wegovy

It is possible to combine additional weight loss medications while using Wegovy, depending on the patient’s medical profile.

When a patient reaches a plateau, a point where weight loss stalls, another medication can be added to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and maximize the rate of weight loss.

Combination therapies are also used in cases where patients experience side effects, to ease the process and help prevent early dropout from treatment.

Ozempic is a medication used to treat diabetes. Wegovy is an injection for the treatment of obesity or overweight, based on the same active ingredient as Ozempic.

Like Ozempic, Wegovy slows the rate at which the stomach empties after eating and increases the feeling of fullness.

The difference between the two medications lies in the dosage – Wegovy is administered at a maximum dose of 2.4 mg in a single injection, which is more than twice the dose of Ozempic. According to studies, Wegovy leads to an average reduction of more than 20% in body weight.

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, the same compound found in Ozempic. Wegovy is based on a molecule structurally similar to a human hormone called GLP-1 and is designed to mimic its function in the body.

Wegovy works by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after eating and increasing the feeling of fullness.

It also helps reduce blood sugar levels. Because the medication acts through multiple combined mechanisms, it leads to significantly greater weight loss compared to other well-known weight loss medications.

The most common side effects of Wegovy are related to the digestive system nausea, belching, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Most of these effects are mild and tend to subside within a few days to weeks.

It's important to note that not every patient experiences side effects, and they can vary from person to person.

With professional medical supervision, side effects can be monitored, treated, and even prevented in advance through dosage adjustments, combination with other medications, tailored nutrition, and more. Our goal is to ensure that patients do not suffer during the process and are able to maximize their treatment results.

An initial assessment is conducted to determine whether the patient is suitable for medication-based treatment. A personalized treatment plan is then created, including a starting dosage. It's important to remember that the dosage may often need to be adjusted up or down, which is why ongoing monitoring by a professional clinical team is essential to maximize weight loss while minimizing side effects.

The high safety profile of medications like Wegovy, along with their proven long-term effectiveness, allows suitable patients to take the medication for life if needed, depending on their individual medical condition. However, this does not mean that everyone must take it for life.

Since obesity has many contributing factors, some individuals may only need the medication for a few months and then continue on their own, while others may continue taking it for several years. The use of the medication helps support nutritional habit changes, and with weight loss, those who make lasting behavioral and mindset changes are more likely to maintain their results over time.

Wegovy is a medication for individuals with overweight or obesity who meet specific criteria based on BMI a parameter that measures body mass and the level of obesity a person is experiencing.

Candidates for Wegovy include individuals who meet the following criteria:

1. Age 12 and older.
2. A BMI of 30 or higher (classified as severe obesity).
3. A BMI of 27 or higher (classified as overweight) with at least one risk factor, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Wegovy is a highly effective and groundbreaking medication that leads to significant weight loss. It works on the body's hunger and satiety mechanisms, creating a window of opportunity for real change.

However, for long-term success, a comprehensive approach is required. This includes a shift in mindset along with personal guidance and support from a professional team: medical, nutritional, and emotional. This approach helps establish lasting lifestyle changes and maintain results over time, even after the treatment ends.

Wegovy must be prescribed under medical supervision, including a detailed evaluation and the creation of a personalized, multidisciplinary treatment plan. It is only recommended for individuals who meet specific criteria.

Wegovy is not suitable for people with a history of pancreatic disorders, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, certain thyroid conditions, and other specific medical issues. It is also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

In all cases, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider for a proper medical assessment before beginning treatment.

The effect of the medication varies from person to person. Most weight loss injections work by enhancing the feeling of fullness, and since each body responds differently, some patients may feel the effect within a few days, while others may notice it after a few weeks.

At our medical center, treatment programs are designed to maximize the rate of weight loss in the shortest possible time.

Many patients come to us after feeling disappointed with a previous experience using Wegovy-whether it was under another medical framework or without any professional supervision at all.

Some experienced severe side effects that were not addressed in time, leading them to drop out of treatment early. Others felt no effect from the medication due to incorrect dosage instructions or a lack of medical and nutritional follow-up.

In such cases, I advise patients to try again this time within a proper professional setting, with a medical and nutritional team that guides the process, monitors side effects, and works to maximize the rate of weight loss.

Wegovy is administered using a ready-to-use injection pen, which comes in a sealed box with disposable needles. Before use, remove the pen cap. With clean and sterile hands, peel off the paper tab from the needle and screw it onto the pen. Then, remove both the outer and inner needle caps. According to the dosage prescribed by your doctor, turn the pen dial until the correct dose number appears.

