Losing weight is about more than just taking the pounds off. It’s about changing your lifestyle in a way that works for you so you can stay at a healthy weight. No matter how you are taking on your weight loss journey, resources are designed to guide and support you for the best weight management and health benefits. Eating healthy, being active, and creating healthy habits is an essential part of improving your health and losing weight. Losing just 5 to 10% of your weight is linked with major health benefits!
Understanding Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss provides a structured and supervised approach to losing weight that is guided by healthcare experts. Using the highest-quality weight loss medications accompanied with evidence-based strategies, doctors help individuals achieve and maintain a healthier body weight. Gameday’s medical weight loss programs start with a comprehensive assessment of your overall health, including medical history, current medications, and any underlying medical conditions that may impact weight loss efforts. If eligible, a provider will create a tailored weight loss program to fit your goals.
Key Components of Medical Weight Loss
- Medical Oversight: Ensuring safety and efficacy through professional supervision.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Tailoring programs to individual needs and goals.
- High-Quality Formulations: Utilizing effective and safe medications.
GLP-1 Injections: A Modern Approach to Weight Loss
GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1) is a receptor agonist. This means that it mimics the hormone GLP-1, which regulates hunger and food intake. Additionally, when GLP-1 is taken on a weekly basis, it suppresses the hormone glucagon to prevent feelings of hunger. Additionally, it delays gastric emptying, therefore making you feel more satisfied after a meal.
The Science Behind GLP-1
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that controls hunger and cravings, helping individuals feel fuller for longer periods. This can contribute to reduced calorie intake and gradual weight loss. Additionally, these treatments can slow down the digestive process, leading to greater satisfaction after meals.
Clinical Evidence of GLP-1 Efficacy
A recent study of 1,961 people found that in people with a BMI over 30 and who did not have diabetes, GLP-1 injections combined with exercise resulted in a mean decrease in body weight of 14.9% over 68 weeks. The placebo group saw only a 2.4% mean decrease in weight. A second study found that when combined with behavioral therapy and incorporating a low-calorie diet into meal plans, GLP-1 provided even more significant weight loss.
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Who is a Candidate for GLP-1 Injections?
GLP-1 is often prescribed to men and women who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or individuals with a BMI of 27 or higher that is accompanied by high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or other health conditions that can make weight loss difficult.
Benefits of GLP-1 Injections
- Significantly reducing weight when combined with changes in diet and exercise
- Providing consistent, safe weight loss over an extended period of time
- Diminished risk of heart and cardiovascular disease upon achieving a healthy weight
- Helping you to look and feel healthier
- Requiring only one injection per week
How Quickly Does GLP-1 Work?
It often is not until 4 or more weeks on a dose of 0.5 mg that patients will start to see a decline in weight. It’s possible that some individuals might not notice weight loss until close to 6 weeks. Studies have shown that GLP-1 is most effective when combined with exercise and changes in diet. Therefore, the exact amount of time someone might need to receive this treatment will depend on current health conditions (if any) and if exercise and dietary changes can be adopted permanently to maintain an ideal weight.
Potential Side Effects
Potential side effects can include headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, changes in mood, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, and bloating. While rare, more severe side effects can include pancreatitis, allergic reactions, kidney damage, gallstones, and others.
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Potential Benefits
- Burn Fat
- Boost Energy
- Improved Metabolism
- Stubborn Fat Breakdown
- Supports Lean Muscle Retention
- Enhanced Liver Function
- Cholesterol Management
- Improved Workout Performance
- Faster Recovery Times
Comprehensive Weight Loss Programs in Murrieta
LiveWellMD Weight Loss
LiveWellMD Weight Loss offers personalized plans to help you achieve sustainable weight loss. Their dedicated team of medical weight loss specialists will guide you every step of the way. With their support and expertise, you’ll have everything you need to reach your goals.
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Shapely
Shapely is a top-rated medical weight loss program in Murrieta, California that provides care via telehealth. They provide affordable weight loss medications and consultations with experts you can trust.
What Shapely Offers
- 1:1 consults with board-certified physicians and providers
- Prescriptions for weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and more (if appropriate)
- Access to a personal dietitian and meal planning to help you stay on track.
