Practically everyone has heard about the weight loss drug “semaglutide.” But not everyone knows how it works for losing weight, or why it works so well.
In this blog, the team at Florida Lakes Spa takes a deep dive into the science behind semaglutide in Avon Park, bringing you the science, the numbers, and the facts. Discover how semaglutide offers hope for those needing to lose weight.
To find out if semaglutide could help you reach your weight goals, request a consultation or call us. We would love to answer your questions about our semaglutide injections and share how our 3-month weight loss plan can help you get smaller to live bigger.
Step 1: Understanding Obesity
The Florida Department of Health offers statistics that don’t paint the best picture of our health:
- 34% of Floridians have a healthy weight
- 36% of Floridians are overweight
- 28% of Floridians qualify as obese
Basically, almost 2 out of 3 people in Florida carry extra weight that worsens their health. Not only does this affect adults, it also sets a poor example for our children. According to the Florida Department of Health in Duval County, 6 out of every 10 children born today will not just be overweight but obese by the time they graduate high school.
The Difference Between Being Overweight and Obese
We determine the health class of your weight based on your body mass index (BMI). This generalized calculation tool gives providers an idea for where a person’s weight falls on the spectrum of healthy body types.
All patients are different, and while a BMI calculation may not 100% accurately represent their situation, it does give a great starting point to help patients understand their weight health score.
We calculate a person’s BMI by dividing their weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. For example, if a Florida Lakes Spa patient weighed in at 203 pounds, and was 5’10” tall, we would convert that data into metric measurements (92 kilograms, 1.78 meters), do the math, and arrive at a BMI of 29.
You can also find a BMI calculator online, which makes coming up with the numbers much easier.
Ranking the BMI
The CDC ranks an adult person’s body mass index health range through the following scores:
| BMI (kg/㎡) | Weight Designation |
| 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to <25 | Healthy Weight |
| 25 to <30 | Overweight |
| 30 or Greater | Obese |
| 30 to <35 | Class 1 Obesity |
| 35 to <40 | Class 2 Obesity |
| 40 or Greater | Class 3 Obesity |
Generally speaking, individuals with obesity have higher risks of health complications compared to overweight individuals. Though both conditions increase risk of heart disease (the #1 cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization), obesity is more likely to cause or exacerbate:
Most health professionals consider being overweight as having excessive fat deposits, and consider obesity as a disease that impairs health.
Have a Professional Interpret Your Score
Though a simple BMI calculation can give you a generally useful idea for where your weight sits on the obesity chart, BMI calculation doesn’t consider some other markers of health.
- Ethnicity and Genetics. Different ethnicities may have unique weight and height expectations that indicate levels of health.
- Age and Bone Density. As we get older, we lose bone density and muscle mass which lowers our weight. This can make a person seem as if they’re in a healthier weight designation than they should be.
- Muscle Mass. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you have a muscular physique, those numbers may skew your weight designation to make you seem less healthy.
- Body Fat Location. Where your fat sits on your body can affect your health.
The team at Florida Lakes Spa takes into account your whole person when helping you create an actionable, effective weight loss plan. We’ll use your BMI, but we supplement it with other personal data and measurements, so that your assessment truly fits your unique situation and needs.
Step 2: Exploring Our 3-Month Weight Loss Program
If you find yourself 20 or more pounds over your healthy weight, injections of semaglutide in Avon Park can help you control cravings, manage type 2 diabetes, and lose weight more consistently and effectively. Through weekly treatments, Floridians lose almost 11% of their total body weight on average within 6 months.
The 3-month program helps you:
- Get started on your weight loss journey.
- Understand not only your goals, but how to maintain them.
- Stay on track through weekly check-ins with your “accountability coach” provider.
FDA Approval of Semaglutide
The FDA approved semaglutide injections for treating type 2 diabetes in 2017. In 2021, the FDA also approved semaglutide injections for weight loss.
Initially, doctors used semaglutide to help patients manage their blood sugar levels. However, they quickly noticed that patients lost weight more steadily while undergoing semaglutide therapy. They tracked this weight loss over time and realized this formula could combat obesity and minimize weight-related health issues.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Your body produces the natural hormone GLP-1 after eating to regulate your appetite and control blood sugar.
Because semaglutide mimics the effects of GLP-1 hormones, it helps improve weight loss by:
- Slowing Gastric Emptying. Semaglutide in Avon Park slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach. You end up feeling fuller and more satisfied for longer, thereby reducing the urge to overeat.
