About Us
Did you know that for every 1 pound of weight lost, you alleviate approximately 4-5 pounds of pressure on your knees?
As one of our founders and CEO, I am a double board-certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine specialist with over 15 years of experience.
Consider this: in the realm of Pain Management, the most prevalent complaint is low back pain. A significant contributor to spine and joint discomfort is the burden placed upon our backs and joints, primarily the weight they bear.
Over my years of practice, I've witnessed countless patients undergoing substantial weight loss transformation, resulting in both improved appearance and well-being. Curious about their success, I inquired about their strategies. Surprisingly, it wasn't a guarded secret at all.
We've all been exposed to pharmaceutical commercials and celebrity weight loss journeys through off-label use of medications. Enter "Semaglutides" (also known as GLP-1 agonists) and now "Tirzepatides" (GLP-1/GIP agonists), offering promising avenues for weight management.
Notably, Semaglutides mitigate adverse effects such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, palpitations, and tachycardia, common with previous weight loss medications and stimulants. With these medications, achieving weight loss of 25-30% from the baseline is feasible, owing to their influence on appetite suppression, satiety promotion, craving reduction, and metabolic enhancement.
Moreover, Semaglutide therapy demonstrates ancillary benefits, including amelioration of blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals, blood pressure reduction, and enhancement of various cardiovascular parameters. Additionally, potential advantages encompass cholesterol level reduction, improvement in lipid profiles, fatty liver disease mitigation, and risk reduction for heart and kidney diseases, among others.
The objective of contemporary weight reduction programs transcends mere weight loss to encompass mitigation of metabolic and mechanical comorbidities associated with obesity. These programs aspire to normalize parameters such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, alongside improvements in fatty liver and polycystic ovary dysfunction.
Equally promising are the mechanical benefits stemming from fat mass reduction around critical areas like the neck, abdomen, and legs, leading to improvements in conditions like sleep apnea, back pain, and arthritis of the hips and knees.
Research suggests that the metabolic benefits manifest with less weight loss and occur earlier than mechanical enhancements. Diabetic patients witness enhanced glycemic control, while pre-diabetic individuals often revert to normoglycemia.
As weight diminishes, blood pressure and HDL cholesterol levels tend to normalize, often resulting in reduced reliance on medications for hypertension and diabetes.
Anti-obesity medications, including Semaglutides, endeavor to foster a healthy body composition rather than mere weight reduction. Studies indicate a significant reduction in total body fat compared to lean body mass, underscoring the potency of these medications in promoting favorable body composition changes.
Despite these advancements, nutritional support remains imperative. Consider incorporating adjunctive measures such as the Herbalife® GLP-1 Nutrition Companion for comprehensive support in your weight management journey.
Weight Loss Clinics
Advancement in Medication
In June 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Wegovy (also known as semaglutide) injections for chronic weight management. This milestone approval stemmed from the findings of the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) clinical trial program.
The pivotal STEP 1 trial demonstrated that individuals receiving Wegovy achieved an impressive average weight reduction of 14.9% from baseline at the culmination of the 68-week study period.
Similarly, Tirzepatide garnered FDA approval under the brand name Mounjaro® on May 13, 2022, primarily indicated for Type 2 Diabetes management. A rigorous 72-week trial affirmed substantial and enduring reductions in body weight among participants, irrespective of the administered dosage.
Building on this success, Tirzepatide received further FDA approval as Zepbound™ on November 8, 2023, specifically formulated for chronic weight management. Noteworthy findings from studies revealed that a notable 1 in 3 patients administered Zepbound™ achieved a remarkable weight loss exceeding 25% of their initial body weight.
This significant advancement in weight management pharmacotherapy surpasses historical benchmarks. Previously, the conventional objective of weight loss programs aimed for a modest 5% reduction from baseline. Consequently, the FDA adopted the "5% or greater weight loss" criterion for weight loss medications. However, with the advent of treatments like Wegovy® and Zepbound™, a new standard has been established, with weight reductions exceeding 25% demonstrating unprecedented efficacy.
Historically, few medications exhibited consistent efficacy in achieving more than a 5% weight loss from baseline, with sustainability beyond a few months remaining elusive. Bariatric surgery emerged as the solitary intervention capable of consistently surpassing these benchmarks.
Notwithstanding these remarkable achievements, certain absolute contraindications warrant consideration. Individuals with type one diabetes, a personal or familial history of medullary C-cell type thyroid cancer, or manifestations of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2) should refrain from these treatments. MEN-2, a rare hereditary condition, manifests as specific tumor formations across various endocrine glands.
Furthermore, individuals with documented allergies to any glucagon-like peptide medications should abstain from their usage, constituting an additional contraindication.
These contraindications, while relatively uncommon, underscore the importance of medical consultation and thorough assessment before embarking on pharmacological interventions for weight management.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide stands out as a safe and effective option for both short and long-term weight management, distinguishing itself from many other available alternatives. Its mechanism of action involves the activation of GLP-1 and GIP receptors, leading to improvements in glucose-mediated insulin secretion, reduced glucagon secretion, enhanced insulin sensitivity and secretion, delayed gastric emptying, increased satiety, and ultimately, significant weight loss.
Key takeaways include Tirzepatide's unique ability to mimic the actions of two distinct hormones, GLP-1s and GIPs. Unlike single-agonist medications such as semaglutide, Tirzepatide's dual-receptor activation potentially leads to even greater weight loss outcomes.
Administered subcutaneously once weekly, Tirzepatide allows for flexibility, with a three-day window to maintain dosing consistency.
Injection sites are varied, although the abdomen remains the most common choice.
Regarding potential adverse effects, most patients experience minimal to no side effects, attributed to commencing treatment at the lowest effective dose. However, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, primarily nausea, represents the most frequently reported issue, affecting fewer than 10% of patients. Management strategies include the prescription of anti-nausea medications and dietary modifications such as smaller, slower meals and avoidance of fatty or high-carb foods. While GI side effects typically subside within two weeks, constipation and diarrhea may occur, necessitating hydration and over-the-counter remedies.
Though uncommon, pancreatitis is recognized as a serious adverse effect. Notably, recent data indicate a comparable incidence of pancreatitis between Tirzepatide-treated groups and placebo, dispelling concerns raised during initial trials in diabetic populations. Symptoms of pancreatitis, including upper abdominal pain, tenderness, rapid pulse, upset stomach, and vomiting, warrant prompt medical attention.
In summary, Tirzepatide represents a promising therapeutic option for individuals seeking sustainable weight loss, with a favorable safety profile when administered under proper medical supervision. While adverse effects are possible, diligent monitoring and proactive management strategies ensure optimal patient outcomes.