If you're obese or overweight our doctors are here to help. Schedule an appointment to speak to one of our trusted, highly qualified doctors about starting your weight loss journey.
Our doctors can discuss the medications and weight maintenance programs leading to a healthier lifestyle.
Call (484) 346-5140 to speak with a specialist.
Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for reducing the risk of severe health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Even moderate weight loss can improve overall wellness, reduce stress on the body that can exacerbate age-related changes, and enhance quality of life.
The emergence of highly effective weight loss medications that can be self-administered at home has led to widespread news coverage, vibrant online discourse, and much interest. Familiarizing yourself with the treatment options can help you make the best decision for your health so you can confidently begin your weight loss journey.
Step 1
Your doctor will go over your medical history and health objectives during your initial visit.
Step 2
Meet with your doctor on your computer or smartphone. The physician will send an order to your preferred lab if lab work is necessary, which is the case for most patients. Once your results are available, your doctor will review them with you and detail your treatment options.
Step 3
Weight loss prescriptions are dispensed based on eligibility and safety. In addition to helping you set diet and exercise goals and tracking your weight loss progress, your doctors will administer and maintain your weight loss prescription as long as you're eligible for one.
Best Prescription Weight Loss Medications | Benefits of Medical Weight Loss Injections | How Much Does a Weight Loss Prescription Cost? | How Does a Medical Weight Loss Program Work? | Frequently Asked Questions
The only safe way to obtain weight loss medication is by consulting a qualified doctor. Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmaceuticals are tightly regulated and only available by prescription. What’s more, patients are more likely to achieve weight loss when working with experienced providers.
You can book a convenient physician consultation online to discuss weight loss medicine and ask related questions. The expansion of telehealth options will ensure you can meet with a qualified physician at a time that works for you and find an experienced professional who understands medical weight loss treatment and what’s involved in prescribing weight loss medications.
Your telehealth appointment will resemble a traditional in-person office visit. The doctor will ask about your health history, assess your body mass index (BMI), and discuss your weight loss treatment goals. It is essential to be forthcoming so the doctor can rule out potential contraindications that’d make weight loss medication ineffective or risky in your case.
The appointment will allow you to learn more about the complexities of weight loss and ask about the benefits, side effects, and timelines of the different medications. Being as comprehensive as possible will help you understand how the treatments work so you can have realistic expectations and make the best decision for your health.
If the doctor prescribes weight loss medication, they will send the order to your pharmacy. You can then pick the prescription up at a convenient location and begin your treatment plan from there.
We offer medical appointments and follow up at affordable prices. Have questions or want to book on the phone? Our specialists are available at our wellness center to help.
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Your provider will prescribe the best option based on your BMI, health history, and target weight. Some of the most popular options include:
Ozempic is a weekly injectable form of semaglutide. It helps patients lose weight by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion to keep the stomach fuller for longer. The medication mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone the body naturally produces as part of digestion. While Ozempic is FDA-approved as a type-2 diabetes treatment, it is used off-label for weight loss.
Wegovy is a form of semaglutide administered via a weekly self-injection. It is FDA-approved for weight loss and works by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion to prolong feelings of fullness. One study of semaglutide showed it helped patients lose 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks. Wegovy is available in higher doses than Ozempic.
Tirzepatide, offered under the brand name Mounjaro, is an FDA-approved type-2 diabetes medication that suppresses appetite and regulates blood sugar by activating multiple receptors that control digestive hormones.
Other prescriptions include Imcivree, also known as setmelanotide. The injectable medication treats obesity caused by a genetic mutation that slows the MC4 receptors, which control appetite and metabolism.
Wellbutrin, known generically as bupropion, is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). This class of medication stops the brain from absorbing adrenaline and dopamine. It is an FDA-approved treatment for depression.
Doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss. Researchers speculate that the medication affects the neurotransmitters and associated receptors that influence appetite and metabolic function. Wellbutrin comes in pill form.
Phentermine-topiramate, known commercially as Qsymia, is a sympathomimetic amine. These medications stimulate the central nervous system to suppress appetite and create feelings of fullness. The FDA-approved pill functions similarly to an amphetamine.
Finally, many patients use Saxenda, also known as liraglutide, to address their weight gain and return to a healthy weight.
Medical weight loss injections can provide numerous health benefits that have the potential to improve and extend your life. By reducing excess body fat, these injections help decrease your risk of developing serious health conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
These injections are made up of a combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other compounds that work together to help you reach your weight loss goals. This combination of compounds helps to increase metabolism, reduce appetite, and burn fat more efficiently. As a result, when coupled with a proper diet and exercise regimen, medical weight loss injections can provide positive results in terms of weight loss.
Unlike fat reduction treatments such as CoolSculpting and Smart Lipo, weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro ((all of which belong to the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) class of drugs)) help patients lose pernicious visceral fat--not just the subcutaneous kind.
