Weight loss medications

The causes of overweight are usually deeper than just laziness or lack of willpower. Obesity can often be the result of a genetic predisposition or some underlying medical condition. Severe overweight, or obesity itself, is also a disease for which conservative treatment is long-term, complex and often unsuccessful. Achieving weight loss solely through lifestyle intervention can be difficult in some cases and hard to maintain.

That is why doctors increasingly recommend modern weight loss medications for treating obesity. The faster and more reliably we can get rid of dangerous excess weight, the greater the likelihood we can avoid shortening our lifespan and developing various health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart and vascular diseases, sleep apnoea, chronic kidney diseases, and even certain types of cancer.

The weight loss drug semaglutide has shown promising results in shedding excess weight.

Weight loss medications — Health Clinic Laihdutusklinikka The causes of overweight are usually deeper than just laziness or lack of willpower. Obesity can often be the result of a genetic predisposition or some underlying medical condition. Severe overweight, or obesity itself, is also a disease for which conservative treatment is long-term, complex and often unsuccessful. Achieving weight loss solely through lifestyle intervention can be difficult in some cases and hard to maintain.

Why is it difficult to lose weight?

Every second, the human brain receives up to 50 signals from different parts of the body. These signals include various hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. When the intake of food energy (calories) is reduced, body weight begins to decrease. As a result, the balance of appetite-regulating hormones changes, which is why we perceive an increased appetite during weight loss and end up eating more than planned. This is one of the reasons why weight loss and maintaining the lost weight is difficult. Since semaglutide can help reduce appetite, it supports weight loss efforts.

Semaglutide – a breakthrough in weight loss

To solve the problem of weight loss, scientists, in collaboration with universities and doctors, have developed a solution that helps reduce the hunger and appetite signals sent by the body. Semaglutide mimics a hormone found in our body that slows down gastric emptying and affects insulin levels, thereby helping to reduce appetite. This means it is easier to reduce food portions and calorie intake, as you do not feel hungry as often.

However, it is important to remember that no medication alone can cause permanent weight loss. To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, commitment to long-term lifestyle changes is necessary. Relying solely on the medication’s effects results in less weight loss and a higher likelihood of weight gain once the medication is stopped. If the goal is to permanently lose weight, changing eating and exercise habits is always necessary.

Weight loss medications — Health Clinic Laihdutusklinikka The causes of overweight are usually deeper than just laziness or lack of willpower. Obesity can often be the result of a genetic predisposition or some underlying medical condition. Severe overweight, or obesity itself, is also a disease for which conservative treatment is long-term, complex and often unsuccessful. Achieving weight loss solely through lifestyle intervention can be difficult in some cases and hard to maintain.

Medication-based weight loss is a holistic process

It should start with assessing suitability and creating an individual treatment plan

Your life-changing experience begins with a thorough health check. During this process, your doctor will gather important information about your health status and previous illnesses. Great attention is paid to your needs, possibilities and goals during the initial consultation. With the doctor’s support, you can set suitable goals for yourself, and based on that, the doctor will create a treatment plan for you

The treatment plan needs to be continuously adjusted based on individual results and the doctor’s recommendations

Each person’s body is different and requires a slightly different approach. Your doctor will regularly monitor your weight loss progress and health condition. Depending on the results, the doctor will help make adjustments to the treatment plan to ensure healthy and goal-oriented weight loss.

To achieve the best result, improvements should also be made to your diet and lifestyle alongside the treatment plan

Throughout the weight loss process, our clinical nutrition therapist will assist you. They will help keep your diet under control and ensure that your efforts pay off. Thanks to the weight loss medication, making these changes will be easier than before and you will not have to fear hunger or harsh restrictions. With a nutrition therapist, making changes is easier.

Weight loss medications — Health Clinic Laihdutusklinikka The causes of overweight are usually deeper than just laziness or lack of willpower. Obesity can often be the result of a genetic predisposition or some underlying medical condition. Severe overweight, or obesity itself, is also a disease for which conservative treatment is long-term, complex and often unsuccessful. Achieving weight loss solely through lifestyle intervention can be difficult in some cases and hard to maintain.

It is effective

Studies show that weight loss medications are the most effective tools for weight loss after bariatric surgery. In recent years, weight loss medications have been increasingly recommended alongside bariatric surgeries worldwide. It is a less invasive and simpler alternative, and there is no need for time off work for recovery. Results have shown that, similarly to weight loss surgery, weight loss medications can successfully help lose excess weight.

