Semaglutide Weight Loss in Boca Raton, FL

What’s stopping you from losing 15 to 20 percent of your body weight? The answer is here – and it’s been a long time coming. Over the past century, researchers have been trying to isolate a weight loss medication that really works. They found it in a class of antidiabetic medications called GLP-1 agonists, where their diabetic patients were losing a surprising amount of weight and quickly too.

These GLP-1 agonists – which are also known as incretin mimetics or GLP-1 analogs - are a relatively new class of weight loss drugs. The powerful satiety effect of “GLP-1s,” as they’re commonly called, reduces your appetite and hunger, resulting in significant weight loss.

Semaglutide was one of the first on the market that really captured the attention of the public. This FDA-approved once-weekly injectable is approved for weight gain and obesity, as well as diabetes, plus heart and kidney disease that often develop with diabetes. It may also have fewer stomach side effects than other similar weight loss drugs when taken at higher doses.

By regulating insulin and appetite, the remarkable weight loss results that have come with drugs like Semaglutide have changed how people think about losing weight. No longer an impossible goal bringing only a history of failed attempts, sustainable weight loss is now an attainable reality.

To learn more about Semaglutide - or any of the latest weight loss and medical treatment options we offer at Manhattan Integrative Medicine of South Florida - contact us online or call to schedule your consultation with Florida’s top functional medicine physician and metabolic weight loss specialist. Complete the form below or call us at (754) 247-0122 today!

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone in your body. It binds to the GLP-1 receptor to achieve its exceptional effects. It is administered via subcutaneous route, or injections under the skin. Originally designed as an antidiabetic medication for Type 2 Diabetes, it’s since been approved for obesity and weight loss.

Sold in the U.S. under the brand name Ozempic for diabetes treatment and Wegovy for weight loss, Semaglutide can also be compounded by local pharmacists at a much lower cost.

Semaglutide works the same as brand name weight loss drugs. Without supply chain interruptions at a fraction of the cost you would pay for the brand name drugs containing Semaglutide, compounded Semaglutide has one additional advantage: it can be formulated to your doctor’s precise specifications for your individual needs.

What conditions can Semaglutide be used to treat?

Though primarily developed for Type 2 Diabetes, Semaglutide is effective for treating weight gain and obesity. It is safe and effective to treat obese patients, including adolescents. Obesity is diagnosed at a BMI of 30 or higher. As a weight loss drug, it is available if you have a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related medical condition.

Semaglutide was approved by the FDA in 2017, for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It was later approved for additional uses, including:

2020 - Reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with Type 2 Diabetes and established cardiovascular disease

2021 - Chronic weight management

2025 - Obesity in adolescents aged 12 and older; and reducing the risk of kidney disease progression in adults with Type 2 Diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Benefits of Semaglutide

As a weight loss drug, the primary benefit of these GLP-1 receptor agonists is weight loss, but it was originally developed as an antidiabetic drug. By enhancing insulin sensitivity and reducing insulin resistance, it helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which is especially important for diabetic patients and those at risk of diabetes. But Semaglutide may have potential benefits for people with heart failure and may lower the risk of cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack and death from other heart-related events. It also reduces the risk of kidney disease progression in adults with Type 2 Diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Some research even suggests it helps with depression and anxiety especially if you suffer from diabetes. In fact, it may have a positive impact on mental health in general, potentially due to its effects on neurotransmitters and brain function.

Another important benefit is that Semaglutide can be compounded locally by a pharmacist you trust to your doctor’s precise specifications at a lower cost than brand name Semaglutide prescriptions.

Overall benefits include:

• Leads to significant weight loss
• Better cardiovascular health
• Stabilizes blood sugar
• Reduces insulin resistance
• Decreases inflammation
• Potential cardiovascular benefits
• Stimulates insulin secretion
• Increases satiety
• Reduces glucagon production
• Suppresses appetite
• Reduces blood pressure
• Improves cholesterol levels
• Reduces body fat mass
• Improves insulin sensitivity
• Helps with sleep apnea

Because it’s so simple and easy to administer – and begins showing results almost immediately - patients are more motivated to stay on course with it.

What to Expect at Your Semaglutide Consultation

A Semaglutide consultation in our offices generally takes around 15 to 30 minutes and can be completed over your lunch break. Your initial consultation may take longer as we will require a complete medical history. On your first visit, Dr. Borenstein will discuss your medical history, lifestyle, daily stressors, diet, exercise habits, and current medications. We recommend that you prepare a list of symptoms prior to your first consultation.

Most patients elect to administer their injections at home, but regularly scheduled appointments are necessary to monitor your health and progress. Your appointments can be conducted in person or via telemed options.

FAQs

How long will it take for me to see the results?

Results vary among Dr. Borenstein’s patients. You may see a difference in your appetite the very first day after treatment.

How long will my results last?

Most people need to continue taking Semaglutide to maintain its effects.

How does Semaglutide Work?

Semaglutide works through several mechanisms. Semaglutide activates your GLP-1 hormone receptors. GLP-1 works on the hunger centers in your brain to prevent cravings. Semaglutide also slows the movement of food through your stomach, which gives you a longer lasting feeling of fullness after eating, thus decreasing your appetite and leading to weight loss. As an antidiabetic drug, it stimulates the insulin released from your pancreas when needed in order to help lower your blood sugar levels. It also decreases the amount of sugar produced by your liver by suppressing glucagon secretion.

Is Semaglutide safe for me?

If you have specific allergies (e.g., to stainless steel), have hemostatic (bleeding) dysfunction, anemia, cancer, or blood clotting disorders, any injections may be inadvisable, including weight loss medications like Semaglutide.

Also, if you are pregnant or nursing or taking certain medications, we may need to delay or advise against treatment.

Semaglutide is contraindicated if you have:

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN syndrome
• Personal history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Active eating disorder
• Active substance abuse or dependency
• Type 1 diabetes
• Bariatric surgery within the past 18 months
• Pancreatitis within the past 6 months, or a history of pancreatitis caused by taking a GLP-1 drug
• Active gallbladder disease

In general, Semaglutide has an excellent safety profile. Please discuss all of your safety concerns at our first session. We will evaluate if Semaglutide is the best choice for you after looking at your medical history, your genetic background and any specific risk factors you may have before we begin your treatment.

Are the Injections painful?

Most of our patients experience little to no discomfort, and most end up self-administering the injections at home.

Request your consultation today!

Dr. David Borenstein is a top functional medicine practitioner in Florida who recognizes that each patient requires a treatment regimen tailored to his or her individual health profile and specific symptoms. For over 20 years, Dr. Borenstein has been helping patients with the problems of weight gain and/or obesity with metabolic weight loss strategies.

Semaglutide is one of the best new tools in his toolkit to help free his patients from the cycle of weight gain and obesity and the associated health risks excess weight brings.

At Manhattan Integrative Medicine of South Florida, located in Boca Raton, FL, we offer the most up-to-date testing and medical weight loss treatment with Semaglutide. Experience new life and health in the body you were designed to enjoy.

Compile your symptoms checklist and call (754) 247-0122 or contact us online.

Serving patients in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Parkland, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Miami and the surrounding Palm Beach, Broward and Dade County, Florida communities.