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When it comes to weight loss medications and diet approaches, there are many options out there.
Two that have gained significant popularity are semaglutide and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). But how do you decide which one could work better for your needs?
Let Dr. V and our staff help you discover the true beauty hiding within. Book your consultation with us today to learn more about your ideal cosmetic treatment.
Let's start with semaglutide, the hot new kid on the weight loss block.
Branded as Ozempic and Wegovy, it's a once-weekly injectable that acts like a powerful appetite suppressant. It mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that tells your brain you're full and satisfied after eating.
By activating those same GLP-1 receptors, semaglutide helps control your hunger and calorie intake for better weight management. And it doesn't stop there - semaglutide also improves blood sugar levels, which can indirectly impact fat burning.
On the other hand, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a very different kind of hormone used off-label for rapid weight loss.
With hCG injections, you follow an extremely low-calorie diet of only 500 calories per day. The idea is that hCG allows your body to tap into its fat stores for fuel instead of burning lean muscle mass.
Unlike semaglutide's direct appetite effects, hCG is proposed to boost your metabolism and reduce feelings of hunger to make that ultra-low-calorie diet more bearable. It's an intense, short-term protocol to jumpstart fat burning.
Let's start by looking at the scales. Numerous clinical trials have evaluated just how effective semaglutide and hCG can be for weight loss.
With semaglutide, studies show an average weight loss of 15-20% of total body weight over 68 months of treatment. The highest dose of 2.4mg once weekly led to even greater results.
As for hCG, when combined with a low-calorie diet, participants lost an average of 28 lbs over a 26-day period. However, experts debate whether this loss comes primarily from the extremely low calorie intake rather than the hCG itself.
While both show promising weight loss capabilities, semaglutide appears to produce more sustainable long-term results when used chronically. But combined with a low-calorie diet, hCG could induce more rapid initial weight loss over a shorter period.
A common concern when trying to lose weight through diet and exercise is protecting your lean muscle mass. Your body can start burning muscle protein for energy if you restrict calories too far without the right nutrients or exercise.
This is another area where semaglutide has demonstrated advantages over hCG for body composition changes.
Research shows that over 1 year of use, participants taking semaglutide preserved significantly more lean body mass compared to placebo groups - even while achieving greater total weight and fat loss.
Experts believe this is due to semaglutide's ability to help regulate blood sugar levels more effectively through its insulin-sensitizing effects. This ensures muscle protein isn't being burned for energy and instead promotes preferential loss of stored fat mass.
To preserve lean mass with semaglutide, following a moderate calorie-controlled diet that's higher in protein along with regular strength training is recommended.
There's less data on hCG and its effects on muscle maintenance during weight loss. Some hypothesize that by using stored fat for energy during the extremely low-calorie diet, hCG could help preserve lean mass.However, most experts agree that the ultra-low protein and calorie intake involved likely leads to inevitable muscle catabolism or breakdown over time.
To minimize muscle loss on the hCG diet protocol, incorporating weight training or at least getting adequate protein is suggested. But semaglutide still appears to have more favorable impacts for maintaining your hard-earned lean mass while dieting.
Like all medications and weight loss approaches, both semaglutide and hCG come with some potential side effects to be aware of.
The most commonly reported side effects of semaglutide include:
These tend to be more prevalent when first starting semaglutide but often subside over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Taking it with food can also help minimize gastrointestinal effects.
More serious but rare side effects like pancreatitis, vision changes, and kidney problems can potentially occur as well.
With the hCG diet, side effects are typically related to the extreme calorie restriction rather than the hormone itself. These can include:
Some also report mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and feeling cold frequently on such a low-calorie diet. Electrolyte imbalances can occur as well.
It's important to discuss your full medical history and have approval from a healthcare provider before using either of these weight loss approaches. This allows you to understand potential contraindications and receive proper monitoring.
For those considering medical weight loss options, the overall cost is always an important factor to consider. How do semaglutide and hCG compare from an affordability standpoint?
The out-of-pocket cost for semaglutide can range from around $800 to over $1,600 per month without insurance coverage. Most insurance plans do provide at least partial coverage when prescribed for weight management purposes.
As for the hCG diet protocol, costs can vary quite a bit based on the specific program or product you choose. Generally, you can expect to pay around $300-600 for a 30-day course of hCG injections and diet drops.
Outside of the product itself, the hCG diet's extremely low daily calorie intake of 500-800 calories could save you money on your monthly grocery costs.
However, it's important to factor in the cost of recommended supplements to ensure you get adequate nutrition while following such a restrictive diet plan. Things like multivitamins, electrolytes, protein powder, and meal replacements can add $100 or more per month.
Other potential costs to consider for each option include:
If you have insurance coverage for weight loss medications, semaglutide will likely be the more cost-effective option in terms of total out-of-pocket costs.
However, for those paying out-of-pocket, the upfront costs of doing a shorter 26-30 day cycle of the hCG diet protocol may be more affordable.
Ultimately, be sure to do your research on the specific products, programs, and providers to understand the full financial investment required for success.
Dr. V Medical Aesthetics is ready to help you achieve your beauty goals. Contact us today to learn more about any of our services, and exactly what our team can do for you.
