Medical weight management for men
If losing weight has become harder, there may be more going on than calories and willpower. Low testosterone, insulin resistance, poor sleep, stress, medications, and loss of muscle mass can all make weight loss more difficult.
We look at the full picture, identify what may be working against you, and build a medical weight-loss plan designed around your metabolism, hormones, and goals.
What to know about weight loss
- 01Our weight-loss program is medically supervised and monitored, starting with baseline labs, personalized treatment and regular follow-up.
- 02We look beyond the number on the scale, including body composition, appetite, metabolism, hormones, sleep, muscle and the factors making weight harder to lose now.
- 03If anti-obesity medication is appropriate, we will explain exactly what you are taking, why we are recommending it, and whether it is sourced from a commercial manufacturer or through a compounding pharmacy.
- 04Your treatment is adjusted based on your progress, side effects, response and goals. This is not a one-size-fits-all dosing schedule.
- 05Protecting muscle matters. Our goal is not simply weight loss, but improving body composition and helping you maintain strength as you lose weight.
- 06Weight management does not end when you reach your goal. Maintenance planning begins before your first dose is administered.
What actually happens to a man’s body with aging
Midlife brings real changes in the way a man’s body handles muscle, metabolism, sleep and fat storage. Testosterone can decline, muscle mass becomes harder to maintain and the body may become less sensitive to insulin. Together, these changes can make it easier to gain weight, especially around the abdomen, and harder to lose it with the same diet and exercise that used to work.
As muscle mass decreases, the body also burns fewer calories at rest. Add poor sleep, stress, medications, thyroid problems or sleep apnea, and weight can start creeping up even when your habits have not changed dramatically.
That is why we look beyond the number on the scale. Being overweight or having obesity does not happen in isolation. Weight gain can be connected with insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, fatty liver, sleep apnea and joint pain. The goal is to understand what is driving the change, then treat it.
The constant mental pull toward food
Food noise is the constant mental pull toward food. It is the constant thinking about your next meal, fighting cravings, or eating when you’re not hungry. It can make a nutrition plan harder to stick with even when you know what to do.
GLP-1 treatment may reduce appetite and cravings. Some patients find they spend less time thinking about food and can stop eating more easily when they’re full.
Using medical treatment isn’t cheating. This is more than willpower. It’s not a lack of control. Your body’s appetite signals influence hunger and fullness. Medication can help manage those signals while you build consistent nutrition and exercise habits. It’s one part of a medically supervised plan. Results vary.
A program, not just a prescription
Your care is led by Elizabeth G. Bagan, APRN. Your treatment plan is based on your health history, current medications, weight history and lab results.
Treatment may include nutrition and activity support, medication, and care for contributing health conditions. We explain your options, monitor your response, and plan for maintenance.
The goal is not simply to prescribe medication. It is to understand what is driving the problem and build a plan that works for you.
What the first three months look like
Initial consultation and baseline labs
We start with your history, medications, previous weight-loss attempts, current concerns, and baseline labs drawn in-house.
Eligibility and treatment options
We review which treatment options make sense for you, what to expect, possible side effects, and how we will monitor your progress.
Starting and adjusting treatment
If medication is appropriate, we explain the starting dose and how treatment adjustments are made based on your response, side effects, hunger, cravings, and progress.
Ongoing follow-up
We review your progress, appetite, nutrition, medication response, and side effects, then adjust your treatment when needed.
Planning for maintenance
Obesity is a chronic disease, so we begin planning for maintenance from the start. Your long-term plan may include continued medication, dose adjustments, nutrition, resistance training, and ongoing follow-up.
Losing fat without losing strength
Some lean mass loss can occur with any meaningful weight loss. Our job is to keep that loss as small as possible, because the muscle you carry into your sixties and seventies is what helps keep you strong and independent.
