Have you ever tried to lose weight and failed?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 73% of Americans above the age of 20 are overweight and obese, and it’s not because they don’t try to lose weight.
The body has a built-in system for maintaining a certain set point. So, although your weight may fluctuate temporarily, it’s designed to return to its highest level.
Losing weight and keeping it off can reduce many health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and COVID-19 complications.
Research proves that losing as little as 5% of body weight can give you the required health benefits.
Sadly, there haven’t been a variety of safe and effective medications to manage chronic weight issues, and those that exist have severe side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has removed them from the market.
In June 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide (Wegovy), the under-the-skin injection for chronic weight management.
Wegovy has been the first weight loss medication approved since 2014. It works differently from other weight loss drugs to help people reach their weight loss goals.
What Is Wegovy?
Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight-loss drug injected every week and targets brain areas that regulate appetite and food intake.
It belongs to a group of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Wegovy mimics the activity of GLP-1, a natural hormone in the body, which suppresses appetite and delays stomach emptying. Both effects help you feel fuller and eat less.
Wegovy should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity. It should not be used as a replacement for weight loss tools.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy works by mimicking GLP-1, a natural hormone produced in the body after meals. GLP-1 plays a key role in regulating appetite and glucose levels. It signals the brain that you’re full, curbing hunger, and prompts the body to release insulin, which helps manage blood sugar levels.
Wegovy helps you feel fuller for longer periods by slowing digestion and reducing appetite. This can reduce cravings, minimize snacking, and make maintaining a lower-calorie diet easier, promoting weight loss.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Wegovy?
In a 68-week clinical trial of almost 2000 obese people without diabetes who took 2.4 mg of semaglutide daily in combination with a healthy diet and physical activity, Wegovy was shown to help people lose an average of 15% to 20% of their starting body weight, triple the amount other medications like Contrave or Phentermine achieve.
This means if you start your weight loss treatment by taking the highest dose of semaglutide (2.4 mg) weekly and you weigh 200 lbs, you can lose an average of 30 to 40 pounds.
Who Is Eligible for Wegovy?
The FDA approved Wegovy for patients with excess weight and obesity with a BMI of 30 or higher and patients with a BMI of 27 or higher with an additional obesity-related health condition such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Wegovy is supposed to be supplemented with dietary changes and increased physical activity.
Who Should Not Use Wegovy?
Wegovy is not intended for you:
- If anyone in your family has ever had a rare type of thyroid cancer known as Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC)
- Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide
- Are breastfeeding or pregnant
Wegovy comes with contraindications for certain conditions. Check with your healthcare provider if you have any of these medical conditions before using it.
- History of diabetic retinopathy
- Kidney disease
- Low blood sugar
- Pancreatitis
- Depression, suicidal thoughts, or any other mental disorder
Also, be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you’re on any medication, such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
Wegovy can affect the function of other medications.
Tell your healthcare professional if you’re on diabetes medication, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Taking Wegovy slows stomach emptying and can interfere with drugs that need to pass quickly through the stomach.
How Should I Use Wegovy?
Once you’re approved for Wegovy, our healthcare professional will guide you and give you clear instructions on injecting semaglutide before you start and each time you get a refill.
Before using semaglutide, check for particles or discoloration. If any, don’t use the drug.
Clean the injection area with rubbing alcohol before injecting each dose, and inject different parts each time to reduce the chances of injuring your skin.
“I’m in my 5th month, and down 40 pounds. I’ve gone from size 12 to a size 6. The medicine is doing its job. It’s extremely easy to use. I’ve been ahead of the curve and haven’t had any issues getting it. The downside is the side effects. Nausea has been my number one problem. But overall, I’m incredibly pleased.”
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Wegovy?
Wegovy is a safe medication for weight loss. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and can include:
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Gastroenteritis
- Constipation
Other side effects may include:
- Headache
- Low blood sugar
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
To minimize these side effects, your healthcare professional will start you at a lower dose of 0.25 mg every week and gradually increase the dose every month to 2.4 mg so that your body can adjust to the medication.
How Much Does Wegovy Cost in Oklahoma?
Wegovy is one of the new, highly sought-after weight loss medications on the market, so it may be pricey, just like other FDA-approved weight-loss drugs.
When it comes to weight loss medications, there is one caveat: insurance coverage differs significantly in terms of coverage and treatments.
You’ll have to look up your insurance policy to see if they cover Wegovy weight loss medication. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tricare, for example, may cover Wegovy and other weight loss medications, but coverage may vary based on your specific plan, and you have to meet certain coverage criteria.
In case you’re not sure if your plan covers Wegovy, our healthcare specialist can assist you in navigating the insurance process. We can assist you in determining whether you qualify for Wegovy coverage, walk you through the necessary paperwork, help you complete a Prior Authorization form, help you submit documents to BCBS Federal, and offer helpful guidance on the approval procedure.
If your plan doesn’t cover Wegovy, we have the option to send it to our compounding pharmacy, which compounds it for about $250/2mg (that would normally last 1.5-3 months, depending on dosage) or $350/5mg (that can last 2-3 months, depending on dosage).
Without insurance coverage, Wegovy will cost about $1,400 per month, which may be expensive for most patients. However, if the price isn’t a problem for you or your insurance covers it, we’d be happy to book an appointment with you and walk you through it to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wegovy the Same as Ozempic?
Yes, Both Wegovy and Ozempic are semaglutide medications. However, Ozempic is approved to manage type 2 diabetes.
If you’re on Ozempic medication, you can feel full after eating and may want to eat less. This can cause weight loss, as it does for those taking Wegovy.
However, Ozempic is not intended to be a weight-loss drug, so if you don’t change your diet while taking this medication, you won’t experience weight loss.
How Often Should I Take Wegovy?
Wegovy is taken once per week. To easily remember, you can take the same day and time every week.
Can I Take Wegovy and a Meal?
You can take Wegovy with or without food.
How Is the Wegovy dosing adjusted?
You will start with 0.25 mg injections once every week for four weeks. Then, if your body is responding well to the medication, your provider will increase the dosage every month for four months until you reach the highest dose of 2.4 mg.
If you’re not responding well or have side effects, your provider will delay increasing the dose for one month.
Get Wegovy In Oklahoma
Taking steps to reduce weight not only prevents diseases but also reduces social stigma and the quality of life associated with overweight and obesity. Wegovy weight loss medication may sound expensive, but it’s cheaper compared to the treatment of medical complications of obesity.
Wegovy may assist you in making the necessary lifestyle changes to lose weight and improve your health. Remember, taking care of obesity can be complicated, so it is best to work with a qualified healthcare professional committed to working with you long-term.
If you’re in Oklahoma and looking for expert support with Wegovy, NP2GO offers convenient telehealth services and personalized care. Our team is ready to guide you every step of the way toward a healthier future.
Take control of your health today—book your Wegovy consultation with NP2GO in Oklahoma!