What Is Ozempic™ (semaglutide) ?

A pharmaceutical drug used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes THAT can help eligible individuals lose weight.

Ozempic mimics the hormones that are released by your body when you eat, which results in reduced cravings that make healthy eating easier. Combined with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes, Ozempic can help patients lose and maintain a healthy weight.

Our medical professionals administer in-home lab testing and prescribe Ozempic injections in our Bellevue service area.

See patients' experiences at Web MD.

See the Novomedlink case study.

SEMAGLUTIDE as a solution

Semaglutide weight loss injections are a chronic weight management solution recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nearly 42% of American adults are considered to be obese and more than 9% have severe obesity. Obesity often goes together with weight-related complications, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity, kidney disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Lifestyle interventions are often necessary for adults to lose weight, lower their chances of developing a weight-related condition, and feel their best. Common interventions include a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, dietary supplements, and intensive behavioral therapy. However, it can be difficult to shed excess weight without medical help. 

Semaglutide is a new treatment that can help adult patients lower their body weight by up to two pounds per week.

Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections

Semaglutide injections were initially created to help adults with Type 2 Diabetes control their blood sugar levels. It works by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (or GLP-1) - a hormone that helps regulate appetite and food intake. Once weekly Semaglutide triggers insulin to block sugar production after eating a meal, thereby slowing or halting weight gain.

Receiving an under-the-skin injection every week from qualified healthcare professionals is proven to be an effective treatment for obesity on its own - it does not need to be combined with another weight loss maintenance plan. However, sticking to a reduced-calorie meal plan and exercising regularly can further decrease the risk for chronic disease, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and eliminate the need for bariatric surgery.

Lose Weight with Semaglutide

If you want to get to a healthy baseline weight with this new drug treatment, talk to your doctor about the eligibility criteria. Generally, patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are eligible. Additionally, adults who have a BMI of 27 and cardiovascular risk factors or Type 2 Diabetes may be eligible. 

When you are ready to say goodbye to excess body weight with Semaglutide, contact Dr. Anne Marie Fombu for a consultation.

How it works

  • Book an in-home lab draw, or walk into any Lab near you for lab testing. Processing time is about one week. We offer labs through Rupa Health at an additional cost.

  • Once your labs are complete, you will have an online consultation with Dr. Fombu.

  • Once your medication is approved, your medication will be delivered to your home.

  • Self-administer Ozempic once a week at home.

  • How long will this process take? Approximately 6 weeks. More time will be needed depending on the amount of weight you would like to lose.

How to Inject

These injections are administered in your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen.

Materials needed:

Insulin Syringe

Gloves

Alcohol Pads

Semaglutide

Instructions

With clean, gloved hands, clean your desired area with an alcohol pad and let dry for 60 seconds.

Draw up medication at your prescribed dose into the insulin syringe.

Inject in the desired area. For guidance, view the following video:

 Frequently Asked questions

  • Semaglutide is an injectable medication which, when used in combination with diet and exercise, helps with blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 in your body to lower blood sugar IeveIs after you've eaten a meal.

  • Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that causes huge effects on the regulation of blood sugar by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Insulin is a hormone that promotes sugar uptake by the cells, stores sugar as glycogen, promotes the building of fat, and signals the body to build skeletal muscle.In addition, GLP-1 inhibits glucagon release (which slows down the release of sugar into the blood so that you burn more fat), slows down gastric emptying (makes you feel full), and lowers the desire for food intake (because you feel full).

  • GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide help to control your blood sugar, but people taking them also tend to lose weight. GLP-1, the key hormone involved, slows down how fast your stomach empties food (called gastric emptying). And in addition to causing your pancreas to release insulin, Semaglutide also blocks a hormone that causes your liver to release sugar (glucagon). Together, these functions can help you feel less hungry, causing you to eat less food and lose more weight.

  • Yes, it’s believed that Semaglutide helps curb your appetite. In addition to slowing gastric emptying to make you feel full longer. GLP-1 also plays a direct role in how appetite is regulated.

  • With Semaglutide, you will slowly work your way up to the target dose at which time you will see the most amount of weight loss. This was the case in the clinical trials, where participants had their dose adjusted until they reached 2.5 mg dose if needed. In the phase 3 trial that measured outcomes at 20 weeks, most participants were able to reach the full dose and also lost weight as their dose was increased.

