Q. I'm experiencing severe side effects from weight-loss injections like Wegovy; can I replace them with herbal medicine?
Yes, it is possible. Rather than forced appetite suppression, we focus on restoring digestive function and enhancing metabolic capacity to facilitate weight loss while alleviating side effects.
📝 Detailed Answer
Many patients suffer from nausea, vomiting, and severe lethargy after using these injections. These symptoms can be incredibly draining and disruptive to daily life.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state is often viewed as Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo), where the functional capacity of the spleen is weakened, leading to impaired digestion and absorption. When this is coupled with Phlegm-Accumulation (Dam-jeok)—the buildup of metabolic waste—it exacerbates bloating and causes a sharp decline in overall condition.
💡 Goals of Herbal Replacement Therapy
The core objective is not forced appetite suppression, but rather restoring compromised digestive functions to create an internal environment where the body can naturally burn energy.
- Restoration of Digestive Function: Improving gastrointestinal motility to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
- Metabolic Promotion: Promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood (Gi-hyeol) to discharge stagnant waste and support the basal metabolic rate.
- Mind-Body Stabilization: Managing anxiety or rebound appetite (binge eating) that may occur after abruptly discontinuing medication.
However, the body's reaction may vary depending on the type of medication used and the timing of discontinuation. Therefore, it is crucial to receive a customized prescription based on a precise diagnosis of your current condition and constitution.
Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director