- Targeting Appetite Centers. Semaglutide acts on specific areas in the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. It helps you feel less hungry and better able to stand up to cravings.
- Increasing Insulin Release. When blood sugar levels run high, semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin. This helps your body use sugar for energy and store it effectively, preventing blood sugar spikes and crashes.
- Decreasing Glucagon Secretion. The pancreas also produces glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. Semaglutide suppresses glucagon secretion, further aiding in blood sugar control.
Typical Weight Loss Expectations
Studies have shown semaglutide can produce impressive results, although they will vary between unique individuals.
When undergoing semaglutide injection therapy, patients can achieve a typical weight loss of approximately 5.9% of their body weight within 3 months of starting semaglutide, and about 10.9% within 6 months.
For example, an overweight or obese client weighing 275 pounds could lose 16 pounds in 3 months and 30 pounds in 6 months with semaglutide. Add in a more rigorous approach to healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle, and patients can lose even more.
Keep in mind what semaglutide is not: a magic bullet for weight loss. If poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle continue, weight loss may be slow or ineffective. Also, even if you achieve your weight loss goals, these “bad habits” can make that weight return, creating an unhealthy “yo-yo” effect.
Step 3: Start the Process
Every journey starts with our first and most important step: getting to know you.
The Personalized Consultation
Start your weight loss journey when you request a compassionate consultation at Florida Lakes Spa. During this relaxing one-on-one conversation, we’ll discuss your health history, current health conditions, weight loss goals, and any concerns you may have.
We offer a safe, judgment-free space where we prioritize your well-being and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.
A Tailored Treatment Plan
If we decide together that semaglutide in Avon Park could help you reach your health goals, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan all about you. We set your individual dosage and injection schedule, and we compile initial recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices to support your journey.
We administer your weekly semaglutide injections in-office, rotating the injection location between the thigh, stomach, and upper arm. We also measure your progress at each appointment on our advanced scale, which gives us accurate data on weight, BMI, and hydration levels.
Our team works with you to establish a routine injection schedule, ideally on the same day and at the same time each week, because consistency creates optimal results.
Ongoing Support and Monitoring
Your dedicated provider at Florida Lakes Spa will monitor your progress closely over your treatment journey. During your weekly visits, we discuss how you’re feeling, track your progress, and make any necessary adjustments to your plan to ensure you move steadily toward your goals.
We support you every step of the way.
Who is a good candidate for semaglutide?
Patients who make good candidates include:
- Adults
- Those deemed technically overweight or obese
- Have 1 or more health issues related to their weight
While semaglutide in Avon Park provides a highly effective therapy for weight loss, it’s not suitable for everyone. The following concerns may disqualify a patient for semaglutide treatment:
- Type 1 Diabetes: Semaglutide has not been FDA-approved for people with type 1 diabetes.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: If you have this eye condition, semaglutide may worsen it.
- Kidney Disease: Professionals do not recommend semaglutide for individuals with end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis.
- Allergies: Avoid semaglutide if you have an allergy to it or any of its components.
- History of Pancreatitis: Semaglutide may increase the risk of pancreatitis in those with a persoal history of this condition.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: We don’t recommend semaglutide during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome: This condition may make semaglutide use unsafe.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Do not use semaglutide if you currently experience diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Semaglutide may not be suitable if you have a personal or family history of this type of thyroid cancer.
- Younger Age: We don’t approve semaglutide for individuals under 18 years old.
If any of these apply to you, or if you think something might apply, discuss your concerns, any testing, and alternative weight loss options with your provider.
Schedule a Consultation to Start Losing Weight
Our 3-month weight loss program puts you on the road to weight loss goals with semaglutide in Avon Park. Schedule a consultation or call us, and let us help you:
- Lose weight
- Sleep better
- Manage type 2 diabetes
- Control blood sugar
- Improve general mood
- Like how you look
- Increase libido
- Live your life to its fullest!
About Florida Lakes Spa
Led by T.C. Lackey II, D.O., our team can help you achieve your goals with a customized treatment plan personalized to your needs. From semaglutide in Avon Park to aesthetics, wellness, and more, your goals are our goals.
Our modern facilities, caring providers, and relaxing environment ensure your visit to Florida Lakes Spa will be a luxurious experience unlike any other.