Semaglutide as a Game Changer for Weight Loss

Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH & Martin M. Miner, MD, discuss the potential benefits of semaglutide, a newly approved weight-loss drug.

[@DonAngelicaSilva]

I'm 53 years old and gained 30 lbs after having a full hysterectomy five years ago. I started Wegovy 3 weeks ago and I've already lost 10 lbs. I haven't really had any side effects but the positive effects that this drug has had on me is life changing.

[@racheldavin7763]

I'm a 52-year-old, 5'2" female. I started Wegovy in August 2021. So far I've lost 80 pounds and I feel amazing! Thankfully my insurance is paying 100% because I couldn't afford it otherwise.

[@vonusbrown2443]

What insurance do you have if you don't mind me asking

[@cindyc5487]

Hi Rachel congrats on your weight loss journey. I also started Wegovy in Aug of last year I lost up to 40lbs. I am type 2 diabetic thank goodness for my Dr. who turned me on to Wegovy and for 4 months I was able to receive it with a discount $25.00. But when this was submitted to my insurance I was denied and my Dr sent proof of my progress and they still denied when she did the appeal. I wanted to ask if you don't mind which insurance plan do you have. Mine is through my employer at this time and if I can find a plan that will cover Wegovy I would like to go back on it. At this time I just started on Ozempic but loved the Wegovy so much better.

[@racheldavin7763]

@@cindyc5487 Hi Cindy! I have Aetna through my employer. I don't know if this has any bearing on it, but I work for the corporate office of an insurance company. Since then my insurance has only started covering around 80% of it, but my HSA covers the rest. Good luck to you!

[@alleciariley7484]

It's worked for me 270 at starting now 190 after 1 year and my libdo is gone through the roof don't know what is in there

[@brb4530]

@CINDY...Wegovy and Ozempic are the identical drug. Identical! Ozempic now goes as high as 2.0mg, while Wegovy goes as high as 2.4. So you should still be able to achieve your goals on Ozempic. I'm doing the same thing. Just started. Same drug, same manufacturer. Count your blessings.

[@lizferrari565]

I’m 55 and started this treatment in May. So far I have dropped 29 lbs, cut blood pressure medicine in half and went down 2 pant sizes. It’s amazing!

[@DudeSilad]

I'm 55 too. May I ask what weight you were to begin? I'm approximately 200lbs. How much did you lose in the first month?

[@numah12]

I'm 55, started in May. Lost 30 plus lbs. A1C has dropped 1.5 pts. BG now runs in the lower 100s, instead of 200s and even 300s. Blood pressure is going down. BP meds have been majorly cut. Its doing me real good. I cannot use most other diabetes meds. Very mild side effects only. Injection you barely feel. Amazing medication

[@DudeSilad]

@@numah12 Very happy for you. Fortunately, I have no medical conditions. I just want to lose 20lbs. To fight the possibility of getting diabetes as I get older with visceral fight I don't wish to have. Are you going to continue taking it or have you stopped already?

[@numah12]

@@DudeSilad continuing for now. Hoping to get another 25 lbs down. Should be off most if not all bp meds by then

[@evonyevony]

Started 1cc semaglutide injections last week, easily lost 4 lbs already. Substantially less cravings, especially for sugar! Feeling fuller eating less. Eating much smaller portion sizes. Went from 3 meals a day to 2 (breakfast and lunch, no dinner with fewer snack cravings). I use to always go for seconds, now I have leftovers from the 1st plate. Subsides hypoglycemia if meals are skipped. This drug is especially important for an American diet as high amounts of sugar are sneaked into our foods, perpetuating cravings. 10 months ago, I was diagnosed with pre diabetes and high LDL levels while already being on strict diet and exercise. I’m looking forward to my repeat bloodwork results with lower levels. It’s the portion sizes that really gets people and this drug really helps reduce intake! Highly recommend

[@VelcroKittie]

