Semaglutide Aftercare (2024)

Semaglutide is the latest prescription drug gaining attention these days. Thanks to its popular weight loss side effect, positive reviews from celebrities, and personalities like Kyle Richards and Elon Musk turning to this injectable to help curb cravings and quickly drop excess weight, it has become a leading weight loss treatment.

Semaglutide is an injection prescribed under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Initially approved as a diabetes medication, it works by imitating a hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar. Additionally, the drug also mimics a hormone that is naturally produced in our intestines. This hormone suppresses the appetite by telling the body to feel fuller faster. As a result, it is a weight loss remedy for individuals looking to slim down and shed extra pounds.

Wondering whether you need to stick to a special diet when taking Semaglutide? Here’s
everything you need to know about Semaglutide and aftercare, including what to eat and avoid.

Ozempic and Wegovy are two types of Semaglutide treatments available. Currently, Ozempic is FDA-approved for people with Type 2 diabetes to improve their blood sugar control. In contrast, Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight management for individuals with obesity or excess weight and at least one weight-related condition. These conditions include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. In addition, both treatments are non-stimulating and non-habit-forming.

Semaglutide is made up of amino acids that decrease blood sugar levels and regulate insulin. The injectable drug also mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 that we naturally produce in our intestines. When you inject it, it suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller faster. As a result, you increase your metabolism and reduce cravings. When you compare Semaglutide vs Phentermine or other oral weight loss medications, it is proven to be far more effective.

When a doctor prescribes a Semaglutide treatment, individuals inject themselves with the medication once a week. The injection is done in the stomach, arm, or thigh. At the start, everyone takes a monthly dose of 0.25mg. Then, the dose increases to 2.4mg depending on how much weight the individual wants to lose.

How long a person takes Semaglutide varies based on their needs and whether their weight gain is a short or long-term problem. A doctor works closely with the patient and plans how long they should take Semaglutide.

If you take Semaglutide for Type 2 diabetes or weight loss, you may wonder if you need to follow a special diet. Modifications to your diet and lifestyle are recommended to get the most out of Semaglutide and stay healthy.

While taking Semaglutide, side effects such as bloating, stomach pain, and nausea are possible. These side effects are preventable by making the following changes to your diet:

• Avoid fried, greasy and sugary foods
• Avoid alcohol intake
• Limit caffeine intake (one cup of coffee per day)
• Eat slowly
• Eat smaller meals
• Eat foods that are light and plain
• Stay hydrated
• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks (like water or unsweetened tea)

Pay attention to what you eat and cut back on sugary sweets and fatty foods. This improves your blood sugar regulation and weight loss management. Additionally, you reduce your risk of side effects. Keep in mind that moderation and balance are key. Talk with your doctor about how to incorporate nutritious foods in your diet that are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Caffeine and alcohol both make Semaglutide less effective. Caffeine makes Semaglutide less effective because it affects hydration and blood sugar levels. Caffeine is a substance that makes you more alert and makes you produce more urine. As a result, you experience dehydration if you’re not drinking enough water. Caffeine also causes your blood sugar levels to change. This increases the possibility of experiencing hypoglycemia when taking Semaglutide.

To avoid these problems, limit your caffeine intake to one cup of coffee daily when taking Semaglutide. However, pay attention to how your body feels and stay hydrated. If you experience unwanted Semaglutide side effects after consuming caffeine, reduce your caffeine intake or switch to a decaf coffee or tea containing less caffeine.

Similarly, reduce your alcohol intake if you use Semaglutide to avoid worsening its side effects. Currently, there is no known interaction between Semaglutide and alcohol consumption. However, if you drink too much alcohol it causes dehydration and lower your blood sugar levels. As a result, this increases the chances of experiencing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you may have about caffeine, alcohol, or Semaglutide’s impacts on your body before making any significant changes to your lifestyle.

In addition to monitoring when you eat, you should also alter what you eat while taking Semaglutide. In studies, patients who achieved optimal weight loss results didn’t rely on the medication alone. Instead, they also followed a healthy diet and exercised regularly2.

To get the best results from your Semaglutide treatments, you should limit fried foods, sugary treats, and highly processed meals. You should also try to replace sugary drinks with plain water. If you don’t like the taste of water, consider buying a fruit-infuser water bottle. It will make your water tastier while providing a healthy dose of antioxidants from fresh fruit.

Focus on eating a healthy diet that will give your body the nutrients it needs to stay energetic. Instead of reaching for a hamburger, consider eating a salad with grilled chicken and oil and vinegar dressing. You can also replace French fries with homemade sweet potato fries. The latter option digests more slowly and contains more nutrients. Making wise meal swaps like these can help you develop a healthier relationship with food. It can also augment your weight loss results while taking Semaglutide.

Most people taking Semaglutide experience few side effects. The most frequent side effects that patients report are nausea and diarrhea. However, these side effects are mild and improve with time. According to recent clinical trials, less than 5% of people stop taking Semaglutide due to side effects.*

Common side effects of Semaglutide include:

• Stomach pain
• Bloating, burping, or gas
• Injection site pain
• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

Doctors typically start patients on a lower dose of Semaglutide. Over time, the dose increases to minimize these side effects. Additionally, greasy, fried, and fatty foods are more likely to cause these side effects. This is because eating foods like fast food are difficult for your body to digest. Thankfully, you prevent or at least reduce these side effects if you monitor what you eat and stick to a healthy diet.

Semaglutide weight loss injectionsare a great option to shed pounds and look and feel your best. Learn more about how this FDA-approved weight loss injectable helps you reduce cravings and slims down your appearance by contacting Wellnessessity. Individuals in Wyckoff, New Jersey, AND Closter, New Jersey, who struggle with weight management seek our expert staff to help them lose weight and achieve long-term results.

To find out if you are a candidate for Semaglutide, call our Wyckoff location at (201) 347-9599, or our Closter location at (201) 564-7061 to schedule a complimentary consultation or reach out to us online using the contact form below. We can’t wait to let you know how this safe and effective weight-loss drug will improve your appearance and take your weight loss efforts to the next level!

• Call or Text to book: 201-564-7061

SOURCES:

1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28266779/

2 https://www.ajmc.com/view/trial-finds-semaglutide-with-lifestyle-intervention-reduces-body-weight-by-nearly-15-

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

https://www.joincalibrate.com/resources/ozempic-foods-to-avoid-while-taking-Semaglutide