How Do Weight Loss Shots Work and What Should You Expect?

Weight loss injections also referred to as stomach injections for weight loss, are injectable medications that are used to help suppress appetites and reduce cravings in people for things such as sugars and salts, to help aid in weight loss. Some of the most well-known medications that fall into this category are Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, as they are FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. These medications may not always be injected into the stomach, they can also be injected into the buttocks, thighs, or hips, depending on what is the easiest and most comfortable spot for you. Your physician can go over this in detail with you at your appointment if you have concerns about where the injections are used.

If you are considering the use of weight loss injections, it is a good first step to start with small lifestyle changes, such as a change in diet or exercise, as this can create the ideal framework to see the best benefits from using these medications. Your physician, like the ones at Kernersville Primary Care, can help you in this process by sitting down and creating a medically assisted exercise and diet plan that you can implement before you begin your weight loss medications so that all of your steps on your weight loss journey are being medically supervised.

Some reasons to speak with your physician before you begin your weight loss medications are they can also monitor your overall health, and recommend diet changes based on your lipids, peptides, and hormones so that you may also begin to lose weight before taking medications. They also can better monitor your blood pressure and heart, so that they can determine if your weight loss program is working and that it is happening safely to mitigate any potential risks.

With weight loss injections, most patients report that they have lost between 15% to 20% of their overall body weight, and in some cases even more than that. It is important to remember that any lifestyle changes you have implemented while taking weight loss medications should be continued after you have stopped taking the medications, otherwise there is a risk of you regaining some or all of the weight you have lost. Since these medications work in the brain and the digestive system, your appetite will come back once you stop taking the medications, so making sure you know how to recognize cravings from true hunger can also be beneficial long-term in keeping off the weight you have lost. This can also be dependent on the medication that was being used for weight loss, as some people who have taken tirzepatide have reported that even after discontinuing the use of the medication that they no longer have the cravings they had before beginning treatment.

Because of the nature of weight loss, there is no straightforward timeline on how quickly to expect the medications to work. If you have not changed your exercise and diet, you may slow your potential weight loss but you will see a change within two weeks of starting. Most commonly, patients begin to feel different within the first month of beginning the treatment and some may find that they don’t notice any changes until they have completed two months of treatment, but this is all based on your unique biology.

It is best to stay consistent through your weight loss journey, as this can help create the best results quickly so that you only eat when you are hungry rather than eating out of boredom or stress. With our comprehensive approach to weight loss, our team is here to help you through the entire weight loss journey, to set you up to be as successful as possible in maintaining your weight loss even once you have completed the use of weight loss medications.

At Kernersville Primary Care, our focus is on your well-being. With our dedicated team, discover the effectiveness of injectable weight-loss medications to support your health goals. Expect personalized care and expert guidance as you embark on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle. We are conveniently located at 420 West Mountain St. Kernersville, NC 27284. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Kernersville NC, Colfax NC, Walkertown NC, Oak Ridge NC, Wallburg NC, Belews Creek NC, Winston-Salem NC, and surrounding areas.