If you are dealing with obesity or you have concerns about your weight, you might be curious about a newer kind of weight loss treatment. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are becoming widely known these days thanks to celebrities and social media influencers that are promoting these injections.
Initially developed to manage diabetes, GLP-1 RAs like semaglutide has now become a powerful tool in combating obesity. This drug slows down how quickly your stomach empties and telling your brain that you’re full. These weight loss injections can help you adopt a more controlled and sustainable weight loss approach and with consistent use, they can lead to significant weight loss and improvements to your overall health.
If losing weight has been a challenge for you then you’re probably searching for weight loss injections clinic near me like so many of us. I’ll provide some insights into how you can find the right clinic for your specific needs in this post.
The Benefits of Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections can help you reach your weight loss targets and boost your overall health. Here are some of its key benefits:
Increased Energy Levels
Weight loss injections can boost your energy levels so you’ll get through your day without feeling tired. You’ll have more stamina for exercise and other physical activities that will enable you to burn even more calories.
Improved Metabolism
Your metabolism plays a crucial role in how your body burns calories. If it’s slow, shedding weight can be harder. Weight loss injections can help speed up your metabolism, making it easier for your body to burn fat and calories. This means you’ll see more noticeable results from your weight loss efforts.
Faster Fat Burning
Semaglutide weight loss injections include vitamins and amino acids that help your body burn fat more effectively. This can lead to more substantial weight loss and a lower body fat percentage. You’ll soon notice a difference in how your clothes fit and how you look and feel.
How Do Weight Loss Injections Work?
Weight loss injections work by changing your body’s metabolism or appetite in a positive way. These injections help lower your calorie intake by reducing your hunger.
Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutides) and Saxenda (liraglutides) mimic the action of a hormone in your body (GLP-1). They bind to GLP-1 receptors found in the pancreas and the brain, which in turn triggers a series of pathways that lead to glucagon suppression and insulin release. Glucagon raises blood sugar while insulin lowers it and so by suppressing glucagon and promoting insulin secretion your body will be able to maintain normal sugar levels.
These medications also have other effects that promote weight loss. For one, they signal the brain to suppress your appetite and increase your feeling of fullness after eating. Moreover, they also slow down your digestion.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Weight Loss Injections Clinic Near Me
Regardless of your motivation for shedding weight, a weight loss clinic can guide you to a plan that fits your unique needs. Here are five important factors to consider when choosing a weight loss clinic.
1. Staff Expertise and Experience
One of the most important factors in choosing a clinic is the expertise of the staff. A clinic with highly skilled professionals and a diverse team of specialists will most likely mean you’ll receive quality care throughout your weight loss journey. They can provide you with valuable insights and guidance and their extensive experience is also very reassuring to patients.
2. Personalized Weight Loss Program
Everyone’s body is different so we all have unique weight loss needs. A top-notch clinic offers personalized programs tailored to your specific requirements, and the best clinics also provide a variety of services, from Semaglutide injections to specialized nutrition plans.
3. Holistic Approach
Weight loss involves more than just dieting and using weight loss injections. It requires a comprehensive approach including regular exercise, healthy eating and behavioral changes. The ideal weight loss clinic offers a well-rounded program that addresses all these aspects.
4. Ongoing Support and Monitoring
Weight loss is a continuous journey and you’ll need ongoing support and monitoring to help you stay on track and make the necessary adjustments that extend beyond your clinic visits. A clinic that provides follow-up services will help you maintain your weight loss over the long term.
5. Comfortable Setting
You should feel comfortable discussing your challenges and achievements in the clinic because the more open and honest you are, the better they can tailor their services to your specific needs. Moreover, the clinic should be clean and well-maintained. A positive and welcoming environment can motivate you and strenghthen your commitment which will make the weight loss process more manageable and enjoyable.
How to Choose a Weight Loss Injections Clinic Near Me
Major universities like Cornell often have comprehensive weight loss programs so a university-affiliated research hospital in your area is a great place to start.. But if you’re not near any of these centers, you might need to assemble your own support team. Here’s how you can get started:
Look for a board-certified obesity medicine specialist.
Your primary care doctor is a great resource – they might already be certified in obesity medicine (there are around 3,000 diplomates) or can refer you to someone who is.
Avoid anyone promising a quick fix.
The Obesity Action Coalition, an advocacy group focused on obesity awareness and treatment access, has a locator for screened providers. This includes input from ABOM and other professional groups like the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Obesity Society.
If a certified doctor doesn’t have a team, they can likely refer you to other providers, such as an endocrinologist or physical therapist, if your weight has caused issues like arthritis or hormonal imbalances.
Visit for a free consultation.
A reputable facility should offer a free initial consultation to explain how they do things in their clinic. While a medical consultation might have a fee, just walking in the door shouldn’t cost you. If you feel pressured into a hard sell, you’re probably in the wrong place.
Consider telemedicine services.
If you’re far from a comprehensive weight loss facility, consider making an initial visit and then doing follow-ups remotely with a local doctor. Telemedicine uses video technology to connect you with specialists when local options are limited.
Check that they practice evidence-based medicine.
Ask if the treatments are FDA-approved and if they accept and bill insurance. While some doctors might be out of network, insurance usually covers approved obesity treatments.
Consider your comfort.
Does the waiting room have furniture designed for larger individuals? Is the staff respectful and nonjudgmental? Is it a place where you feel comfortable discussing your body? A weight loss should be comfortable for patients of a certain size.
Check the equipment.
