Taking a weight-management drug is frequently a very personal choice motivated by months or years of experimenting with different approaches to reaching your health objectives. Even though there are a number of medications that can help you achieve your weight loss objectives, it’s important to take your time educating yourself and setting realistic expectations to prevent discouragement.
Recognize that it takes time for your body to adapt to the medication.
One of the most crucial things to realize is that any new medication for weight loss will require some time for your body to adapt. You might observe some “changes” occurring in your body throughout this period.
For example, be ready to experience significant changes in your appetite when your doctor prescribes GLP-1 agonists, such as tirzepatide or semaglutide, particularly in the first week of treatment. This is mostly because this class of medications regulates blood sugar and hunger by reducing specific naturally occurring hormones in your body. However, the effects of tirzepatide or comparable GLP-1 medications may vary from person to person, but they will ultimately alter your appetite and digestion.
You may have gastrointestinal side effects, particularly nausea, which is typically the first to appear while your body is still getting used to the new medication. After then, you could experience further problems like diarrhea, constipation, and perhaps vomiting. But as your body adjusts to the new medication, these problems go away.
Establish a Reasonable Timeframe
You must realize that no weight-loss medication is a magic bullet and that results take time to manifest. For example, during the first week or two, most medicines only cause minor changes in your appetite. You shouldn’t anticipate a discernible decrease in body size just yet.
Over the following few weeks, your body will get used to the new medication, and your eating habits will stabilize. You might lose a little weight by weeks two and four, typically between two and five pounds, though individual results may differ. With GLP-1 medications in particular, you may eventually lose 5% to 10% of your body weight per month in one to three months.
Work Under A Medical Professional’s Guidance
It’s also important to remember that all weight-management medications, particularly GLP-1 medications, need continuous physician care. Additionally, you must consult your physician to confirm the proper dosage or to see if you need to make any future adjustments. Learning about various scenarios, such as what to do if you miss doses, is essential. Since your actions could interfere with the entire course of treatment, only an expert can assist you in this matter.
You should also let your doctor know about any other medications you use and any health conditions you currently have, such as diabetes or kidney problems. Remember that some medications are unsafe for individuals with pre-existing diseases, which is why close observation is crucial.
Concluding Remarks
Adding a new medication to your regimen and beginning weight management therapy are significant steps in reaching your health objectives. Even though trying a new medication could be alluring, make sure to speak with your doctor to find out how it will work for you and what side effects to anticipate right away. By doing this, you can be confident that you will approach treatment with the proper attitude and achieve the desired outcomes.
SOURCE: ART OF HEALTHY LIVING