- Monthly video visits with weight loss expert
- Affordable access to weight loss medications
- Unlimited support via chat and our app
- Biweekly dietitian visits
Medications Prescribed by Shapely
- Semaglutide
- Tirzepatide
- Wegovy®
- Ozempic ®
- Zepbound ®
- Mounjaro ®
- Contrave®
Prescriptions are at the medical provider’s discretion and may not be appropriate for everyone. Individual results may vary. Average 15% weight loss was seen with Wegovy in Step 1 trial, while average 21% weight loss was seen with Zepbound in Surmount 1 trial, and 6.1% weight loss was seen with Contrave in the COR-1 trial.
Shapely FAQs
- Who is eligible to join Shapely? Currently, Shapely serves adults aged 18 and older in Texas, Florida, New York, and California. Their weight loss program in Texas, Florida, New York, and California will soon be expanding to all 50 US states!
- What does my insurance cover? They navigate insurance on your behalf and are able to work with the vast majority of insurance companies to get cost-effective access to GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. For patients with commercial insurance, medication co-pays are typically $25 per month but depending on the plan may be higher. If you do not have insurance, or if insurance doesn't cover the cost, their weight loss program in Murrieta, California offers an accessibility program and will send your prescriptions to a compounding pharmacy. Labs are also typically covered by insurance though there may be a co-pay. For patients without insurance, they offer labs for a flat rate of $75, requiring you to go to a Labcorp location for lab draw.
- What if I don’t have insurance? For patients who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of medication, their weight loss program in Murrieta, California offers an accessibility program. They partner with compounding pharmacies to allow you to affordably access the medications you need, including compounded semaglutide for $199 per month and compounded tirzepatide starting from $299 per month. For patients without insurance, they have also partnered with LabCorp to offer a comprehensive lab-panel for a flat-rate of $75.
- How much weight will I lose? Typically, patients of their weight loss program in Murrieta, California who have started taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can lose up to 15% of their weight. With Mounjaro and Zepbound, weight loss can be as much as 20%. Note that results are not guaranteed and may vary. With other medications, weight loss can be up to 10%. Ultimately, your weight loss journey is a personal one, and your Shapely team will be by your side to help you achieve your best results
- How long will it take me to lose weight? Typically, they find that patients of their weight loss program in Murrieta, California who are taking GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy will lose 10% of weight by 6 months and 15% within 1 year. Results will vary by patient, intervention, and medication prescribed (if appropriate). They find that patients benefit from at least a 12-month comprehensive weight-loss program to establish the proper habits to sustain long-term weight loss
- What if I'm ineligible for a GLP-1 agonist? If you are not a good candidate for GLP-1 agonists, their physicians will offer different modalities of weight loss for you, including alternative medications, lifestyle modification, continuous glucose monitoring, and other tools that we use as a part of their weight loss program in Murrieta, California.
- Will I need labs as a Shapely patient? Recent labs are required prior to taking most weight loss medications as part of their weight loss program in Murrieta, California. They will either order labs for you or accept labs completed within 6 months before program enrollment. Labs are typically covered by insurance.
Additional Programs and Resources
- Center for Health Promotion: Offers a unique and personalized approach to obesity medicine, focusing on lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication and other medical treatments.
- My Optifast Journey: A comprehensive meal replacement program proven to be an effective weight loss method for busy people, combining medical visits, digital support resources, and a wellness tracking app.
- Options program: prepares you for metabolic and bariatric surgery and provides you with ongoing support. It’s designed to give you information about surgery, help you decide what’s right for you, and support you before and after surgery.
The Importance of Lifestyle Changes
Recent studies show that medical weight loss therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, are most effective when combined with regular physical activity and healthy dietary habits. Individuals who adopt these changes while undergoing treatment often experience more substantial weight reduction over time compared to those who do not implement lifestyle adjustments. For many people, lifestyle changes can be the foundation for weight loss.
Success Stories
- Vanessa: lost 53 lbs in 9 months
- Kathy: lost 42 lbs in 6 months
- Tara: lost 72 lbs in 12 months
- Mary Jane: lost 40 lbs in 5 months
- Jeanine: lost 57 lbs in 6 months
- Cynthia: lost 74 lbs in 6 months
- Patricia: lost 36 lbs in 8 months
- Robin: lost 85 lbs in 9 months
- Laurel: lost 56 lbs in 7 months
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