Sometimes, achieving significant weight loss is easier said than done. It can be hard to determine which diet and exercise regimen will help you reach your wellness goals, as recommendations online are oftentimes contradictory. And even when you’re following all the right steps, there still might be hidden obstacles in the way of your weight loss success.
Fortunately, the team at InterveneMD has the perfect, individualized solution for your weight loss needs: semaglutide in Charleston, SC. By stabilizing your blood sugar, suppressing cravings and helping you feel fuller longer, semaglutide can help you not only lose weight, but establish and maintain the healthy habits necessary to keep it off once and for all.
Keep reading this blog to learn about the science behind semaglutide and how the InterveneMD team can help you crush your weight loss goals. Ready to jump into your weight loss journey? Head over to our website or give our experts a call to schedule your initial consultation.
What is semaglutide?
So you’ve heard about injections like semaglutide, but you’re unsure of how they can help you reach your weight loss goals. If this sounds like you, here’s a quick semaglutide overview to inform your treatment decision.
Traditional Uses of GLP-1s
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a class of medications that were initially prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.
By prompting insulin production and lowering the release of glucagon, GLP-1s like semaglutide have been helping patients with type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels for more than 15 years. These medications also mimic the hormone released in the gut after eating, which can help patients avoid overeating.
Semaglutide for Weight Loss
In more recent years, semaglutide has helped patients all over the world achieve significant weight loss.
While the increase in insulin production regulates blood sugar levels, semaglutide also slows gastric emptying. This affects the areas of your brain that process hunger, helping you feel fuller for longer. When paired with a healthy diet and exercise, this medication can help patients overcome weight loss barriers and achieve their wellness goals.
At InterveneMD, we recommend semaglutide in Charleston, SC, to patients who are looking for a jump-start in their weight loss journey, or have been unable to achieve significant weight loss through traditional methods alone.
We also frequently recommend semaglutide for other research-backed conditions, including the prevention and treatment of:
- Dementia or other cognitive disorders
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Inflammation
Don’t Forget About Tirzepatide
Semaglutide isn’t your only weight loss injection option at InterveneMD! We also offer tirzepatide to patients who want to lose weight and keep it off for good.
Like semaglutide, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite. The main difference between the two is that tirzepatide is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which acts as an additional catalyst for weight loss. When paired with GLP-1s, GIPs decrease weight gain and increase weight loss.
Your provider will be able to determine which weight loss injection is your best option during your initial consultation.
The Weight Loss Process at InterveneMD
When it comes to weight loss injections, you need a team of experts who will handle your journey with great care. Fortunately, the team at InterveneMD is here to support you through every step of the weight loss process so you can create results you’ll feel confident in.
Here’s what you can expect when you choose our weight loss program.
Initial Consultation
To kick off your weight loss journey, you’ll first meet with one of our expert providers for a comprehensive consultation.
At this time, your provider will get to know you, your medical history, and your weight loss goals. They also may ask about any previous weight loss attempts to determine what did and didn’t work well in the past. All of this information will be used to determine if weight loss injections are right for you.
If your provider decides that injections like tirzepatide or semaglutide in Charleston, SC, are your best option, the two of you will work together to create your personalized treatment plan. At this time, your provider will explain the InterveneMD weight loss process, provide ample coaching and direction regarding dietary modifications and exercise, determine your medication dosage, and begin scheduling your monthly appointments.
Preparing for Injections
As you begin your injection program, it’s of utmost importance that you establish healthy lifestyle habits to serve as the foundation for weight loss success.
Though semaglutide and tirzepatide injections are a great weight loss tool, they are not a complete substitute for good diet and consistent exercise. Our experts recommend using weight loss injections in conjunction with healthy lifestyle habits to achieve the best results possible and ensure you’re able to successfully maintain your results.
That said, we understand that finding the right diet and exercise programs isn’t always easy. With an overload of conflicting information from weight loss “experts,” it can be hard to figure out which habits will actually help you achieve lasting results.
If you’re in need of lifestyle advice, our professionals are here to help. From nutritional counseling to supplements to exercise and resistance training, our team has the resources you need to create lasting weight loss.
