If you have tried to achieve your ideal weight by working out and eating well, weight loss injections may be the solution. Recently, Wegovy and Ozempic weight loss injections have become a hot topic. With many influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms promoting these weight loss injections, you may be tempted to try them.
But they are not the only type of weight loss injections available in the UK that have been shown to boost fat loss. In this post, we will look at the alternatives you might want to consider before investing in Wegovy or Ozempic injections.
Weight loss injections cannot target fat loss in specific areas of your body. They will only help you lose weight in general, which means you will not always lose weight in your desired areas. Both women and men often want to target the abdominal area and lose belly fat, but weight loss injections will not always help with this.
If you are close to your ideal weight but have pockets of fat that you want to get rid of, then you may want to consider one of these three other non-surgical treatments for fat reduction.
Aqualyx injection lipolysis has been used in the UK since 2013 and is an EU-approved fat loss treatment. As shown in clinical tests, Aqualyx injections are effective in dissolving localised fat deposits; Aqualyx injections are a more targeted way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits and can be used to target fat reduction for various areas of the body. Popular areas for men include:
The process of injection lipolysis involves injecting a water-based solution containing deoxycholic acid, which dissolves the fat cell membranes. This results in the interior lipid (fatty) content being released. The liver and lymphatic system eliminate the fat over three to four weeks, and it is then excreted in your urine. Results from Aqualyx fat-dissolving injections are usually evident within three to four weeks.
Approved by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EU, fat freezing, otherwise called cryolipolysis, helps you lose fat in specific areas of your body. This non-surgical fat removal treatment utilises a regulated, exact cooling process. A CoolSculpting machine kills fat cells in particular regions of your body while preserving other vital tissues.
Each fat cell exposed to a temperature below -1C will crystallise (freeze) and sustain permanent damage. Their cell walls disintegrate as a result, which causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) to occur. The body’s natural elimination process will then rid the body of the dead fat cells and their fatty contents.
Results are typically evident within 12 weeks. While fat freezing cannot deliver an instant six-pack, muscle definition may become increasingly apparent if stomach fat is targeted and you also exercise and lift weights.
Shockwave therapy releases sound waves that cause vibrations. The treatment is applied to specific regions, allowing for targeted fat reduction. The fat cells break down and are released by the body’s lymphatic drainage system.
As with fat freezing, muscle tone is likely to become more noticeable if you work out after shockwave therapy. Results can be noticeable two weeks after treatment. However, the final results can take months as the fat cells are slowly eliminated from the body. You may also choose to combine shockwave therapy with cryolipolysis fat freezing.
Saxenda weight loss injections are FDA-approved and have been clinically proven to work. The glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist, Saxenda, controls your appetite, increases your feeling of fullness, and can prolong satiety. You will lose weight by eating less, and unlike previous diet fads, this therapy can assist in helping you maintain your weight loss.
Saxenda has the advantage of being one of the UK’s easiest-to-use weight reduction injection therapies because it can be administered at any hour of the day, ensuring no disruption to your regular routine. Saxenda is also less expensive than Wegovy or Ozempic.
Wegovy and Ozempic weight loss injections contain the same active ingredient — semaglutide. The difference between these injections is that the FDA approves Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy has been approved for weight loss. Both are now used as weight loss injections and can be prescribed by a doctor to help you achieve your ideal weight. Some people prefer these weight loss injections because you only need to administer them every week.
The main disadvantage is that they remain active for seven days. If you suffer from side effects, you will have to wait longer for them to stop if you discontinue this treatment. A warning has been issued that Ozempic may cause thyroid tumours or thyroid cancer.
Saxenda — This injection is administered daily and stays active for 24 hours. Subsequently, if you experience side effects, you can stop using it immediately, and they should subside quickly.
The effects of liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda weight loss injections, in clinical trials, have been found to accelerate weight loss by as much as 10% in five randomised controlled studies.
Saxenda is available on the NHS for patients who meet very strict criteria. Generally, you will have had to show you have actively tried to lose weight through diet and exercise before you will be considered for this treatment.
To be reviewed for Saxenda treatment through the NHS, all of the following must apply:
NHS weight loss injections — Wegovy is currently not available through the NHS.
Ozempic pre-filled pens, licensed for managing type 2 diabetes, are not available for off-label use for weight loss treatment on the NHS.
Before deciding to use any weight loss injections, consider a few final factors:
Before being prescribed Saxenda weight loss injections at Harley Street MD, you will receive an in-depth, one-hour consultation. You can discuss your weight loss objectives and ask any questions about what to expect. To ensure no medical conditions exist that might make the treatment inappropriate, your vitals will be taken, and a complete blood test will be performed.
We are the only clinic in London registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and our doctors will teach you how to administer your Saxenda weight reduction injections. For the first three months, follow-up appointments per month are scheduled. We will check on how you’re doing and your health, and, if necessary, we will increase your dosage to ensure you get the most out of the treatment.
DISCLAIMER: Saxenda may help most patients lose weight, but there isn’t any certainty as to how long this will take or the reduction of weight that will be achieved. When using Saxenda weight loss injections, it is necessary to follow a low-calorie diet and/or undertake more exercise for weight loss to occur.
Want to reduce excess weight to enhance your fitness and well-being? Schedule a consultation at our Harley Street clinic in London to find out if Saxenda weight loss injections could be the right solution for you.
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