Semaglutide Michael J. Yoo, M.D., Dr. Yoo Newport Beach: Beverly Hills‬

Semaglutide is a medication that results in changes to the digestive processes, leading to significant weight loss for patients who struggle with weight-related issues. (1) It can be extremely challenging to lose an impactful amount of weight on one’s own through the practice of exercise and dieting alone. Recurrent cravings and slow metabolism can limit the capabilities of what can be accomplished with these methods alone.

Some patients may suffer from high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea, with an altogether increased risk of more serious issues. Research shows that, for those who suffer from weight-related issues such as these, losing 5-10% of body weight can result in positive health changes for the individual. (2) With this statistic in mind, it is extremely significant that a 68-week semaglutide regimen can result in around 9-17% of bodily weight loss–leading to a healthier and happier lifestyle for patients with weight-related problems. (2)

At Michael J. Yoo, M.D., Dr. Yoo is dedicated to helping patients through their weight loss journey. We understand that weight loss can be challenging, but you do not need to go through it alone. We will help guide you through the semaglutide process, regularly check in with your progress, and adjust your injections if needed. To set up a personal consultation where we can evaluate your current needs, please call either one of our offices:

We also offer virtual consultations for your convenience. While you look forward to your appointment, you can peruse our blog for informative posts about the other kinds of treatments we offer.

About Semaglutide

As a medication that falls into the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, semaglutide works by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that are integral to the digestive system. (1) In fact, semaglutide is 94% similar to the GLP hormones in the body. (1) Once the body absorbs semaglutide, the medication can control the release of signals that initiate cravings and cause patients to feel the need to eat more food to achieve satiety.

With semaglutide, patients can feel more satisfied with smaller meal portions. This is also due to the way that semaglutide slows the overall digestive process–semaglutide causes the process during which the stomach empties food into the small intestine to slow down. (1) Semaglutide also works to trigger the release of insulin after a patient consumes a meal, and can help control a patient’s blood sugar. All of these mechanisms work together to make it easier for the patient to lose weight alongside the traditional methods of eating healthy food and getting regular exercise.

Benefits

Semaglutide can have many long-term benefits for patients who suffer from weight-related conditions:

  • Significant weight loss
  • Lower blood sugar
  • Increased insulin release
  • Reduced appetite
  • Increased motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • Decreased risks of cardiovascular disease
  • Resolved sleep apnea
  • More regulated cholesterol

Candidates

If you struggle with at least one weight-related condition, you may be a great candidate for a weekly semaglutide regimen. (1) To make sure semaglutide is a good fit for you, we will further evaluate your candidacy during a personal consultation. It will help your candidacy if you are committed to practicing healthy lifestyle choices, even if you decide to eventually discontinue your treatment. We make sure all candidates know how important it is to have realistic expectations about what semaglutide can accomplish. You should also be willing to adhere to a long-term medication regimen to see results effectively develop, as semaglutide is designed to work over a longer period. Semaglutide is not recommended for candidates who are pregnant, breastfeeding, are already taking a different GLP-1 medication, or have certain diseases or allergic reactions–we will let you know the specifics of these parameters when we meet with you to discuss your treatment. (1)

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, you will meet with Dr. Yoo, who will provide you with a detailed explanation as to how semaglutide works. If you have any questions about the medication, this would be a great time to ask them. Dr. Yoo will also discuss with you how semaglutide doses are determined; in some cases, the dose can be increased intermittently after the first 4 weeks. Together, you will come up with a consistent treatment schedule for when you will receive your doses each week. Dr. Yoo and our medical staff will make sure that you are informed about all aspects of semaglutide treatment, and that you feel ready to proceed.

To schedule your personal consultation, call either of our conveniently located offices or fill out our contact form.

If you prefer, you can also request a virtual consultation. Simply let us know in the form that you are interested in learning more about semaglutide, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to speaking with you!