It is recommended to inject into one of three areas: the thigh, upper arm, or lower abdomen. Insert the pen into the chosen area (if injecting into the lower abdomen, make sure to stay at least 2 cm away from the navel), press the injection button until the dose counter shows "0". Once the injection is complete, wait about 10 more seconds with the button still pressed. After 10 seconds, remove the needle from the injection site, unscrew it using the outer needle cap, and dispose of it in the trash. Replace the pen cap.

Wegovy is administered using a ready-to-use injection pen. Each pen has a minimum and maximum dosage, with the dosage gradually increased by the treating physician throughout the course of treatment.

Between the minimum and maximum doses are smaller, adjustable increments known as "clicks" because of the clicking sound heard when turning the dial forward or backward on the pen.

It is important to note that the concentration of the active ingredient varies between different pens. Therefore, it is essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider to avoid underdosing or overdosing.

To view the full dosage and click charts for Wegovy, refer to the detailed information provided on the page under the section titled "Wegovy Clicks Table."

Obesity is a condition with multiple causes and varying levels of severity, and it requires management by a qualified physician, supported by a nutritional and emotional care team.

The physician reviews the patient’s full medical profile, prescribes the appropriate medication, adjusts the dosage based on treatment progress, and may combine additional medications to enhance results. Simply issuing a prescription and sending the patient on their way is not enough.

It is important to understand that weight loss injections are not magic. The combination of medical, nutritional, and emotional treatment within a structured care framework significantly improves patient adherence, increases the effectiveness of the treatment, maximizes weight loss results, and helps maintain long-term success.

Our nutritional approach is in no way similar to traditional dieting, which research has shown to be ineffective for long-term weight loss and maintenance, and can even lead to health issues and significant frustration.

We follow a non-diet approach that aligns with the medication-based treatment.

Instead of providing meal plans, we give patients the tools to reconnect with their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues.

This approach helps patients lose weight in a healthy, balanced way and supports a mindset shift that continues even after the medication ends.

In the past, there were two main options for dealing with obesity: dieting or bariatric surgery. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in the number of bariatric surgeries, as many patients prefer to try medication-based treatment before turning to surgery.

One of the main challenges with bariatric surgery is the lack of ongoing medical and nutritional follow-up afterward. As a result, many patients regain weight over time. According to a report by the State Comptroller, one in six bariatric surgeries is a repeat procedure with increased risk.

Weight loss cannot be achieved through surgery alone. It must also involve a shift in mindset. The patient needs to undergo a cognitive change in how they perceive hunger and fullness, with guidance from a physician and a multidisciplinary team that supports them throughout the process.

In a large-scale study involving over 17,000 individuals with obesity and known heart disease, Wegovy was shown to reduce cardiovascular-related death by 20%, in addition to promoting weight loss.

This is a highly significant finding, as people with obesity are at increased risk of heart attacks, and until now, no weight-loss medication had demonstrated a reduction in heart attack risk.

Additional studies have also found that weight-loss medications help prevent various types of cancer, strokes, and other serious conditions.

Wegovy is approved for obesity treatment starting at age 12. A published study found that treatment with Wegovy in adolescents led to an average weight reduction of 14.7%.

About one third of children and teenagers in Israel are affected by overweight or obesity. Adolescents with obesity face a higher risk of developing various health conditions including stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders at an early age.

Children and adolescents dealing with obesity often face complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Their treatment must include open, age-appropriate communication that addresses both their physical and emotional needs.

Wegovy is currently available only as an injection. However, there are other effective medications for obesity that come in pill form, and the range of treatment options continues to expand. A new generation of oral medications showing promising results in clinical studies is expected to become available soon.

That said, it's important to remember that the injection treatment is not complicated. With proper guidance and instruction from a doctor and professional team, the process is very simple and patients typically adjust to it quickly.

The price of Wegovy ranges from 700 shekels for lower doses to 1,200 shekels for the highest dose.

The cost of the medication may change during the course of treatment. Updated pricing can be found on the Israeli Ministry of Health website.

Depending on the patient's individual insurance policy, it is generally possible to request reimbursement from private insurance for weight loss medications that are not included in the national health basket, as well as for consultation appointments.

As of now, some health funds in Israel offer up to a 50% discount on Wegovy, with each fund applying its own criteria for eligibility.