Medical Weight Loss Frequently Asked Questions

They slow gastric emptying (how quickly food leaves the stomach after meals) and balance insulin production. As a result, you feel full for longer, promoting your ability to lose weight.

To lessen appetite, cravings, and help you control portion sizes to facilitate up to the loss of 1-2 lbs/week, while minimizing unfavorable side effects.

The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, or constipation. Initial side effects usually lessens as you continue to use these medication. Rarer side effects found on the product insert include: Dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal, headache, and stomach pain and/or distension. We try to minimize these side effects by beginning on a lower dose and slowly increasing the dosage until we find the right amount to take to facilitate your weight loss.

The ideal patient has a high BMI and has been unsuccessful with dieting and non medical weight programs.

Who is not a good candidate for GLP-1 treatment?

Patients who have a history of diabetes (these drugs could make your blood sugar too low), who have a history of medullary thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, and patients who have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

These medications are costly, typically around $950-$1000 per month.  Some insurance companies will cover them, but we do not determine eligibility with any insurance companies.  This should be determined by calling you insurance company and/or at the pharmacy where you are filling the prescription. The manufacturers of these drugs typically have savings cards that can reduce the costs, which can be found on their websites.

You will typically come in monthly to one of our convenient offices in Manhattan or Scarsdale and Chappaqua in Westchester County.

Most patients will begin to see weight loss after their inital dose has increased one to two times, typically a few months after beginning the program.

There are no food restrictions with these medications, but your results, as well as your overall wellness, will be enhanced with an active lifestyle and a healthy diet.