Semaglutide is an exciting new medication for sustainable weight loss and improved health. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it helps regulate appetite and calorie intake. Recent studies have shown semaglutide's unmatched results compared to other weight loss drugs. Our endocrinology clinic, Balance Health Clinic in Arthur, IL, now offers transformational semaglutide weight loss plans customized for each patient's needs. With our proven protocols and aftercare, most people safely lose 15-25% of their body weight in 6-15 months.
Semaglutide activates areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation, leading to reduced hunger and calorie intake. It also slows stomach emptying, so you feel fuller longer after smaller meal portions.
In 2021, a large study called STEP 1 compared semaglutide to placebo injections. After 68 weeks:
No other prescription weight loss medication has shown such dramatic sustained weight loss.
Incredibly, semaglutide rivals even gastric bypass surgery for weight loss results, but without the risks of a major procedure.
Bariatric surgery patients lost 14-15% of weight after 2 years. Semaglutide can achieve similar or better weight loss, making it an appealing alternative.
In the STEP 1 study, participants maintained 90% of their weight loss 5 months after stopping semaglutide. This shows excellent promise for long-term weight management.
Lifestyle changes clearly play a role. But even accounting for that, no other weight loss drug has this level of sustained effect after discontinuation.
Semaglutide can be life-changing for those struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. It may be an option if:
Semaglutide works best paired with lifestyle modifications for optimal health transformation. But it is enormously helpful for overcoming biological hurdles to weight loss.
Ask yourself:
✅ Do you have 5-10% or more of body weight to lose?
✅ Are you struggling to lose weight despite efforts with diet and activity?
If you answered yes, semaglutide could be the breakthrough you need!
Our semaglutide clinic begins with a comprehensive health evaluation, including:
We check liver function, kidneys, heart, thyroid, and hormones. This establishes safety for using semaglutide long-term and uncovers reversible causes of weight gain.
Next, our physicians create a personalized plan, including:
We tailor calorie needs, meal plans, fitness routines, and more to make weight loss as easy and effective as possible.
Our proven program is designed not just for rapid weight loss but for maintaining normal weight long-term. We provide:
✔️ Frequent follow-ups to monitor progress, adjust meds, solve problems
✔️ Accountability for sticking to healthy changes
✔️ Encouragement when the journey gets challenging
With our compassionate, non-judgemental support, you can transform your health, one small step at a time!
What makes Balance Health Clinic your best choice for semaglutide-assisted weight loss?
Our clinic has 10 years solely focused on hormonal weight loss treatments. We have worked with over 3000 patients using semaglutide.
We stay on the leading edge of semaglutide therapy advances to optimize weight loss speed and amount.
Getting insurance approval for semaglutide can be frustrating. We handle the entire process so you can start quickly.
Our providers listen and explain things clearly. We support you through every phase of your journey.
Transform your health on your terms with our experienced, compassionate guidance!
"I lost 28 pounds with Balance Health Clinic in just 6 months. For the first time in years, I have hope I can reach a healthy weight!" – Mary S., Balance Health Clinic Patient
Semaglutide is an incretin mimetic medication, meaning it mimics natural appetite-reducing hormones. Here's an overview of how it works:
Semaglutide causes food to empty from your stomach more slowly. This makes you feel sated from smaller portions for hours longer.
Semaglutide acts on appetite regulation pathways in the hypothalamus. This leads to decreased hunger and reduced cravings.
It improves insulin secretion and sensitivity for better blood sugar control. This helps minimize energy storage as fat.
Some research shows semaglutide may also slightly increase resting metabolic rate, leading to extra calorie burn daily. More studies are needed to confirm this.
Through these mechanisms, most people reduce calorie intake by 300-500 calories per day, leading to steady fat loss over months.
Semaglutide is available in oral tablets or subcutaneous injections. Which is better for you?
| Oral Semaglutide Tablets | Semaglutide Injections | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's Taken | Swallowed daily pill | Self-injected 1/week |
| Dosage Flexibility | Fixed dose only | Fully customizable |
| GI Side Effects | More nausea | Less nausea |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
For maximum dosage customization, we typically start patients on semaglutide injections. This allows finding your optimal dose for weight loss while minimizing side effects.
