Semaglutide & Tirzepatide: Weight Loss FAQ

Getting Started

How do I get started with semaglutide or tirzepatide treatment?

Getting started is simple — but what makes our process different is the level of care, depth, and customization we bring to your evaluation.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, your first step is to schedule an appointment for your:

🧬 Initial Semaglutide & Tirzepatide Medical Weight Loss Evaluation & Consultation

This is not a “quick chat” or just a prescription pick-up. It’s a detailed, in-person medical visit where your doctor takes time to understand your body, history, and goals so we can build a treatment plan that actually works — and works long term.

✅ Here’s what happens during your first visit:

Comprehensive medical history review:
We’ll ask about past weight loss attempts, metabolic symptoms, medications, hormone status, lifestyle habits, stress, sleep, and more.
In-depth physical exam and vital signs:
Your doctor will check for signs of hormonal imbalance, inflammation, or other physical factors that may be affecting your weight.
Body composition analysis:
We measure not just weight, but also fat mass, lean muscle, and metabolic markers so we can track your real progress (not just the number on the scale).
Comprehensive bloodwork ordered:
We evaluate key systems involved in weight regulation, including:
- Testosterone, thyroid, and growth hormone
- Cortisol, insulin, and glucose markers
- Liver function, inflammation, and nutrient levels

This testing allows us to detect deeper issues that may prevent success with semaglutide or tirzepatide — and helps us decide if other treatments (like hormone therapy, LDN, tesofensine, or regenerative support) should be included.

💡 What happens next?

Once your lab results are back (usually within a few days), your doctor will:

Review everything with you in detail
Explain how your results affect your weight loss and metabolic health
Recommend a personalized plan that may include semaglutide, tirzepatide, or alternative therapies
Begin treatment if appropriate and if you’re ready to start

📞 Ready to begin?

You can schedule your consultation by calling us at 971-438-2700 or using our online booking system. Our team will walk you through the process, answer any preliminary questions, and make sure you feel supported every step of the way.

Who is a candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide treatment?

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we evaluate each patient carefully to ensure that semaglutide or tirzepatide is not only safe, but also likely to be effective based on your unique biology, health history, and goals.

We do not believe in cookie-cutter protocols. Instead, we use these medications as part of a comprehensive, doctor-supervised treatment plan designed to target the root causes of weight gain — so we’re selective about who qualifies.

✅ You may be a good candidate if:

You have at least 20 pounds of excess fat to lose to reach a healthier body composition
You’ve already tried making changes to your diet, activity level, or lifestyle but haven’t seen lasting results
You have signs of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or stubborn weight gain that has not responded to traditional weight loss strategies
You’re open to lab testing, hormone evaluation, and regular follow-up visits to guide your treatment
You’re willing to follow a customized plan, including possible lifestyle, nutritional, or hormonal therapies
You do not have a personal or family history of specific contraindications (see below)

We especially encourage treatment for patients who are frustrated but motivated — individuals who know something deeper is going on, and who want a partner in solving it, not just a quick fix.

🧬 How we determine eligibility:

During your initial consultation and evaluation, your doctor will:

Review your medical history, symptoms, and weight loss goals
Perform a physical exam and body composition analysis
Order a comprehensive lab panel to evaluate hormone, metabolic, thyroid, liver, and cardiovascular markers
Assess any contraindications or risk factors
Educate you on the medication, dosing process, expected effects, and long-term treatment goals

Our decision to move forward with treatment is based on this full picture — not just your BMI.

⚠️ Important note:

We do not treat patients who simply want to lose a few vanity pounds. These medications are intended for people with true metabolic challenges and clinically meaningful weight to lose. Our goal is safe, sustained, medically-supervised transformation — not cosmetic weight loss at any cost.

Who is NOT a candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide treatment?

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take safety and ethical prescribing seriously. These medications can be life-changing — but they’re not right for everyone. We use a thorough screening process to protect our patients and ensure that each person we treat is a medically appropriate candidate.

Below are the most important reasons why a patient may not be eligible for treatment with semaglutide or tirzepatide:

❌ Absolute Exclusions — We do not prescribe to:

Patients under 18 years old
Patients who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or currently breastfeeding
Anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
Anyone with a history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN2)
Diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema
Patients with a history of pancreatitis, gallstones, or cholecystitis
Patients with anorexia, bulimia, or other active eating disorders
Individuals with a history of suicidal ideation or suicide attempts
Patients who are unable or unwilling to follow up for regular medical monitoring

⚠️ Special Considerations — May not qualify or require extra precautions:

Alcohol use

Patients who drink excessively — or who are unable to temporarily stop drinking if needed — may be at higher risk for serious complications like acute pancreatitis. We will assess this case by case, but any patient who cannot reduce or eliminate alcohol while using GLP-1/GIP medications will likely be declined.

Unmanaged Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes

We do not manage insulin therapy. If you are diabetic and on insulin, you must:

Check your blood sugar regularly (and know how to adjust your insulin safely)
Maintain active communication with your prescribing doctor for insulin
Understand how GLP-1 medications affect blood sugar

If you cannot meet those requirements, or if your diabetes is unstable or advanced, we may decline treatment or refer you to a provider better equipped to manage your care.

Financial limitations

We believe in gradual dose tapering to reduce dependence and support long-term success. If you cannot afford to taper the medication safely over 6–12 months, or if you may need to stop abruptly due to cost, we’ll work with you to explore alternatives — but you may not be a fit for GLP-1/GIP treatment at this time.

Planned discontinuation due to FDA policy

Once compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are no longer available and brand-name versions become the only option, some patients may be priced out of treatment. If this is expected, we discuss it up front and plan accordingly — but it may impact candidacy.

🧬 Our ethical approach:

We do not prescribe these medications just because someone wants to “lose a few pounds.” They are powerful, systemic metabolic treatments that require responsible prescribing and follow-up. We’re here to help patients who genuinely need this kind of support — and who are ready to be active participants in their care.

How long does it take for semaglutide or tirzepatide to work?

The effects of semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) begin early — but they build gradually over time as your body adjusts, your dose increases, and your underlying metabolic systems start to respond.

Most patients start noticing some changes within the first 2 to 4 weeks of treatment — often a reduced appetite, smaller portion sizes, fewer cravings, or feeling fuller sooner after meals. But the most dramatic weight loss typically begins around weeks 6 to 12, after your dose has been carefully titrated to a therapeutic level.

These medications work by mimicking powerful gut-derived hormones that regulate your appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. But because they are long-acting and must be introduced slowly to avoid side effects, we don’t rush to the highest dose right away. It takes time for your body to adjust and respond properly — and that’s part of why results are so sustainable when done correctly.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, our patients experience some of the strongest and safest results because we:

Start low and increase slowly, avoiding nausea and fatigue while allowing your metabolism to adapt
Optimize your hormone levels and nutrient status from the start, which enhances medication effectiveness
Prescribe adjunctive support (like bile flow agents or digestive aids) to improve comfort and response
Track more than just your weight — we monitor your body composition, labs, energy levels, and side effect profile so we can course-correct early if progress stalls

While some patients lose several pounds in the first month, others may take 6 to 8 weeks before significant fat loss begins — especially if their body needs time to heal from inflammation, insulin resistance, or hormone imbalances.

Remember, the goal is not just fast weight loss — it’s healthy fat loss, with preserved muscle and a protected metabolism. We’re not rushing to the finish line; we’re building a plan that lasts.

How much weight will I lose with semaglutide or tirzepatide?

Results vary from person to person — but when these medications are used properly, under medical supervision, the weight loss can be significant, life-changing, and sustainable.

In large clinical trials:

Patients on semaglutide (Wegovy®) lost an average of 15% of their total body weight over 68 weeks
Patients on tirzepatide (Zepbound™) lost up to 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks — with some losing 25% or more

That translates to:

30–45 pounds for someone starting at 200 pounds
45–65+ pounds for someone starting at 260 pounds
And often, patients see improvements in energy, sleep, inflammation, and confidence long before reaching their final weight goal.

