Are you struggling with weight loss even after months of hard work improving your diet and exercising regularly? If so, you are not alone. Countless women and men experience weight loss resistance even after giving their lives a serious health makeover. It can be incredibly frustrating when the number on the scale never seems to reflect your best efforts! Fortunately, GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide, now offer hope and weight loss success to the thousands of people striving to lose excess fat to improve their health and overall lives.
Skin Artisans is proud to now offer our patients medical weight loss treatment with semaglutide under the direct supervision of Hormone Optimization & Medical Weight Loss Specialist Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP. Rachel’s unique method not only helps you lose weight but also provides comprehensive behavioral support. This ensures you’re never alone in your journey, always guided and cared for by a professional who is dedicated to your success.
What exactly is semaglutide?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which is released in response to food intake. GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar levels and has been found to play a role in appetite regulation and food intake.
Semaglutide is the generic version of Ozempic®, an injectable GLP-1 agonist medication that is injected once a week. Over time, it slows down the speed at which food leaves your stomach, causing you to feel full sooner and longer. As your appetite decreases, so does the amount of food you eat, resulting in weight loss. Over time, semaglutide helps regulate both appetite and glucose metabolism, allowing patients to decrease their calorie consumption and lose weight without feeling hungry.
How does semaglutide work to promote weight loss?
GLP-1 is a hormone that is naturally secreted by your small intestine. It performs several tasks in our body, including:
- Triggering the release of insulin from your pancreas, which lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. (This is why GLP-1 medications are commonly used to treat diabetes.)
- Blocking the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that raises your body’s blood sugar levels when necessary.
- Slowing the rate at which food empties from your stomach. This action decreases the amount of glucose entering your bloodstream from the food you consume and makes you feel fuller sooner and for longer. The appetite reduction causes patients to consume less food without experiencing hunger.
When patients combine GLP-1 agonist medications with a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet, they can expect to lose about one pound per week steadily. Skin Artisan’s Medical Weight Loss program includes the guidance of Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP, who helps patients modify their behaviors and habits surrounding food and provides insight into other lifestyle changes that will enhance your weight loss results!
Who is a good candidate for semaglutide?
If your BMI is currently 25 or higher (overweight to obese), or if you have consistently struggled with your weight after exhausting all options and have Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol as a result, you may be a good candidate for semaglutide medical weight loss treatment. In addition, if you prefer a medically-supervised program that prioritizes behavioral changes and accountability and are fully committed to lifestyle change, this weight loss method may be suitable for you.
What results can I expect with semaglutide?
The effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss has been demonstrated in clinical trials. In a landmark study called the STEP program, which included over 4500 adults with overweight or obesity, semaglutide was found to lead to significant weight loss compared to a placebo. Participants in the study who received semaglutide in conjunction with lifestyle intervention experienced an average weight loss of around 15% of their body weight within one year. It is reasonable to expect a steady weight loss of about one pound per week while on semaglutide.
At Skin Artisans, you will work closely with Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP, to adjust your dosing as needed to facilitate weight loss and avoid plateaus.
Are there additional benefits of semaglutide besides weight loss?
Many patients who lose weight with semaglutide also report the following benefits:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved blood sugar levels
- Improved cholesterol panel
- Heightened energy
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
- Decreased joint pain
- Improved body composition
- Enhanced focus
- Feeling more in control of their relationship with food
How can I enhance my weight loss results while on semaglutide?
It is important to note that semaglutide is not a magic bullet for weight loss and should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to weight management. This includes making healthy dietary choices, engaging in regular physical activity, and addressing any underlying factors that may be contributing to weight gain, such as hormone imbalance and behaviors surrounding food.
Medical weight loss specialist Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP, is also a Certified Biote® Provider. Biote® is a method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that utilizes subcutaneous pellets to restore optimal hormone levels. Hormone imbalances frequently lead to weight gain and weight loss resistance. Women in perimenopause and menopause who are struggling with unexplained weight gain and difficulty losing weight may benefit from adding Biote® BHRT to their medical weight loss treatment strategy.
Are there side effects with semaglutide?
As with any medication, semaglutide is not without potential side effects. Common side effects of semaglutide may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These side effects are typically mild to moderate in severity and tend to improve over time. In rare cases, more severe side effects such as pancreatitis may occur. All potential risks and side effects will be discussed during your initial medical weight loss consultation.
How do I get started with semaglutide at Skin Artisans?
Step #1: Your journey to successful weight loss with semaglutide at Skin Artisans begins with a consultation with Nurse Practitioner Rachel Snyder. During this consultation, you will discuss your current challenges and goals with Rachel to determine if you are a good candidate for semaglutide. She will also go over all contraindications for treatment and make recommendations regarding lifestyle and eating behaviors that may enhance your results. Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP, may also perform some labs and additional bloodwork at this consultation to ensure you are a safe candidate for GLP-1 medical weight loss. Or, you can submit these values from your last annual physical.
Step #2: At your follow-up appointment, you will review any pertinent lab values and receive one-on-one instructions on how to draw up your medication and inject it each week. Your semaglutide medication will then be ordered and delivered to your home within one week.!
Step #3: Each week, you will inject yourself with semaglutide on the same day and time (or close to it). Injection sites must be shifted each week to avoid skin irritation between the abdomen, upper thigh, or the backs of the upper arms. Although some patients begin to notice accelerated weight loss within the first month, it may take up to 12 weeks of regular use to start seeing significant results. Everyone’s body is unique and will adapt to the medication at different rates!
Are you ready to begin your weight loss journey with semaglutide? Schedule your initial consultation with Rachel Snyder, APRN, CNP, at Skin Artisan’s Edina location by calling or texting (952) 767-3163.
