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A Personalized and Effective Program

Transform Your Body Composition and Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals with Renew@theZoo

Transforming Your Body: Conquering the Challenges of Change

Achieving a desired body composition is a complex and often challenging journey that requires a combination of discipline, consistency, and the right strategies. Many individuals struggle with reaching their goals due to several key factors:

Genetic Influences

Genetics plays a significant role in how our bodies store fat, build muscle, and respond to different diets and exercise routines. Some people may find it easier to gain muscle, while others may struggle with stubborn fat deposits despite rigorous efforts.

Metabolic Variability

Metabolism, the process by which our bodies convert food into energy, differs from person to person. Age, hormonal balance, and activity levels all impact metabolic rate, making weight loss or muscle gain more difficult for some individuals.

Lifestyle and Habits

Busy schedules, stress, poor sleep, and inconsistent meal patterns can all sabotage progress. Many people struggle to maintain a structured fitness routine and healthy eating habits due to work, family responsibilities, or emotional eating patterns.

Nutritional Challenges

There is no one-size-fits-all diet, and finding the right balance of macronutrients and calorie intake can be daunting. Many individuals either under-eat, leading to muscle loss and metabolic slowdown, or overeat due to misinformation about portion sizes and food quality.

Plateaus and Motivation

Weight loss and muscle gain often happen in phases, with periods of rapid progress followed by frustrating plateaus. Many individuals become discouraged and give up before reaching their goals due to a perceived lack of results.

Hormonal and Medical Factors

Conditions such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, or hormonal imbalances can hinder weight loss efforts. Additionally, fluctuations in stress hormones like cortisol can promote fat retention, particularly in the abdominal area.

Modern Medicine and the Role of Peptides in Metabolism and Body Composition

Advancements in modern medicine have revolutionized the way we approach weight loss and muscle building. Traditional methods, such as diet and exercise, remain essential, but for many individuals, these alone are not enough to achieve their desired body composition.
Scientific research has led to the development of medications, including peptides, that can alter metabolism, enhance fat loss, and promote muscle growth more efficiently than ever before.

Modern Medicine and the Role of Peptides in Metabolism and Body Composition

Advancements in modern medicine have revolutionized the way we approach weight loss and muscle building. Traditional methods, such as diet and exercise, remain essential, but for many individuals, these alone are not enough to achieve their desired body composition.

  • Appetite Control: Reduce cravings and overall caloric intake.
  • Enhanced Fat Metabolism: Promote the breakdown of stored fat for energy.
  • Muscle Preservation & Growth: Support muscle retention while losing weight.
  • Optimized Energy Utilization: Improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic efficiency.

