Coastline Women’s Wellness of New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions

Coastline Women’s Wellness of New Jersey is here to help you reach your weight loss goal swiftly and safely through personalized weight management treatment plans.

Weight Loss Medication FAQs

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 prescription medication that reduces appetite, delays gastric emptying and controls insulin levels. Semaglutide has been successful in long-term weight management and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Semaglutide is also known for reducing major cardiovascular event risks such as heart attack and stroke.

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP prescription medication that activates two types of hormones to regulate blood sugar levels and assist with weight loss. Similar to Semaglutide, Tirzepatide suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying, helping you feel full faster and longer.

Both medications are very similar and support weight loss. However, Semaglutide only activates one hormone receptor, while Tirzepatide activates two hormone receptors. Participants who used Semaglutide injections experienced an average weight loss of 15% of their body weight, while participants on Tirzepatide lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight.

Both medications reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness, making it easier to stick to a calorie-restricted diet. These medications also regulate blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and sleep apnea.

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both administered through weekly subcutaneous injections.

Common Side Effects: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. These side effects are more common when starting treatment or increasing the dose. These symptoms are temporary and often improve with time.

Less Common Side Effects: Increased heart rate, dizziness, low blood sugar, increased amylase and lipase levels

Rare Side Effects: Pancreatitis, gallstones, thyroid tumors, kidney injury, allergic reactions

Healthy, realistic weekly weight loss averages about 1-2 pounds per week.

  • Physical activity for at least 30 minutes each day will enhance weight loss efforts and build healthy habits. A strength training routine is also important to minimize muscle loss while losing weight.
  • Prioritizing protein intake will maintain muscle mass. Each meal should contain 30 grams of protein and snacks should incorporate between 10-20 grams of protein. A high fiber diet will also improve digestion and mitigate side effects like constipation.
  • Hydrating with at least 8 glasses of water daily will improve digestion and help increase energy levels.
  • Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake is important as these substances affect blood sugar and digestion and can also increase the risk of side effects like nausea and low blood sugar.
  • Sleeping at least 8 hours each night improves blood sugar levels and reduces cravings.

Research shows that for most patients, weight loss achieved with both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide starts to plateau around 9-12 months of treatment if the patient adheres to the medication and lifestyle recommendations. However, these medications can be discontinued at any time. Patient’s who are administering higher doses of medications may be instructed by their provider to slowly reduce the dosage in increments and taper off of the medication.

Patients with Type 1 Diabetes, history of pancreatitis, history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 are not candidates for these medications. Patients who are under the age of 18 or are pregnant also are not eligible.

How to Administer Weight Loss Injections: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather your supplies and wash your hands
  2. Wipe the vial with an alcohol swab to ensure that it is clean
  3. Remove the caps on your syringe. Pull back the plunger to add air into the syringe
  4. Pierce the vial with the syringe needle and push the air into the vial
  5. Draw out the correct dose prescribed by your provider
  6. Clean off an area of skin with an alcohol swab
  7. Insert the needle into your stomach, buttocks, thigh, or upper arm and press down on the plunger. Wait 5 seconds before removing the needle to ensure that all medication has been administered
  8. Apply pressure to the administration site with a gauze if bleeding.
  9. Discard the syringe in a safe place. Needles should be disposed of in a hard, enclosed place such as a sharps container, empty laundry detergent canister or food container.

Important Administration Information:

  • Keep medication refrigerated.
  • Medication is administered subcutaneously, right under the skin.
  • Rotate injection sites weekly. You may inject in the same part of your body each week but not in the exact same spot. This can slow down the absorption rate of the medication.
  • Avoid areas where skin is tender, burned, red, bruised, scarred or hard.
  • Redness, tenderness or soreness at the inject site is normal. However, if you experience hives, severe itching, a rash, dizziness or shortness of breath, reach out to your provider immediately.
  • Injections can be administered at any time of day, however, the medication should be administered on the same day every week.
  • If you miss a dose, take the dose within five days of the missed dose. If it has been more than five days since your missed dose, skip the dose and continue with your regular injection schedule.

How to Maximize the Effectiveness of Weight Loss Medications

Prioritize Protein Intake

Aim for 30 grams of protein each meal and 15 grams with snacks. Protein will help you maintain muscle mass while losing weight.

Exercise Daily

Physical activity for at least 30 minutes each day will enhance weight loss efforts and build health habits.

Stay Hydrated

Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Hydration is important for digestion and increases energy. Limit alcohol and caffeine.

Sufficient Sleep

Sleeping for at least 8 hours each night improves blood sugar control and reduces cravings.