Medically reviewed by Crea Rose, FNP-BC, APRN-FPA
· NPI 1366184053
· Last reviewed:
Medical weight loss combines evidence-based medications, dietary counseling, and lab-driven monitoring into a single program. At Revival Health & Wellness Clinic, Crea Rose, FNP-BC offers medically-supervised weight management for adults who haven’t achieved results with diet and exercise alone — including GLP-1 medication options (semaglutide, tirzepatide) when clinically appropriate.
This is not a 30-day fad program. It is multi-month clinical management with realistic expectations and explicit safety monitoring.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
- Initial consultation — full medical history, weight history, prior attempts, current medications, family history, and what’s worked or hasn’t
- Baseline labs — comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, HbA1c, thyroid panel (TSH and free T4), and additional tests based on your history
- Personalized treatment plan — may include GLP-1 therapy, other prescription weight-loss medication, dietary counseling, exercise guidance, and behavioral support
- Regular follow-up visits — typically every 4 weeks at the start, less frequently as you stabilize
- Lab re-checks — to monitor metabolic improvements and watch for side effects
ABOUT GLP-1 MEDICATIONS
GLP-1 receptor agonists — semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (in Mounjaro and Zepbound) — are injectable medications originally developed for type 2 diabetes that have shown substantial benefit for chronic weight management. They work by:
- Slowing stomach emptying so you feel full longer
- Reducing appetite signals in the brain
- Improving the body’s response to insulin
Clinical trials show average weight loss of 15–22% of body weight over 12–18 months when GLP-1 therapy is combined with lifestyle changes — a result substantially better than diet and exercise alone for most patients with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions.
FDA-approved versus compounded
Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are FDA-approved for chronic weight management at specific BMI thresholds. Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes — they contain the same active ingredients but are not approved for weight loss as a primary indication.
During FDA-recognized drug shortages, compounding pharmacies have been permitted to compound semaglutide and tirzepatide preparations. Compounded GLP-1 products are not FDA-approved drug products. The FDA has issued warnings about quality, dosing accuracy, and safety of some compounded GLP-1 sources. We use the FDA-approved branded products whenever they are available and your insurance or out-of-pocket budget supports them. If we use a compounded preparation, we discuss the regulatory status, source pharmacy, and monitoring plan with you transparently.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
You may be a candidate for GLP-1 weight management if you have:
- BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), or
- BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related condition (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, fatty liver, etc.)
- No absolute contraindication (see below)
- Willingness to combine medication with reasonable dietary and activity changes
If you are pursuing weight loss for purely cosmetic reasons at a healthy weight, GLP-1 therapy is not appropriate and we will say so.
DIETARY COUNSELING
Medication is one half of the program. The other half is sustainable nutrition. We focus on:
- Adequate protein intake (especially important on GLP-1 therapy to preserve lean mass)
- Reduced ultra-processed food
- Practical meal patterns that fit your schedule and preferences
- Hydration habits
- Behavior strategies for the first weeks of appetite changes on GLP-1
For more complex nutrition needs (eating disorder history, athletic performance goals, multiple food sensitivities), we refer to a registered dietitian.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Consultation visit (60 min) — history, current concerns, goals, lab orders, baseline weight and measurements
- Lab review and treatment-plan visit — typically 1–2 weeks later
- Treatment start — first GLP-1 dose, instruction on injection technique, side-effect counseling
- Follow-up visits every 4 weeks initially — dose titration, side-effect management, weight and measurement tracking
- Reassessment every 3 months — labs, dose review, plan adjustments. Most patients reach maintenance dose between months 3 and 5.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
GLP-1 medications are generally well tolerated, but side effects are common and worth knowing:
Common (often improve with time): nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, fatigue, headache, injection-site reactions.
Less common but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease (gallstones, cholecystitis), kidney issues from dehydration during prolonged GI symptoms, severe hypoglycemia (especially if combined with insulin or sulfonylureas), allergic reactions.
Boxed warning: GLP-1 medications carry an FDA boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies. They are contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Other contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe gastroparesis, history of pancreatitis, and known hypersensitivity to the medication.
COST AND INSURANCE
Office visits for medical weight management are generally insurance-billable. GLP-1 medications have variable insurance coverage — Wegovy and Zepbound coverage depends on your plan’s obesity benefit; Ozempic coverage requires a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. We will help you navigate prior authorization when applicable.
Self-pay options exist for both branded and (during shortages) compounded products. Pricing is provided during consultation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How quickly will I lose weight on GLP-1?
Most patients lose 5–10 pounds in the first month, with the steepest weight loss in months 2–6 as the dose is titrated up. Plateaus are normal. The 15–22% average reflects results at 12–18 months, not weeks.
What happens if I stop the medication?
Most patients regain a meaningful portion of the weight when GLP-1 therapy stops. The medication is best thought of as a long-term management tool, similar to medication for hypertension or diabetes. We discuss long-term plans openly during consultation.
Can I do this if I just want to lose 10 pounds?
GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for cosmetic weight loss at a healthy weight. If you are looking for support around 5–10 pounds, the better path is dietary counseling and lifestyle changes — which we offer separately.
What’s the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Both contain semaglutide. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight management at higher doses. Insurance coverage rules and approved indications differ. Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same relationship for tirzepatide.
Can I take GLP-1 if I have type 2 diabetes?
Yes — GLP-1 therapy was originally developed for type 2 diabetes and provides both glycemic and weight benefits. We coordinate with your other diabetes medications carefully (especially insulin and sulfonylureas) to avoid hypoglycemia.
Do I need to exercise?
You’ll lose weight on the medication regardless. But maintaining muscle mass during weight loss requires resistance training and adequate protein. We’d rather help you build sustainable activity habits than promise quick results without them.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Call (618) 740-2240 to schedule a medical weight loss consultation with Crea Rose, FNP-BC.
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
- Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). NEJM. 2021;384(11):989–1002.
- Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). NEJM. 2022;387(3):205–216.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Compounded Versions of Semaglutide. fda.gov
- The Endocrine Society. Pharmacological Management of Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline. endocrine.org
About GLP-1 medications.
Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Ozempic and Mounjaro are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Compounded preparations of semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved drug products. GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors and are contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome. Side effects, contraindications, and the risks and benefits for your specific situation will be discussed in detail with Crea Rose, FNP-BC during consultation.