A change in diet is one of the main steps for anyone who’s on a weight loss journey or looking to improve their quality of life. There’s always a point in our lives when we look back and wonder how certain circumstances would be if we had done something different, with questions such as: What if I had stuck to this workout? All we can do is take matters into our own hands in the present and do something to improve our lifestyle and achieve weight loss.
If you’re up-to-date with almost every news cycle, you have probably come across the name Ozempic and its boom around the world, especially among celebrities. The weight loss seen among those who have confirmed or been rumored to have taken Ozempic is incredible due to the time in which they were able to achieve it. However, this is fairly new and the main objective of Ozempic is not weight loss.
At our Tijuana clinic, we help the patients that walk through our doors to achieve their weight loss goals, either by determining if they’re eligible for bariatric surgery or by providing a diet plan that improves their lifestyle while ensuring successful weight loss. Our medical team at LIMARP®, led by Dr. Liza María Pompa González, counts with expert nutritionists that provide specialized diets according to the needs of each patient. These plans range from patient to patient, meaning that some may include an increased consumption of certain foods or supplements. For example, the use of Ozempic for weight loss.
Having mentioned Ozempic, the topic of this article is Ozempic for weight loss and if it’s truly effective. We’ll also cover who is eligible for Ozempic weight loss and confirm if it actually helps to reduce belly fat.
As always, we’d like to remind you that information presented in this article may not apply to every case, given that each patient is different and their bodies may react differently to Ozempic. If you’re interested in weight loss and believe that taking Ozempic may be the right choice for you, make sure to contact your doctor first so that they can determine the amount you should ingest. Be mindful of your body and remember that any drastic change to your diet should be supervised by a health professional, especially if you’re embarking on a weight loss journey.
Learning More About Ozempic
First thing’s first: what’s Ozempic? Ozempic, known generically as semaglutide, was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with type 2 diabetes.. It is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin[1] and by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone. As those hormone levels rise, the molecules go to your brain, telling it you’re full. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body, similar to the effect of bariatric surgery.
When using Ozempic to treat diabetes, weight loss is a common side effect and it is designed to be taken long-term.
It’s important to keep in mind that “Ozempic is not a substitute for insulin and is not indicated for use in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings”[2].
What’s important to take away from these last paragraphs are the words semaglutide, insulin, and long-term. The reason why Ozempic is effective for weight loss is because of semaglutide, a receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone released in the gut in response to eating[3]. According to UCLA Health, semaglutide injections are effective for weight loss and for “treating obesity as a chronic metabolic disease instead of expecting people to rely solely on willpower and lifestyle changes to manage their condition.” Also, if a person diets and exercises while taking semaglutide, it can cause significant weight loss, as well as a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
However, let’s keep in mind that semaglutide, as well as Ozempic, was originally prescribed for people with diabetes 2 and the increasing demand has caused a shortage for people who need this medication to help manage their diabetes.
Now, keep in mind that Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss by the FDA, so to address those shortages, doctors have been prescribing it, as well as other off-label drugs, to people who are interested in weight loss.
Taking Ozempic for weight loss does work, but it can also be detrimental to the patient’s health because it can cause their weight to plateau if they stop taking.
That’s why we mentioned that it’s a long-term compromise, and it also has uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects.
Ozempic and Weight Loss
As we mentioned, Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss by the FDA. The one semaglutide drug that has been approved is Wegovy, which is an injection administered once a week. Ozempic and Wegovy are made by the same company and both contain the same active ingredient semaglutide. However, Wegovy contains higher doses of it and is designed for weight loss, while Ozempic has lower doses of semaglutide and was developed specifically for type 2 diabetes. patients[4].
Ozempic can help with weight loss, reduce the risk for many other serious health conditions, and even be used as an alternative to bariatric surgery for some patients who are obese. Of course, the amount of weight loss achieved with surgery is usually much greater and lasts longer than with medications, such as Ozempic. Experts, however, still recommend that people avoid using Ozempic unless they have type 2 diabetes.
If your doctor does find it appropriate to prescribe Ozempic to complement your weight loss journey, it’s important to have all the information and to be aware of pros and cons. Next, we’ll discuss several points that may be of interest if you’re considering taking Ozempic or planning to ask your doctor about it.
How much weight can you lose in a month with Ozempic?
