigh, stomach area, or upper arm. These areas have adequate fat layers to administer the shots comfortably. The thighs or abdomen tend to be easiest to reach.
Administering the weekly semaglutide injection takes just minutes:
With a little practice, the method becomes quick and routine like brushing teeth. Most people find the semaglutide injections nearly painless.
To promote optimal weight loss with semaglutide, we provide customized tips for lifestyle changes based on your individual needs and preferences. Useful strategies may include:
- Eat more non-starchy vegetables - Broccoli, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, etc. provide bulk and nutrients without excess calories. - Choose lean proteins - Focus on skinless poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, legumes, soy foods rather than fatty cuts of red meat. - Reduce/eliminate processed foods - Skip the chips, cookies, fast food, soda, sugary cereal and desserts. - Stay hydrated - Water, unsweetened tea, black coffee, sparkling water, dilute juice, broth soups are healthy options.
- Aim for 30-60 minutes daily - This might include walking, swimming, cycling, strength training, yoga, dancing, household chores, gardening etc. - Try 10,000 steps per day - Use a fitness tracker to motivate movement throughout your routine. - Stand and stretch often if you have a sedentary job.
- Get enough sleep - Working towards 7-9 hours nightly supports metabolic health. - Manage stress levels with beneficial strategies like meditation, deep breathing, journaling, interacting with pets, listening to music or podcasts, enjoying hobbies, etc. - Surround yourself with positive social connections - Spend time with supportive friends and family who energize you.
Making healthy adjustments maximizes treatment success. We provide ongoing coaching and accountability throughout the program.
Taking semaglutide can provide profound benefits for health and quality of life if you are living with obesity or excess weight. Some reasons why seeking treatment now is so valuable:
Like diabetes or hypertension, doctors recognize obesity as complex disease that typically requires long-term medical management rather than just lifestyle changes alone. Left untreated, it leads to life-threatening consequences. Semaglutide addresses root contributors.
Losing even small amounts of weight (5-10%) offers huge gains by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, insulin resistance, liver fat and other obesity-related health risks. Achieving 15% or more weight reduction with semaglutide injectable solution has an even bigger impact.
Studies reveal weight loss medication treatment extends lifespan for people with obesity by approximately 3 years. More importantly, these extra years gained are generally healthy years free of impairing chronic illnesses.
Carrying excess pounds puts literal tons of added pressure on joints, contributing to osteoarthritis over time. As weight normalizes, people report reduced back and knee pain, improved stamina, better mobility, and increased independence.
Obesity accounts for 9.1% of U.S. annual medical expenditures nationwide. Out-of-pocket costs for conditions caused or worsened by obesity like diabetes, heart disease and stroke are financially draining. Weight loss alleviates this economic burden both for individuals and the healthcare system.
In summary, initiating semaglutide provides the help many people need to overcome biology and transform their health. Harmony Hormone Clinic has an exceptional track record guiding patients towards successful weight loss with these highly effective injections. Reach out today to learn more and get started.
The physicians, nurse practitioners and dedicated staff at Harmony Hormone Clinic weight loss clinic aim to deliver the highest quality medical care to every patient we serve with integrity and compassion. We seek to empower people struggling with excess weight, obesity or related health conditions through proven solutions centered around wholesome nutrition, active living and scientifically-supported treatments.
In addition to specialized obesity management featuring cutting-edge prescription medications like semaglutide, Harmony Hormone Clinic also provides:
Hormone testing & optimization - We identify and address hormone imbalances contributing to stubborn weight gain. Customized programs feature bioidentical testosterone replacement, thyroid treatment, cortisol modulation and other evidence-based strategies alongside lifestyle coaching.
Advanced liposuction techniques - Where diet, exercise and hormones fall short, we skillfully perform surgical procedures like Liposuction, ANIT, and AirSculpt for targeted fat removal.
IV Nutrient Therapy - IV drips deliver hydration, vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids to reduce inflammation, speed healing, boost immunity and amplify energy.
Harmony Hormone Clinic recognizes every patient has unique needs when it comes tocrafting a weight loss solution. We design flexible, multidimensional plans catered to fit within your lifestyle, resources and personal health goals using the most innovative medical options. Support and accountability at each stage help you stay motivated to reach your full wellness potential. We consider it a privilege to guide your life-changing transformation.
Given Arizona's extremely hot summers, the more comfortable fall, winter and early spring months tend to be best suited for initiating an intensive weight loss program like semaglutide treatment. While the medication helps control appetite and cravings regardless of season, cooler weather enables easier compliance with increased outdoor activity recommendations and healthy habit formation. Of course we can start therapy any time - the choice is personal.
With over 300 days of sunshine, getting active outdoors year-round is feasible in Bullhead City. We recommend these favorite walking, hiking and biking paths, parks, recreation centers and attractions during therapy:
Walking & Leisure - Riverfront Trails - Meandering paved trails with lake views and river access - Rotary Park - Water play areas, sports fields, dog park, skate park - Mohave Community College Arboretum - Botanical gardens, outdoor classroom spaces - Bullhead Regional Aquatics Center - Year-round lap swim, water aerobics, splash pad
Hiking & Biking - Christmas Tree Pass Trail - Moderate hike with panoramic vistas - Bonelli Landing Bicycle Path - Flat scenic route along the Colorado River - Black Meadow Landing Trails - Easy dirt trails with petroglyphs
Golf Courses - Mohave Golf Club - Regulation 18-hole course with pro shop - Los Lagos Golf Course - Executive 18-hole course open to public
Parks - Davis Camp Park - Fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding - Veterans Memorial Park - Walking path, fishing lagoon, athletic fields - Bullhead Community Park - Lighted tennis courts, covered picnic areas
These highly-rated local facilities offer convenient blood testing, imaging, and wellness services to complement your weight loss treatment:
Sonora Quest Laboratories - Outpatient lab draw stations throughout Bullhead City including FMC Complex, Western Arizona Urgent Care and Bat Cave Medical Clinic sites.
SimonMed Imaging - Advanced diagnostic imaging, X-Ray, CT, Ultrasound, and Dexa Scans.
Absolute Fitness - Spacious fitness center with strength and cardio equipment, exercise classes, personal training and indoor aquatic center. Located at 1252 Hwy 95 STE C.
We hope this gives you a great starting point to identify activities and local partners to enrich your health journey with our clinic!
