Medical Weight Loss

What is Medical Weight Loss Treatment?

Medical weight loss treatment uses prescription medication and lifestyle guidance to support weight reduction and metabolic health. Treatment may include GLP-1 medications as part of a provider-guided plan when clinically appropriate.

How Does It Work?

GLP-1 medications help regulate appetite, increase feelings of fullness, slow gastric emptying, and support blood sugar regulation. Medication dosing may be adjusted gradually over time, and lifestyle habits including protein intake, hydration, strength training, and nutrition are important to results.

Pre-Treatment Instructions

Your provider will review your medical history, goals, medications, labs, and eligibility.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning surgery or anesthesia.
Tell your provider if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 if using GLP-1 therapy.
Tell your provider if you have a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal disease, gastroparesis, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, or eating disorder history.
Tell your provider about all medications, supplements, allergies, medical conditions, recent procedures, and changes in your health.
Do not begin or change dose without provider guidance.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your provider will review your medical history, goals, medications, labs, and eligibility.
Medication dosing may be adjusted gradually over time.
Appetite changes, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, abdominal discomfort, or fatigue may occur, especially during dose changes.
Lifestyle habits including protein intake, hydration, strength training, and nutrition are important to results.
Follow-up visits and ongoing monitoring may be recommended throughout treatment.

Post-Treatment Care and Expectations

Take medication exactly as prescribed.
Stay well hydrated and prioritize protein as directed.
Eat slowly, stop when full, and avoid large or high-fat meals if they worsen nausea or reflux.
Avoid skipping follow-up appointments or changing dose without provider guidance.
Contact your provider if side effects are persistent, severe, or concerning.
Weight loss is typically gradual and varies by individual.

What to Avoid

Avoid changing your medication dose, frequency, or schedule without provider guidance.
Avoid taking medication if pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding unless cleared by your provider.
Avoid skipping meals completely if it leads to weakness, dizziness, dehydration, or inadequate nutrition.
Avoid excessive alcohol, dehydration, and very high-fat meals if they worsen side effects.
Avoid ignoring severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or symptoms of low blood sugar.
Avoid stopping all lifestyle habits when medication is discontinued, as weight regain may occur.

Skin Care

Rotate injection sites if medication is self-administered as directed by your provider.
Keep injection sites clean and dry, and avoid injecting into irritated, bruised, scarred, infected, or tender skin.
Monitor injection sites for redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, pain, itching, or rash.
Weight loss may affect facial volume, skin laxity, dryness, or overall skin quality; discuss concerns with your provider.
Pharmaceutical-grade skincare, sunscreen, and barrier-supportive products may be recommended to support skin health during weight loss.

Additional Recommendations

Prioritize protein intake as directed to support lean muscle mass.
Stay hydrated and discuss electrolyte support if appropriate.
Incorporate strength training and regular movement as medically appropriate.
Track side effects, appetite changes, bowel habits, weight trends, and food tolerance to review with your provider.
Continue routine medical care and any recommended lab monitoring.
Try and get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Integrative Therapy Options

Vitamin injections or IV therapy may be discussed for hydration, energy, or nutrient support when appropriate.
NAD+ therapy may be discussed for wellness and cellular energy support when appropriate.
Lymphatic Drainage / Ballancer Pro Platinum may be discussed for temporary fluid retention or wellness support when medically appropriate.
HRT / Pellet Therapy may be discussed if symptoms suggest hormone imbalance and evaluation is appropriate.
A Haus Ritual Facial or Hydrafacial, SkinTyte, injectables, or pharmaceutical-grade skincare may be discussed for skin quality, facial balancing, or skin laxity concerns associated with weight loss.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

While Medical Weight Loss is generally well tolerated when performed by qualified providers, side effects may include but are not limited to:

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, headache, or dizziness.
Low blood sugar risk may increase when combined with certain diabetes medications.
Gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, kidney stress from dehydration, allergic reaction, or changes in heart rate, rarely.
Possible thyroid tumor warning applies to some GLP-1 medications; tell your provider about personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2.
Delayed gastric emptying may be relevant before procedures, surgery, or anesthesia; inform all medical providers that you are using GLP-1 therapy.
Weight regain may occur if medication and lifestyle habits are discontinued.

Results vary individually and cannot be guaranteed.

When to Contact Your Provider

Please call our office if you experience:

Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, abdominal pain, or inability to keep fluids down.
Signs of dehydration such as dizziness, dark urine, weakness, dry mouth, or reduced urination.
Symptoms of low blood sugar such as sweating, shakiness, confusion, weakness, or rapid heartbeat, especially if taking diabetes medications.
Injection site redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, rash, or pain that worsens.
New gallbladder symptoms, severe constipation, mood changes, or any other concerning symptoms.
Planned surgery, anesthesia, pregnancy, or major health changes.

Seek Immediate or Emergency Care If

You experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially if it radiates to the back or is associated with vomiting.
You cannot keep fluids down, feel faint, or have symptoms of severe dehydration.
You experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face, severe hives, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
You have chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, or symptoms that feel urgent.
You have severe low blood sugar symptoms that do not improve with appropriate treatment.

Follow-Up Care

Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your provider can monitor response, side effects, dose changes, weight trends, and labs when appropriate.
Dose changes are typically gradual and should only be made under provider guidance.
Ongoing treatment length and maintenance planning vary by patient goals, medical history, tolerance, and response.
Discuss side effects, nutrition, hydration, strength training, maintenance plans, or alternative options with your provider if needed.
Repeat prescriptions or treatment continuation may require follow-up visits and medical review.

FAQ

Q: How quickly will I lose weight?

A: Results vary. Weight loss is typically gradual and depends on medication response, dose, nutrition, activity, hydration, sleep, and adherence to follow-up care.

Q: What side effects are most common?

A: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, headache, and dizziness may occur, especially during dose changes.

Q: Do I still need nutrition and exercise?

A: Yes. Protein intake, hydration, strength training, and nutrition are important to results, muscle preservation, and long-term maintenance.

Q: Can weight come back after stopping medication?

A: Yes. Weight regain may occur if medication and lifestyle habits are discontinued.

Q: Who should avoid GLP-1 therapy?

A: Patients who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have certain personal or family histories such as medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 may not be candidates. Your provider will review your history.

Summary

Medical weight loss can be a helpful treatment option when performed for the right candidate with proper medical screening, realistic expectations, lifestyle support, and appropriate follow-up care.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, please contact our office.

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