GLP-1 medications have taken the world by storm. Every day, more people turn to medical weight loss options like semaglutide and tirzepatide to reach their goals. At Vital Flow Infusions, we’re here to help you on this journey.
Weight loss medications can give you more control over your health and overall well-being. But how exactly do they work in your body to help you lose weight? We have the answers you’re looking for.
How GLP-1 Medications Work
Glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, is a hormone naturally present in your body. It is released after you eat and helps control your blood sugar levels. It also regulates your appetite to provide accurate hunger and fullness signals.
When you take a GLP-1 medication, it acts in a few different ways. The medicine helps prevent spikes and drops in blood sugar. It also delays gastric emptying. This means you digest your food more slowly, which keeps you fuller for longer periods.
Between this regulation of insulin signaling and slower digestion processes, people who take GLP-1 medications may experience normal hunger and fullness levels for the first time. They find it much easier to eat in a caloric deficit and benefit from sustainable weight loss. Previously, that may have felt impossible.
Insulin and Glucagon Control
On a deeper level, GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin from your pancreas. Insulin helps lower your blood sugar. Think of it as a cheerleader that encourages your body to use the glucose in your blood for fuel to lower your blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 also suppresses the release of the hormone glucagon, which acts as a counterpart to insulin. Glucagon helps raise blood sugar levels quickly and can become problematic for folks with insulin resistance and chronically high blood sugar.
Why Some People Need GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss
In some people’s bodies, natural GLP-1 doesn’t work properly. Biological differences like GLP-1 receptor sensitivity and atypical gastrointestinal anatomy can impair this hormone’s ability to regulate appetite.
The signs and symptoms of insulin and blood sugar problems are often subtle, but they lead to frustration when you try to lose weight. You may feel as though your body is sabotaging your weight loss efforts at every turn. If you find yourself hungry all the time, even after you’ve just eaten a large meal, you may benefit from GLP-1 medication.
Semaglutide in Sioux Falls: How It Works and What to Expect
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medication that controls blood sugar and appetite. It acts only on the GLP-1 receptors in your body.
At Vital Flow Infusions, we offer comprehensive education and coaching for clients who are interested in medical weight loss. Here’s what you can expect when you choose us for semaglutide treatment.
Medical Consultation and Bloodwork
Before prescribing semaglutide, our medical director will review your labs to make sure you’re a good fit for our program. We’ll take your medical history and ask about your long-term health goals.
Weekly Semaglutide Dosing Adjustments
As your body adjusts to semaglutide, you may need higher doses to get the full range of benefits. Our medical team will monitor you weekly and elevate your doses as needed.
At-Home or In-Office Dosing
We offer a range of packages to match your comfort level, including one that delivers a bespoke luxury experience.
Our in-office membership comes with a luxury concierge service. We’ll schedule four weekly nurse-administered injections. Your membership also includes one B-12 injection each month and a 10% discount on our IV drip blends during each injection appointment.
For clients who are comfortable injecting themselves, we offer two take-home packages: a four-week program and a 90-day savings pack.
The four-week dosing kit comes with clean syringes, four weeks of doses in a vial, dosing instructions, and monthly text message check-ins from our registered nurses. We also add vitamin B6 to combat nausea.
Clients looking for affordable weight loss support may be interested in our 90-day take-home kit. This package comes with three titration vials that contain 12 weekly doses, three vitamin B-12 shots, a sharps container, and nurse check-ins on weeks four and eight of your treatment plan.
Tirzepatide in Sioux Falls: Receive Dual-Agonist Weight Loss Medication at Vital Flow Infusions
GIP, which stands for “glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide,” is another hormone that acts on insulin and blood sugar levels and helps control your metabolism.
Tirzepatide contains both a GLP-1 agonist and a GIP agonist. This means tirzepatide is a dual-agonist medication, acting on both receptors at once.
This dual-agonist action may produce greater benefits for people struggling with obesity. Since tirzepatide acts on two crucial hormones involved in energy and appetite regulation, many people experience faster weight loss on this medication than on semaglutide.
Who Should Choose Tirzepatide for Weight Loss?
Before deciding which weight loss medication to take, we recommend seeking guidance from your primary care provider as well as the medical team at Vital Flow Infusions.
People who have more weight to lose tend to choose tirzepatide, thanks to its dual-agonist mechanism. They often see the scale go down faster and experience more comprehensive benefits.
Those who have tried semaglutide and experienced significant side effects, like nausea and vomiting, may prefer tirzepatide. Tirzepatide side effects are usually mild, and they may fade faster than semaglutide side effects once your body adjusts to the medication.
Treatment Program Options
At Vital Flow Infusions, we offer clients the same treatment packages for both semaglutide and tirzepatide.
If you’re comfortable injecting yourself at home, you can take advantage of our take-home bundles. If not, our nurses are here to support you through weekly injection appointments.
Who Qualifies for GLP-1 for Weight Loss?
In order to get medical approval to go on GLP-1 medication for weight loss, you must meet specific requirements.
BMI and Comorbid Condition Requirements
Clients with a BMI of 30 or above may qualify for GLP-1 medications. If you have a BMI of 27 or above along with at least one weight-related health condition, you may also qualify for medical weight loss with semaglutide or tirzepatide.
Lab and Medical History Review
We’ll review your labs to make sure your body is ready for a GLP-1 medication. We’ll ask you to disclose any other medications you take and inform us of any underlying health conditions you have.