    They saw additional weight loss over the remaining 48 weeks at the full dose. It is important to keep in mind that weight loss can take time, and you'll see the best results when you are using your medication in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Sometimes the medication may not work for you, or you may not be able to tolerate the full dose due to side effects in which case your practitioner will provide additional options or change the protocol to better suit your individual needs.

  • Currently, Semaglutide is only FDA-approved for obesity and to help with blood sugar control in type-2 diabetes and to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (like heart attack and stroke) in people with both type-2 diabetes and heart disease. If you are taking Semaglutide for either of these reasons, you'll take it as directed by your healthcare provider since you are using it to manage a chronic condition. But if you do not have type-2 diabetes and are looking to try Semaglutide to help you lose weight, we'll have a better idea of long-term safety once the FDA reviews data for this new indication. What we do know is that study participants received treatment for a period of 68 weeks (about 1.5 years) during each of the four trials conducted by the company.

  • All patients start on the lowest dose of Semaglutide at 0.25mgs injected subcutaneously into belly fat every week. All patients increase by 0.25mgs every two weeks as tolerated (slower if nauseous). The dosing being studied for weight loss is 2.5 mg once weekly, which is currently higher than the doses approved in diabetes. Semaglutide is being studied in different populations: people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m 2 alone or 27 kg/m 2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (diabetes excluded).

  • No, Semaglutide is not a type of insulin or a substitute for insulin. Semaglutide does stimulate your pancreas to release insulin when glucose (sugar) is present. Because Semaglutide relies upon your body's own insulin to have this effect, Semaglutide isn't used when your pancreas can't make insulin, such as in patients with type-1 diabetes.

  • No, Semaglutide is not a stimulant. While other weight loss medications, like phentermine, have stimulating effects that help curb your appetite, Semaglutide works differently (see above).

  • Yes. Semaglutide is considered to be safe and effective when used as indicated. However, safe doesn't mean there aren't risks. Semaglutide also carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors occurring in rodents (with unknown risk in humans). Semaglutide shouldn't be used if you or your family have a history of certain thyroid cancers. Semaglutide should not be used in people with type-1 diabetes or a history of pancreatitis. Semaglutide should be used cautiously for people on other blood sugar lowering medications.

  • No. Semaglutide is not covered by insurance for people who are not diabetic type-2. However, you can get this medication prescribed as part of this Semaglutide Weight Loss Program.

  • Once enrolled in the program and evaluated by our board certified physician, the medication and supplies will be shipped to your home or to the practice. The cost of the medication is included in the program.

  • YES.

  • The common side effects of Semaglutide are:

    • Nausea

    • Vomiting

    • Diarrhea

    • Stomach pain

    • Constipation

    Effects like nausea and diarrhea being the most common.

  • Yes. Semaglutide may cause rare side effects, including:

    • Prolonged vomiting. Patients on Semaglutide can develop gastroparesis where the

    stomach stops moving, and patients vomit considerably. This can lead to

    dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Stop using Semaglutide and call your

    healthcare provider right away if you have vomiting that persists more than a day.

    • Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Semaglutide and call your

    healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area

    (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain

    from your abdomen to your back.

    • Changes in vision. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during

    treatment with Semaglutide

    • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if

    you use Semaglutide with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a

    sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness

    or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating,

    slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast

    heartbeat, and feeling jittery.

    • Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea,

    nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause

    kidney problems to get worse.It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce

    your chance of dehydration.

    • Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Semaglutide and get medical help right away if

    you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your

    face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or

    itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat.

  • Weight loss has to be safely guided: it is not safe to lose too much weight in a short period of time. We will ensure that your dose is optimal and specifically curated based on your response. Our complete program can last 20 weeks or more. Depending on your goal weight; most patients will need more than six weeks. After your six weeks you can be enrolled in our monthly membership program at an additional cost.

  • You don't need to adhere to a rigorous, prescribed diet in order to lose weight, but you will do it faster if you consume a well-balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber. You'll develop better behaviors that will assist you in maintaining your weight loss.

    For long-term health, it is our intention to establish good habits. Although it is not required, we strongly advise exercise. Exercise is important for maintaining good health, and patients have said that when they begin to lose weight, it gets easier.