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Weight Loss
Medications and Injections
The DFW Bariatric Institute is proud to offer patients in Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, Weight Loss Medications. This program can be utilized by new patients and by patients who have previously undergone weight loss surgery.
How Do Weight Loss Medications and Injections Work?
Our prescription weight loss medications and injections can significantly aid patients in achieving their desired weight and maintaining it over the long term when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. To start the journey, patients will meet with a Physician’s Assistant (PA) in our Weight Loss Clinic, where they will discuss their weight loss goals and undergo an overall health assessment.
If the patient is deemed suitable for medical weight loss, they will be provided with self-administered injections for a one-month term, which they can conveniently do at home on a weekly basis. For those who respond positively to the injections, the treatment will continue, with regular check-ups scheduled every 2-3 months to ensure they stay on track and maintain their progress effectively.
At the initial appointment, the PA will also assess the patient’s metabolic rate using the RMR (resting metabolic rate) method. Based on this assessment, a personalized low carbohydrate, high protein diet with caloric restriction will be recommended, complementing the effects of the medications for optimal results.
Prescription Weight Loss Medications
- Wegovy™ (Semaglutide): A medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes, Wegovy works by mimicking the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 in the body. GLP-1 is produced in the gut and helps to stimulate the release of insulin in response to food, lower glucose production in the liver, and reduce appetite and food intake.
- Contrave® (Naltrexone-bupropion): A medication that works by reducing appetite and cravings, Contrave is used for long-term weight loss in people with obesity or who are overweight and have other weight-related health conditions.
- Compounded Semaglutide: Compounded semaglutide is a cost-effective solution to aid patients seeking alternatives to Contrave and Wegovy when insurance doesn’t cover the brand name medications. This compounded medication harnesses the power of semaglutide to promote weight loss effectively when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
FAQs About Weight Loss Injections
Who is a good candidate for a medical weight loss program?
To qualify for participation in the Medical Weight Loss Program patients must meet at least one of the following criteria:1
- BMI of 30 or above
- BMI of 27 or above if also experiencing two or more obesity-related conditions
- Patients who have had bariatric surgery must wait a minimum of 9 months
In addition, a medical weight loss program may be a good option for individuals who are overweight or obese and have been unable to achieve their weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone. It may also be appropriate for people with weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
What are the benefits of a medical weight loss program?
The benefits of weight loss injections can include improved weight loss outcomes, better management of weight-related health conditions, and improved overall health and well-being.
How much weight can I expect to lose from weight loss injections?
The amount of weight you can expect to lose with weight loss injections will depend on a variety of factors, including your starting weight, overall health, and adherence to the program. However, many of our patients are able to achieve significant weight loss through a medical weight loss program.2
Are weight loss injections covered by insurance?
Some weight loss medications may be covered by insurance, depending on your individual policy and the specific program you are participating in. It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine what is covered and what out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.
Are weight loss injections safe?
Weight loss injections are generally safe when prescribed and overseen by experienced healthcare professionals like the providers at DFW Bariatric Institute.3
1 Mayo Clinic. Prescription weight loss drugs. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832. Accessed February 21, 2023.
2 The Permanente Journal. Real-World Effectiveness of a Medically Supervised Weight Management Program in a Large Integrated Health Care Delivery System: Five-Year Outcomes. Available: https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/17-082. Accessed February 21, 2023.
3 MU Health Care. Medical Weight Loss. Available: https://www.muhealth.org/conditions-treatments/surgical/bariatric-surgery/medical-weight-loss. Accessed February 21, 2023.
