Medical Weight Loss

Medical weight loss can improve your health and possibly increase longevity if you’re one of the more than 73% of American adults who are overweight. At Austin Wellness Solutions, in Thornton, Colorado, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Emily Austin, NP, offers medically supervised weight loss to adults. Using a combination of prescription medications, including GLP-1injectables and peptide therapies and most importantly, a one on one approach for healthy lifestyle changes, Emily can help you burn fat and build lean muscle mass. To schedule a medical weight-loss consultation, call the office today or book online.

What is medical weight loss?

Medical weight loss helps you shed pounds and keep them off with the help of a qualified healthcare practitioner. 

If you’ve tried various diets and exercise programs, yet still can’t reach your health and fitness goals, medically supervised weight loss can help. 

Who can benefit from medical weight loss?

Anyone who is even slightly overweight can benefit from medical weight loss. Studies show that when you maintain a healthy weight, you’re also less likely to have chronic health problems such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.

How do I know how much weight I need to lose to be healthy? 

At Austin Wellness Solutions, Emily tailors medical weight loss to each patient’s needs. Every patient who participates in a medically supervised weight loss program will have their body composition analysis completed using our InBody 570 for a baseline body composition. Body composition consists of measuring weight, body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, visceral fat level, and provides a direct measurement of skeletal muscle mass, lean mass, and fat mass. Additionally, a basal metabolic rate is calculated based on your direct measurements, not through statistical analysis which most composition scales use. Once you are established in your weight loss program, the InBody 570 is used to measure your progress at your appointments every 2 - 4 weeks. 

If you would like to have your body composition analyzed without participating in a medically supervised weight loss program, please contact the office to make an appointment for the InBody 570. 

What does medical weight loss involve?

Depending on your age and medical history, Emily Austin, NP, may recommend:

Nutrition education

Eating a balanced diet that contains plenty of non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low glycemic fruits is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. After an in-office exam and a review of your bloodwork, Emily can recommend meal plans that provide the nutrients and energy you need to thrive.

Exercise guidance

Exercise increases the amount of calories burned in a day. No matter your current level of physical fitness, Emily can recommend activities that align with your capabilities, interests, and health requirements. 

Weight loss medications

Unfortunately, for some people, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise doesn’t always result in immediate weight loss. If you have hormone imbalances or  underlying health problems that can affect your metabolism, prescription medication might be necessary. Some weight-loss drugs speed up your metabolism, while others help suppress your appetite... some do both! There are prescription medications taht are designed to help you on your journey and your medically supervised weight loss plan will be individually tailored to your specific health needs and weight loss goals. 

Weight-loss injections

Weight-loss injections, when appropriate, can be prescribed to help assist in weight loss. Emily prescribes complete take-home kits that are delivered directly to your home, so you can administer your injections in the privacy of your home. Once prescribed, you are taught how to safely administer the injections on your own, reducing the need for extra office visits. 

Let's Talk GLP-1's...What are they? How do they it work?

GLP - 1's have gained significant popularity in the last two years since its commerical approval by the FDA as a safe and effective weight loss medication, and with good reason! This class of medications mimics GLP-1 (Glucagon Like Peptide) which promotes weight loss by reducing hunger, increasing feelings of satiety (feelings of fullness) and creating an overall reduction in food (calorie) intake. It also helps to control the release of ghrelin, a powerful hunger hormone made by the gut, which results in slowing, and in some cases completely resolving, those pesky cravings for unhealthy food. It also slows down the digestive system which increases the feeling of fullness, lessening the desire to overeat.

This medication is commercially approved for long term management of weight loss and is not a stimulant and most individuals find the side effects tolerable. Forms of this medication class can be compounded with vitamin B12 and other medications which can help to reduce common side effects, like nausea and bloating. It is self administered as an injection once weekly, but can be given weekly at the office if the patient chooses not to self administer their injections. 

What about Dual Acting GLP-1's/GIP? How is it different?

This medication is a dual acting injectable medication (GLP-1 and GIP, which stands for Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) that works like semaglutide, but also helps keep blood sugar (glucose) in a normal range. It is known as a "twincretin" drug, meaning it acts in two different ways that when given separately, do a little bit, but when given together, do a whole lot for the metabolism! For individuals with more metabolic resistance (pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS]) GLP-1/GIP can have even greater effects on body weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes prevention, and overall improvement in health markers than semaglutide alone. However, not all patients will need a "twincretin" medication. The side effects of the combination GLP - 1/GIP are similar to that of GLP - 1, and careful titration and monitoring is required with both medications. 

I thought these medications were for diabetes, but I don’t have diabetes. Why am I being prescribed this medication? 

These medications were originally developed for Type 2 Diabetes; however, one of the major unintended side effects during the clinical trials with both medications was weight loss. As a result, the medications were then studied for weight loss for patients who do not have diabetes. Since their commerical approval by the FDA as weight loss drugs (semaglutide in 2021, tirzepatide in 2023), it has revolutionized medical weight loss and obesity medicine. Patients are seeing truly incredible results where other treatments and medications have failed. 

What are common side effects?

The most common side effects seen with semaglutide and tirzepatide include gastrointestinal upset (nausea, heartburn, constipation and/or diarrhea).  Since the medication can be compounded with Vitamin B12, nausea and stomach upset tends to be significantly less problematic with this formulation. 

How do I know if these medications are right for me?

Schedule a consultation with Emily Austin, NP-C at Austin Wellness Solutions today to find out if a medically supervised weight loss program is appropriate for your individual situation and weight loss goals. These type of medications are easy to administer, and the results are remarkable for most patients. They are truly a game changer in weight loss, and weight loss can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.

Other Medical Weight Loss Options

Whatever your goals, Emily Austin, NP is here to help you achieve them. A personalized approach is used with every patient to bring you back to your optimal health. Every person is different, and that uniqueness is at the forefront of your medically supervised weight loss plan. 

Fat reduction creams

Topical fat-reduction creams contain several fat busting ingredients which assist with the breakdown of lipids (fats). Over time, that accelerates fat loss, causing those pesky pockets of fat around your abdomen and thighs to literally melt away. Compounded prescription creams are specifically formulated to maximize fat loss, and in clinical trials, patients lost an average loss of 11cm (just over 4 inches) off the waist during when used consistently for 3 months!* 

Peptide therapy

Peptide therapy uses peptides –– chains of amino acids –– to influence your metabolism and encourage hormonal balance. When prescribed and administered appropriately, peptide therapy can decrease inflammation, encourage weight loss, and combat age-related fatigue. Peptides can be given orally, they can be injected via a single injection weekly or monthly, or they can be added to an intravenous (IV) solution and given as an IV over 30 minutes one to two times per month.* 

Q: How does sermorelin work? 

A: Sermorelin is a hormone peptide (protein) that when combined with glycine, helps to optimize growth hormone levels by encouraging additional release of growth hormone releasing hormone. In adults, this can help to burn fat, increase lean muscle, improve hormonal balance, enhance energy, and boost the immune system. Patients report better sleep with less daytime fatigue, improved mental clarity/cognition, AND significantly improved skin elasticity, tone and texture!* 

Call Austin Wellness Solutions to request a medical weight-loss consultation, or book online today.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease