Weight Loss and Metabolic Health · American Fork, Utah
Physician managed weight loss.
Medication, metabolism, and muscle.
GLP-1 medications work, and they work better with a metabolic workup behind them, muscle protected along the way, and a plan for what happens when you stop.
Do GLP-1 medications actually work?
Yes. In clinical trials, GLP-1 and dual agonist medications produced substantially more weight loss than diet and exercise alone, and they are now a standard part of obesity treatment.
What they do not do is work in isolation, and they do not work the same for everyone. Dose matters, side effect management matters, and what happens to your muscle mass along the way matters a great deal. That last part is what most programs ignore entirely.
We prescribe semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound), and other FDA approved weight loss medications. We also treat people who do not want medication at all.
What is included
What the evaluation covers.
Before anything is prescribed, we find out what is actually driving it.
- Metabolic workup first. Insulin resistance, thyroid function, lipids, liver, and inflammatory markers, because the reason matters.
- Body composition, not just weight. DEXA measures how much of what you lose is fat and how much is muscle, so we know the weight coming off is the weight you want gone.
- Protein and resistance training built in, so the weight you lose is the weight you want to lose.
- Medication chosen and dosed for you, with side effects managed actively as they come up.
- A plan for what happens after. Most people regain when they stop, so we build for that from the beginning.
- 30 to 60 minute visits and direct messaging when something is not working.
Am I a candidate for weight loss medication?
FDA approved criteria generally include a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
BMI is a crude tool and we do not treat it as the whole story. Two people at the same BMI can have very different amounts of muscle, fat distribution, and metabolic risk. That is why we measure body composition instead of relying on weight alone.
Not everyone needs medication. Some people have an untreated thyroid or sleep problem driving the whole thing. The evaluation tells us which.
What people ask us.
How much does this cost?
DPC membership is $150 per month and is HSA and FSA eligible. Medication cost is separate and depends on which medication and your coverage.
Membership covers unlimited visits, 30 to 60 minute appointments, and direct messaging with your care team. We review medication pricing with you before anything is prescribed.
Will my insurance cover GLP-1 medications?
Coverage varies widely by plan and changes often.
Some plans cover these medications for weight management, many do not, and some cover them only for type 2 diabetes. We will tell you what we know about your situation and what the cash options look like so you can decide with real numbers in front of you.
What happens if I stop taking the medication?
Most people regain weight after stopping unless the rest of the plan is in place.
That is not a reason to avoid treatment, but it is a reason to build muscle, nutrition, and habits into the plan from day one rather than treating the medication as the whole strategy.
Do I have to take medication?
No. Medication is one option and it is not right for everyone.
Some people come in and find that an untreated thyroid problem, sleep apnea, or insulin resistance explains most of what is going on. We evaluate before we prescribe.
How fast will I lose weight?
Typically one to two pounds per week once you are at an effective dose, though it varies.
Faster is not better. Rapid loss without adequate protein and resistance training costs you muscle, which lowers your metabolic rate and makes regain more likely.
Where are you located?
148 South 1100 East in American Fork, inside Vita Skin MD.
We serve American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hills, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Lindon, Orem, and Provo. Telehealth is available to established patients across Utah.
American Fork, opening December 1.
American Fork, UT 84003
Start with a conversation. No obligation.
Join the waitlist and we will call you before we open to answer questions and set your start date. No payment and nothing to sign.