Semaglutide was originally used to treat diabetes. It is a drug that acts on the glucagon-like peptide receptor-1 in the hypothalamus and hindbrain parts of the brain, reducing appetite and leading to significant weight loss. On average, patients lost about 16.7 percent of their body weight after receiving semaglutide.
Patients can expect to see the greatest weight loss in the first six months of using semaglutide. However, recent studies have shown that the drug can be used for two years, during which time weight loss continues. Semaglutide can also be used before or after body sculpting procedures for further results.
Potential candidates for semaglutide treatment are people who do not have diabetes, cancer, heart, liver, or kidney problems, and have no previous history of medullary thyroid cancer type 2.
“While semaglutide was originally created as a diabetes drug, potential diabetics should work with an endocrinologist to see if semaglutide will work for them,” said Dr. Sacha Obaid. “To learn more about semaglutide and how it might fit into a weight loss program, please schedule a consultation with a member of our team.”
Common side effects may include mild gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Rare side effects include gallstone formation and pancreatitis. A rare cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma type 2 has been shown to develop in animals treated with this drug, however, it has not been shown to occur with high frequency in humans.
Although an oral form of the drug exists, patients who received the injectable form lost twice as much body weight compared to the oral drug.
About North Texas Plastic Surgery:
Dr. Sacha Obaid, an internationally renowned board-certified plastic surgeon, is the founder and CEO of North Texas Plastic Surgery, a large plastic surgery practice with four locations in Texas The office has six cosmetic plastic surgeons, three certified injector nurses, and three medical aestheticians in Dallas, Southlake, Plano, and Fort Worth, Texas. If you are interested in plastic surgery treatments or medical spa treatments, please visit our website or check out our Instagram.