Clients Who Don’t Qualify
If you’re pregnant, have type 1 diabetes, or struggle with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), you don’t qualify for GLP-1 weight loss medications. Talk to your primary care provider about alternatives for healthy weight loss.
Related Reading
- Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide: Which Is Right for You?
- Semaglutide in Sioux Falls: Dosing Steps, Side Effects & Results
Possible Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications
Like any other medication, semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause unpleasant side effects. We’ve developed a quick guide to managing these weight loss medication side effects.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common reported side effects of GLP-1 medications. Semaglutide may produce more severe nausea compared to tirzepatide.
Here are some helpful tips for managing nausea on a GLP-1:
- Avoid fatty and fried foods
- Drink liquids slowly
- Prioritize lean protein
- Drink protein shakes if you can’t eat regular meals
- Choose whole foods over processed snacks
If nausea and vomiting persist, talk to your doctor about appropriate anti-nausea medications.
Constipation
GLP-1 medications can cause constipation, especially if you don’t drink enough fluids or eat enough fiber. Delayed gastric emptying can back up your digestive system and make it harder to have a bowel movement.
Try these remedies for constipation:
- Slowly increase your fiber intake
- Drink plenty of water each day
- Take MiraLAX daily or every other day (with a doctor’s approval)
- Go for walks to stimulate digestion
- Limit dairy products
If you’re experiencing severe pain or you haven’t had a bowel movement in three to four days, contact your doctor.
Dehydration
GLP-1 medications for weight loss can suppress feelings of thirst, which means that you might forget to drink enough water. Make sure to take frequent small sips throughout the day to avoid dehydration and kidney problems.
Avoid caffeinated beverages like energy drinks and coffee. This is especially important during medical weight loss because GLP-1 medications naturally get rid of water weight. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it pulls water from your body and worsens dehydration.
Plain water is usually fine, but some people on GLP-1 medications use electrolyte drink powders. IV hydration is another effective way to provide your body with essential fluids. Talk to your doctor about which options are right for you.
Fatigue
Some clients feel extra fatigued after their injection days. This is normal and usually fades as the week progresses. However, you must ensure that your fatigue isn’t coming from undereating.
Since GLP-1 medications suppress your appetite, it may be harder to hit your caloric target each day. Eat enough calories to sustain your energy levels, even if you don’t have an appetite.
Lifestyle Tips: How to Achieve the Best Results on Weight Loss Medications
At our weight loss clinic in Sioux Falls, we always encourage clients to follow a sustainable, healthy lifestyle in combination with medical weight loss. GLP-1 medications work best when paired with a healthy diet and adequate exercise, according to clinical studies and research.
Here are some things you can do to enhance your weight loss results on semaglutide or tirzepatide.
Eat Plenty of Protein
Protein is a long-lasting source of fuel for your body. It also helps combat muscle loss, which can happen if you lose weight rapidly. Make sure to eat plenty of protein at every meal to nourish your muscles.
Do Light Resistance Training
Resistance training will keep your body in good shape and help prevent muscle loss. A little goes a long way.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep helps regulate your metabolism, blood sugar levels, appetite, and food cravings. Healthy adults need around seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Aim for this amount to make the most of your weight loss results.
Who Can Benefit From Weight Loss Medication in Sioux Falls?
There is no perfect candidate for weight loss medications. Our clients have various backgrounds, occupations, and lifestyles, such as:
- Busy travelers
- New parents
- Gym-goers experiencing weight loss plateaus
- Clients with prediabetes
- Clients with insulin resistance
- Women with PCOS
These are all valid reasons to seek weight loss medication in Sioux Falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about GLP-1 and our services? Review these FAQs for more clarity.
How Fast Will I Lose Weight on a GLP-1?
Our clients see an average loss of 15% to 20% of their total body weight within the first 6 to 12 months on weight loss medication. These results stem from healthy lifestyle habits as well as GLP-1 treatments. Your results may vary.
Which GLP-1 Drug Is the Best for Weight Loss?
Clinical studies show that tirzepatide may be more effective and result in greater weight loss than semaglutide. However, both GLP-1 medications are beneficial for reducing body weight.
Is GLP-1 the Same as Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand-name medication that contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. However, GLP-1 medications are sold under several different names.
How Does Vital Flow Infusions Support Safe Medical Weight Loss?
We require a comprehensive medical consultation to screen for health concerns and confirm that weight loss medication is a good fit for you. We monitor your progress and offer professional guidance both virtually and in-office.
Do I Need a Prescription for GLP-1 Medication?
Yes. A board-certified physician will review your case and write a prescription only if they believe that a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for you.
What if I Want to Switch Medications?
That’s usually possible. At Vital Flow Infusions, we encourage open communication between clients and medical staff. We’ll adjust your dosage and, if needed, prescribe a different GLP-1 to help you reach your goals.
Your Next Steps: Visit Vital Flow Infusions for a Consultation
At Vital Flow Infusions, we’re here to help you on your weight loss journey.
Bring any relevant medical records and recent lab work to your consultation, as well as a list of the medications and supplements you take.
We’re located at 119 South Main Avenue in Sioux Falls, just off West 10th Street. Along with paid street parking just in front of our clinic, you’ll find a parking garage just across the street. Take the next step and book a weight loss consultation with us today!
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