SEMAGLUTIDE AND TIRZEPATIDE

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GROWTH HORMONE SUPPORT

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B12 and MIC INJECTION

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SUPPLEMENTS + MORE

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Semaglutide new?
  • Semaglutide was developed by Novo Nordisk in 2012, with clinical studies published starting in 2015. It was FDA approved in 2017 for blood sugar control. In June 2021 the FDA approved the brand name Wegovy ™ for adults with obesity (BMI 30+, or BMI over 27 with at least one weight related ailment).
  • The dose is gradually increased over the first 4 months (16 weeks). Most studies evaluated patients over the course of 68 weeks. Semaglutide is best dosed by self-injection, once a week, into the arm, thigh or abdomen using a very fine needle similar to what is used for insulin injections.
  • The needle used is very fine and should be painless. If desired, you can place an ice cube or ice pack on the area planned for injection for 30 seconds which should be sufficient to numb the region. Proper injection technique will be shown to you to minimize discomfort.
  • We will show you exactly how to perform the injection. It is a very simple process! We are also happy to monitor you performing the injection for yourself, until you are completely comfortable.
  • Studies specific to overweight or obese individuals without diabetes showed a body weight reduction ranging between 12.4% to 17.4%. Many will lose 2 to 3 pounds per week, especially if they are exercising regularly.
  • We do not bill insurance and cannot answer questions specific to insurance formularies or pricing. We also cannot fill out prior authorization forms, as we are not providers for the various commercial insurance companies. Refer to your Insurer and Primary Care Provider any questions regarding whether you might qualify for prescription coverage. The out of pocket cost for the brand name form (ex: Wegovy) is approximately $1350 for a 28 day supply. The brand name forms of this medication are often not available due to production not keeping up with demand for the prescription.
  • Semaglutide is a peptide which is 94% similar to a peptide in the body called glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1). It affects zones in the brain responsible for appetite, leading to a feeling of fullness as well as reduced appetite. Semaglutide also increases insulin secretion by the pancreas and delays gastric emptying time, leading you to feel fuller more quickly.
  • Semaglutide in this program is dosed via self-injection once a week. It can be taken any time of day without regard to meals.
  • Semaglutide cannot be taken along with other medications that are in the same class (GLP-1 agonists) Ex: exenatide (Byetta), dulaglutide (Trulicity), lixisenatide (Adlyxin), liraglutide (Saxenda) and brand name Semaglutide (Wegovy, Rybelsus)
  • It is not approved for use in diabetics on insulin.
  • Other medications such as sulfonylureas [ex: glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta and Micronase)], TZD’s [pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia)] and metformin (Glucophage and others) are okay in combination, though their dose may need to be reduced.
  • Semaglutide does not seem to significantly affect the absorption of oral medications- RX or OTC
  • We will request the results of your most recent lab work (preferably within 6 months) for our files. If you have not had lab work done, we can provide the lab work order, but we do not draw diagnostic lab work on site.
  • You are responsible for any costs incurred for lab work- please check with your insurance provider if this is a concern.
The most common side effects of Semaglutide include:
  • Indigestion; Nausea +/- vomiting; Belching
  • Abdominal pain +/- change in bowel habits; Flatulence
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
To reduce the incidence of side effects, a dose titration schedule is used. This means that you will start at a low dose and gradually increase your weekly dose over the course of 3 to 4 months. If you are experiencing significant nausea, your dose may be reduced or simply not advanced until such time as the symptom has diminished on its own. Also, if you are experiencing significant nausea at any dose level, reflect on your portion size and the fat content of your meals as these will also impact the side effects experienced.
  • This will vary significantly from person to person. The key Semaglutide studies followed patients for 68 weeks (16 months). It is anticipated that the longer you are on it, the less likely you will be to rebound (gain weight back). Remember, Semaglutide should be seen as part of an overall healthy diet and exercise program and more of a long term solution rather than a quick fix magic bullet.
  • As you approach your ideal weight, your metabolism is expected to improve! You will have become less insulin resistant. This will help you maintain your results with or without ongoing prescription management.
  • Most people with 25 or more pounds to lose should expect to be on Semaglutide for a year or more.
  • We will schedule a follow up visit for you with one of our program staff every 2 weeks to review your response to therapy and make further dose recommendations.
  • Your prescription will originate from our preferred compounding pharmacy. A 2 month supply can be picked up at Renew MediSpa , 23B Crystal Avenue, Derry, New Hampshire.
  • Semaglutide should be kept refrigerated, but NOT frozen. Do not use Semaglutide which has been frozen (it would be expected to be ineffective).
  • It is recommended that you call 603-931-4345 two days prior to your planned pick up date.
  • We will guide you through the dosing schedule. A gradual dose increase is important to reduce/minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Lower doses are still effective for weight loss, though higher doses do produce more significant weight reductions. Please refer to your dose tracking sheet for more information.
  • The best dietary choices for one person may be very different than for another person. The type of diet is nowhere near as important as the creation of a calorie deficit. Studies have shown that most people UNDERESTIMATE their daily caloric intake!
  • Consider getting a “smart watch” such as a FitBit which will record your energy expenditure. The Fitbit program also allows you to log your food and will sum the calories for you.
  • A general rule of thumb is to have at least a 500 calorie “deficit” per day. To know what that is, use an online calculator such as this one:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/calorie-calculator/itt-20402304. Subtract 500 from the number this calculator provides. In general, once you begin Semaglutide you should expect to cut your portion sizes in half and then monitor your appetite and GI (gastrointestinal) side effects. Eating high fat (ex: fried) foods will make the GI side effects of Semaglutide worse, so it is best to avoid these items.
  • Most people can benefit from lowering carbs, sugars, fried foods and alcohol. Focus on lean proteins, vegetables and water intake.
  • Under no circumstances is Renew@theZoo functioning as or taking the place of your PCP.
  • We are happy to provide you with progress reports upon request, which you can submit to your PCP if you wish. We certainly expect that YOU will inform your PCP (and your pharmacist if you are currently on prescription medication) that you are receiving this Rx. This is your responsibility!
  • No. Semaglutide is not approved for use in pregnancy and may cause harm to a developing fetus. Semaglutide should be stopped 2 months prior to attempting pregnancy, due to its long half life.
  • Weight loss with oral Semaglutide studied as a secondary outcome in cardiovascular disease and glucose-lowering trials found that weight loss was 4.6% (4.2 kg) versus 0.9% (0.8 kg) with placebo at 15.9 months. A 4.6% weight reduction is substantially lower than what is seen with semaglutide delivered via self-injection.
  • Prescription medications cannot be returned nor can refunds be issued under any circumstances.
  • The beneficial effects will gradually wear off. There are no withdrawal symptoms to be expected, and it is not “dangerous” to suddenly stop this prescription.
  • Semaglutide in general should be kept refrigerated (not frozen) but it does stay stable at room temperature for several hours. Contact us for advice regarding your particular travel plans/situation. Remember, you can “take a break” from Semaglutide without expecting to experience any adverse/withdrawal symptoms. Alternatively, you may be able to travel with your prescription in an insulated cold container.