Started Ozempic 18 days ago and have lost 10 lbs so far with zero negative side effects on 0.25. To say I am stunned is an understatement considering my natural skepticism across the board. In fact I wouldn't have bothered with this drug had my wife not pushed me to consider it. I'll hold my hand up and readily admit it's been a true eye opener. Weekly injections are so simple, and I am never hungry. I never get the growling hunger pangs that have led to over eating, so when I eat a 50% reduced portion size I never feel like I'm missing out. This has been the most outstanding feature for me. Contentment with eating less! And you still enjoy your food. I was afraid my enjoyment of food would be removed. That doesn't happen. You just don't feel like you are going without on significantly smaller meals. It leads to a calorie deficit which is the holy grail for someone who has a BMI in the obese region. I honestly cannot recommend this highly enough and I hope you too are lucky not to suffer negative side effects. I wish you every success if you are reading this!

[@charonmariegraham6216]

That is good news. I’m on the .25 dose. Just started today. !!

[@autoquest8067]

@@charonmariegraham6216 any changes so far?

[@charonmariegraham6216]

@@autoquest8067 what you said inspired me. I like to study Hash Akib. He dies portraits and he starts from nowhere.

[@terimontez6570]

Hi! I have been on Wegovy since 1/02/22. I am down 24pds. I have very little side effects. I am one of the fortunate ones that my insurance covers Wegovy with a $24.99 co pay. You are correct this drug is A GAME CHANGER!

[@Right2Try]

I have been beating myself up for decades because I have not been able to successfully lose weight and then maintain the weight loss. Even though I am only in the overweight range, I have watched my overall health go down the tubes, with all the classic symptoms of metabolic syndrome and more. But now I have a prescription for semaglutide. It is too early to get any results. But just starting semaglutide has changed my attitude towards myself. I have finally accepted that I need help. I no longer need to keep beating myself up for not having whatever it takes to do this on my own. What a relief! I am very hopeful that I will soon be seeing results.

[@leebay6093]

I have to say ... the Shitzus in the background are adorable 💕💕😂

[@DrMJJr]

I’ve been on Wegovy since November 2021 and as of today I’ve lost 40lbs. and I’m 6’1 (From 237 down to 196lbs. now) and I’m at the 2.4mg. My LDL is lowest it’s been in 5 years and my HDL is at 41, and my AC1 is down from 6.1 to 5.6. It’s been amazing and I’m lucky that Kaiser Permanente covers it at $20 a month.

[@RepublicConstitution]

I'm 46, 6'0' and 250 lbs. Just started semaglutide. I'm starting to be borderline hypertensive and want to lower my weight and blood pressure. I'll try to update in a month.

[@ediedbdbd7902]

I appreciated your broad overview. Your points about semaglutide reducing the need for other meds was very thought provoking. I’d be interested to know if you both are still as enthusiastic about this weight loss treatment.

[@calboy2]

I don’t want surgery but I do want to lose weight. Started on the mentioned medication this week

[@angiesapik2023]

I start today! I have PCOS and losing weight is very difficult for me due to my PCOS insulin resistance. Looking forward to the next 8 weeks to see what happens.

[@anishmaparajuli7496]

How’s it going

[@bekahdoesdisney5563]

How’s it been? I started today and I have PCOS as well

[@britt8966]

Any updates? Hope it's going well

[@jacquelineharris4040]

I started last Friday and by the following Friday I lost 8 lbs. The side effects have been un noticable, so far. I feel all around better. My cravings are gone, but I'm not where I forget to eat. I do get hungry. I eat less and I'm full quicker.

[@jillianwalsh5498]

Where do I get this?

[@elizabethowen7205]

Minute 3:58 the results are the same as bariatric surgery. Minute 7:19 the drug is not available to most people at this time due to cost. As of this posting, $900.00/month.

[@rlynn5390]

What’s messed up is Medicare will cover surgery but not this drug

[@ksisu1324]

And bariatric surgery costs $15,000 here in Canada (if you don't have provincial health coverage)

[@miamilifeandfitness]

its not that expensive anymore...

[@michellemcquade2550]

Hey Doc, are you concerned at all about potential thyroid and kidney problems or is that not really an issue?

[@FoxHowton]

Interesting knowledge ... but I am also transfixed by the Doggies LOL.

[@icitlalistardust9060]

Same with the doggies… are they even real ? Or just cardboard…

[@beardy7124]

I was on phentermine and started feeling pauses. I stopped taking it and they went away. Just a few weeks later we had a patient in the ICU where I worked that had suffers cardiac arrest on the same meds.

[@mrswendycharb]

We do our OZEMPIC AT NIGHT, NO Nausea !!!

[@k10h73]

Thank you good idea

[@andreataylor2543]

Also if you do it in the arm or thigh the side effects feel less. I started off at a lower dose than .25 for the first 2 weeks until I worked my way up .25 mg; so far only bad heartburn the first 24 hours after the shot.

[@k10h73]

@@andreataylor2543 I start tomorrow so I’m super excited thank you for the tips

[@TUGAWUGAHTV]

The nausea hits at any time of the day no matter when I take the shot.

[@lesliesmith5369]

I don’t think it works like that. Just because you inject at night won’t stop nausea during the day it’s a weekly injection effects are longer lasting nausea can occur anytime

[@heather1081]

The government should be handing this out instead of their "crack bags", if they really care about saving lives.

[@angiesapik2023]

Bold. I like it.

[@NLSmith-qe4sg]

🙄

[@heather1081]

@@NLSmith-qe4sg see. That’s the beauty of our 1st Amendment.

[@NM-js8ky]

@@heather1081 1st Amendment huh? Only you have that right I assume and I didn't? See that's the beauty of it, we ALL get to say. Even if I say someone is an idiot, it is my right. See how that works? But all I did was roll my eyes ;-) That statement stands.

[@heather1081]

@@NM-js8ky Amazing that you surmised that based off my simple response. Quite possibly you and I are on the same page here; there is no such thing as hate speech. I silenced no one.

[@Deanriley]

No one seems to be talking about taking supplements along with semaglutide. My sister just started ozemic and she takes several supplements (D,C,Mg, K, etc), and her doctor hasn’t addressed this. I’m concerned for her if she might be creating problems for herself.

[@refuseresist7532]

Ya 1300$ is incredible it’s 122$ in Australia due to government subsidies

[@tonyanzellino4359]

I am Australian and have been using Ozempic for weeks weeks, haven't lost a great deal of weight to date. However, side effect of severe constipation is horrendously painful. Lastly, I tried to get government rebate and insurance rebate but both don't pay any rebate. The cost is AU$150 per month.

[@Danlovestrivium]

It's $25 a month here in the US. I have insurance so this, like most drugs, are very inexpensive.

[@rubybenge9301]

Dr. Miner says, rather whistly, “if only the insurance companies realized how helpful these medications are. “ I don’t think the insurance companies care about whether the medicines help or not. What they care about is their profit margin. Every other developed country has basically nonprofit healthcare. Do United States has Worst healthcare outcomes. Our outcomes are worse even though we spend almost twice as much per person as the next highest spendnder.

[@miamilifeandfitness]

💯

[@DellahJ]

I’ve been on Mounjaro since August 22nd, 2023. I’m down 50 lbs. As if Jan 1st my insurance will no longer cover it, which is frustrating. I had an appointment for gastric sleeve before I tried this and it seems to me that insurance would rather pay for a shot than a surgery!!! Hoping they catch up soon with how effective this medicine is!

[@tinysafari1851]

If you don't mind me asking, what weight did you start at?

[@Theresa914]

I’m a Type 2 Diabetic and have been on Ozempic almost 1 yr. AC1 is 6.1, wt loss 28lbs. Injections very easy. I am approved for the Novo Nordisk Savings program, it’s back ordered and no idea when they will get more. As you say, it’s very expensive, I hope prices will adjust but it works great for me. Thanks for your video, it was very informative.

[@samuele.marcora]

What about low dose regime for maintenence? I have lost 50 pounds with strict diet and exercise, but I m worried about regain once I start eating more liberally

[@lalakbrown]

I stopped taking it in March and gained back the 30 pounds I lost BUT I ate horrible and became very sedentary.

[@FitFatFit]

Hell yeah you will regain , it’s like 99% possibility. Do your research on “reverse dieting” and go from there

[@ericinboden2430]

don't eat more liberally. Eat like your life depends on it, because...food is the primary cause of non-contagious illness (followed by sedentary lifestyle).

[@debbieschultz106]

I'm on Ozempic my doctor says it's the best one. I'm on 1mg as of 1 week ago so I don't know if I've lost weight but nausea and fatigue with constipation is real..I'm hoping the side effects goes away.

[@michellesoliz-rivera5173]

I’ve read where you must take B-12 with it.

[@juliaruxton3646]

As this was designed for diabetics to lower blood glucose why is nobody talking about this effect on ordinary people who may go hypoglycaemic.

[@agnescleary2312]

But what are the long term effects? Is the weight loss permanent? Do you have to keep taking it for life to maintain the weight loss?

[@puter2003]

It depends on what a person puts in their mouth whether they regain weight or stay the same.

[@Jujubean9795]

They don’t know yet. Their Longest study is coming up on two years. It was just recently FDA approved.

[@ericinboden2430]

It should be used with lifestyle amendments, like exercise and sustainable dietary changes.

[@miamilifeandfitness]

long terms affects are after taking this weight loss fad, a person STILL has not learned how to properly manage food!

[@searching4truth2]

What about the black box warning? Is that a cause for concern when deciding to take it or not?

[@VelcroKittie]

I'm in Europe so I think ours are different. Obviously do your research, but I have personally had no negative side effects at all. I'm almost into week 4 on the 0.25 dosage. We shall see if that changes as I go up. 18 days since I began and down 10lbs. Extremely happy

[@cynthiahall1000]

@@VelcroKittie what do you mean “go up” ? Do you have to go up in dosage if the .25 continues to work?

[@bryanrose20]

@@VelcroKittie update?

[@RepublicConstitution]

Semaglutide comes bonded with other cheaper ions. No need to spend 1200 bucks for the same results.

[@DiceyJJ]

This might also work for alcohol cravings/binge drinking? Sugar…

[@cinnimon2286]

Are these studies tied with a nutrition or lifestyle change? Or is it just incorporating the medication into their current lifestyle?

[@ericinboden2430]

lifestyle change, including diet and especially exercise, are imperative. It works without the changes, but incorporating the changes is vital for long term benefits.

[@juliagoolia5604]

Im on compound semaglutide+b12 and I lost 10lbs my first week! Im 240lb now 230lb!

[@teresawright6398]

What dose you started on

[@juliagoolia5604]

@@teresawright6398 .1cc for week 1 then I go go up each week depending if it makes me nauseous or not

[@rlynn5390]

I have a prescription for it but sadly insurance doesn’t cover it and because I’m disabled in Medicare I can’t even use the discounts.

[@purplelady5867]

I was on the website and it stated that the patient assistance program(PAP) not the coupon, can help people on Medicare.

[@rlynn5390]

@@purplelady5867 thank you I’ll check that out🌸

[@atifrasul1090]

Hello My BMI is 34 and I have high blood pressure most of the time. Iam healthy with no other disease. Should I try 0.25mg for 4 weeks followed by 0.5mg and then 1mg. I talked to an endocrinologist and he agreed with me but I felt he was not aware of its use for weightloss.

[@fai5734]

I’d definitely say to give it a try. Make sure you start on the lowest possible dose which is 0.25mg/week

[@jaredgarbo3679]

@@fai5734 Injections or oral?

[@fai5734]

@@jaredgarbo3679 subcut injections. Very important to talk to a doctor about the pros and cons

[@prettyprissysadity]

Ask your physician.

