Weight Loss Injections, The Future or A Trap? 

The topic on many people's minds is weight loss injections. Are they safe? Should I try it? What are the risks? What are the benefits?

I first heard about weight loss injections a few years ago with a new client on our first call together. They asked me if they thought it was a good idea to start taking them after they had a conversation with their doctor.

At the time, it was new to me, a drug to lose weight? I wondered what were the side effects, costs and long-term impact.

As I have done more research into these drugs over the past few years while they’ve gained popularity, I wanted to share some of my findings with you as well as my personal opinion at the end of this blog.

What Are Weight Loss Injections, How Do They Work?

Semaglutide, the primary component in weight loss injections, initially developed to manage type 2 diabetes, falls under the GLP-1 receptor agonists' drug category. Its primary function is to imitate the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), essential for appetite regulation and digestion, which is naturally produced post-meal in the gut. 

Upon injection, semaglutide increases insulin while decreasing glucagon levels, aiding in blood sugar control. Significantly, it also slows down gastric emptying, the process where food moves from the stomach to the small intestine, thus creating a feeling of fullness and decreasing overall appetite and calorie consumption. Despite clinical trials showing weight loss results  – there's an underlying concern about its long-term impact and dependence. 

What Are The Side Effects?

Gastrointestinal Issues: Many patients experience gastrointestinal side effects, mostly occurring when first starting the drug. These include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and some patients may face discomforts like constipation and abdominal pain

Pancreatitis and gallbladder disease: Among the more serious side effects associated with the use of weight loss injections are pancreatitis and gallbladder diseases, although the exact incidence rate of these conditions in users is not definitively established. The risk of pancreatitis is often linked to factors like gallstones, alcohol use, or high triglycerides. Due to these risks, medical professionals generally advise against the use of this class of medications in individuals with a history of pancreatitis, as a precautionary measure. 

Appetite and Eating Behavior Changes: Changes in appetite and eating behavior due to the drug's appetite-suppressing effect have been commonly reported. This can lead to a decrease in food enjoyment and potential alterations in social eating habits.

Other Potential Risks: Concerns about thyroid tumors, particularly medullary thyroid carcinoma, have been raised in animal studies, although this hasn't been observed in humans to a significant extent. Patients with a history of MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 2) or medullary thyroid cancer, should not take Ozempic or Wegovy.

Is It A Long-Term Solution?

Clinical trials of semaglutide, the medication used in weight loss injections, reveal a notable trend: many individuals who initially lose weight with the treatment tend to regain a significant portion of it after discontinuing the drug. 

This suggests that the weight loss effects of semaglutide are primarily temporary and heavily reliant on its continued use. The reason behind this weight regain is largely attributed to the drug's mechanism of action, which suppresses appetite and slows down the process of gastric emptying. These effects lead to a reduced intake of calories while on the medication. However, once the treatment stops, these suppressing effects recede, potentially causing individuals to revert to their prior eating habits and caloric consumption, ultimately leading to weight gain. 

This highlights the importance of considering long-term strategies beyond pharmacological interventions for sustainable weight management.

The Financial Cost

The financial implications of using GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide for weight loss are significant, primarily due to their high cost. 

Typically priced at around $1,000 USD per patient per month, these drugs represent a substantial financial burden, especially considering they must be taken consistently to maintain weight loss. 

This ongoing expense can accumulate to a considerable amount over time, posing a significant financial strain for individuals who rely on these injections for weight management. The need for continuous treatment to sustain the benefits of weight loss further exacerbates the financial impact, making it a less viable long-term solution for many, especially for those without adequate insurance coverage or financial resources.

Where I Stand On Weight Loss Injections

In addition to all the side effects, and the fact it is only a temporary solution as long as paying for it, another important thing to consider is how they might simply act as a substitute for one coping mechanism with another, without addressing the root causes. 

These injections suppress appetite, which may lead to a reduction in food intake and subsequent weight loss. However, this approach doesn't inherently tackle the underlying psychological or emotional factors that often contribute to unhealthy eating patterns.

For instance, in the case of individuals recovering from alcoholism, there's a known tendency to replace one addictive behavior with another. A person might shift from alcohol dependence to binge eating if the underlying coping mechanisms aren't adequately addressed.

Similarly, with weight loss injections, there's a risk that individuals might simply swap one unhealthy coping mechanism for another because the injections don't address the root causes of their destructive eating behaviors. This perspective emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to eating and exercise habits.

 In our upcoming community, the focus will be on understanding and resolving the underlying reasons for disordered eating patterns. This approach seeks to create long-term, sustainable change by equipping you with the tools you need to manage your health safely and effectively.

By addressing the root causes of destructive eating habits such as emotional triggers, stress, or lifestyle factors and providing you with tools, and strategies, our community aims to provide a more comprehensive and lasting solution to weight concerns. 

The bottom line is that the core issue lies in understanding why we are engaging in destructive eating habits in the first place. What often appears as self-sabotage is actually self-protection, a response to an unmet need. The thing about relying on weight loss drugs is that they only address the symptoms, not the deeper underlying problems. 

I’m curious, what are your thoughts? Let us know!

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P.S. Remember, the path to true wellness is about understanding and nurturing yourself. Your experiences and challenges are valuable lessons that pave the way for genuine, lasting change.

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