GLP-1 Agonists: A Game Changer in Weight Loss

Weight loss medications have been available for decades. But they’ve been viewed as more of a crutch than a treatment because so many people consider obesity a personal problem, not a disease.  

People are looking at weight loss differently thanks to advances in antiobesity medications like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. 

At Transform Bariatrics in Greenbelt and Rockville, Maryland, our bariatrician, Dr. Hitesh Amin is dedicated to helping people who struggle with their weight reach their goals with expert help. Though we specialize in weight loss surgery, we also offer medical weight loss and medications like GLP-1 agonists.

Here, we want to share everything we know about GLP-1 agonists and how they can revolutionize weight loss.

About GLP-1 agonists

GLP-1 agonists — semaglutide and tirzepatide — are a new class of medications doctors prescribe to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. You may know these drugs better by their brand names: Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Zepbound™, and Monjouro®. 

The medications mimic the actions of the GLP-1 hormone produced in the small intestine. This hormone has multiple functions. It signals the release of insulin to help move sugar from the blood into the cell and blocks the release of glucagon to prevent more sugar from entering the bloodstream. GLP-1 also slows digestion and increases satiety, so you feel full longer and eat less.

GLP-1 agonists trigger the same reactions as natural hormones. As a medication, they flood the body with the hormone agonist, enhancing its effects. GLP-1 agonists are changing how we view and treat obesity. 

Studies show that GLP-1 agonists help people lose more than 10% of their weight in six months and 20% in 26 months.

Can GLP-1 agonists help you?

If your weight affects your health and you’re having a hard time losing weight through diet and exercise, then antiobesity medications like GLP-1 agonists may help. We conduct a thorough evaluation when you come in for a consultation to create a plan that fits your health needs and goals. 

Currently, GLP-1 agonists are FDA-approved for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and people with a BMI of 27 or higher who have weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.

Though many people have great success with GLP-1 agonists, they are not the right medication for everyone. We work closely with you to create a plan that helps you achieve your weight and health goals.  

More than medication

Newer antiobesity medications are changing treatment for obesity, but they don’t work alone. To get long-lasting results, the medications work best when combined with a lifestyle plan that includes nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene. 

GLP-1 agonists decrease hunger and food cravings, making it easier to make lifestyle changes that lead to long-term success. Losing weight is the easy part; keeping it off is when it gets tough. But with medications like GLP-1 agonists, maintaining weight loss is possible.

Do you want to know more about GLP-1 agonists and how they can help you? Call us today or request an appointment online to learn more about weight loss drugs and if they make the right choice for you.