🧠 But weight loss isn’t one-size-fits-all.

We’ve seen patients lose as little as 10 pounds and as much as 80+ pounds depending on:

Their starting weight and body composition
The underlying root causes of their weight gain
Whether they’re also on TRT, HRT, thyroid or growth hormone optimization
Their nutrition, sleep, stress, and exercise habits
Their ability to tolerate higher doses of medication
Whether their plan includes other therapies like tesofensine or LDN

🧬 At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We don’t just track pounds — we track:

Fat loss vs muscle loss
Visceral fat changes
Hormone and metabolic markers
Sustained success beyond the medication

Because we treat the whole system — not just appetite — our patients often lose more fat, retain more muscle, and maintain results longer than those following a basic prescription-only plan.

And for many patients, the non-scale victories are just as powerful:

Fewer cravings
Better sleep
More energy and sharper focus
A return to exercise, confidence, and self-trust

Bottom line: We help you lose fat — not just weight. And we help you keep it off by treating what caused the gain in the first place.

What is Wegovy® (semaglutide)? What is Zepbound™ (tirzepatide)

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are advanced injectable medications originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes — but they’ve since become two of the most effective tools in modern medical weight loss.

✅ Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a hormone your body naturally produces called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone plays a major role in regulating appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. When you eat, GLP-1 is released by your gut to help you feel full, slow down how quickly your stomach empties, and trigger insulin release in a healthy, blood sugar–dependent way.
Brand names include:

Ozempic® – FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
Wegovy® – FDA-approved for weight loss

✅ Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide goes one step further. It mimics two hormones at once:

GLP-1, like semaglutide
And GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), another hormone that helps regulate fat metabolism, insulin response, and hunger signaling

By combining GLP-1 and GIP effects, tirzepatide often leads to faster appetite reduction and greater weight loss, particularly in people with significant insulin resistance.
Brand names include:

Mounjaro® – FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
Zepbound™ – FDA-approved for weight loss

🧠 How they work:

Both medications activate your gut-brain axis, sending powerful fullness signals to your brain, reducing cravings, improving insulin sensitivity, and helping your body burn more fat and store less. They also help correct underlying hormone imbalances that often sabotage weight loss efforts.

🧬 At our clinic:

We treat these medications as hormone replacement therapy for peptide deficiency — not just appetite suppressants. In people who struggle with weight, GLP-1 and GIP hormone levels are often too low or dysfunctional. By restoring them, we’re not just helping you eat less — we’re helping your metabolism work the way it was meant to.

How is Semaglutide Taken? How is Tirzepatide Taken?

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both long-acting GLP-1-based medications designed to be administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Thanks to their long half-life—approximately one week—these medications remain active in your system continuously, supporting steady appetite regulation, improved blood sugar control, and enhanced metabolic function throughout the week. They begin working as soon as you start eating, helping your body respond more appropriately to food intake and hunger signals.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we guide each patient through proper self-injection techniques to ensure safe and confident administration at home. Most patients find the injections simple and manageable after just one training session with our clinical team.

In some cases, we may recommend splitting the weekly dose into two smaller injections, given several days apart. This strategy is used selectively to improve tolerability, reduce side effects (especially nausea or fatigue), and help the body adapt more gently to treatment—especially during the early dose-escalation phase or in more sensitive individuals. This approach can also be used to fine-tune absorption and improve clinical response in patients who aren’t seeing optimal results from once-weekly dosing alone.

Regardless of injection schedule, we provide personalized monitoring and dose adjustments to match your unique physiology, goals, and side effect profile. Every treatment plan is designed by a licensed medical provider who follows your progress closely and adjusts the approach as needed to maximize safety and success.

What if I’m already taking semaglutide or tirzepatide from another clinic — can I switch to your program?

Yes — and many patients do.

We often see patients who were prescribed semaglutide or tirzepatide through online-only services, weight loss spas, or national chains that provide little to no medical follow-up. These programs may work short term, but they rarely offer the in-depth evaluation, metabolic support, or safety monitoring needed for long-term success.

Here’s how switching works at Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We’ll review your current dose, medication source, and how you’ve been feeling — including any side effects or concerns you’ve had so far.
You’ll complete our comprehensive intake and lab panel, so we can evaluate your hormone status, liver health, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and more.
We’ll perform a body composition analysis, not just a weight check — so we can see what kind of tissue you’ve been losing (fat vs. muscle).
We’ll review your full health history, lifestyle habits, and goals, then customize a plan that may include GLP-1 therapy — or a better-fitting alternative.

Many patients come to us after months of struggling with nausea, low energy, or stalled weight loss — or after realizing their previous clinic capped their dose, didn’t test their hormones, or offered no real follow-up. Others simply want to work with a real, in-person medical team they can trust.

If you’re already on semaglutide or tirzepatide, we won’t make you start over. We’ll meet you where you are — and take you further, safely and successfully.

Effectiveness & Comparisons

How Do Semaglutide & Tirzepatide Weight Loss Medications Work

Semaglutide and tirzepatide work by restoring key hormone signals that help regulate your hunger, metabolism, blood sugar, and fat-burning ability. These medications aren’t stimulants — they’re metabolic regulators, designed to mimic powerful peptide hormones that your body naturally produces when it’s functioning optimally.

🧬 Semaglutide = GLP-1 Receptor Agonist

Semaglutide mimics GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) — a gut-derived hormone released after meals that signals:

Satiety (feeling full)
Slowed gastric emptying (so you stay fuller longer)
Improved insulin release (in a blood sugar–dependent way)
Suppression of glucagon (which helps lower blood sugar)
Reduced appetite and cravings

In people who struggle with weight, GLP-1 production is often insufficient or desensitized, which makes it harder t feel full and regulate eating behavior. Semaglutide restores this signal and helps reset the balance.

🧬 Tirzepatide = Dual GLP-1 + GIP Recepto Agonist

Tirzepatide does everything semaglutide does — and more. It also mimics:

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), another gut hormone involved in energy storage, insulin regulation, and appetite suppression

By activating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, tirzepatide:

Has a more potent appetite-suppressing effect for many patients
Improves insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism more aggressively
May help preserve or build lean muscle mass while reducing fat

🚫 These medications are NOT:

Stimulants like phentermine
Appetite suppressants that increase heart rate or anxiety
A “quick fix” — they’re tools to help your body work the way it’s supposed to

🧠 Why it works so well (when done right):

These medications help reduce both hunger and cravings, regulate insulin and blood sugar, and shift your body toward fat-burning mode — but their success depends on:

Proper dosing and titration
Individual hormone optimization (especially testosterone, thyroid, and GH)
Support for metabolism and digestion
Muscle preservation through nutrition and movement

🧬 At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We don’t treat semaglutide or tirzepatide like magic bullets — we treat them as part of a systemic hormone and metabolism reset.

Our patients lose fat while preserving muscle, reduce inflammation, improve energy, and keep the weight off — because we treat the person, not just the scale.

How effective is semaglutide? (Clinical trial results)

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) has been studied in multiple large, high-quality clinical trials and is considered one of the most effective weight loss medications ever approved by the FDA. Its impact on appetite, insulin sensitivity, and fat metabolism makes it a powerful tool — especially when prescribed as part of a comprehensive medical weight loss plan.

🔬 Clinical trial results:

The largest and most cited study is the STEP 1 trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 1,961 adults who were overweight or obese and did not have diabetes.

Results over 68 weeks of treatment:

Participants on semaglutide lost an average of 14.9% of their total body weight
For a typical patient starting at 231 lbs, that equals about 34.5 lbs lost
Over 50% of participants lost more than 15% of their body weight
Over 1 in 3 patients lost more than 20% of their body weight
In contrast, patients on placebo lost only about 2.4% of their weight

This level of weight loss is comparable to results seen with bariatric surgery — but without the invasive procedure or recovery time.

