SLIM WITH THE USE OF SAXENDA®
WHAT IS A Slim Without Surgery programme?
The Slim Without Surgery programme is based around the use of Saxenda®, a prescription only weight loss medicine with liraglutide as the active ingredient. It is injected daily into the thigh/tummy/upper arm with a ‘pen’ similar to the kind diabetics use to inject insulin.
Saxenda® works in a similar way to GLP-1, a natural occurring hormone that is released when you eat. It helps you lose weight by acting on the appetite receptors in the brain to suppress your appetite and to keep you feeling full after eating small portions.
To get the best results from Saxenda®, you need to combine the medication with real changes to your eating and lifestyle habits. Our programme includes a full support package of nutrition, fitness and behaviour advice to give you the tools you need to maintain your weight for long term success. Weight loss results are of course very individual and cannot be guaranteed but our experience has shown that patients lose between 1-2 stone on the Slim Without Surgery programme.
Saxenda (liraglutide 6mg/ml) is a self-injectable weight loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1.
After a meal GLP-1 is naturally released from your intestines to help regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of glucagon in your body. Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone which works by inhibiting the action of insulin. As a result, it makes you feel less hungry, slows down the emptying of your stomach and makes you feel ‘fuller’ for longer.
Saxenda makes you feel full for longer and therefore less hungry, which helps patients to eat less and in turn reduce their body weight. The reduced appetite helps you to lose weight and keep it off in the long term. When you join the LWH we will assess your individual circumstances to see if we think Saxenda will help with your weight management.
Saxenda can only be used as a weight-loss treatment if you have previously tried and failed to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
You can expect to lose a minimum of 5% of your initial body weight after completing 12 weeks of treatment at 3.0mg liraglutide daily. If you have not lost 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks at 3.0mg, then treatment should be discontinued at this stage.
FAQS
Saxenda® is a prescription medication that contains the active ingredient liraglutide. It is approved by regulatory authorities for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight individuals with certain weight-related health conditions. It is intended to be used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Saxenda® works by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). It helps to regulate appetite, reduce food intake, and increase feelings of fullness, leading to a decrease in calorie consumption and subsequent weight loss.
Saxenda® may be suitable for adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity) or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related comorbidity (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol). However, eligibility for Saxenda® should be determined by a healthcare professional based on individual circumstances.
Saxenda® is self-administered as a daily injection under the skin (subcutaneously), typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The dose is gradually increased over several weeks to the recommended maintenance dose. Detailed instructions on how to administer Saxenda® will be provided by your healthcare professional.
The amount of weight loss varies among individuals and depends on factors such as adherence to the prescribed treatment plan, lifestyle modifications, and individual metabolism. On average, clinical trials have shown that Saxenda® can help individuals achieve clinically significant weight loss of around 5% to 10% of their initial body weight.
Like any medication, Saxenda® has potential side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and decreased appetite. Some individuals may experience more serious side effects, such as pancreatitis or thyroid tumors, although these are rare. It’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your healthcare professional.
The duration of Saxenda® treatment varies and should be determined by your healthcare professional based on your individual progress and weight loss goals. Saxenda® is generally used as a long-term treatment option to support sustained weight loss and weight maintenance.
Saxenda® can be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is essential to follow the guidance of your healthcare professional and incorporate healthy lifestyle changes to optimize your weight loss journey.
related procedures