That means enough protein, resistance training, good sleep, and a sensible pace of weight loss. We generally recommend a quality multivitamin and creatine to support nutrition and training, after considering kidney health, medications, and product quality.
truFlex muscle stimulation is available alongside the program for the same reason. Cardio is important for your heart, but resistance training is what tells your body to hold on to muscle.
The main options, compared
| Option | What it involves | Monitoring | Main trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrition and activity support alone | A structured plan without medication | Reviewed at follow-up | No medication side effects. Slower, and harder to sustain without support |
| GLP-1 based medicine | Injectable or oral medication, with the dose adjusted gradually based on response and tolerance, alongside nutrition and activity support | Baseline labs, then about every 6 months, individualized to your treatment | Can support significant, sustained weight reduction. Common side effects can include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux, particularly when starting treatment or increasing the dose. These often improve over time. Not everyone experiences side effects, and not having side effects does not mean the medication is not working. |
| Other approved anti-obesity medicine | Oral or injectable, based on your history | Same schedule | A different side effect profile. May suit where a GLP-1 is not appropriate, or be used in conjunction with GLP-1s |
| Treating a contributing condition | For example sleep apnea, thyroid disease, or a medication that promotes weight gain | Depends on the condition | Treated in conjunction with GLP-1 medicines, and frequently overlooked |
| Bariatric surgical assessment | Referral to a surgical service | Managed by that service | A larger and more durable effect for some people, with surgical risk |
Eligibility depends on your health history, current medications, weight history and relevant lab results.
Knowing exactly what you are taking
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the active ingredients, but the product matters. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic. Wegovy is FDA approved for long-term weight reduction and maintenance in appropriate patients with obesity or overweight, while Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and certain cardiovascular and kidney-risk indications in adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy prescribing information, FDA
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in both Zepbound and Mounjaro. Zepbound is FDA approved for long-term weight reduction and maintenance and for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. Mounjaro is approved to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Zepbound prescribing information, FDA
Before anything is prescribed, we tell you exactly what you are receiving and why we are recommending it. We also provide the appropriate patient information so you understand the medication, potential side effects, and what to expect.
Results vary by medication and by person. Rather than giving you one average number, we talk through the clinical trial results for the treatment we are considering and what a realistic response may look like for you.
Benefits, risks, alternatives and candidacy
Before you decide, we want you to understand the benefits, risks and alternatives clearly.
What it may do
- For appropriate candidates, GLP-1-based medications can be an effective tool for meaningful, sustained weight loss when combined with nutrition, activity, and ongoing medical care.
- Weight loss can improve blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
- Response varies from person to person. Some people respond very well, while others have a more modest response or may not respond as expected. We monitor that along the way.
Risks and side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and reflux are common, particularly when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
- Less common but more serious risks can include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney injury related to dehydration. Some medications also carry a warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in animal studies; it is not known whether this occurs in humans.
- Lean mass loss can occur during weight loss, which is why adequate protein, resistance training, and muscle-preservation strategies are part of our approach. truFlex muscle stimulation may also be incorporated when appropriate.
- Weight regain can occur after stopping treatment, which is one reason we plan for long-term weight management from the beginning.
- If a compounded medication is part of your treatment plan, we clearly identify it as compounded and explain why it was chosen.
Other treatment options
- Structured nutrition and activity support without medication.
- Treating contributing conditions such as sleep apnea, thyroid disease, or medications that may promote weight gain.
- Other classes of anti-obesity medication, oral or injectable.
- Referral for bariatric surgical evaluation when that is a more appropriate option.
- Choosing not to pursue treatment at this time, with appropriate monitoring.
Who may not be a candidate
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2, a history of pancreatitis, certain gastrointestinal conditions, and some medication combinations are among the situations that may change whether a GLP-1-based medication is appropriate.
Answered before you ask
What does the first visit cost?
Your initial weight-loss evaluation is $399 and includes your consultation, baseline lab work, and your first round of medication when medically appropriate.
Beginning in month two, our $380 monthly membership includes ongoing medical management, follow-up visits, monitoring, and medication.