🧠 Why does it work so well?

Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. By restoring this hormone to therapeutic levels, patients:

Feel full sooner
Experience fewer cravings
Eat less food without effort or willpower strain
Improve insulin sensitivity and burn more fat

These effects are not stimulant-based — they come from working with your body’s own hunger and satiety signals.

🧬 At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We don’t just prescribe semaglutide and hope for the best. We design an individualized, doctor-supervised program that includes:

Hormone optimization (testosterone, thyroid, GH, etc.)
Nutrient repletion and inflammation support
Lifestyle coaching and body composition monitoring
Regular in-person follow-ups to track fat loss, not just scale weight

Semaglutide is incredibly effective — but it works best when it’s part of a root-cause medical strategy, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

How effective is tirzepatide? (Clinical trial results)

Tirzepatide (Zepbound™) has shown some of the most powerful weight loss results ever documented in a clinical trial — exceeding even semaglutide in head-to-head comparisons. It’s the first FDA-approved medication to mimic two key gut hormones at once, offering a dual mechanism that improves appetite regulation, blood sugar, fat metabolism, and energy use.

🔬 Clinical trial results:

The most important study is the SURMOUNT-1 trial, a large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving non-diabetic adults with obesity or overweight.

Over 72 weeks of treatment:

Patients on tirzepatide lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight
Those on the highest dose (15 mg/week) lost up to 23% of their body weight
(Roughly 48 pounds for someone starting at 210 lbs)
Patients on placebo lost only about 2.4% of their body weight

Additional data from the SURMOUNT-4 trial showed that patients who continued tirzepatide beyond the initial treatment phase were more likely to maintain their weight loss, while those who stopped gained back a significant portion of the weight — highlighting its effectiveness but also the need for proper tapering and support.

🧠 Why does it work so well?

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist:

Like semaglutide, it activates GLP-1 receptors to suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying, and improve insulin response.
But it also activates GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors, which appear to enhance fat metabolism, further reduce food intake, and may help preserve or even build lean muscle mass during weight loss.

This combination often leads to faster, more dramatic results, especially in patients with severe insulin resistance or stubborn fat that hasn’t responded to other interventions.

🧬 At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We prescribe tirzepatide not as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as part of a carefully customized treatment plan. We maximize results and minimize risks by:

Starting at low doses and titrating gradually to improve tolerance
Supporting hormone balance and nutrient status
Monitoring for side effects and body composition shifts (not just weight)
Helping patients taper appropriately to preserve long-term success

Tirzepatide is a breakthrough — but like any tool, it works best in the hands of a doctor who’s focused on your full metabolic picture, not just your appetite.

What’s the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Both semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) are injectable weight loss medications that help regulate appetite, insulin response, and fat metabolism. But they’re not identical, and understanding the difference can help us tailor the best option for you.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist

It mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which:

Slows stomach emptying
Reduces appetite
Improves insulin sensitivity
Sends strong “fullness” signals to the brain

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist

In addition to mimicking GLP-1, tirzepatide also mimics GIP, another hormone that:

Enhances insulin release after meals
May help the body burn fat more efficiently
Appears to reduce food intake in a different — and sometimes more powerful — way than GLP-1 alone

Because tirzepatide targets two pathways instead of one, it often leads to:

Faster appetite suppression
Slightly more weight loss in clinical trials
Greater improvement in blood sugar and insulin resistance

But it’s not automatically “better.” Some patients respond beautifully to semaglutide, especially when we combine it with hormone support and metabolic therapies. Others may benefit more from tirzepatide if their body has a more advanced degree of insulin resistance, leptin resistance, or hormonal imbalance.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we don’t choose based on marketing — we choose based on your biology, your experience, and your long-term success. Both medications are powerful tools when used correctly. The key is knowing how to use them, and when to adjust course.

How do semaglutide and tirzepatide compare to traditional appetite suppressants?

Traditional appetite suppressants — like phentermine, diethylpropion, or other stimulants — work by increasing certain brain chemicals (like norepinephrine) to reduce hunger. They can provide short-term appetite control, but they often come with side effects like jitteriness, anxiety, increased heart rate, and sleep disruption. Worse, they do nothing to fix the underlying metabolic or hormonal issues that cause weight gain in the first place.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are different. They don’t stimulate your nervous system — they restore missing hormonal signals that your body relies on to regulate appetite and metabolism naturally.

Here’s a comparison:

	Stimulants (Phentermine, etc.)	Semaglutide/Tirzepatide
Mechanism	Boost brain chemicals to suppress hunger	Mimic natural gut hormones (GLP-1, GIP)
Effect on metabolism	Can increase stress hormones and slow metabolism long-term	Improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic function
Side effects	Jitteriness, insomnia, anxiety, increased BP	Mostly GI-related (nausea, constipation) — often temporary
Addiction risk	Yes (controlled substances)	No known addiction or abuse risk
Long-term success	Often poor (weight regain common)	Stronger results when paired with root-cause care

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we rarely use stimulant-based medications because we focus on safe, sustainable, and biologically appropriate treatment — not quick fixes that leave your body worse off.

GLP-1 and GIP therapy isn’t about “suppressing” hunger with chemicals. It’s about helping your body remember how to function the way it was meant to — so you can lose weight without the crash.

Why do semaglutide and tirzepatide help with cravings — not just hunger?

What are GLP-1 and GIP hormones, and why do they matter for weight loss?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are natural peptide hormones made in your gut — and they play a major role in how your body regulates appetite, insulin, fat storage, and metabolism.

These hormones are released after you eat and help your body respond in healthy ways:

GLP-1:

Signals your brain that you’re full
Slows how quickly your stomach empties
Stimulates insulin release (only when needed)
Helps lower blood sugar
Reduces appetite and food cravings

GIP:

Also stimulates insulin (in a different way than GLP-1)
Supports fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity
Enhances the brain’s response to satiety
May protect muscle during fat loss

In people who struggle with weight gain or insulin resistance, these hormones are often deficient, suppressed, or don’t function properly. That’s why many patients feel hungry all the time, have cravings that don’t go away, or gain weight even when trying to eat less.

Semaglutide works by mimicking GLP-1, restoring one of your body’s missing regulatory signals.

Tirzepatide mimics both GLP-1 and GIP, giving your body a more complete hormonal reset and — for many patients — a more powerful response.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we view weight gain as a metabolic and hormonal issue, not a willpower problem. When we restore GLP-1 and GIP function with medication — and support your thyroid, testosterone, insulin sensitivity, and nutrient status — your body finally starts working with you, not against you.

Does semaglutide work for everyone?

No — semaglutide does not work for everyone. While it’s a powerful and effective medication, individual results can vary significantly depending on your biology, hormone profile, lifestyle, and how the medication is used.

📊 What the research shows:

In the STEP 1 clinical trial, which studied semaglutide (Wegovy®) in patients without diabetes:

14% of patients did not lose more than 12 pounds after 68 weeks of treatment
Some individuals experienced minimal weight loss, despite consistent dosing

So, while the average weight loss was impressive — nearly 15% of body weight — the data clearly show that not all patients respond the same way.

💡 Why doesn’t it work for everyone?

Semaglutide mimics the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate hunger and insulin. If your weight struggles are driven by other underlying issues — such as:

Low testosterone or thyroid hormones
Insulin resistance or adrenal dysfunction
Inflammation, gut dysbiosis, or liver congestion
Poor sleep, high stress, or nutrient deficiencies

— then semaglutide may not be enough on its own.

In some cases, the medication may help temporarily, but patients hit a plateau because the root cause of weight gain hasn’t been addressed. That’s why generic, cookie-cutter weight loss plans often fail — even with strong medications.

