If you are on the Gold Coast hearing all the buzz about weight loss injections, you have probably come across semaglutide. Originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes, this breakthrough medication has quickly become a trendy topic for appetite suppression and weight management. But how does it work and is it the best long-term solution?
What Is Semaglutide and Where Did It Come From?
Semaglutide is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs mimic a natural hormone in the body, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is produced in the gut. GLP-1 stimulates insulin release, slows stomach emptying, reduces appetite and sends fullness signals to the brain’s appetite-regulating centres.
Back in the 1980s, scientists began investigating GLP-1’s role in metabolism, leading to the development of the pharmaceutical agent semaglutide. Approved in 2017 for diabetes and in 2021 for obesity, semaglutide has shown impressive results, helping patients feel fuller, eat less and lose weight.
Weight Loss Injections on the Gold Coast
For many, GLP-1 medications offer a less invasive alternative to surgery. Patients may experience meaningful weight loss, improved blood sugar control and even reduced heart risks. However, these results typically depend on continuous use – when the injections stop, weight often creeps back. Plus, side effects like nausea, diarrhoea and, in rare cases, pancreatitis can make ongoing use challenging.
Why Surgery Offers a Lasting Solution
While medications can jump-start weight loss, surgical options like sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, single anastomosis gastric bypass, loop duodenal switch (SADI-S/SIPS) or even revision surgery change the game entirely. These procedures don’t just limit how much you can eat; they also reset key hormonal signals, creating long-term changes that help sustain weight loss.
Surgery is typically a one-time procedure and has been shown to deliver more lasting results, both physically and financially, compared to ongoing medication use.
Weight Loss Success
As one of the most respected bariatric surgeons on the Gold Coast with over 20 years of experience, Dr Puhalla believes that while medications like semaglutide can be helpful, surgery often provides the best path to long-term health improvements. His patient-centred approach ensures individuals get tailored advice to help them achieve lasting success.
Choose lasting results patients trust beyond weight loss injections. Book an appointment on the Gold Coast today!