Hype about weight loss injections: This is how a Munich doctor is revolutionizing weight loss!

Hype about weight loss injections: This is how a Munich doctor is revolutionizing weight loss!

For the past two years, more and more Munich residents have been turning to so-called weight-loss injections, which were originally designed for obese people but are now also prescribed to less overweight people. Dr. Thorsten Siegmund, head of the Diabetes, Hormone and Metabolism Center at the Isar Clinic in Munich, played a key role in shaping the use of these syringes. He looks after numerous patients and has set up a day clinic for obese people.

The weight loss injections represent the latest innovation in the fight against obesity, but are based on active ingredients that have been used by diabetes specialists for over 20 years. The two main drugs are Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). While Wegovy can help patients lose up to 15% weight loss, Mounjaro even shows results of over 20%. An exciting new product is the triple active ingredient retratutide, whose testing phase promises to increase weight loss potential up to 25%. Over 80% of users can actually achieve weight loss success with these syringes.

How the syringes work

The drugs work by mimicking the satiety hormones in the body, increasing feelings of satiety in the brain. Administered once a week, the application is usually painless. However, around 50% of patients report side effects, mostly in the form of gastrointestinal complaints. Dangerous side effects, however, are rare, with some patients reporting inflammatory reactions to abdominal organs. However, long-term studies give the all-clear: there does not appear to be an increased risk of tumors due to the treatment. Although semaglutide may increase the risk of a rare eye disease, this only affects one in ten thousand patients.

The positive side effects of this new form of therapy should not be underestimated: the risk of stroke and heart attack can be reduced by at least 20%, which could also reduce the death rate in the long term.

Costs and reimbursement issues

Despite these advantages, the financial aspects cannot be neglected. Wegovy costs 276 euros per month in Germany, while Mounjaro costs 489 euros. The health insurance companies do not cover any costs; Before starting therapy, a metabolism check is also recommended, the price of which is around 500 euros. You have to expect costs of between 3,500 and 5,000 euros for medical support in the first year, while around 1,000 to 2,000 euros are incurred annually in the following years.

The requirements for prescribing these medications are also clearly defined: they are used from a BMI of 27 with concomitant diseases or from a BMI of 30 without concomitant diseases. In other countries there are also approaches that allow costs to be covered by health insurance companies, while in Germany reforms have so far been called for to improve reimbursement.

A holistic approach is required

It is important to note that weight loss injections are not a miracle cure. Many patients experience side effects such as nausea, and a holistic approach is essential for lasting success. Behavioral changes and permanent dietary changes are essential to maximize the effectiveness of the medication.

Aside from the medical aspects, stigmatization of obesity patients is often seen as a challenge. The public also has prejudices against people who are overweight, who are wrongly perceived as lacking discipline, instead of taking the hormonal background of this chronic metabolic disease into account.

Overall, it is clear that weight loss injections, despite their many advantages, need to be discussed and evaluated in a broader contextual framework in order to guarantee patients effective and responsible treatment.

For more information about weight loss injections and their use, visit Lose weight help or find out more about the latest studies daily news.