🧬 At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We don’t just hand out prescriptions. We create a comprehensive medical weight loss plan that increases your chances of success — even if semaglutide isn’t enough on its own.

Our approach includes:

Testing and correcting hormone imbalances (e.g., testosterone, thyroid, GH)
Supporting metabolism and digestion
Prescribing complementary treatments when needed (tesofensine, bupropion, LDN, etc.)
Regular in-person follow-up to adjust your plan over time

This personalized model helps patients who didn’t respond elsewhere finally see results — because we don’t rely on just one tool. We use the right combination, for the right patient, at the right time.

Does tirzepatide work for everyone?

No — tirzepatide does not work for everyone, although it has one of the highest success rates ever seen in a weight loss medication. Like all medical treatments, its effectiveness depends on your body’s chemistry, hormone levels, metabolic status, and how the medication is used.

📊 Clinical data + real-world results:

In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, patients lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks — a truly remarkable result. But even in that landmark trial:

Some patients lost less than 10% of their weight
A small percentage didn’t respond meaningfully at all

So while the majority of patients respond very well, there are always outliers. Factors that influence response include:

Degree of insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
Hormonal imbalances (testosterone, thyroid, GH, etc.)
Sleep quality, chronic stress, or inflammation
Nutrient deficiencies or gut/liver dysfunction
Medication tolerance and side effect profile

🧬 Our clinical perspective:

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we never assume tirzepatide is “magic.” We treat it as a powerful tool — but not a guaranteed fix.

Some of the reasons patients fail to respond fully at other clinics include:

Doses being capped too low for cost reasons
No hormone support to protect muscle and metabolism
No lifestyle guidance or nutrition planning
No follow-up to make adjustments when things stall

That’s why our model is different. If you’re not responding to tirzepatide, we:

Reassess your labs and hormone levels
Evaluate inflammation, gut health, and nutrient status
Consider alternatives or adjuncts like tesofensine, bupropion, LDN, or hormone therapy
Modify your plan and continue monitoring your body composition, not just your weight

🧠 Bottom line:

Tirzepatide doesn’t work for everyone — but when it’s part of a comprehensive, root-cause-based medical plan, the chances of success increase dramatically.

We don’t expect the medication to do all the work. We make sure your whole system is aligned to get the results you’re after.

Not everyone is a candidate for GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound™) — and not everyone wants to take them. At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we offer several medically sound alternatives that support weight loss through different mechanisms and can often be better tolerated or more cost-effective.

Our most common alternatives include:

Tesofensine
A powerful appetite suppressant originally studied for neurological conditions. It reduces appetite, boosts energy, and often helps patients lose weight without the gastrointestinal side effects seen with GLP-1 medications.
Bupropion (Wellbutrin®)
An antidepressant that can curb emotional eating and improve energy, focus, and motivation — especially helpful for patients with mood-related eating habits or low dopamine.
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Helps reduce cravings, improve mood, lower inflammation, and support metabolic health — especially valuable in patients with autoimmune issues or chronic fatigue.
Liraglutide (compounded)
A once-daily GLP-1 injection that, for some patients, offers better tolerability if semaglutide or tirzepatide caused persistent nausea or fatigue.
However, it’s worth noting that in general, liraglutide is actually less well tolerated than weekly GLP-1s. It requires daily injections, tends to produce more day-to-day nausea, and has a shorter half-life — meaning the medication builds up and clears faster, which can lead to less stability in appetite control and more variability in side effects.
Still, for patients with sensitivity to long-acting GLP-1s, a slower and carefully managed liraglutide protocol can sometimes be better tolerated.

We also look beyond medications. If your weight gain is tied to hormone imbalances (low testosterone, thyroid dysfunction, poor cortisol rhythm), nutrient deficiencies, or joint pain that prevents exercise, we’ll treat those root issues directly — often making medication more effective or unnecessary.

At Full Potential, you won’t be boxed into a one-size-fits-all program. You’ll receive a plan that’s tailored to your biology, preferences, and long-term goals — with real medical oversight every step of the way.

What if semaglutide or tirzepatide worked for a while but then stopped?

This happens more often than people realize — and it doesn’t mean the medication “failed.” It usually means your body has adapted, your dose isn’t optimized, or other metabolic factors are limiting progress.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take a layered, root-cause approach to restart your progress safely and effectively. Here’s how we assess and address it:

1. We evaluate your current dose and titration history.

Some clinics cap the dose too early or don’t individualize the schedule. You may simply need a slow, supervised increase — or to rotate strategies.

2. We look at body composition trends.

If you’ve lost muscle along with fat, your metabolism may have slowed. We track this through in-person testing, not just the number on the scale.

3. We check for hormonal or metabolic blocks.

Low testosterone, thyroid dysfunction, or insulin resistance can all reduce the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications over time — especially in the later phases of weight loss.

4. We incorporate other therapies when needed.

Adding tesofensine, low-dose naltrexone, or nutrient therapies can help you push past a plateau — while protecting your metabolism and preserving long-term success.

Weight loss plateaus are normal, but they shouldn’t be permanent. We help you break through safely by understanding why the stall happened — not just telling you to eat less or wait it out.

Safety & Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide?

The most common side effects of these medications are digestive in nature, especially when starting or adjusting your dose. This is because semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) slow down stomach emptying as part of how they work — helping you feel full longer and reducing appetite.

Most commonly, patients may experience:

Nausea or loss of appetite
Constipation or bloating
Heartburn or indigestion
Fatigue (especially in the early weeks)

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we don’t just hand you a prescription and hope for the best. Our patients are monitored closely and supported every step of the way. We start at safe, low doses and carefully increase only when your body is ready. We can also prescribe supportive treatments to reduce these side effects if needed — including medications to aid digestion, protect the liver and gallbladder, and keep energy levels steady.

By addressing hormone imbalances, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and other root causes of weight gain alongside GLP-1 or GIP treatment, we’re often able to use lower doses more effectively, minimizing side effects while maximizing results.

Serious side effects are rare but can include:

Persistent nausea or vomiting
Gallstones (usually linked to rapid weight loss, not the medication itself)
Pancreatitis (very rare, but important to monitor)

Our approach prioritizes both safety and success — we don’t just want you to lose weight, we want you to feel good doing it and keep the weight off in the long run.

What if I experience nausea, constipation, or bloating on these medications?

Do these medications cause muscle loss or slow metabolism?

Can semaglutide or tirzepatide cause heart problems or “heart shrinkage”?

They can — especially if used improperly or without medical oversight. Rapid weight loss from any cause, including GLP-1 medications, can lead to muscle loss and a slower metabolism if the treatment plan doesn’t actively protect your lean body mass.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take this risk seriously and build your treatment plan to preserve and protect the good, metabolically active tissue your body needs to stay healthy — including muscle, bone, and organ mass.

Here’s how we do that:

We perform baseline and follow-up body composition testing — not just weigh-ins — to monitor how much fat vs. lean tissue you’re losing.
We optimize your hormone levels — especially testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone, and cortisol — to support metabolism and prevent muscle breakdown.
We offer adjunctive therapies when needed, like regenerative joint treatments, so you can stay active and exercise without pain.
We encourage safe, steady fat loss at a rate of 1–2 pounds per week, rather than pushing for fast weight loss at the expense of your long-term health.

If your metabolism has already slowed from years of dieting, hormonal imbalances, or metabolic syndrome, we can help reverse that — not worsen it. And if you’re using GLP-1 medication from another clinic or online service and you’re concerned about muscle loss, we can evaluate your current progress and help course-correct.

The goal is not just weight loss — it’s sustainable fat loss with preserved muscle and a healthy metabolism. That’s what makes real long-term success possible.

Is it safe to use these medications if I’m trying to get pregnant — or might get pregnant?

No — these medications are not considered safe for use during pregnancy or while actively trying to conceive. Both semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) are classified as Category X for pregnancy, which means they should not be used at any stage of pregnancy due to potential risks to the developing fetus.

