It's resolution season in North Scottsdale AZ! In one of my last articles, I wrote about weight loss. In that article, I mentioned Semaglutide, or the brand name, Ozempic. This drug is the hottest prescription weight loss trend on the market, and it is frequently found without a prescription on line, and in Mexico. I will also mention once again, that I do not allow this to be offered in my practice for many reasons. Since that article, I've received many questions on what is really going on with that drug. Most of the questions were written by those who are presently on it or have been on it. The questions were focused on how it works, and why the weight comes back for most patients. My biggest concern for these people asking me these questions, is that they were not told the answers to their questions by the health care provider who prescribed it, so they are writing to me. I will do my best to give the facts behind Ozempic in this article.

What is it, and how does it work in North Scottsdale AZ?

First of all, a prescription drug is exactly that. A prescription that is legally supposed to be prescribed by a licensed health professional. I'm sure everyone knows the dangers of getting drugs like that without a prescription, so I won't go into that. It was also originally designed for those diabetic patients who cannot lose weight, and to manage their weight to control their blood sugar. Unfortunately, many 'pop-up' clinics have surfaced, and they are prescribing this for anyone just looking to lose weight. This drug works in a specific way to reduce weight and fat, so it is very important to be monitored throughout the duration of the treatment. It is a hormone-like drug, that receives a signal from food we've eaten. It receives the signal from the gut, then sends a signal to the brain to manage the energy you get from eating the food. It can help apatite control and glucose management. This, in turn, can increase metabolism. There is a specific way patients are supposed to eat when taking this drug, and many are not told this. Protein is very important and is supposed to be eaten first. The amount of protein is to be balanced and is to be higher than the carbohydrate intake. The issue arises when the patient is not given the dietary guidelines, and they fall short on protein, and feel it's OK to consume more carbs as they see the weight loss. Once this happens, they can see their blood sugar levels climb back up, gain weight back, and have to increase their insulin or other diabetic medication once again. This is one way the rebound effect of this drug happens.

Follow the money.

Publicly reported "consulting fees" have been paid to obesity doctors over the past few years. This has totaled $30 million per year! The drug is recommended to be prescribed as a weekly injection for life, as this way, the patient does not gain weight back once they return to their old eating habits. This affects the metabolism, and the long-term effects are unknown as of yet. In these last few years, obesity specialists have been paid by the maker of Ozempic, to give news interviews on news programs such as 60 Minutes. They were saying that obesity is only caused by genetics, not by choice. We know that both may play a role in obesity. If genetics is the sole cause, as they reported, then the patient has no alternative than to take the drug and continue to eat what they want. What a miracle!

Death may occur with general anesthesia for surgery.

Literature has shown, that should a patient on Ozempic receive general anesthesia for surgery, death may occur. Some surgeons or surgical centers may not even know this. Patients on Ozempic must let the surgeon know immediately. Anyone who has had general anesthesia knows that food and drink must be stopped for 8 hours before, to clear the stomach of all food. General anesthesia relaxes all the muscles of the body, including the esophagus. Ozempic delays food from leaving the stomach. As a result, the food that is still in the stomach comes right back up to the esophagus to the throat where it can creep into the lungs. When this happens, it's called aspiration pneumonia. Many patients can die as a result. Others may survive with antibiotics and heavier treatments. So far, this does not happen with local, or IV anesthesia, because the mechanism behind general anesthesia verses local or IV anesthesia is different. If you are on Ozempic or anything like Ozempic and are planning an elective surgery, tell the surgeon immediately upon scheduling. As of the time of writing this article, it is recommended to be off Ozempic for at least 4 weeks, as the drug lingers in the body up to a month. Wear a medical alert bracelet or put a card in your wallet telling any emergency room staff that you are on it before emergency surgery. This is the number one reason I do not recommend Ozempic.

If you would like to lose weight naturally and effectively, I offer a successful protocol, not a program that is drug-free. You eat real food. No shakes, injections, or medications. Expected weight loss is approximately 20 pounds in 6 weeks for men, a few less for women, and you learn how to keep it off by eating right. We offer different levels of the protocol, and some even include a 20-, 40-, or 60-pound promise, or the additional rounds are free! Please call my office for a complimentary consultation to see which level works best for you.

For any questions regarding my articles, please email me at DrLeisa@CaringPainRelief.com

Leisa-Marie Grgula. DC
Chiropractic Physician

Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N. Pima Rd. Ste. #115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 584-3955