Weight Loss in Greenville, South Carolina
Medical weight loss refers to interventions and treatments supervised by healthcare professionals to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These options are typically recommended for people with obesity or those who have difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone. Here are some common medical weight loss options:
- Medication
- Lifestyle Modification
- Behavioral Therapy
- Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
- Medical Meal Replacements
- Specialized Diets
At Believe Image, we mainly focus on the first 2 options on this list, and we receive a lot of questions about the medications that are available, specifically the newer injectable peptide treatments.
What is a Peptide?
Peptides are small chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. They play various roles in the body, acting as signaling molecules and regulators of biological processes. Peptides are involved in functions like hormone regulation, immune response, and cell communication. There are a multitude of peptides that have been identified and are either being researched or are being used for various possible health benefits. Probably the best-known peptide is insulin.
What Peptides are specifically approved for weight loss?
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is administered as a weekly injection. The higher-dose version (Wegovy) is specifically indicated for chronic weight management.
Liraglutide (Saxenda) is also a GLP-1 agonist and has been approved in higher doses for weight loss. It is administered as a daily injection.
Tirzepatide (Monjauro, Zepbound) is a GIP and GLP-1 mixed receptor agonist. It is also given as a weekly injection.
How do these medications help weight loss?
Appetite Regulation: Affect the central nervous system and increase the feeling of fullness (satiety).
Slow Gastric Emptying: Increase the feeling of fullness and cause reduced food intake.
Insulin Regulation: Regulate blood sugar levels.
How do I get started on these medications?
Since these are prescriptions medications, you will need to start with an evaluation by a healthcare professional… preferably one who is familiar with these medications and their side effects and nuances.
Are there other choices?
Yes, beyond these injectables, there are several other medications out there for weight loss including Orlistat (Xenical, Alli), Phentermine, Naltrexone/Bupropion (Contrave), and Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia). In addition, people who are losing weight may have additional needs for vitamin and nutritional supplements.
Anything else?
A consultation at Believe Image is free if you want to discuss your options. We would love to have a discussion to determine the most appropriate medication based on your individual health needs and goals. Additionally, we provide ongoing medical supervision to monitor progress, address potential side effects, make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed, and provide recommendations and treatments for nutritional support.