If you’re planning to become pregnant — or even thinking about it in the near future — we’ll work with you to create a safe timeline for transitioning off the medication.

Here’s what we typically recommend:

Discontinue semaglutide or tirzepatide at least 2 months before trying to conceive (some guidelines suggest longer for tirzepatide due to its half-life).
Optimize your hormones, metabolism, and nutritional status during that window to help you maintain your weight without medication.
Shift into a weight maintenance program with continued support — potentially including thyroid support, HRT (if applicable), or alternatives like low-dose naltrexone or tesofensine if needed for appetite or metabolic stability.

If you accidentally become pregnant while on these medications, stop taking them immediately and contact your doctor. We’ll coordinate with your OB/GYN and provide any labs, notes, or context needed to support your care.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we believe weight loss should enhance your long-term health and fertility, not compromise it. That’s why we take these conversations seriously and provide guidance tailored to your goals — whether they include pregnancy now, later, or not at all.

Is it safe to be on these medications long-term?

Yes — for many patients, semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) can be used safely long-term if prescribed appropriately, monitored carefully, and supported with the right medical oversight.

That said, these are powerful metabolic medications, and long-term use without proper monitoring can lead to problems — especially if your care team isn’t watching for nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, or unintended muscle loss.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, our goal is not to keep you on these medications forever. We use them as a tool to help you lose weight safely, then transition into maintenance with hormone optimization, improved metabolism, and lasting lifestyle changes. But for patients who do need longer-term use, we make sure it’s done safely.

Here’s how we protect your long-term health during treatment:

✅ We optimize your hormones.

GLP-1 and GIP medications lower appetite — but they can also reduce protein intake, energy, and muscle maintenance if left unchecked.
We monitor and optimize testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and growth hormone so your metabolism stays strong and your body doesn’t lose lean tissue.

✅ We monitor your body composition.

Most clinics only track weight. We track fat, muscle, water, and bone — so we know if you’re losing the right kind of weight (fat), not the wrong kind (muscle or organ mass). This protects your metabolism and long-term weight stability.

✅ We manage side effects and prevent organ stress.

Rapid or prolonged use without support can strain the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
We provide supportive therapies to protect gut, liver, and pancreatic function — and intervene early if labs or symptoms change.

✅ We taper responsibly if and when it’s time.

Long-term use is safest when there’s a plan to either taper down or transition to maintenance.
We monitor how your body responds and adjust your dose slowly, using other tools (like low-dose naltrexone, tesofensine, or hormone support) to keep results stable.

In summary:
These medications can be used long-term — but they should never be used carelessly.
At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we treat the whole system — not just your appetite — so you lose weight safely, maintain your results, and protect your long-term health.

Tapering, Stopping & Maintenance

How do you help patients taper off semaglutide or tirzepatide safely?

Tapering off GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide isn’t just about lowering the dose — it’s about preparing your body to maintain results without relying on medication.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take a strategic, step-by-step approach to ensure a smooth transition:

Here’s how we do it:

We reduce your dose slowly and deliberately, over several weeks or even months — depending on how your appetite, energy, and weight respond.
We support your metabolism by optimizing hormones like testosterone, thyroid, and growth hormone, which are key to preserving lean tissue and fat-burning capacity.
We monitor your body composition to ensure you’re maintaining muscle mass and not slipping into rebound fat gain.
We address any return of cravings or fatigue by adjusting other treatments — sometimes adding low-dose naltrexone, bupropion, tesofensine, or supportive nutrient therapy to help stabilize your appetite and energy.
We continue in-person follow-ups every few months to track your progress, keep you accountable, and make adjustments as needed.

Many clinics don’t even offer a taper — they just stop the prescription. That’s when patients often regain the weight and feel defeated.

We don’t let that happen. Our taper is intentional, monitored, and customized to your body’s unique needs — and we stick with you through the entire process.

What kind of support do you offer after I stop the medication?

This is where many programs fall short — but it’s where Full Potential HRT Clinic truly shines.

We believe coming off semaglutide or tirzepatide is just as important as starting it, and we don’t leave you to figure it out alone. Once you’ve reached your goal weight and begin tapering, we transition you into our Weight Maintenance Membership, which includes:

Ongoing doctor visits every few months to monitor weight, body composition, labs, and overall health
Continued hormone optimization (testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone, cortisol, etc.) to preserve metabolism and energy
Nutrition, movement, and lifestyle coaching to lock in habits that keep your weight stable
Optional medication support (like low-dose naltrexone, bupropion, or tesofensine) for appetite and inflammation control, if needed
Support for pain-free activity, including regenerative joint therapies so you can stay active and metabolically healthy

We also offer body composition testing, not just weigh-ins, so we can see exactly how your body is changing — and step in early if needed.

Our goal is never short-term success. Our goal is sustainable health. Many of our patients remain off semaglutide or tirzepatide for years and continue feeling great — because we didn’t just treat the symptom (weight), we treated the system (you).

Will I gain the weight back if I stop taking semaglutide or tirzepatide?

Not if it’s done the right way — with a thoughtful taper, continued support, and a plan tailored to your metabolism.

It’s true that many people who stop these medications abruptly or without guidance do regain the weight. But that’s not because the medication “stops working” — it’s because the underlying issues that caused the weight gain in the first place were never addressed.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we help you lose weight and keep it off by:

Identifying the root causes of weight gain: hormones, inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, stress, nutrient deficiencies, and more.
Treating those root causes — not just masking them with GLP-1 medication.
Optimizing your body composition so you lose fat (not muscle), preserve metabolism, and feel good coming off the medication.
Using a strategic tapering process, reducing your dose slowly and monitoring your appetite, weight, and energy levels throughout.
Offering a Weight Maintenance Membership, so you’re not alone after your weight loss phase ends. We stay in your corner to prevent backsliding and support lasting results.

We also incorporate supportive therapies — from testosterone or thyroid optimization to regenerative joint treatments — that make it easier to stay active and maintain a healthy metabolism long-term.

Weight regain is not inevitable. In our clinic, it’s preventable — and we design your entire program with that goal in mind from the start.

Will I have to keep taking semaglutide or tirzepatide in order to maintain lost weight?

No — not at all. Our goal is always to use these medications as a temporary tool, not a permanent crutch.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we don’t believe in “forever medications” for weight loss. Instead, we use semaglutide or tirzepatide to help reset your metabolism, reduce your appetite, and support fat loss — while we work on correcting the deeper causes that made weight loss hard in the first place.

This includes:

Balancing key hormones like testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and growth hormone
Improving insulin sensitivity and lowering inflammation
Supporting gut and liver function for healthy digestion and metabolism
Coaching lifestyle changes that create lasting habits

Once you’ve reached your goal weight — or a healthy, stable place where you feel great — we begin a slow, carefully monitored taper. You’ll continue to have follow-ups with our team, and we may shift you into our Weight Maintenance Membership, which provides guidance, support, and additional tools (including medication alternatives if needed) to help you stay on track.

By gradually lowering your dose, treating root causes, and preserving muscle and metabolism, most of our patients successfully come off the medication without regaining the weight.

So no — you don’t have to be on it forever. And with the right plan, you won’t need to be.

Alternatives to GLP-1 Medications

What are my options if I can’t take semaglutide or tirzepatide — or don’t want to?

Does Full Potential HRT Clinic Prescribe Other Weight Loss Medications?

Yes — but very selectively. While semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) are the front-line treatments for weight loss due to their unparalleled effectiveness and safety profiles, we do prescribe other weight loss medications in specific cases — especially when patients cannot tolerate or afford GLP-1 or GIP-based therapy.

That said, we are highly cautious about which medications we choose, and we avoid medications that carry unacceptable risks or create new health problems in the process.

