Who Qualifies for Ozempic Weight Loss?

As men and women age, their hormones begin to change which can lead to weight gain in the abdominal area and slowing of the metabolism which is why Ozempic is so commonly used as it helps to regulate hormones. Seeing a provider who is experienced in medical weight loss like the specialists at Dr. Shima Hadidchi MD can help you truly determine if you are the right candidate for Ozempic.

Ozempic was originally developed for the treatment of diabetes, so those who have diabetes are eligible for Ozempic. If you don’t have diabetes, the criteria to be able to get Ozempic involves determining your BMI, as those with a BMI of 30 or higher can receive Ozempic. If your BMI is less than 30 but is 27 or higher than you can still be eligible if you have another health condition that can impede your ability to lose weight, this can include conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or in some cases women with PCOS may also be eligible.

Yes, it absolutely can, since Ozempic works to help reduce food cravings and reduce your appetite, you can lose weight rapidly. This is nothing to be concerned about unless your doctor advises you that you are losing weight too quickly and they may recommend a slight increase in your daily caloric intake. Since Ozempic helps you to lose weight, many notice that start to have an “Ozempic Face” which is also nothing to be concerned about, as your body is burning off fat cells you will begin to have a reduction of fat cells in the face as well.

Most notice a change in their body composition within a month of taking Ozempic, with weight loss beginning to be most noticeable approximately two months into the process of starting Ozempic. With the duration of your prescription being on average around 40 weeks, you will notice at the end that you have lost between 5.9% to 10.9% of your total body weight, which depending on your starting weight can be around 14 lbs or more. It is important to remember that being on Ozempic longer does not always translate to losing more weight as your body can become adjusted to the medication and you can experience a plateau which is when the weight loss stops.

GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic have been used in the treatment of obesity and weight loss for 15 years, with Ozempic being one of the newest drugs on the market for weight loss. Created for the treatment of diabetes, it binds to receptors in the body and diabetics create a hormone known as incretins that help regulate the body and the sugars in the body. Now, however, Ozempic is being used for those who are non-diabetic as it has been shown to decrease food cravings and decrease your appetite leading to weight loss. So, while you do not have to be diabetic to take Ozempic, you must have a BMI of 30 or higher, or have a BMI of 27 but have other pre-existing health conditions as well. The conditions to determine your eligibility can range from hormone-related conditions like PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome) to having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

If you want to know if Ozempic is the right weight loss medication for you and your eligibility, our specialists at Dr. Shima Hadidchi are here to help you. We have a deep understanding of how to get the best possible results and be your ongoing support throughout your journey.

Talk to Dr. Shima Hadidchi MD, about whether Ozempic injections for weight loss are right for you. We serve patients from Victorville CA, Apple Valley CA, Adelanto CA, Hesperia CA, Crestline CA, Highland CA, Barstow CA, and BEYOND!