Frequently Asked Questions About Weight Loss:
Q: What does medical management of weight loss mean?
A: It means using science and medications to help lose weight, not just relying on behavioral changes. Behavioral changes/exercise only contributes to about 10% of weight loss. Those that take medications as part of their weight loss approach have a 12% greater reduction in body weight compared to those who only make lifestyle changes. This is not to say behavioral changes and exercise are not an important element in weight loss, but those that implement medication have much greater success in weight loss, and combining medication with lifestyle changes leads to significantly greater weight loss than relying solely on behavioral modifications. Lab science can also help us diagnose health conditions that are causing you to gain weight (i.e. a thyroid problem) and utilizing medications to help you to lose weight through increasing your metabolism, lipolysis (breaking down fat), and decreasing the absorption of calories.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Yes and no. Most insurance companies are not covering weight loss medications, but if you have called your insurance and verified they will cover Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepound, then yes, we can use your insurance. If a blood draw is indicated for your specific situation, this can also be paid with insurance. If your insurance company requires a pre-authorization for your medication, we can complete this paperwork for you ($50 fee associated with this process). You may also pay for all services and medications with HSA or FSA.
Q: Do you know if the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) will cover weight loss medication?
A: In general, insurers and employers tend not to cover weight loss medications because they consider weight loss to be elective rather than a medical need. OHP does not have any obesity-specific drugs in its formulary and treatment of obesity with medications is an unfunded diagnosis for OHP. However, OHP recently made a change, now allowing coverage of semaglutide (Wegovy) for overweight or obese patients who also have cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack (requires pre-authorization for coverage). OHP still does not currently pay for semaglutide (Wegovy) for people living with overweight or obesity if they do not also have a history of heart disease or diabetes.
Q: Do you have Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro?
A: Yes, we have the generic version of the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, which is Semaglutide. Semaglutide is a Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, meaning the medication mimics the action of a hormone called GLP-1. This slows the movement of food out of the stomach, making you feel full faster and for longer. The generic version of Mounjaro and Zepound is Tirzepatide, which we also can prescribe. All of these medications were initially intended for the treatment of diabetes, and then it was discovered it works wonders for weight loss as well. Tirzepatide is actually a dual agonist (Semaglutide is a single-agonist), meaning Tirzepatide acts on 2 receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) and this dual action results in even more weight loss than with Semaglutide.
Q: Do you have Phentermine?
A: Yes, we do.
Q: Do you have alternatives to the injection medications (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide)? I have tried Phentermine before but want to try something different, but not do injections?
A: Yes, we have 2 other oral medication options. One is a combination of Phentermine with Topamax (brand name Qsymia) and the other is a combination of Naltrexone/ Bupropion (brand name Contrave). We also have other adjunct medications, which are Aminophylline 0.5% Cream, Lipo-Trim sublingual spray, and MICC injections (Methionine, Inositol, Choline, and B12). We also offer B12 injections!
Q: Are the medications safe?
A: Absolutely! Our medications come from state of the art, FDA 503A and B pharmaceutical outsourcing facilities and pharmacies in the United States only. The pharmacies we use adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) standards and are accredited by the PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board). CGMPs are regulations that ensure the proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. The FDA establishes and enforces these principles and procedures to ensure that products are consistently manufactured and controlled to quality standards.
Q: How long will it take me to lose the weight?
A: This depends on many factors, including which weight loss medication you are taking, how strict you are with diet and physical activity, and your own metabolic factors. For example, if you are started on compounded Semaglutide, the process is slower and you'll increase your dose over months. Some people will see weight loss in the first month, some will see weight loss when the dose moves up,. On the other hand, if you are started on Phentermine, there is no ramping up phase so you should see weight loss start occur in your first week. How long it will take to lose weight to your goal weight will depend on how much you have to lose and how aggressive you want to be in reaching your goal weight.
Q: Does a Paleo Diet (or any other diet) really work?
Yes, a Paleo Diet works, just as much as Keto, Intermittent Fasting, Whole 30, Atkins, Low-Fat or whatever diet you can think of. They all work, but the problem is whether or not they are sustainable for the rest of your life. If you can eat a Paleo Diet for the rest of your life, then you should do it. If you can't, then it's not the right diet choice for you. The reason diets fail is because they are not sustainable for life, or are just not right for that individual.
Q: Due to my weight, it is hard for me to get out of the house. Can you come to me?
A: Yes, if you live in the Rogue Valley, we can do a home visit. We can do everything we need to at your house. We also offer telehealth visits, which is a great alternative. This applies to those living in Oregon but also for those outside of the Rogue Valley/ Southern Oregon. We can have prescriptions mailed to your house and we can provide you medication injection training (if the medication for your situation is an injectable).
Q: I don't live in Southern Oregon. Can you treat me anyway?
A: Yes, if you live in Oregon but not in the Medford area, we can still treat you entirely remotely, but it will eliminate certain medications from being prescribed. Phentermine and Vyvanse are controlled substances that require an in-person visit to obtain a prescription, so unless you visit Medford, we wouldn't be able to provide those medications. However, we have many other medications that can be prescribed remotely that do not have the in-person visit requirement. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are popular choices for out-of-area patients. Or you can visit us once, and receive controlled substance prescriptions where you live (the one visit is good for an entire year). If you do not live in Oregon at all (i.e. you are in Northern California), we can only provide prescriptions if we have seen you in-person. If we've seen you in-person, then we can send prescriptions to California (other than controlled substances, which would need to be filled in Oregon). Feel free to call us if you have any questions on your eligibility for prescriptions based on your location (541-324-0399).
A: It means using science and medications to help lose weight, not just relying on behavioral changes. Behavioral changes/exercise only contributes to about 10% of weight loss. Those that take medications as part of their weight loss approach have a 12% greater reduction in body weight compared to those who only make lifestyle changes. This is not to say behavioral changes and exercise are not an important element in weight loss, but those that implement medication have much greater success in weight loss, and combining medication with lifestyle changes leads to significantly greater weight loss than relying solely on behavioral modifications. Lab science can also help us diagnose health conditions that are causing you to gain weight (i.e. a thyroid problem) and utilizing medications to help you to lose weight through increasing your metabolism, lipolysis (breaking down fat), and decreasing the absorption of calories.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Yes and no. Most insurance companies are not covering weight loss medications, but if you have called your insurance and verified they will cover Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepound, then yes, we can use your insurance. If a blood draw is indicated for your specific situation, this can also be paid with insurance. If your insurance company requires a pre-authorization for your medication, we can complete this paperwork for you ($50 fee associated with this process). You may also pay for all services and medications with HSA or FSA.
Q: Do you know if the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) will cover weight loss medication?
A: In general, insurers and employers tend not to cover weight loss medications because they consider weight loss to be elective rather than a medical need. OHP does not have any obesity-specific drugs in its formulary and treatment of obesity with medications is an unfunded diagnosis for OHP. However, OHP recently made a change, now allowing coverage of semaglutide (Wegovy) for overweight or obese patients who also have cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack (requires pre-authorization for coverage). OHP still does not currently pay for semaglutide (Wegovy) for people living with overweight or obesity if they do not also have a history of heart disease or diabetes.
Q: Do you have Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro?
A: Yes, we have the generic version of the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, which is Semaglutide. Semaglutide is a Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, meaning the medication mimics the action of a hormone called GLP-1. This slows the movement of food out of the stomach, making you feel full faster and for longer. The generic version of Mounjaro and Zepound is Tirzepatide, which we also can prescribe. All of these medications were initially intended for the treatment of diabetes, and then it was discovered it works wonders for weight loss as well. Tirzepatide is actually a dual agonist (Semaglutide is a single-agonist), meaning Tirzepatide acts on 2 receptors (GLP-1 and GIP) and this dual action results in even more weight loss than with Semaglutide.
Q: Do you have Phentermine?
A: Yes, we do.
Q: Do you have alternatives to the injection medications (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide)? I have tried Phentermine before but want to try something different, but not do injections?
A: Yes, we have 2 other oral medication options. One is a combination of Phentermine with Topamax (brand name Qsymia) and the other is a combination of Naltrexone/ Bupropion (brand name Contrave). We also have other adjunct medications, which are Aminophylline 0.5% Cream, Lipo-Trim sublingual spray, and MICC injections (Methionine, Inositol, Choline, and B12). We also offer B12 injections!
Q: Are the medications safe?
A: Absolutely! Our medications come from state of the art, FDA 503A and B pharmaceutical outsourcing facilities and pharmacies in the United States only. The pharmacies we use adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) standards and are accredited by the PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board). CGMPs are regulations that ensure the proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. The FDA establishes and enforces these principles and procedures to ensure that products are consistently manufactured and controlled to quality standards.
Q: How long will it take me to lose the weight?
A: This depends on many factors, including which weight loss medication you are taking, how strict you are with diet and physical activity, and your own metabolic factors. For example, if you are started on compounded Semaglutide, the process is slower and you'll increase your dose over months. Some people will see weight loss in the first month, some will see weight loss when the dose moves up,. On the other hand, if you are started on Phentermine, there is no ramping up phase so you should see weight loss start occur in your first week. How long it will take to lose weight to your goal weight will depend on how much you have to lose and how aggressive you want to be in reaching your goal weight.
Q: Does a Paleo Diet (or any other diet) really work?
Yes, a Paleo Diet works, just as much as Keto, Intermittent Fasting, Whole 30, Atkins, Low-Fat or whatever diet you can think of. They all work, but the problem is whether or not they are sustainable for the rest of your life. If you can eat a Paleo Diet for the rest of your life, then you should do it. If you can't, then it's not the right diet choice for you. The reason diets fail is because they are not sustainable for life, or are just not right for that individual.
Q: Due to my weight, it is hard for me to get out of the house. Can you come to me?
A: Yes, if you live in the Rogue Valley, we can do a home visit. We can do everything we need to at your house. We also offer telehealth visits, which is a great alternative. This applies to those living in Oregon but also for those outside of the Rogue Valley/ Southern Oregon. We can have prescriptions mailed to your house and we can provide you medication injection training (if the medication for your situation is an injectable).
Q: I don't live in Southern Oregon. Can you treat me anyway?
A: Yes, if you live in Oregon but not in the Medford area, we can still treat you entirely remotely, but it will eliminate certain medications from being prescribed. Phentermine and Vyvanse are controlled substances that require an in-person visit to obtain a prescription, so unless you visit Medford, we wouldn't be able to provide those medications. However, we have many other medications that can be prescribed remotely that do not have the in-person visit requirement. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are popular choices for out-of-area patients. Or you can visit us once, and receive controlled substance prescriptions where you live (the one visit is good for an entire year). If you do not live in Oregon at all (i.e. you are in Northern California), we can only provide prescriptions if we have seen you in-person. If we've seen you in-person, then we can send prescriptions to California (other than controlled substances, which would need to be filled in Oregon). Feel free to call us if you have any questions on your eligibility for prescriptions based on your location (541-324-0399).