All weight loss clinics are for people looking to lose weight, but not all can handle severe obesity. They should also have up-to-date technology for measuring body fat composition, not just a simple scale.
Ask for success statistics.
Good weight loss programs provide realistic information, but be wary of promises like “guaranteeing 30 pounds in a month as not everyone responds to a treatment in the same way.
They should have a solid follow-up plan.
Even if you’re doing well, you should stay in regular contact with your doctors who will monitor your body fat composition and doing blood work regularly.
Comparing Popular Weight Loss Injections Available Locally
Today, there are numerous GLP-1 agonist drugs on the market, with more in development. But with all these options, how do you choose the right one for you? Here are the popular options available.
1. Ozempic
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a weekly injection for adults with Type 2 diabetes. It comes in a multi-dose pre-filled pen which you can inject any time of day as long as it is on the same day each week.
Ozempic isn’t officially approved for weight loss, but many users notice weight loss as a side effect. On average, those taking it lost 8 to 10 lbs during clinical trials.
2. Wegovy
Wegovy is another weekly semaglutide injection which has been approved specifically for weight loss. It’s not for diabetes treatment and you don’t need a diabetes diagnosis to use it.
Wegovy is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI of at least 27 with one or more weight-related health conditions (like high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes).
In clinical trials, adults taking Wegovy saw an average weight loss of nearly 15% of their initial body weight, and adolescents saw almost 15% weight loss.
3. Trulicity
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a weekly injection for Type 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 10 and older. It comes as a single-use pre-filled pen that you can inject it any time of day.
Trulicity can lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease, even if they only have risk factors for heart disease. It may also have kidney-related benefits.
Although Trulicity isn’t approved for weight loss, one study found that adults taking the highest Trulicity dose (4.5 mg) lost up to 10 lbs over nine months.
4. Saxenda
Saxenda is the higher-dose version of liraglutide approved for weight loss. Like Wegovy, it’s for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or at least 27 with one or more weight-related medical conditions.
In a large clinical trial, adults using Saxenda lost an average of 8% of their starting body weight. Adolescents lost a little over 2.5% on average.
Compared to Wegovy, one study showed significantly more weight loss in adults using Wegovy (16%) than Saxenda (6%). Saxenda requires more frequent injections, but your doctor can help you choose the best option.
5. Victoza
Victoza (liraglutide) is a daily injection for Type 2 diabetes. It is approved for use in people ages 10 and older and requires more frequent injections.
Victoza can lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with heart disease and might help prevent worsening kidney problems.
While Victoza isn’t approved for weight loss, many users do lose weight. During clinical trials, the average weight loss was around 5 lbs.
6. Byetta
Byetta (exenatide) was the first FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist, used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It requires more frequent injections—twice daily within an hour before your morning and evening meals.
Byetta may be recommended if you experience blood glucose spikes after meals, and it can also cause weight loss. However, Byetta doesn’t offer the same heart-related benefits as other options.
7. Bydureon BCise
Bydureon BCise (exenatide) is a longer-acting version of Byetta, injected once weekly. It’s approved to lower blood glucose levels in people ages 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes.
Like Byetta, Bydureon BCise doesn’t offer the same heart-related benefits as other GLP-1 agonists and might not result in as much weight loss. However, it might still be the best option for you.
8. Mounjaro
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) belongs to a new class of medication called GLP-1/GIP agonists, which mimic two gut hormones: GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
It has been studied against Ozempic and findings show that it results to more weight loss after 40 weeks. Mounjaro medication is being studied for reducing major cardiovascular events in people with diabetes and heart disease but isn’t yet approved for this use.
Learn more about this medication by visiting Mounjaro Success Stories!
9. Zepbound
Zepbound is the FDA-approved version of tirzepatide for chronic weight management. Like Saxenda and Wegovy, Zepbound is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI of at least 27 with weight-related health conditions.
In clinical trials, people taking Zepbound lost up to nearly 21% of their starting body weight over 72 weeks, compared to 3% in those taking a placebo.
What to Expect from Weight Loss Injections
After receiving a weight loss injection, many people worry that they might need to take a day off from work. However, this concern is usually unfounded. Once the injection is administered, you simply let it take effect and continue with your daily routine.
People frequently inquire about potential side effects from weight loss injection treatments and it’s important to understand that these side effects are generally very mild. The most common ones include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Low blood sugar
- Stomach discomfort
- Tenderness or pain at the injection site
Frequently Asked Questions for Weight Loss Injection Clinics
What BMI do I need to have to qualify for weight loss injections?
The FDA recommends Wegovy for weight loss if you meet one of the following criteria:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or greater with at least one weight-related condition, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- A BMI of 30kg/m2 or greater.
Are weight loss injections safe?
Generally speaking, weight loss injectables are considered safe when they are properly prescribed and administered. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Semaglutide and Tirzepatide injections for long-term weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related health issue.
But eventhough these weight loss injections offer several benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. It is essential to be aware of potential side effects and risks before deciding on any fat-burning injection.
How long do I need to take weight loss injections?
Dr. Sonal Chaudhry, a board-certified endocrinologist and assistant professor at New York University, explains that most people need to continue taking weight loss injections to maintain their weight.
“If the medication is discontinued, there is usually a significant amount of weight regain,” she says. “In my experience, weight loss treatment with medication is a long-term commitment.”
She adds that some individuals may be able to cycle on and off their medications, but this largely depends on the person.
The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, has been used for over 15 years as a diabetes medication. This long history gives healthcare professionals confidence in prescribing it for long-term use.