MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS・FAIRFAX, VA

Weight loss medications work by mimicking the action of GLP-1, a hormone naturally produced by the body in response to food intake that helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes feelings of fullness or satiety. The weight loss drug binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain.

This enhances your “full” feeling and reduces your appetite, which in turn causes you to eat less and leads to weight loss. Additionally, these medications may also slow down the rate at which food leaves the stomach and reduce the release of glucose from the liver, which also contributes to weight loss.

In response to weight loss, the brain naturally responds by increasing appetite and holding onto weight as an act of self-preservation. Medications along with intensive lifestyle and cognitive therapies are tools used to counter this effect.

Obesity medications are intended for long-term use, as obesity is a chronic disease. They improve health, quality of life, and body weight in patients with overweight and obesity.

Weight loss is highly individualized and there is no guarantee that any two people will respond the same way. 

Generally speaking, with lifestyle measures alone, many people can lose 5-7% of their excess body weight.

However, with the addition of medications, another 5-15% of weight loss can reasonably be acheived for most.

More than pounds lost, patients who work with me gain more confidence, increased energy, and overall improvement in well-being after working with her.

As part of your weightloss plan, I may prescribe medication to help you lose weight and treat obesity if medically appropriate based on:
– Individual’s medical history and physical exam
– Medication accessibility due to availability and insurance cost
– Side effect profile

I’ll look at your medical history and find the right match to assist with your weight loss efforts.

Wegovy is a brand name for the medication semaglutide, which was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes but was found to be effective for weight loss as well.

Who is it for: Wegovy is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater or in those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

How do I take it: The injection is administered by the patient once weekly and is only available with a prescription.

Is it covered by my insurance: Check if Wegovy is covered by your insurance

 

Saxenda is a brand name for the medication liraglutide, which is a type of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to treat obesity. Like Wegovy (semaglutide), liraglutide was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but was later found to be effective for weight loss as well.

Who is it for: Saxenda is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater or in those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

How do I take it: This injection is administered by the patient once daily and is only available with a prescription.

Is it covered by my insurance: Check if Saxenda is covered by your insurance.

Contrave is a combination of two medications, bupropion and naltrexone, which work together to reduce food cravings and decrease appetite.

-Bupropion is a medication that is commonly used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder. It is thought to help with weight loss by reducing food cravings and increasing energy levels.
-Naltrexone is a medication that is commonly used to treat addiction to drugs or alcohol. It is thought to help with weight loss by reducing the reward response that people experience from eating high-calorie foods.

Who is it for: Contrave is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or in those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

How do I take it: It is taken orally in the form of a capsule once-daily and is only available with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Qsymia is a combination of two medications, phentermine, and topiramate, that work together to reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness or satiety.

-Phentermine is similar to amphetamines and is used as an appetite suppressant. It is thought to work by increasing the release of certain chemicals in the brain that help control appetite.
-Topiramate is a medication that is commonly used to treat seizures and migraines. It is thought to help with weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing food cravings.

Who’s it for: Qsymia is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or in those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

How is it taken: It is taken orally in the form of a capsule once daily and is only available with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Is it covered by my insurance: Learn about insurance coverage for Qsymia here.

Zepbound (Tirzepatide) was recently FDA approved for chronic weight management and has promising results for weight loss, in addition to data improving cholesterol and blood pressure.

– Tirzepatide is a medication that activates both GLP1 and GIP hormones. This powerful combination reduces appetite, food intake, body fat, and body weight.

How is it taken: This injection is administered by the patient and is only available with a prescription.

Who is it for: Zepbound is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or in those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

What results can I expect? Patients over 72 weeks may lose 15-25% of their body weight depending on dosage when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Cost and Coverage Information 

Phentermine is a sympathomimetic amine that works by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. These neurotransmitters help to decrease hunger and increase feelings of fullness or satiety.

In addition to reducing appetite, phentermine may also have other effects on the body that contribute to weight loss, such as increased metabolic rate, which can help the body burn more calories even when at rest. Phentermine may also help to increase the body’s energy levels, making it easier for people to engage in physical activity and burn more calories.

Who is it for: Phentermine is for people with obesity or overweight who haven’t been able to lose enough weight with diet and exercise alone to improve their health. But it isn’t a good choice for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland or glaucoma.

How is it taken: It is taken orally in the form of a capsule once-daily and is only available with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Is it covered by my insurance: Phentermine is typically covered by insurance with a prescription from a doctor.

Plenity is a weight loss device that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019. It is a non-stimulant, non-systemic, prescription-only therapy that helps to reduce weight in overweight and obese adults. Plenity is considered a weight loss device and not a drug because it is not absorbed or metabolized by the body.

Who is it for: Plenity is intended to be used in combination with diet and exercise to help promote weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-40.

How is it taken: Plenity is taken in capsule form before meals, and when it is consumed with water, it absorbs water in the stomach to create a gel-like substance that takes up space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness, and potentially helping people to eat less and reduce calorie intake.