In addition to aiding in weight loss efforts, these injections can provide other benefits. They can help to boost energy levels, improve concentration and mental clarity, and even reduce stress levels. All these factors play a vital role in helping you maintain an optimal weight for long-term health and wellness.
The cost of prescriptions is tied to insurance companies’ determinations of medical necessity and can vary between weight loss medications. Typically, newer treatments are more expensive, while established ones cost less. Generic forms of name-brand pharmaceuticals are less expensive.
Weight loss injectables can sometimes be cost prohibitive for some patients. It's recommended that you check with your pharmacy and insurance company for out-of-pocket costs. As newer treatments spend more time on the market and manufacturing capacity expands, costs will likely change and insurers will revise their plans.
The best way to understand your costs is to meet with a qualified doctor to determine the best treatment option based on your weight loss goals and health history. You can then verify coverage limits and costs with your insurance provider and pharmacy to determine your expected expenses.
Drugs that are FDA-approved weight loss treatments, like Wegovy, may be covered depending on the pharmaceutical coverage offered by your plan. That said, most insurers do not cover medications like Ozempic that healthcare providers prescribe off-label for weight loss treatment.
A medical weight loss program is a collaborative approach in which your doctor assesses your condition and prescribes a weight loss medication. They will work with you to establish a target weight based on your starting weight and weight loss goals. The doctor will also counsel you about diet and exercise choices that can enhance the effectiveness of the medication and improve your overall health.
The doctor will then monitor your response to the medication and track your progress. It is critical to talk to them about side effects like gastric symptoms, as well as changes to your health. Your provider will modify the dose or prescribe an alternative treatment based on the nature and extent of your side effects.
The doctor will also monitor your progress to confirm your weight loss is occurring at a healthy rate and continually reassess your overall well-being to ensure the treatment isn’t posing a risk to your health. Doctor supervision will also ensure you lose weight from fat rather than skeletal muscle, which could compromise your overall health.
Body weight and composition are determined by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. Medical weight loss programs help patients move beyond the false assumption that weight is merely the product of self-control and a healthy diet. Fortunately, there are many effective weight loss drugs for those struggling with obesity.
Weight loss is a challenging journey that can be frustrating and discouraging. Participating in a medical program provides structure to help you measure your progress and understand the incremental steps that characterize weight loss.
Medical programs are also valuable because they help patients understand that while diet and exercise are vital to overall health and losing weight, they are not the ultimate determinants. Medical weight loss programs address the neurological and metabolic factors that influence weight.
Such programs also provide a valuable healthcare provider who will monitor you to ensure your medication is safe and effective. Doctors can also offer advice about healthy eating and exercise options that promote cardiovascular health.
Your consultation will be like a typical in-person office visit. The doctor will examine your medical history and ask about your weight loss goals. Speaking openly and honestly will provide them with the information necessary to accurately assess your eligibility, rule out potential contradictions that could make certain medications risky, and set realistic goals.
You will need to provide your doctor with an accurate weight so they can assess your BMI. This data is essential for ensuring your safety and will help secure insurance coverage if your insurance company covers the prescribed treatment.
Doctors who supervise medical weight loss programs are compassionate providers who understand the complex challenges of obesity and the nuances of treating it.
Your rate of weight loss will depend on your starting weight, medication, and dosage. It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions so the medications start suppressing cravings, affecting digestion, and inducing satiety as quickly as possible.
Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories when you consume. As consumption decreases and exercise increases, you will burn fat and achieve weight loss. Many patients experience rapid weight loss once they reach the optimal dosing levels.
Working with a doctor will ensure you lose weight at a healthy rate. They may increase your dose if the reduction is slow or stagnates or reduce it if you lose weight too quickly.
Yes. While results vary from person to person, medical weight loss programs promote compliance with each medication’s best practices and offer the support needed to implement supplemental lifestyle changes. Results can vary between treatments, but patients often reach their goal weights, obtaining healthy BMIs while reducing their risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
The most common side effects are gastric symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation because the medications impact digestion and metabolism. The frequency and intensity of side effects vary from person to person based on their biochemistry and the type of medication used.
Alerting your doctor about gastric side effects or any other changes to your health is essential. They will reassess your condition and then modify the dose or prescribe an alternative medication.
It depends on the caloric deficit created by taking the medication. Most patients don't lose weight during the first month because doctors have to slowly build their dose up to therapeutic levels. This progression allows the body to adjust to the medication. Weight loss is often rapid once patients reach their optimal dose.
Yes. Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight loss medication licensed doctors can prescribe using telehealth services. The provider will send the prescription to your pharmacy electronically so you can pick it up from a convenient location.
Weight loss varies by person and depends on the dose, but most patients see changes begin after taking the medication for eight weeks.
Yes. Currently, Mounjaro is only approved to treat type-2 diabetes. Doctors can prescribe it off-label as a weight loss medication. Mounjaro is not typically covered by insurance when used to treat obesity in non-diabetics.