[@rosesheppard6389]

Have a MRC (Medibolic Research Center) close by? My cost is $400.00 for two months. I only use .15 once/twice a week…

[@MorganEarlJones]

Why would any normal person include the copyright ASCII character after Wegovy on a printed piece of paper Now I have to take everything both of you say as being directed by Wegovy's manufacturer

[@eddiegardner8232]

I have gained 20 pound of FAT since going on Lupron ADT for prostate cancer, in spite of eating 1400 calories/day, weight exercises every 3 days, and walking at least a mile every day. With no testosterone, my muscles are atrophying and being exchanged for fat. This can't be heart healthy, but because my BMI is only 24.1, I can't get my PCP to prescribe it for me, even though my fat to muscle ratio continues to climb. Stupid policy.

[@miamilifeandfitness]

if you have NO testosterone, what you need is to get on TRT to restore your test levels. otherwise, nothing you do with assist with fat loss... its not gonna be this...

[@eddiegardner8232]

@@miamilifeandfitness I can't do TRT right now because of the prostate cancer. Maybe I will be able to after 24 months of ADT if my PSA doesn't rise. Should I? "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do you", as Dirty Harry said.

[@miamilifeandfitness]

@@eddiegardner8232 I see…. Well, then u have to build solid muscle to shred fat and adjust your diet u til then! Good luck

[@paulettekilgore8518]

please help me they have turned me down becouse of my age, i am very healthy, i have no health problems, please help me try this drug for waight lose.

[@colettespencer3357]

What about thyroid cancer in lab rats on these drugs?

[@NLSmith-qe4sg]

1300-1500 mo, I am sorry to say.

[@SexyArmyBoy91]

You can get semiglutide from trancend hrt for 308 for 4 months… or from saf peptides for 109 for 3 vials. 1300 per month is a straight rip off

[@patriciahibbard7345]

too bad it’s so expensive….$1637 here for a month because I’m in Medicare.

[@K1nshou]

6 weeks in. Haven't lost much maybe a few lbs but the cramping nausea is torture. Not to mention constipation for a few days after shot, then the complete opposite for a few days. It's crazy and the last 2 of those 6 weeks I've gained weight. I'll stick with it for a few more weeks but I feel like I'm the only one hating this l drug and hasn't lost weight while on it. Gym time is the same, 4 days a week 1hr of cardio and 1 1/2 lhrs resistance training

[@jfox11000]

Still no good ?

[@K1nshou]

@Joshua Fox I haven't taken it. I just fast now.

[@ericinboden2430]

Maybe adding muscle?

[@juliaruxton3646]

I took semaglutide oral tabs for my blood sugar. I had strong reactions including nausea, headache, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. This was at the 7 mg level. Needless to say I stopped it. I felt terrible. I’m now controlling my blood glucose with the Glucose goddess method and feel great.

[@rosemarygaeta8205]

Are those dogs behind him stuffed?

[@jozigalm8159]

no lol. its just a background picture

[@prettyprissysadity]

lmfao shit def threw me off 😂

[@maryelizabeth7128]

Ummm because drug companies are greedy greedy greedy.

[@miamilifeandfitness]

💯

[@dlvox5222]

1. Exercise 6 days a week. Each day, 30 min of cardio at 75% max heart rate, followed by 30-40 min of resistance training. 2. Timed eating: pick a 9 hour daily feeding window and stick with it. (calories: 60% protein, 30% carbs, 10% fats) 3. Calculate your TDEE. Burn more calories than you consume daily. (thermodynamics). Try to be in a daily 500 calorie deficit. If you are consistent with this program you will find yourself around 12%-15% body fat with lean muscle mass and great cardio health. Sadly, most won’t. Because most don’t have the discipline to hit the gym for 1:10 a day and limit eating to a 9 hour window. Do this for 120 days. Then stack one of these novel drugs on top to get leaner.

[@NLSmith-qe4sg]

So easy to say

[@ondrej1893]

How to get rich: earn more than you spend. Money balance. Here, I solved World poverty like this guy solved obesity!