✅ What we do prescribe as alternatives:

Tesofensine

An extremely promising appetite suppressant and metabolism booster originally studied for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It increases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition — helping improve both weight and mood. It’s non-stimulant in nature and has shown powerful results in clinical studies, often rivaling GLP-1 medications.

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

An anti-inflammatory and appetite-regulating compound that helps reduce sugar cravings, support metabolism, and improve autoimmune or gut-related triggers for weight gain. Especially useful in patients with leptin resistance or inflammation-driven weight gain.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

An antidepressant that also reduces appetite and supports weight loss in some patients. It may be helpful in individuals with depression-related weight gain or emotional eating tendencies.

Liraglutide (compounded)

This is a daily GLP-1 option that may be more tolerable for some patients with nausea on semaglutide or tirzepatide. While not as powerful, it’s often better than nothing and can be an excellent transitional or bridging option.

❌ What we generally do not prescribe — and why:

🚫 Phentermine / topiramate combos

While sometimes effective, these stimulants carry significant risks — including elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, and long-term cardiovascular complications. Topiramate in particular is teratogenic (causes birth defects), making it unsafe for premenopausal women without strict controls.

🚫 Orlistat

A fat absorption blocker with notoriously poor tolerability. Many patients experience severe gastrointestinal side effects (e.g., oily stools, urgency, cramps) and poor adherence. We rarely recommend this approach.

🧬 Our clinical philosophy:

We do not believe in prescribing medications that “suppress weight” by creating new problems — whether that’s anxiety, blood pressure spikes, brain fog, or nutrient loss. Instead, we:

Use medically sound, root-cause-oriented therapies
Combine medications with hormone optimization, metabolic support, and regenerative care
Avoid shortcuts that come at the expense of long-term health

We’ve also successfully helped many patients lose weight and keep it off using TRT, thyroid optimization, growth hormone support, IV ozone therapy, and regenerative strategies — especially when combined with nutrition coaching and regular medical follow-up.

How do you decide which weight loss medication is right for me?

We don’t guess — and we definitely don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we begin with a comprehensive medical weight loss evaluation that goes far beyond stepping on a scale. Our process includes:

Comprehensive lab testing to assess hormone levels (testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, insulin, growth hormone, etc.), inflammation, blood sugar, nutrient status, and liver function
A full medical and lifestyle history, including your past experiences with dieting, exercise, medications, and weight fluctuations
Body composition analysis to determine your baseline muscle, fat, and metabolic tissue — so we know what kind of weight you’re trying to lose (and preserve)
Review of symptoms like fatigue, cravings, sleep disruption, joint pain, or mood changes — all of which influence weight loss success

Based on this deep-dive evaluation, we’ll recommend the best treatment option (or combination) for your body, your goals, and your tolerance level.

That might be:

A GLP-1 medication like semaglutide or tirzepatide, if you’re a strong candidate and motivated to use one
An alternative medication like tesofensine, bupropion, or low-dose naltrexone, especially if side effects, budget, or other concerns make GLP-1s less ideal
Hormone optimization to support metabolism and energy, often in combination with other treatments
Liraglutide (compounded) if daily dosing is preferred or better tolerated
Or a multi-targeted plan that addresses appetite, metabolism, inflammation, and physical activity — all at once

We also listen to your preferences and priorities. Some patients want the most powerful weight loss tool available, while others want the gentlest approach possible. Some care most about energy and performance; others prioritize appetite control or mood stability.

We combine the science of what works with real human insight, because what matters isn’t just losing weight — it’s creating a sustainable plan that fits your life and protects your long-term health.

Cost, Access & Insurance

Does Full Potential HRT Clinic prescribe the brand-name versions of these medications?

Yes — we now prescribe only the FDA-approved, brand-name versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide.

This includes:

Wegovy® (semaglutide) – FDA-approved for weight loss
Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) – FDA-approved for weight loss

We prescribe these medications directly through the manufacturer’s affiliated pharmacy networks:

Wegovy is available through Novo Nordisk and their preferred pharmacy channel at novoweight.com
Zepbound is available through LillyDirect at lillydirect.com

We work closely with these platforms to help you access your medication as easily and affordably as possible, without middlemen or inflated pharmacy markups.

How much do semaglutide and tirzepatide cost at your clinic?

We prescribe brand-name, FDA-approved medications directly through the manufacturer — not through compounding pharmacies or online resellers. You pay the pharmacy directly, not us.

✅ Here’s current cash-pay pricing:

Wegovy® (semaglutide): $499/month through Novo Nordisk
(Includes 5 weekly injection pens per month)
Zepbound™ (tirzepatide):
- $550/month for higher doses (10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg pens)
- $463/month for lower doses (2.5 mg and 5 mg pens)
  (Prices via LillyDirect — subject to manufacturer changes)

We do not mark up medication prices, cap your dose to control costs, or force you into a single pharmacy. You choose the pharmacy (we recommend going direct to the manufacturer for price and quality), and you pay them directly.

👉 Learn more about Wegovy pricing at novoweight.com
👉 Learn more about Zepbound pricing at LillyDirect.com

Our monthly membership covers your medical care, in-person doctor visits, follow-ups, hormone support, and comprehensive lab review — but your medication cost goes directly to the source, without clinic markup.

This keeps your treatment honest, safe, and centered on results — not profit.

Do you mark up Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) prices or limit dosing based on cost?

We do not mark up the price for semaglutide or tirzepatide.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic:

We do not mark up the cost of brand-name semaglutide (Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound™). You pay the pharmacy directly — often at manufacturer-direct cash-pay pricing, with no middlemen or hidden fees.
We do not cap your dose based on cost. If your medical needs call for a higher dose, we prescribe it. If your body responds best to a lower dose, we adjust accordingly. Your treatment is based on what works, not what’s cheapest.

Do you accept insurance or offer superbills for reimbursement?

No — we are a cash-pay medical clinic and do not accept or bill insurance for any services.

We also do not provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. This is an intentional part of our model, which allows us to offer:

More time with your doctor
More personalized and advanced care
Access to therapies not typically covered by insurance, including hormone optimization, metabolic support, regenerative treatments, and compounded therapies

By avoiding insurance billing, we keep your care private, efficient, and tailored to your actual needs — not insurance codes or restrictions.

That said, many of our patients use HSA or FSA accounts to pay for their medical care and medications. If you have one of these accounts, we’ll help make sure your invoices are compliant for that purpose. These invoices are not the same thing as superbills and cannot be used to seek insurance reimbursement, but can be used to get eligible expenses covered by your HSA or FSA.

If you’re looking for quick visits and limited care that’s dictated by insurance companies, we’re probably not the right fit. But if you want root-cause, doctor-supervised treatment with real results, we’re here to help.

Will health insurance cover the cost of semaglutide or tirzepatide?

In most cases, no — health insurance will not cover the cost of semaglutide (Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound™) through our clinic.

While these medications are FDA-approved and used widely across the U.S., insurance companies often refuse to cover them, especially when prescribed for weight loss. They may restrict access through:

Narrow eligibility criteria based on BMI or specific diagnoses
Lengthy prior authorization processes
Step-therapy requirements (forcing patients to fail other treatments first)
Limited coverage networks or preferred pharmacies

Even when coverage is approved, out-of-pocket costs are often still high, and access can be delayed or denied without warning. For these reasons, we do not bill insurance for these medications — and we do not attempt to navigate those approval processes.

💡 So how do patients access the medication?

We prescribe only brand-name, FDA-approved versions — Wegovy® and Zepbound™ — through manufacturer-affiliated pharmacy platforms:

Wegovy®: ~$499/month from Novo Nordisk
Zepbound™: ~$463–$550/month from LillyDirect, depending on dose

You pay the pharmacy directly, and your cost is clearly outlined before you begin. There’s no markup from our clinic and no hidden fees.

Many patients choose to pay using:

HSA (Health Savings Accounts)
FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)
Or personal credit/debit, depending on their situation

We provide receipts that are fully compliant for HSA/FSA use.

