What to Expect When Starting Semaglutide: A Week-by-Week Guide

Are you struggling to lose extra weight, despite watching what you eat and exercising? At Flow IV Infusion Therapy, we are excited to offer semaglutide as a part of a medical weight loss plan. Here’s a detailed breakdown on what to expect week by week while starting semaglutide.

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps to regulate appetite, blood sugar levels, and digestion. Originally developed to treat Type 2 Diabetes, semaglutide slows down the speed that the stomach empties itself. When the stomach empties itself slower, your appetite is reduced, and thus less food is eaten.

Week 1: Understanding Your Starting Dose

The first week will focus on acclimating your body to the new medication by starting with a low dose. Semaglutide, as with any medication, does come with its own mild side effects.

What to Expect

• Mild nausea and/or vomiting: The most common symptoms include gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, such as mild nausea and/or vomiting, bloating, and gas, among others. This is common as your body adapts to semaglutide’s effects.
• Appetite suppression: Reduced hunger can begin as early as the first week of treatment.
• Increased fatigue: You may feel more tired than usual this first week, as your body adjusts to its new lower intake of calories.
• For athletes: If you lead an active lifestyle, it may be difficult to keep up with your daily workouts while experiencing the effects of semaglutide. It’s most important to listen to your body during this time and there is no shame in the workout modify game.

Tips for Success

• Stay well-hydrated to help your body work optimally.
• Focus on nutrient-rich foods, such as lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fat.
• Eat smaller and more frequent meals to minimize GI symptoms.
• Incorporate some physical activity, but don’t go overboard this first week. If you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue, consult our office.

Week 2: Settling Into the Routine

The first week of your medical weight loss plan on semaglutide has concluded, and your body is settling into the medication and its effects.

What to Expect

• Continuation of side effects: If you are still experiencing fatigue, nausea, or other GI symptoms, this is completely normal. Don’t get discouraged! Medical weight loss plans are a marathon, not a race.
• Fewer cravings: The more you experience the appetite suppression effects of semaglutide, the better food choices you will make.
• Beginning of weight loss: It is possible to lose 1 to 5 pounds of weight during this time, though it is primarily water weight and a result from eating less. 
• For athletes: Maintaining muscle mass is key, so prioritize consuming enough protein and if you haven’t, slowly start getting back into your strength training or endurance building exercises.

Tips for Success

• Prioritize your sleep. Getting a good night sleep each night helps to reduce stress levels (which can cause emotional eating), regulate hormones, and improve insulin sensitivity, all which allow you to lose weight.
• Keep a journal to see what foods are making you feel better, or worse.
• Maintain some physical activity.

Weeks 3 and 4: Gaining Momentum

During the 3rd and 4th weeks of semaglutide is often when there is a turning point in your medical weight loss journey.

What to Expect

• Stabilized side effects: The initial side effects are likely to have disappeared by now.
• Weight loss: On average, people on semaglutide lose around 2% of their body weight during these weeks.
• Increased motivation: It’s easy to feel motivated when you see and feel results!
• For athletes: While your metabolism adapts to semaglutide, your endurance may change. This is ok! Stay hydrated and maintain your electrolytes as your body adjusts.

Tips for Success

• Stick to a structured and nourishing meal plan.
• Celebrate small victories!
• For any questions or extra guidance, contact our consulting pharmacist.

Week 5 and Beyond: Long-Term Success

During this time is when the full effects of semaglutide are observed. As you continue your journey on semaglutide, the healthier lifestyle changes you have been using during this time will become habits.

What to Expect

• Consistent weight loss: You should start to see consistent weight loss as the body fully adjusts to semaglutide. At around 8 weeks, it is normal to have lost around 4% of your body weight.
• Enhanced confidence: Enjoy the increased confidence you are gaining from losing weight, increased energy levels, and seeing your body work optimally!
• Improved blood sugar control: As semaglutide helps to regulate glucose metabolism, the body becomes better at efficiently burning calories, thus leading to weight loss.
• For athletes: With better appetite regulation and blood sugar control, many athletes find that their endurance and recovery improve. Keep up with your training to see continued results.

Tips for Success

• Continue with your follow-ups at Flow IV Infusion Therapy. 
• Eat mindfully with food choices that can help slow digestion, such as protein and produce.
• Keep up with physical activity. A recent study found that continuing to exercise after stopping semaglutide led to reduced weight gain.

Why Choose Flow IV Infusion Therapy?

At Flow IV Infusion Therapy in Southwest and Southeast Florida, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Our experienced medical staff will provide you with a customized medical treatment plan that can be adjusted to your lifestyle. Whether you are a young parent, a single 30-something, or an athlete, Flow IV Infusion Therapy offers a results-driven approach with continuous support.

Request Your Semaglutide Consultation Today

Take the first step toward achieving your weight loss goals with semaglutide at Flow IV Infusion Therapy. During your consultation, we’ll:

• Review your medical history and weight loss goals
• Discuss whether semaglutide is right for you
• Answer all your questions about the treatment
• Create a customized plan for your success

Contact us today to schedule your consultation or book online now.