[@BTBC9870]

no need for ratios....while eating below maintenance the % DO NOT MATTER I lost 46lbs on a 65-70% carbs diet... max heart..old and outdated.....eat less move more..no one on earth has ever proved you can eat more than the bodies maintenance and NOT GAIN weight..fact...

[@SanchoGracie]

Always has to be one arrogant jerk in comments.

[@cindyleeger]

I eat in a 5 hour window, I really don’t restrict too much within that window. Only black coffee, water or tea outside that 5 hours. I have not exercised more than usual. I have had extremely similar results. I have even better results if I’m making sure I eat 120g protein daily. Unfortunately, people with weight issues do not like to feel deprived.

[@nativetexan6628]

This guy talks about Testosterone but he doesn't say a word about if they were high or low. Are we supposed to know the results of the tests before we watch the video. Since I was excited that it might help my husband. THEN A GREAT BIG NOTHING!

[@ladansari]

Extremely safe is false and overexaggerate. Refer to the serious side effect on Ozempic side.

[@TUGAWUGAHTV]

All drugs have side effects, that doesn’t mean they aren’t safe!

[@MichelleLathrom]

Especially the fact that it’s a glp1 agonist and glp1 increases insulin. You cannot be overweight or obese without excessive insulin already on board. This is just going to cause even more insulin to be present in the body, eventually making the patient even more insulin resistant in the long run. You can only force feed the cells of the body with excessive insulin for so long before they rebel and increase their resistance to insulin. It’s going to have very bad rebound effects in the long run. Just like insulin injections in type 2 diabetics. It resolves a surface problem but it creates a greater evil within. Insulin isn’t a benign hormone. It becomes very damaging in high quantities. But people are too focused on sugar levels. So much that they totally miss the elephant in the room.

[@succeedwithstaples]

@@MichelleLathrom 😮

[@adammorra3813]

@@MichelleLathrom Where are you getting your information from?

[@MichelleLathrom]

@@adammorra3813 the action of insulin over feeding cells comes from Dr Ben Bikman who is an insulin scientist. And it’s also from my own experience living with a tumor on my pancreas that makes enough insulin for 20 people. It’s called an insulinoma. Learning how it insulin works at the cellular level has given me then ability to find ways to mitigate its actions. Also my family is all type 2 diabetic with the exception of my mom was type 1 and died when she was only 50 from diabetic complications. (She took terrible care of herself. Ate whatever she wanted and used a ton of insulin which gave her irreversible damage, including her brain. I’m 43 and by my age she had already had multiple strokes and lost her kidney function among other things. So staying on top of my health and really understanding what is going on matters. Also, one of the scans to locate this tumor is called an exendin 4 Pet scan. It’s made with Glp-1. Because glp-1 one provokes insulin production and by using it , it can locate my insulin producing tumor. There is a medication that is a calcium channel blocker that could stop the insulin production. We tried it. But I’m allergic to it. So surgery is my only option. And I’m waiting on that approval. I’ve been living with this tumor since 1998. 24 years now.

[@SanchoGracie]

The nausea is sheer hell though.

[@VelcroKittie]

What dosage are you on? I'm 18 days in on 0.25 and haven't had any negative side effects

[@ksisu1324]

I keep crystalized ginger slices on hand for the heavier nausea.

[@kimberlydunn4471]

Omg! I don't understand if one of the side effects is nausea why don't they prescribe Zofran, my nausea is so severe I found myself dehydrated and not losing any weight since I started in October

[@SanchoGracie]

@@VelcroKittie once I hit 1 the nausea hit. Delaying increasing again out if sheer fear.

[@markcredit6086]

No side effects here

[@firewolf5680]

Dumb question about the dogs behind you are you a taxidermy? Or wreck a mend someone for people pets? Thank you

[@JTKroll12]

terrible

[@kiyanaa11]

Love the part when he said if Ins. Co consider the reduce in weight how much they can reduce their costs! Something in US which they must re-visit!!!!