We've all heard the advice to burn more calories than we eat if we want to lose weight. But if losing weight was as easy as these people make it sound, we wouldn't have surveys showing how 95% of Americans have tried to lose weight over the last five years, and 44% actually gained weight instead.
While there's no magic solution to guarantee weight loss, there is an effective new tool in our arsenal. Semaglutide - more commonly known by its brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus - is helping millions of people control their hunger and change their relationship with food.
For those who've heard about semaglutide and want to give a concierge weight loss program a try, double board-certified physician and Coolsculpting expert Dr. Mai Kaga can help. She's also known as The Cure to the Common Doctor™️ and runs The Kaga Academy of Aesthetic & Concierge Medicine in Red Bank, NJ. Clients get access to custom weekly dosing and 24/7 texting for questions and concerns.
Why Weight Loss is so Hard
Some of us are genetically predisposed to carry extra weight, while others have issues with food that can't be overcome with a demand to simply "eat less." Some of us have medical conditions, nutritional quirks, or disabilities that contribute to weight gain. It's easy for our hunger signals to get out of whack.
So, yes, eating fewer calories and creating a "calorie deficit" is the key to weight loss. However, the key is managing appetite - and this is where semaglutide comes in.
How Semaglutide Helps with Weight Loss
Semaglutide was developed by Novo Nordisk, the only FDA-approved supplier of the drug. Under the names Ozempic and Rybelsus, it is approved for weight loss (to be used alongside diet and exercise) in those with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is prescribed for weight loss in non-diabetics who are obese or overweight with a comorbid condition such as hypertension.
Semaglutide is a peptide that works by mimicking the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone our bodies produce naturally when we eat. GLP-1 signals to our brain that we're full, so we stop eating.
The Details of Treatment
Introducing an artificial form of GLP-1 into the body via a weekly injection (in the form of Ozempic or Wegovy) or a pill (Rybelsus) can help reduce hunger overall and reduce food intake.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, so we feel full longer, and it also helps control blood sugar for those with diabetes or pre-diabetes, which is a major culprit in food cravings.
Like most medications, semaglutide can have side effects for some people. The most common include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Constipation
These can get worse as doses increase; however, The Kaga Academy's concierge weight loss service offers weekly check-ins so Dr. Kaga and her staff can adjust dosage based on a client's weight loss goals and symptoms.
Starting at the lowest possible dose is crucial for properly managing side effects and making it easy to taper off the medication when clients have met their goals.
Summary
The Kaga Academy's concierge weight loss service helps patients lose stubborn pounds with personalized care. FDA-approved semaglutide in the form of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus helps reduce food cravings and calorie intake. Dr. Kaga is committed to seeing her patients through their weight loss journey by offering 24/7 care through text to ensure success.