• Elevated BMI >30

• Excess body fat

• Waist circumference > 40 inches.

• Sudden loss of breath

• Increased sweating

• Decreased endurance

• Increased snoring/sleep apnea

• Inability to handle sudden physical activity

• Extreme daily exhaustion

• Back and joint pain

Also linked to other health issues such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gallstones and gallbladder disease and osteoarthritis.

• A healthier heart

• Improved blood pressure

• Decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other secondary conditions

• Decreased strain on joints and lower back

• A better sex life

• Increased confidence

• Overall improved quality of life

• Once you have achieved your weight loss goals, it is important to maintain your healthy weight:

• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that stays within your daily calorie needs

• Ensuring you are meeting your recommended daily total water intake from foods, plain drinking water, and other beverages

• Engaging in regular physical activity, including 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent mix of the two each week.

• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule of 7–9 hours per night

• Taking steps to reduce day-to-day stress levels

Despite following these guidelines, many people continue to struggle with losing the weight or keeping the weight off. These can be due to environmental or medical factors and many times, genetics. For those patients, participating in a medically supervised weight loss program may be a good option.

If diet and exercise alone are not moving the needle on the scale and you have extra weight you need (or want) to shed, CoastalT has several options. There is a fairly new medication on the market called semaglutide. Initially used to treat diabetes, it was noted that a major side effect of semaglutide was significant weight loss in a relatively short period of time. These are once weekly subcutaneous injections ( using a short needle into the fatty tissue between the skin and muscle) into the upper arm, thigh or abdomen.

Duration of treatment will vary from person to person, depending on age, current weight, and other health conditions, along with their individual goals. Typically, treatment can last from four to 12 weeks. For some individuals, their weight loss journey can take longer.

Individuals who have a BMI> than 30 with no other risk factors or for individuals with BMI> 27 with 1 or more weight related comorbidities (Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol)

At CoastalT, we do not believe in rapid weight loss (>10% per month). This type of rapid weight loss can cause muscle loss, “ozempic face,” and is more difficult to maintain, means losing around 5% per month. For a 230 pound man, this amounts to 11 pounds per month, or 45 pounds in 4 months. Studies have shown that individuals have lost between 5-15% of their body weight after 68 weeks.

• Decreased appetite and food intake

• 15% reduction in body weight over several months

• Lowered blood pressure

• Improved A1C levels

• Lowered triglyceride levels

• Improved HDL cholesterol levels

Some people experience dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, constipation, gassiness, nausea, vomiting, pain or bloating), and headaches. Gastrointestinal issues are the most common complaint when starting GLP1s. Side effects can be reduced by beginning on a lower dose and slowly increasing the weekly amount.

You are not a candidate if you have a medical history of:

• Thyroid medullary cancer.

• Gallbladder disease

• History of pancreatitis

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)