Weight Loss Medication | Ozempic | Saxenda | Wegovy

RESHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF WEIGHT LOSS WITH MEDICATION & EXPERT GUIDANCE

Weight Loss Medication

There are new weight loss medications now available to support weight loss.

They work by mimicking a natural fullness hormone called GLP-1, which is produced by the gut after eating. These hormones signal to the brain that you are full, and indicate that we should stop eating. 

Levels of our natural fullness hormones fall quickly after being released, which is why we often feel hungry again shortly after eating. 

By contrast, the new obesity medication creates a more enduring signal to the brain, and therefore prolongs the feeling of fullness.

This means a person taking this medication will feel full for longer and be satisfied with a smaller amount of food. There is also evidence that these medications can reduce cravings. 

The weight loss medication also slows the transit of food in your digestive system,  which in turn allows the food you have eaten to stay in your stomach for longer. This contributes to a reduction in hunger levels and increased levels of satiety.

This reduced desire to eat food, when supported with a healthy eating regime and regular exercise, can help you lose weight over time. 

While it is still recommended to make nutritional and lifestyle changes to support weight loss, medication such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda can help to make the process more sustainable.

Nese Targen, Specialist Bariatric Dietitian, explains how weight loss medication can be a useful tool to support long-term weight loss.

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Speak with our friendly patient concierge team, and let us answer any questions you have about weight loss surgery

Safety of Weight Loss Medication in a Specialised MDT

Weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda are safe and effective drugs for most adults that need them. 

However, these medications are not the right treatment for everybody looking to address their weight, and there are important reasons why some people should not take these drugs. 

In addition, while these medications are usually well tolerated, some people experience gastro-intestinal side effects such as nausea.

For these reasons, it is important that use of these medications is overseen by a specialist Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). 

At Surgical WeightMatters, we assess your medical history to ensure that these medications will be a safe and effective choice for you. 

After an initial metabolic assessment with our endocrinologist, Dr Saira Hameed, you will meet with our nutrition team for regular monitoring and support.

The team will guide and coach you to maximise the benefits from using weight loss medication safely, in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes. 

Injectable Weight Loss Medications

Ozempic and Wegovy are weekly injections, while Saxenda is a daily injection. You will be taught how to safely self-administer the injection to yourself. 

As these medications are drug mimics of a naturally occurring gut fullness hormone, the side effects of these medications, if experienced, are usually gastro-intestinal, for example nausea, diarrhoea or constipation. 

All of these medications are started at a low dose with slow dose up-titration which is very helpful for mitigation of side effects. 

Well-conducted clinical research trials of these medications have shown them to be safe and effective with an average weight loss between 5 to 15% of starting body weight, depending on the individual and the medication used. 

Trials have also shown that when the medication is stopped, many people will regain the weight that they have lost. It is therefore important to view starting one of these weight-loss medications as a long-term commitment. 

LET US EXPLAIN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Speak with our friendly patient concierge team, and let us answer any questions you have about weight loss surgery.

Ozempic®

Ozempic® (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication. It is used alongside dietary and lifestyle changes to help improve blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes, support weight loss in individuals living with obesity, and to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack. 

Who is Ozempic® used for?

Ozempic® is primarily used for individuals with diabetes as well as individuals with obesity that are unable to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes alone. Ozempic® is not for use in people with Type 1 diabetes. 

Saxenda®

Saxenda® (liraglutide) is an injectable prescription medication. It is available for overweight adults (BMI over 27, who also have weight-related medical problems) or obese individuals (BMI over 30). 

It is important to use Saxenda alongside dietary and lifestyle changes to help support weight loss in obese individuals, reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes in patients with pre-diabetes, and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack. 

Who can use Saxenda®?

Saxenda® is primarily used for individuals with pre-diabetes as well as individuals living with obesity that are unable to lose weight through diet and lifestyle changes alone.