SEMAGLUTIDE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM SEATTLE

Nearly everyone heard about the FDA’s approval of semaglutide for weight loss. Unlike previous fads and diets, semaglutide does work. The prescription medication—alongside a healthy diet and exercise—can help patients lose a significant amount of weight. Providers at Allure Esthetic help patients month-to-month on their medical weight loss journey. Everything from the diet, exercise plan, and dosage is customized to fit the patient’s body, needs, and the effectiveness of the starting doses. Allure Esthetic provides the best semaglutide weight loss program offered.

The brand names for semaglutide are Wegovy or Ozempic. At Allure Esthetic, we administer a compounded version of semaglutide that combines semaglutide and Vitamin B. Vitamin B can help ease two of the more common side effects including nausea and fatigue. Our compounded version includes the same active ingredient as the name brand versions of the medication.

Semaglutide is a type of drug called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist. It acts like the hormone GLP-1 which is responsible for telling the body to release insulin, help regulate blood sugar, and other metabolic functions. Originally approved to treat type II diabetes, semaglutide helps lower blood sugar, suppress hunger, and promote medical weight loss when combined with a diet and exercise plan.

Allure Esthetic Seattle offers semaglutide injections and a sublingual tablet. Our research has shown there is no significant difference in the efficacy between the injections and the pill. The primary difference is the cost and method of administration.

There are many benefits and risks associated with Semaglutide, but we want to be transparent about both. First, let's look at all the benefits Semaglutide can provide so you can know what to expect from the treatment. Benefits of semaglutide include:

• Can help you lose 15% or more of your body weight
• Can improve heart health and prevent cardiovascular complications
• Can boost your metabolism
• Prevents overeating & unhealthy snacking
• Can lower your blood glucose level
• Can create an overall healthier lifestyle

These benefits can be life-changing and help you establish a healthier lifestyle. When it comes to risks, most are rare but are still something to consider before beginning treatment. Additionally, the side effects often fade after you adjust to the medication. Risks of semaglutide include:

• Stomach issues like constipation, nausea, or diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Vision issues (blurry vision)
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Possibility of developing pancreatitis (rare)
• Issues with your gallbladder (rare)
• Possibility of developing thyroid tumors (rare)

The best candidates for semaglutide weight loss in Seattle will have a realistic weight loss goal. Allure Esthetic does not have BMI requirements for the semaglutide weight loss program and evaluates each patient on a holistic, individual basis. They may or may not have comorbidities, but would likely find some health benefits from losing weight via semaglutide treatment.

Patients with a history of or current diagnosis of certain conditions may not be candidates even if they otherwise qualify. While not always a complete disqualifier, patients who have a history of the following conditions should likely avoid semaglutide:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder problems
• Thyroid cancer
• Type I diabetes
• History of severe symptoms of low blood sugar

If a patient currently takes a GLP-1 medication, they may be able to switch to semaglutide. However, this will warrant a discussion with their provider to determine if this is the best course of action. Patients should not take semaglutide concurrently with any other GLP-1 medications.

When it comes to semaglutide, you have two options for how you take the medication: either through injections or tablets. Honestly, one isn’t better than the other; it just depends on what works best for you and your schedule. If you take the semaglutide tablet, you will need to take one every day. If you choose the injection, you will need to inject it once per week.

The tablet is great if you want to avoid injections, but the injections only need to be self-administered once a week in either the stomach, upper arms, or things. You can talk to your provider about which one is best for you!

Consultation

To begin the semaglutide weight loss program in Seattle, a patient should schedule a consultation with an Allure Esthetic provider. The consultation may take place in person or virtually through Skype or FaceTime. During the consultation appointment, the patient and their provider will discuss their goal weight, medical history, and lifestyle.

The provider will determine the dosage based on various factors. They will also present a diet and exercise plan that can help improve and prolong results. Following this diet and exercise program is highly recommended, but not required. If in the office, patients may pay for their first month of treatment at that time. Otherwise, they will receive a quote.

Administering Semaglutide Injections

Once the patient receives their semaglutide injections and supplies, they need to come in for a quick training session on how to give themselves the injections. After this, they can proceed with performing the injections at home. The pill form of semaglutide does not require a training session.

Ozempic and Wegovy are the brand names of semaglutide. At Allure Esthetic Seattle, we prescribe a compounded version of semaglutide with Vitamin B. This may help reduce side effects such as nausea and fatigue, especially during the first weeks of treatment. Our compounded semaglutide uses the same active ingredient as Wegovy and Ozempic.

We offer in-person or virtual training on how to self-administer injections. However, a provider at Allure Esthetic can do it for those who do not wish to self-administer the injection. Allure Esthetic is an honest, dedicated practice that offers all-encompassing support with doctors on call 24/7.

Meal & Exercise Plan for Semaglutide Weight Loss

As previously mentioned, a meal and exercise plan is included in the cost of our semaglutide medical weight loss program. Working with an Allure Esthetic provider, patients can work to find a balanced diet and exercise routine that works for them and is sustainable. This may take several weeks of trial and error. The monthly check-in appointments allow the patient and provider to adjust the dosage or their diet and exercise plan as necessary. At Allure Esthetic, we use semaglutide as a tool to foster good habits long term and keep weight off.

1. Does Insurance Cover Semaglutide (Ozempic)?

As far as our office is aware, semaglutide used only for weight loss is not covered by insurance. Allure Esthetic does not accept insurance for semaglutide treatment.

2. How Fast Does Semaglutide Work For Medical Weight Loss?

The amount of time it takes semaglutide to cause a noticeable weight reduction will vary from patient to patient. Some patients may notice a visible difference in about five weeks, while for others it can several months. The diet and exercise plan can help patients lose weight faster.
Even if a patient does not see a difference physically, the scale will likely indicate weight loss. The patient and their provider can discuss the average amount of time it takes on average for someone of similar weight, BMI, and health to see significant body weight reduction with semaglutide treatment in Seattle.

3. Foods to Avoid While taking Semaglutide

When you take semaglutide for weight loss, the best way to support the process is to maintain a healthy diet. You will want to avoid foods such as:

• Foods high in processed sugar, like candy, baked sweets, & ice cream
• Foods high in processed carbohydrates
• Foods high in saturated trans fat
• Spicy food
• Energy drinks, sodas, and juice with high amounts of sugar

Instead, focus on food with healthy fats, high protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sugars.

4. How Much Is A 30-Day Supply Of Semaglutide?

A month’s supply of semaglutide depends on if a patient chooses the injectable or the pill. The cost for semaglutide at Allure Esthetic is as follows:

• $575 monthly for the injection with supplies (includes one month's supply of alcohol pads and syringes)
• $700 monthly for oral tablet

This monthly cost includes all supplies needed for the injections, diet plan, exercise regimen, and monthly check-in appointments.

5. How Long Does Someone Stay On Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy)?

Semaglutide is a medication designed for long term use. With that said, many may want to discontinue or reduce the use of the medication. If a patient successfully lost the desired amount of weight and feels confident they can stick to the diet and exercise plan, they may begin to taper off the medication. Though, they can also cease use right away.
A provider is unlikely to take a patient off semaglutide as long as they are seeing results and not experiencing any severe side effects. Patients usually need to stay on the medication for a minimum of several months to see notable benefits. It is safe to use semaglutide for chronic weight management.

6. Is It Better To Take Semaglutide At Night Or In The Morning?

The time of day a patient administers semaglutide does not matter. However, they should try to take each dose at roughly the same time of day and close to meal times. The injections are administered once a week and the pill is taken every day. Otherwise, the same instructions apply.