À la carte options are also available for patients who prefer not to enroll in a monthly membership.
Can my follow-up visits be virtual?
Yes. Many follow-ups are available virtually for established patients located in Florida. We review progress, medication, side effects, and dosing. Some visits and testing require an in-person appointment.
Will I lose muscle?
Weight loss can include some loss of lean mass. We focus on adequate protein, resistance training, recovery, and an appropriate pace of weight loss to help preserve strength. Optional truFlex muscle stimulation is also available; we discuss its role and limitations separately.
How often will I need labs?
Your testing schedule depends on your treatment, health history, medications, and previous results. We explain when labs are needed and which tests your membership includes.
What happens when I reach my goal weight?
We shift the focus to maintenance. Your body may burn fewer calories after weight loss, while appetite can increase. Your plan may include continued medication, nutrition, resistance training, and monitoring to help maintain your results.
Who oversees my care?
Elizabeth G. Bagan, APRN, oversees your evaluation, active treatment, and long-term maintenance.
Am I a candidate for medical weight loss?
Your first visit determines which options are appropriate. We review your weight history, medical conditions, medications, previous efforts, and lab results before recommending treatment.
Do I have to take medication?
No. Your plan may focus on nutrition, activity, sleep, and contributing health conditions. If medication could help, we explain the benefits, risks, and alternatives.
Which medication will I receive?
We select medication based on your health history, goals, previous treatment, and potential side effects. You will know what you are taking, why we recommend it, and how we will monitor your response.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Results depend on the medication, dose, starting weight, treatment duration, and individual response. We use clinical trial data to discuss realistic expectations, then track your progress and adjust treatment when needed. Trial averages are a reference, not a guarantee.
Why are regular follow-ups important?
Follow-ups let us assess progress, manage side effects, review nutrition and activity, and address plateaus. They also help us determine whether to continue, adjust, or change treatment.
How quickly will I lose weight?
The pace varies and often slows as you approach your goal. We look at your trend over time, along with nutrition and strength. A slower week does not necessarily mean treatment has stopped working.
How long will I need medication?
Some patients benefit from long-term medication. We review continued treatment based on your results, side effects, health needs, and ability to maintain your weight.
What happens if I stop medication?
Appetite and food noise may return, and weight regain can occur. Before stopping, we review your maintenance plan and how we will monitor your progress.
What side effects should I expect?
With GLP-1-based medication, common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and reflux. These may be more noticeable when starting or increasing the dose. Report persistent or severe symptoms so we can assess them and adjust treatment when appropriate.
Do you use compounded medications?
Compounded medication may be considered when an FDA-approved product cannot meet a patient's medical needs and compounding is permitted. We explain what you are receiving, why it is recommended, and its risks. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Does insurance cover treatment?
We do not bill insurance directly. Medication coverage depends on your plan and the medication, so confirm your specific benefits with your insurer. We explain membership and à la carte pricing, what is included, and any separate charges before you begin, and a superbill may be provided when applicable.
Do I need to follow a special diet?
We recommend a practical nutrition plan with adequate protein, balanced meals, and hydration. The goal is to support weight loss and muscle preservation with habits you can maintain.
Could hormones be affecting my weight?
Hormonal conditions can affect weight and body composition. We assess relevant symptoms and testing alongside nutrition, activity, sleep, and medications to identify factors that may need treatment.
What if I have already tried everything?
Bring that history. We review previous diets, medications, results, side effects, and weight regain. Knowing what worked and what did not helps us recommend the next step.
Where this information comes from
Primary sources only: regulator publications, specialty society patient guidance and manufacturer information. Not marketing pages.
- 01U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information
- 02U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information
- 03U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss
- 04National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, treatment for overweight and obesity
- 05World Health Organization, Obesity and overweight fact sheet
- 06Federal Trade Commission, Health Products Compliance Guidance
Start with a consultation.
Your first appointment is an evaluation. We will listen to what has changed, evaluate the clinical picture and explain the options that may be appropriate for you.