🧬 Why we don’t rely on insurance:

We’ve found that most insurance companies do not act in the patient’s best interest when it comes to weight loss treatment. They focus on short-term cost containment — not long-term health outcomes. As a result, they rarely cover these medications unless you’re diabetic, and even then, it’s inconsistent.

By operating as a cash-pay clinic, we remove the red tape, offer faster access, and ensure you get the dose and treatment plan that actually works for your body — not what’s cheapest for your insurer.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for treatment or medications?

Yes. We accept HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards as payment for most medical services and medications.

You can use your HSA/FSA to pay for:

Your monthly medical membership
Semaglutide or tirzepatide (purchased directly from the pharmacy)
Lab work performed through our clinic
Many of the alternative medications we prescribe (e.g., tesofensine, bupropion, low-dose naltrexone)
Other medically necessary treatments we provide, such as hormone therapy, regenerative injections, or nutrient support — depending on your plan

We’ll provide clear, itemized invoices so you can maintain documentation for your HSA/FSA provider. While we don’t generate superbills or submit anything to insurance, most patients have no problem using HSA or FSA funds as long as the service is medically indicated and documented.

If you’re not sure whether your account will cover a specific service, check with your HSA/FSA provider — or ask us, and we’ll do our best to help clarify.

News & Media Headlines: What You Should Know

I saw a headline saying these medications can shrink your heart — is that true?

This headline is based on real data, but it’s being widely misinterpreted.

A recent study found that semaglutide and tirzepatide may lead to a reduction in heart size — but here’s the nuance:
🔹 The study measured a decrease in left ventricular mass — a normal and expected result of losing excess body weight, especially in people with obesity or high blood pressure.
🔹 In most cases, this kind of reduction is a sign of improved cardiovascular health, not damage.

The concern only arises if the weight loss is too rapid or done without supporting your body properly. In those cases, there’s a risk of losing muscle tissue, including potentially cardiac muscle — especially if the person is:

Undereating or malnourished
Not exercising
Losing lean mass from poor treatment oversight
Not being monitored for hormone or metabolic imbalances

That’s why at Full Potential HRT Clinic, we focus on fat loss, not muscle loss — including heart muscle. We actively protect your heart and overall muscle mass by:

Optimizing testosterone, thyroid, and growth hormone, which preserve muscle tissue (including cardiac muscle)
Monitoring your rate of weight loss to avoid going too fast
Encouraging regular movement and resistance training
Using body composition analysis to ensure you’re losing fat, not lean tissue
Following up in-person, not just by email or app

The heart is a muscle — and like any muscle, it can weaken if the body is starved or neglected. We make sure yours stays strong while you get healthier.

So yes, there is truth behind the headline — but when GLP-1 medications are used responsibly, under medical supervision, they improve heart health for most patients.

This question has been circulating recently due to a few media headlines about “heart shrinkage” — but let’s break down what’s really happening.

First and most importantly:
There is no evidence that semaglutide (Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound™) cause damage to the heart. On the contrary, they were originally designed for people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and they’ve been shown in large clinical trials to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death.

So what did the headlines mean by “heart shrinkage”?

This phrase came from a study that showed a reduction in the size of the heart’s left ventricle after significant weight loss on GLP-1 therapy. But this reduction wasn’t harmful — it reflected improved cardiac efficiency. When someone loses excess body fat, the heart doesn’t need to work as hard to pump blood, and mild structural changes often reflect healthier function, not damage.

That said, the heart is still a muscle — and like any muscle, it needs the right conditions to stay strong.

Here’s the risk no one talks about:
If you lose weight too rapidly…
If you’re not exercising…
If your testosterone, thyroid, or growth hormone levels are low…
If your body is in a prolonged “starvation mode”…
Then yes — you can lose heart muscle along with skeletal muscle.

This doesn’t come from the medication itself — it comes from poor planning, lack of monitoring, and neglecting the metabolic support your body needs.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we actively prevent and mitigate this risk by:

Optimizing key hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and thyroid that protect lean tissue (including your heart)
Tracking your body composition, not just your weight, so we catch any loss of lean tissue early
Encouraging physical activity and supporting joint health, so you can stay active during weight loss
Carefully adjusting doses to avoid overly rapid fat loss that could stress the body or reduce muscle mass

We don’t just prescribe a medication and wish you luck. We guide your entire metabolic journey — safely, scientifically, and with your long-term heart health in mind.

I read that semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause stomach paralysis — should I be worried?

These symptoms are common early in treatment — especially if the dose is increased too quickly. Semaglutide and tirzepatide work by mimicking peptide hormones that slow stomach emptying and alter hunger signals, so your digestive system needs time to adjust.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take a preventive and proactive approach to side effects. We don’t just wait for problems to show up — we work to minimize them from the start:

We start low and increase slowly, only when your body is ready.
We monitor your symptoms closely during each follow-up visit and offer quick support if discomfort arises.
We prescribe supportive treatments when needed — including medications or supplements to:
- Improve digestion and bile flow
- Protect the liver and gallbladder
- Ease constipation or nausea
- Prevent fatigue from under-eating

We also evaluate hormone and nutrient deficiencies that can make side effects worse — like low thyroid, low testosterone, or iron deficiency — and we treat those when appropriate.

Our goal isn’t just to help you tolerate these medications — it’s to make them work better for you, with fewer side effects, so you can stay on track and feel good doing it.

You’ll never be left guessing or Googling what to do. We’re a real, in-person medical clinic with doctors who know you and your body — and we’re here to help.

Is “Ozempic face” real?

Yes — but it’s not exclusive to Ozempic (or Wegovy, Zepbound, or any GLP-1 medication).
“Ozempic face” is a nickname the media gave to facial changes that can happen during any rapid or significant weight loss — no matter how it’s achieved.

Here’s what’s really happening:

When people lose weight quickly — especially fat and water — they can also lose volume in the face, especially in the cheeks and under the eyes.
This can cause a gaunt or tired appearance, sagging skin, or hollowing — especially in people over 40 or those who already had low facial fat reserves.

It’s not the drug itself that causes this — it’s the speed and type of weight lost, and whether the plan includes strategies to preserve muscle, skin tone, and metabolic balance.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we help prevent or reduce this issue by:

Supporting muscle and tissue preservation with testosterone, growth hormone, thyroid support, and optimal protein intake
Monitoring your rate of fat loss to avoid extreme or sudden shifts
Encouraging hydration, collagen support, and micronutrient balance
Offering aesthetic and regenerative options (e.g. PRP, microneedling, peptides) if desired

In some cases, we also help patients adjust their dose or slow down the process if facial changes are too drastic. The goal is to lose weight in a way that enhances your appearance — not ages you.

“Ozempic face” is real. But it’s avoidable and reversible when your treatment is medically guided and your body is fully supported.

Do semaglutide and tirzepatide age you faster?

No — not when used properly. In fact, for many patients, these medications are part of a larger plan that helps them feel and function younger, not older.

So where does this fear come from?

It’s mostly tied to rapid weight loss without proper medical support. When people lose weight too quickly or without preserving muscle and nutrients, they may experience:

A more gaunt or aged facial appearance (often called “Ozempic face”)
Fatigue, hair thinning, or skin changes from nutrient depletion
Hormonal shifts that reduce energy, libido, or cognitive clarity

But none of that is inevitable — and it’s not caused by the medication alone.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we actively protect your long-term vitality and appearance by:

Supporting your hormones (testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone) so you preserve lean tissue, libido, and energy
Preventing under-eating or nutrient loss with lab-guided nutrition
Monitoring your body composition, not just weight, to prevent unwanted muscle or bone loss
Offering regenerative therapies (PRP, peptides, etc.) to help patients look and feel their best

In reality, when used responsibly and in combination with the right support, these medications often lead to:

Reduced inflammation
Lower disease risk
Better energy, sleep, and movement
Healthier body composition — with improved longevity markers

So no — semaglutide and tirzepatide don’t age you. Poorly managed weight loss does.
We make sure that never happens here.

