As of mid-2024, about 13% of the U.S. adult population has used a GLP-1 medication, according to a survey conducted by KFF, a leading health policy organization. The survey also indicated that only about 32% of adults had heard “a lot” about these drugs, up from 19% in mid-2023. Of those who had used a GLP-1 agonist, just over 60% took it to treat a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, while 40% used it to lose weight.

Given the current public interest in and demand for GLP-1 formulations for weight loss, Health + Glow lead physician Dr. Swapna Kallikadan believes these survey figures have undoubtedly climbed significantly since last year. “GLP-1 and weight loss are constantly in the news, and everyone is talking about these drugs like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and related GLP-1 formulations like semaglutide,” she says. “Our Tampa, Florida-based primary care clinic fields calls daily from area residents who want to know more about GLP-1 and weight loss. I’m not surprised because this is truly a game changer in the medical weight loss field.”

Given the intense public interest in GLP-1, Dr. Kallikadan thought it would be great to highlight questions a patient interested in losing weight with GLP-1 should ask their physician. Asking the right questions before beginning a medical weight loss program can give patients the answers they need to ensure optimal results and a safe and comfortable experience. Herein, we answer seven questions you should ask before starting a GLP-1 medical weight loss program.

1. Am I a Good Candidate for Weight Loss Treatments?

Whether you are a good candidate for a GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide 1) weight-loss program depends on your health profile, medical history, lifestyle, body mass index (BMI), and other factors. FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy® are explicitly cleared for weight loss in people with a BMI over 30 and for those with a BMI below 27 who have weight-related comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. While most other semaglutide-based GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic® are not explicitly FDA-cleared for weight loss, many physicians will prescribe one off-label if they believe it’s the best option for a patient’s health profile and weight loss needs. Some doctors also offer patients GLP-1 formulations like semaglutide, which contain the same active ingredient as their corresponding prescribed drug but allow doctors to fine-tune dosing.

The best GLP-1 for weight loss candidates struggle with losing weight through diet and exercise alone and are willing to adhere to a medical weight loss regimen that includes regular dosing, check-ups, and lifestyle adjustments. Those who follow medically advised dietary and exercise guidance with their GLP-1 and weight loss program typically secure the best, sustainable results.

Certain health conditions may preclude candidacy for these programs, including:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Severe kidney or liver disease.
• Pancreatitis and other severe gastrointestinal disorders.
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
• Family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
• Eating disorders.

Health + Glow conducts a thorough medical evaluation on Tampa-area patients seeking medical weight loss supported by GLP-1. If medically eligible, Dr. Kallikadan will determine proper GLP-1 dosing and develop a diet and exercise plan that conforms to the patient’s health profile, fitness level, and desired weight loss goals.

2. What Kind of Weight Loss Can I Expect With GLP-1?

Patients in clinical trials, such as “Sustain 7” and “Step 1”, secured impressive results, ranging from over 14 pounds lost on average in 40 weeks with a stand-alone GLP-1 program to up to 44 pounds in 68 weeks with GLP-1 combined with diet and exercise. Patient success with this weight loss tool varies widely due to differences in health profile, metabolism, diet, exercise, and other factors. Generally, patients who commit to their medical weight loss program with GLP-1 and are willing to follow the diet diligently and exercise guidance secure the best results.

3. How Will This Change My Eating Habits?

GLP-1 formulations significantly impact a patient’s appetite and digestion, necessitating changes to their eating habits. It makes the brain feel fullness while eating quicker, decreases spikes in hunger-signalling hormones, reduces cravings for sugary and high-carbohydrate foods, and slows digestion. These impacts are especially noticeable in the first four to eight weeks of a patient’s GLP-1 weight loss journey, leading to issues like constipation, nausea, bloating, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal discomforts.

To manage these issues and support the efficacy of your weight loss program, you’ll need to adjust your eating habits to account for a natural decline in appetite combined with potential deficiencies in nutrient intake. Plan to eat smaller meals and track your food intake to ensure you give your body all the daily nutrients essential for health. In the early days, you’ll want to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods to acclimate your body to its new diet, though slowly ramp up dietary fiber intake to avoid bloating and similar distress. Your meal planning should prioritize lean proteins, high-fiber fruit and vegetables, and healthy fats, and avoid sugary and high-carb food and drinks. Proper hydration is essential, so plan on drinking at least six to eight glasses of water daily or more, depending on your exercise regimen.

Health + Glow provides its weight loss patients with nutritional guidance to help them effectively navigate the inevitable changes to their appetite and diet.

4. What Side Effects Should I Know About?

The medical field considers GLP-1 agonists for weight loss safe when taken under medical supervision. Along with gastrointestinal side effects arising from changes in appetite and diet, some patients also experience headaches and fatigue. While rare, a few patients in clinical trials experienced severe side effects, including the following:

• Pancreatitis.
• Kidney function issues.
• Gallbladder inflammation and gallstones.
• Allergic reaction.

5. How Long Will I Need to Be on GLP-1 for Weight Loss?

The duration of GLP-1 weight loss treatment varies by patient due to health profile, metabolism, desired weight loss goals, adherence to related diet and exercise plans, and the potential need to manage weight-related comorbidities. While many patients can reach their weight-loss goals within six months to a year, others need up to two years, and some require long-term GLP-1 maintenance due to the chronic nature of their condition.

As suggested, those who diligently follow diet and exercise guidance included in their medical weight loss with the GLP-1 program achieve the most significant results in the shortest time frames. Health + Glow closely monitors its weight loss patients in Tampa and typically starts weaning patients off the formulation as they start nearing their weight loss goals. We stress to patients that this is not a short-term fix but a tool to help them lose weight with diet and exercise. Our patients who diligently adopt recommended lifestyle changes tend to keep the pounds off once they quit taking GLP-1.

6. What Makes Health + Glow’s Approach Different?

Given their effectiveness, safety profile, and popularity, most physicians are willing to prescribe Wegovy® or similar GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to just about anyone who is obese or overweight with relevant health issues. As a medical weight-loss specialist, Dr. Kallikadan strives to help patients conform to lifestyle changes with any prescribed GLP-1 formulation. She works as a partner in her patients’ weight loss journey, supporting them with complete exercise and diet guidance and carefully monitoring patient health and weight loss. Health + Glow primarily sources compounded semaglutide as its GLP-1 formulation, providing greater flexibility in customizing and adjusting dosage amounts to finely tune each patient’s distinct needs while in the program.

7. How Can I Maximize My Success With GLP-1 and Weight Loss Treatments?

When counseling patients starting our GLP-1 medical weight loss program in Tampa, Nutrition, we stress that the keys to optimizing success lie with their daily diet, exercise, hydration, and sleep routines. It alone can help patients lose weight, but the results are faster, dramatic, and sustainable when they follow our guidance.

Contact Health + Glow to Begin Your GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss Program in Tampa

We trust our answers to these seven questions have helped you determine whether medical weight loss with GLP-1 is the correct option for you. To learn more about our medical weight loss program or other health and beauty services, schedule an appointment with us today.