There is no sure amount because the weight loss results can vary from person to person, since factors such as medical history, initial body weight, BMI, and fat percentage can determine how much weight they can lose using Ozempic. On average, a person can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly, equating to about 4 to 6 pounds on average[5].
Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn’t recommended that you start taking it right away. When it comes to the other semaglutide drug, Wegovy, people do not begin taking all 2.4 mg at once. Instead, they start at a dose of 0.25 mg per week and increase every four weeks, maxing out at 2.4 mg. This is to lessen the side effects and once “the dose that causes appetite suppression sufficient to cause a calorie deficit is achieved, weight loss happens quickly”[6]. Also, it’s recommended to have a regular exercise routine and a healthy diet while taking Ozempic to enhance the weight loss results.
Thus, using Ozempic for a month, accompanied by a good diet and regular exercise can result in about 4 to 6 pounds of body weight reduction within the first month, and these are just the results for the first month. If a person keeps taking Ozempic for a longer period, they can keep losing weight for up to 2 years. The rate of weight loss slows down over time, which is why it’s important to maintain a good diet and exercise routine with the supplement to get the best results.
Who qualifies for Ozempic?
Ozempic, as we’ve mentioned, is a drug that’s mainly prescribed to people who have type 2 diabetes., but if you’re interested in knowing if it’s the best way to achieve weight loss, take the following points into consideration:
- Talk to your doctor: Make an appointment with a healthcare professional to assess your health and determine if Ozempic weight loss is suitable for you. They will consider factors like your weight, medical history, and any pre-existing conditions.
- Discuss weight loss goals: Talk to your doctor about your weight loss goals and expectations regarding the medication to determine if Ozempic is appropriate.
- Undergo a medical evaluation: Your doctor will carry out a thorough evaluation, that includes physical examinations and blood tests, to ensure no contraindications or underlying health issues that may affect the use of Ozempic.
Remember that Ozempic is a prescription medication that should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional and that it hasn’t been fully approved for weight loss unless you have type 2 diabetes..
How quickly does Ozempic work for weight loss?
According to one article[7], Ozempic is also known for a popular 6-week Ozempic plan that’s split into two stages and promises significant weight loss. The first stage is four weeks long and users are required to take one 0.25mg dosage of Ozempic weekly. During the last two weeks of the plan, this dosage is increased to 0.5mg, and then 1mg, depending on how the user’s body reacts to the supplements.
The results shown by this 6-week Ozempic plan can be very promising if it also includes a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine. On average, people have reported about 8 to 12 pounds of weight loss, which is approximately 6% to 10% of the body weight of an average person.
Ozempic Side Effects
Ozempic, like any other prescription drug, has some side effects that you should be aware of before consuming it. Aside from the weight loss benefits, Ozempic can cause uncomfortable side effects that can affect your life as you know it. Some of these side effects are:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Laziness
- Vision problems
- Changes in blood pressure
- Allergic reactions
Other serious side effects of Ozempic include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, changes in vision, hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, kidney failure, and cancer.
The most severe complications, according to a news report[8], are pancreatitis and gallbladder issues, which can lead to hospitalization. Some people have even reported severe GI-related issues, including gastroparesis, a paralysis of the stomach also called delayed gastric emptying.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you want to learn more about Ozempic for weight loss, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We can help determine the right treatment for you. Contact us online anytime or give us a call at (619) 373-0229.
References
- [1, 4] “Ozempic for weight loss: Does it work, and what do experts recommend?”. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/Ozempic-for-weight-loss-does-it-work-and-what-do-experts-recommend/2023/07 (Accessed July 30, 2023).
- [2] “OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use”. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf (Accessed July 30, 2023).
- [3] “Semaglutide for weight loss – what you need to know”. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/semaglutide-weight-loss-what-you-need-know (Accessed July 30, 2023).
- [5, 7] “How To Get Ozempic For Weight Loss? How Much Weight Loss With Ozempic Without Side Effects”. https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/how-to-get-ozempic-for-weight-loss-how-much-weight-loss-with-ozempic-without-side-effects-news-304368 (Accessed July 30, 2023).
- [6] “Ozempic for Weight Loss: Experts Answer 9 Common Questions”. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-for-weight-loss-experts-answer-common-questions (Accessed July 30, 2023).
- [8] “Ozempic side effects could lead to hospitalization — and doctors warn that long-term impacts remain unknown”. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ozempic-side-effects-weight-loss-drugs-wegovy-mounjaro-doctors-warn/ (Accessed July 30, 2023).