Is most of the weight from semaglutide or tirzepatide just water or muscle?

No — not if your treatment is done correctly.

The idea that GLP-1 medications cause you to lose mostly water or muscle comes from a misunderstanding of what happens when weight loss is not medically supervised. If you lose weight too quickly, eat too little, or don’t support your hormones and metabolism, you can lose the wrong type of weight — like muscle mass, bone density, or even organ-supporting tissue.

But that’s not the medication’s fault — it’s a problem with the treatment plan.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we’re focused on fat loss, not just “weight” loss. We protect your body’s good, metabolically active tissue by:

Supporting testosterone, thyroid, and growth hormone to preserve muscle and bone
Monitoring your body composition regularly — not just pounds on the scale
Encouraging adequate protein intake and helping you avoid excessive caloric restriction
Making sure your weight loss happens at a safe, sustainable pace (usually 1–2 pounds/week)

We also perform in-person measurements and follow-up visits to track where your weight is coming from — and make adjustments if we see any red flags.

So while it’s possible to lose water and muscle if you’re not careful, our patients lose primarily fat — and we work hard to make sure the weight you lose is the weight you actually want gone.

Are celebrities really using these medications for weight loss — even if they’re not overweight?

Yes — and that’s part of why these medications have become so talked about.

Many celebrities and public figures have reportedly used semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Zepbound™) for cosmetic weight loss — meaning they weren’t overweight or diabetic, but wanted to slim down for appearance or performance.

While the media has focused heavily on this trend, it’s important to understand the difference between:

Off-label, appearance-driven use without supervision
Versus medically appropriate use to treat weight-related metabolic dysfunction

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we do not treat based on celebrity trends. We treat based on:

Biology, hormone levels, and lab findings
Health goals and body composition, not just a number on the scale
Risk of disease, energy loss, insulin resistance, and other early indicators of metabolic dysfunction

That said, many of our patients are not classified as “obese” by outdated BMI charts — and still qualify for medical weight loss because they are:

Losing muscle but gaining visceral fat
Experiencing fatigue, brain fog, or prediabetic labs
Struggling with stubborn weight gain tied to hormone changes (e.g., perimenopause, andropause)

We don’t follow celebrity trends — we follow your clinical data, symptoms, and goals. And that’s how we help real people, not Hollywood, achieve long-term results.

How do I know what’s real when it comes to weight loss headlines?

Start by asking:
🔹 Is the headline trying to scare me or educate me?
🔹 Is it based on data — or just on clicks, celebrity gossip, or rare case reports?

There’s a lot of truth behind the buzz surrounding medications like semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound™) — but much of what’s out there is misrepresented, oversimplified, or taken out of context.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we believe in:

Medical facts, not fear
Real results, not shortcuts
Safe, in-person treatment — not apps or algorithms

We stay up-to-date on the latest data, and we apply it responsibly, based on each patient’s labs, symptoms, goals, and long-term needs. If a concern is valid, we’ll talk about it. If it’s overblown, we’ll explain why.

Because at the end of the day, our job isn’t to chase headlines.
It’s to help you understand your body, make informed choices, and lose weight in a way that leaves you stronger, healthier, and more confident — not more confused.

What if I regain weight after stopping medication?

Should weight regain occur, we reassess and adjust your treatment plan, which may include restarting medication, modifying lifestyle interventions, or addressing hormonal imbalances to help you return to your target weight.

Does Full Potential HRT Clinic perform liposuction or other procedures?

No — we do not perform any surgical or invasive weight loss procedures such as liposuction, intragastric balloon placement, or bariatric surgery. Our focus is on non-surgical, medically supervised weight loss rooted in metabolic, hormonal, and lifestyle optimization.

🧬 Why we don’t offer liposuction or surgery:

While procedures like liposuction and gastric bypass can be appropriate in certain extreme cases, they do not address the underlying causes of weight gain — such as hormone deficiencies, insulin resistance, inflammation, or nutrient depletion.

In fact, many patients who undergo surgical procedures regain the weight over time if the metabolic and hormonal drivers of their weight gain haven’t been corrected. Additionally:

Surgical procedures carry significant risks, costs, and recovery time
They may result in nutrient malabsorption, digestive issues, or lifelong medication needs
They often do nothing to improve energy, mental clarity, hormone balance, or metabolism

✅ What we do instead:

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we provide a non-surgical alternative that is:

Doctor-supervised and in-person
Focused on fat loss (not just weight loss)
Designed to protect your muscle, metabolism, hormones, and long-term health
Supported by advanced treatments such as:
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide
- Tesofensine, LDN, and other non-stimulant medications
- Hormone therapy (TRT, thyroid, growth hormone)
- Regenerative therapies for joint pain and mobility (so you can move more and feel better)
- Nutrition, lifestyle, and metabolic coaching

For patients who truly need surgical evaluation, we are happy to refer out to trusted specialists — but our goal is to help you avoid surgery altogether by restoring the body’s ability to lose fat safely and sustainably.

Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic® and Wegovy®? Is tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro® and Zepbound™?

Yes — semaglutide and tirzepatide are the generic names of the active ingredients used in several popular brand-name medications.

🧪 Semaglutide = Ozempic® or Wegovy®

Both Ozempic® and Wegovy® contain semaglutide as the active ingredient:

Ozempic® is FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy® is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, insulin resistance, etc.).

The main difference between them is the approved dosing and branding — but the core ingredient is the same.

🧪 Tirzepatide = Mounjaro® or Zepbound™

Likewise, both Mounjaro® and Zepbound™ contain tirzepatide:

Mounjaro® is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
Zepbound™ is FDA-approved for weight loss.

Tirzepatide is a newer class of medication called a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. That means it activates both the GIP and GLP-1 hormone pathways — offering potentially stronger weight loss effects than semaglutide for many patients.

In the past, during the national shortages of Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound™, the FDA allowed certain 503B-registered compounding pharmacies to produce compounded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide. This allowed clinics like ours to offer treatment at a lower cost while maintaining access for patients.

However, as of the FDA’s recent update, these medications have been removed from the official shortage list. As a result, compounding pharmacies are no longer permitted to produce or dispense compounded versions of semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight loss.

We now prescribe only the FDA-approved, brand-name versions of these medications:

Wegovy® for semaglutide
Zepbound™ for tirzepatide

Because hunger and cravings aren’t the same thing — and these medications target both.

Hunger is physical. Cravings are emotional, hormonal, and neurological. Many people who struggle with weight aren’t constantly hungry — they’re stuck in patterns of emotional eating, stress eating, or compulsive snacking, often without feeling full satisfaction.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide help in two key ways:

1. They regulate gut-brain signals.

GLP-1 and GIP receptors are found not only in your gut and pancreas, but also in the brain regions that control appetite, reward, and impulse control. When these receptors are activated:

Cravings for sugar, carbs, and processed food decrease
Emotional or compulsive eating becomes easier to resist
You feel fuller and more satisfied with smaller portions

2. They stabilize insulin and blood sugar.

When blood sugar and insulin levels swing wildly, so do cravings. GLP-1 and GIP agonists help flatten those spikes, which in turn reduces sugar crashes and the “need” to snack between meals.

At Full Potential HRT Clinic, we take this a step further by also addressing:

Dopamine and serotonin balance, especially if you struggle with stress or low motivation
Cortisol rhythm and adrenal fatigue, which can drive stress cravings
Insulin resistance, which often amplifies hunger even after eating

That’s why so many patients tell us they finally feel in control again — not because they’re forcing themselves to eat less, but because their brain and body finally agree on what “enough” feels like.

Cravings don’t have to control you. With the right combination of medical support, they can fade into the background — and stay there.