Procedure

Semaglutide Michael J. Yoo, M.D., Dr. Yoo Newport Beach: Beverly Hills‬

At Micheal Yoo, M.D., we do most of our semaglutide treatments inside our two Southern California office locations. The procedure consists of a simple subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week. We recommend scheduling these injections on the same day each week for the sake of consistency.

Most patients receive a semaglutide dose of 0.25 mg, to begin with. If Dr. Yoo recommends a dosage increase, he will do so after the first 4 weeks of routine injections. More dosage increases can follow after this, but they will never exceed 2 mg. (1) To make sure no one injection site is overused, we will rotate the injection sites each week. We can inject the semaglutide dose into the back of the upper arm, the lower abdominal area, or the upper thigh.

If coming into the office once a week does not work with your schedule, Dr. Yoo will discuss the possibility of having your semaglutide treatment mailed to your home. If you choose this option, you will be administering the semaglutide injections yourself. Dr. Yoo will demonstrate how to administer these injections during your personal consultation. If you ever have any questions as you navigate your semaglutide regimen, the Michael Yoo, M.D. team is available for questions via a phone call or a simple submission to our contact form.

Patients can stay on semaglutide as long as they like; some patients choose to discontinue semaglutide after they have achieved significant weight loss. Even though semaglutide is an effective addition to a weight loss regimen, it is important to stay physically active and continue to eat healthy, nutritious foods throughout the whole process–even after you stop taking the medication.

Results

As with all kinds of healthy weight loss, semaglutide results appear gradually. When results become apparent, they can be considered essentially life-changing, with some patients seeing an approximate weight reduction of 9-17% after 68 weeks of consistent weekly injections. (2) In addition to substantial weight loss results, long-term semaglutide usage can result in decreased health risks, as well as improved motivation and mindset toward keeping up with a healthy lifestyle. (2) To help maintain results, patients can continue taking medication even after they lose weight, or make sure to make healthy choices after discontinuation.

Cost of Semaglutide in Newport Beach

The cost of your semaglutide treatment will depend on your treatment plan. We ask that you first schedule an appointment where we can discuss all things semaglutide. During this meeting, we will provide you with a cost estimate that accounts for the length of time you plan to take semaglutide, as well as any possible adjustments. Schedule this appointment today by calling either one of the Michael Yoo, M.D. offices:

Alternatively, you can ask us any questions you may have through our contact form, or request a virtual consultation. The team at Michael Yoo M.D. looks forward to discussing how semaglutide can change how you navigate weight loss.

FAQ

How long does it take for semaglutide to work?

Semaglutide’s efficacy manifests differently for each patient. Some patients may see results begin to become apparent after the 4-week mark, while others see more substantial improvements after 12 weeks. Semaglutide is meant to be taken for a longer period of time, and patients will see increased results if they remain on the medication for at least 68 weeks.

What does semaglutide do?

Semaglutide mimics naturally-occurring hormones in the body which play important roles in the digestive process. These are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormones, which are mostly released from the small intestine. Semaglutide technically works before you even eat food, by reducing cravings altogether. This is because it inhibits glucagon, which is a hormone that the body releases to tell you it is time to feel hungry. Furthermore, it triggers the release of more insulin after a patient eats food, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. When it comes to stomach emptying, semaglutide tells the stomach to slow the movement of food into the small intestine.

What happens if I stop taking semaglutide?

You should speak with Dr. Yoo before you discontinue your semaglutide treatment. Some patients experience the reappearance of issues they had before they started taking semaglutide, such as a more insatiable appetite–this can lead to subsequent weight gain.

Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic?

Yes, Ozempic is one of the brand names of semaglutide medication. Rybelsus and Wegovy are also different versions of semaglutide. Each different brand has its own specific indications and modalities, but each works in the body in essentially the same way.

References

  1. Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. PubMed. Published February 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
  2. Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Clinical Insight on Semaglutide for Chronic Weight Management in Adults: Patient Selection and Special Considerations. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:4449-4461. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s365416