Weight loss package

We have put together an effective service package for you, which includes regular doctor consultations and clinical nutrition therapist counselling to ensure thorough monitoring. This also allows for adjustments to the treatment regimen if necessary to achieve maximum weight loss effect.

This way, you can be sure that your health is under the care of a doctor throughout the process and that your nutrition is managed by a qualified clinical nutrition therapist.

The weight loss process and subsequent monitoring usually last 6–12 months. A thorough health assessment is done during the first meeting. Every patient receives a personal approach that is tailored to their needs.

The cost of the package is €1190.

* The price does not include the cost of the medication

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Frequently asked questions about weight loss

It is suitable for cases with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30. It is also suitable when the BMI is below this but one or more obesity-related risks (diabetes, high blood pressure, changes in body proportions causing mood swings, etc.) are present.

Starting treatment should always be thoroughly discussed with a doctor and potential risks evaluated. Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy, when planning pregnancy, or during breastfeeding. Semaglutide treatment must be stopped at least two months before planning pregnancy due to its long half-life (the time the active substance remains in the body).

The most common potential side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and pancreatitis. In general, side effects become less noticeable after a couple of weeks.

The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor, but on average it lasts between 6 months and 1 year.

The medication is generally administered by injection. It is injected with a very small needle from a special pen into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, according to the doctor’s instructions, usually once a week. In some cases, tablet treatment may also be possible.

  1. Balance your diet

For a balanced diet, it is important to include protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, berries, whole grains and plant-based fats.

Each meal should include a source of protein, as protein creates a longer-lasting feeling of fullness, helping to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, body weight decreases from both fat tissue and muscle mass, so getting enough protein along with exercise is necessary to preserve muscle mass, which in turn helps maintain a higher basal metabolic rate.

Good sources of protein include low-fat dairy products, peas, beans, lentils, eggs, fish, poultry, beef and pork. For meat, try to avoid processed products like ham, sausages, hot dogs, canned foods, etc., as these are the main sources of hidden fats.

Pair protein sources with vegetables, fruits, berries, or whole grain products – these are fibre-rich foods. Fibre increases the volume of food in the stomach, creating a longer-lasting feeling of fullness, which helps control portion sizes. Additionally, vegetables, fruits and berries are rich in vitamins and minerals and naturally low in calories. Whole grains are cereal products with at least 3 grams of fibre per 100 grams of product.

A balanced diet also includes healthy fats. Prefer vegetable oils, fatty fish, nuts and seeds. Since fats are very calorie-dense, it is important to limit fat intake during weight loss – both what we add to foods and hidden fats already in food. To limit hidden fats, prefer lower-fat dairy products and meat products.

  1. Rethink your drink choices

Reducing calorie-rich drinks is often one of the easiest ways to reduce calorie intake. Calories are found in sugary soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, juice drinks, smoothies, full juices and milk-based drinks. Therefore, it is a good idea to start replacing various cold drinks with water throughout the day.

  1. Do not think of it as another strict diet

Eating healthily doesn’t mean you have to completely give up some of your favourite foods. On the contrary, if you forbid yourself something enjoyable, it will likely lead to giving up your efforts and overeating at some point.

Instead, think of it as 80–90% of your food choices being those that help you lose weight and 10–20% consisting of your favourite foods. A simple way to plan this is as follows: if you eat 4 times a day, that is 28 meals per week. So, 24 of these meals should contain nutrient-dense foods and the remaining 4 can be your favourite foods. It would be necessary to plan ahead so that these four meals are not mindless snacking, but rather eating out, a few alcoholic drinks on a weekend evening, celebrating a birthday, etc. This approach helps stay committed in the long run and supports permanent weight loss.

  1. Move daily

Exercise is not essential for weight loss since diet plays a bigger role. However, during weight loss, regular strength training is very important for maintaining muscle mass. A greater muscle mass helps reduce the slowing down of basal metabolism, which is a common side effect of weight loss. Getting at least 60 minutes of exercise a day is essential to maintain weight loss. Walking, jogging, cycling as well as everyday physical activity such as walking to work, using stairs, etc. are all suitable.

  1. Create a regular sleep pattern and sleep at least 7 hours

Lack of sleep and irregular sleep cycles negatively affect appetite regulation. To prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation, an adult should sleep 7–9 hours a night.

In conclusion, semaglutide’s effect on appetite helps support weight loss. However, to ensure that the lower weight is maintained in the long term, changes in eating and exercise habits must be implemented.

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