Once at goal weight, we can transition you to the more convenient pill form for maintaining results long-term.
"I was nervous about injections, but they are really easy! Now I look forward to my weekly shot because the results keep me motivated." – John B., Balance Health Clinic Patient
Here is an overview of starting and optimizing semaglutide therapy for weight loss:
We begin with 0.25 mg injections weekly. This low dose minimizes temporary GI side effects like nausea as your body adjusts.
We raise the dosage 0.25-0.5mg every 4 weeks until reaching the target dose of 2.4 mg per week. Slow increments decrease side effects.
By starting low and gradually increasing, most patients reach the full 2.4 mg dosage in 16-20 weeks with minimal side effects.
We assess weight loss and side effects at 6 months on 2.4 mg. If needed, we can customize the dosage between 1.7-2.4 mg for an additional 3-6 months.
Once the goal weight is reached, we can switch to daily semaglutide tablets for convenience if tolerance is good.
This gradual process allows finding your optimal dosage for maximum weight loss with minimal side effects. Our frequent follow-ups ensure your success!
Semaglutide has an excellent safety profile perfected over many years. However, there are some precautions and possible side effects to consider.
We provide strategies like proper hydration to help manage these. Slow dosage ramp-up prevents most GI issues.
Semaglutide is not appropriate for everyone. We screen for:
Alert your provider if you have any of these conditions before starting.
The exciting thing about semaglutide is sustained results even years after starting therapy. But how long should you continue?
Most experts recommend using semaglutide for a minimum of 12 months to ensure maximal weight loss and establish behavior changes.
For some people at higher weights, treatment for 2-3 years leads to greater loss while locking in positive lifestyle habits. Talk to your provider about your unique needs.
Once happy with weight loss results, we can transition you to lower dose oral semaglutide to conserve progress long-term with less effort.
The duration needed is very individual based on your health history, genetics, age, and other factors. Our team tailors the treatment course specifically for your needs and goals!
| Semaglutide | Liraglutide | Phentermine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it Works | Incretin Mimetic | Incretin Mimetic | Appetite Suppressant |
| Administration | Injectable/Oral | Injectable | Oral Tablet |
| Average Weight Loss | 15-25% Total Body Weight Over 6-15 Months | 5-10% Over 6-12 Months | Typically 5-10% Over 3-6 Months |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$ | $ |
| Side Effects | GI Upset, Increased Heart Rate | GI Upset, Gallstones | Increased Heart Rate, Anxiety, Insomnia |
| Safety Concerns | Thyroid Cancer | Thyroid Cancer | Pulmonary Hypertension, Addiction |
As the table illustrates, semaglutide is unmatched for the amount of weight loss in a safe manner. This makes it a first-line option for obesity. It can be used alone or to enhance the results of metabolic surgery.
Results vary quite a bit based on dosage, adherence to lifestyle changes, baseline weight, genetics, age, and other factors. Most semaglutide patients lose 10-25% of total body weight over 6-15 months. Lower body weights may lead to 5-10% loss. Talk to your provider about reasonable goals for your situation.
Most patients lose around 1-3 pounds per week consistently when combined with diet and activity changes. Sometimes brief plateaus occur, but weight loss typically resumes soon after. Slow and steady progress is typical.
Yes, semaglutide can be discontinued once you are happy with your weight loss results. Excellent maintenance has been shown even a year after stopping. That said, some regain is common over 2-5 years, as with any weight loss method. Lower dose "maintenance" semaglutide can help prevent this.
We hope this overview has shown how semaglutide can be life-changing for chronic weight issues. With Balance Health Clinic' proven program, you can finally overcome frustrating weight loss hurdles to reclaim your health.
Our experienced physicians and coaches support you through each phase of the journey. Contact us today for a consultation, or book an appointment online to get started!