Monthly Appointments
At your first appointment for semaglutide in Charleston, SC, your provider will teach you how to administer your injections by yourself and give you 4 pre-loaded syringes. These injections should be stored in the fridge, administered once a week, and injected under the skin of your upper thighs, abdominal area, or upper arms.
If you have any further questions, never hesitate to get in touch with your provider! We’re happy to serve as a guiding hand through every portion of your weight loss journey.
During these monthly appointments, your provider will also run an InBody scan to accurately track your weight loss progress. InBody is a noninvasive body composition analysis technology that provides a detailed breakdown of your body’s fat-to-muscle ratio. This tool measures subcutaneous and visceral fat to identify imbalances and ways you can improve your weight loss results and minimize skeletal muscle mass loss.
Post-Care Instructions
So you’ve lost the weight… Now what? The best way to prolong your weight loss results is by maintaining your skeletal muscle mass throughout treatment. Stick to a high-protein, low-carb diet with regular resistance or weight training, and check back in every few months to ensure you’re still on the right track.
If you fall off your weight loss program or experience a plateau—don’t stress! Weight loss is not linear, and we’re happy to help you overcome any hurdle you might encounter. We recommend scheduling an additional appointment with your provider to get back on track.
At InterveneMD, the average patient stays on weight loss injections for approximately 1 year. This length of time will depend on your weight loss goals and underlying health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
At InterveneMD, we understand that choosing to embark on your weight loss journey is often a big decision. You need answers to all of your questions to determine if semaglutide in Charleston, SC, is right for you.
Here are some additional details to inform your weight loss decision.
Are there any side effects associated with weight loss injections?
Like all medications, there are some side effects associated with weight loss injections, including:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Gassiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Acid reflux
Gastrointestinal issues are the most common side effect among patients on semaglutide. These side effects can be reduced by starting with a lower dose and slowly increasing the amount as your body adjusts to the medication.
With her years of experience with weight loss injections, Jen Pedersen, PA-C, has a whole toolbox of tips and tricks for mitigating the side effects associated with semaglutide. All of our experts know exactly how to make the weight loss process a comfortable experience so you can achieve the best results possible.
For patients prone to side effects or who have struggled with these side effects in the past, tirzepatide may be better tolerated.
Alert your provider immediately if you develop any of the following serious side effects:
- Allergic reaction
- Pancreatitis
- Heart palpitations
- Gallbladder problems
- Change in vision
How long will it take to see results from weight loss injections?
Most of our patients start seeing results after 1-2 months on tirzepatide and semaglutide in Charleston, SC. The rate at which you see results will depend entirely on your unique weight loss goals, your medication dosage, your overall health and how well you are able to adhere to our lifestyle and dietary modifications.
What treatments pair well with weight loss injections?
At InterveneMD, we recommend our patients pair weight loss injections with the following treatments and services:
- Emsculpt NEO – By combining radiofrequency energy and high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation, Emsculpt NEO targets stubborn fat and builds muscle strength—all at the same time!
- Exion – Exion boosts collagen and elastin production to tighten the skin and strengthen it at a cellular level.
- Emface – Using similar technology to that of Emsculpt NEO, Emface stimulates muscle contractions to give your facial features a naturally voluminous lift.
- Vasper – A low-impact form of exercise that protects your muscles and joints from the trauma of traditional exercise while increasing the release of recovery hormones
- Oxygen Therapy – An exercise method where patients breathe in alternating oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor air while doing cardiovascular exercise to increase athletic performance. Train low, compete high!
- Nutraceuticals – Oral supplements that contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, fibers, probiotics, and herbs to boost health naturally.
To learn more about treatments that can help you boost your weight loss results, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our expert medical providers.
Schedule Your Consultation
Though weight loss can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming, the team of experts at InterveneMD are here to make the process easier. With weight loss injections like tirzepatide and semaglutide in Charleston, SC, you’ll have the power to finally achieve your weight loss goals.
Your weight loss journey starts now. Visit our website or give us a call to speak with one of weight loss experts.
Want to learn about the best way to lose weight and the InterveneMD weight loss clinic? Head over to our blog for more information.
