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Weight Loss
Medications and Injections
The DFW Bariatric Institute is proud to offer patients in Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, Weight Loss Medications. This program can be utilized by new patients and by patients who have previously undergone weight loss surgery.
How Do Weight Loss Medications and Injections Work?
Our prescription weight loss medications and injections can significantly aid patients in achieving their desired weight and maintaining it over the long term when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. To start the journey, patients will meet with a Physician’s Assistant (PA) in our Weight Loss Clinic, where they will discuss their weight loss goals and undergo an overall health assessment.
If the patient is deemed suitable for medical weight loss, they will be provided with self-administered injections for a one-month term, which they can conveniently do at home on a weekly basis. For those who respond positively to the injections, the treatment will continue, with regular check-ups scheduled every 2-3 months to ensure they stay on track and maintain their progress effectively.
At the initial appointment, the PA will also assess the patient’s metabolic rate using the RMR (resting metabolic rate) method. Based on this assessment, a personalized low carbohydrate, high protein diet with caloric restriction will be recommended, complementing the effects of the medications for optimal results.
Prescription Weight Loss Medications
- Wegovy™ (Semaglutide): A medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes, Wegovy works by mimicking the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 in the body. GLP-1 is produced in the gut and helps to stimulate the release of insulin in response to food, lower glucose production in the liver, and reduce appetite and food intake.
- Contrave® (Naltrexone-bupropion): A medication that works by reducing appetite and cravings, Contrave is used for long-term weight loss in people with obesity or who are overweight and have other weight-related health conditions.
- Compounded Semaglutide: Compounded semaglutide is a cost-effective solution to aid patients seeking alternatives to Contrave and Wegovy when insurance doesn’t cover the brand name medications. This compounded medication harnesses the power of semaglutide to promote weight loss effectively when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
FAQs About Weight Loss Injections
Who is a good candidate for a medical weight loss program?
To qualify for participation in the Medical Weight Loss Program patients must meet at least one of the following criteria:1
- BMI of 30 or above
- BMI of 27 or above if also experiencing two or more obesity-related conditions
- Patients who have had bariatric surgery must wait a minimum of 9 months
In addition, a medical weight loss program may be a good option for individuals who are overweight or obese and have been unable to achieve their weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone. It may also be appropriate for people with weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.
What are the benefits of a medical weight loss program?
The benefits of weight loss injections can include improved weight loss outcomes, better management of weight-related health conditions, and improved overall health and well-being.
How much weight can I expect to lose from weight loss injections?
The amount of weight you can expect to lose with weight loss injections will depend on a variety of factors, including your starting weight, overall health, and adherence to the program. However, many of our patients are able to achieve significant weight loss through a medical weight loss program.2
Are weight loss injections covered by insurance?
Some weight loss medications may be covered by insurance, depending on your individual policy and the specific program you are participating in. It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine what is covered and what out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.
Are weight loss injections safe?
Weight loss injections are generally safe when prescribed and overseen by experienced healthcare professionals like the providers at DFW Bariatric Institute.3
1 Mayo Clinic. Prescription weight loss drugs. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832. Accessed February 21, 2023.
2 The Permanente Journal. Real-World Effectiveness of a Medically Supervised Weight Management Program in a Large Integrated Health Care Delivery System: Five-Year Outcomes. Available: https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/17-082. Accessed February 21, 2023.
3 MU Health Care. Medical Weight Loss. Available: https://www.muhealth.org/conditions-treatments/surgical/bariatric-surgery/medical-weight-loss. Accessed February 21, 2023.
Patient Testimonials
Janet S.
Lost 93 pounds*
"93 pounds later, I have a whole new life. I’ve gone from a size 24 down to 10-12. I no longer have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. My knees, which were in sad shape before surgery, don’t hurt anymore. I joined a gym and participate in water aerobics and a latin impact aerobics class. My whole life has changed. I have much more confidence in myself and love to be with people."
Vivian P.
Lost 140 pounds*
“First off….this surgery will give you your life back. It is a total life changing surgery and I feel like I owe DFW Bariatric my life since they restored mine to me. My weight ballooned up to 273 lbs before my surgery. I have successfully lost and maintained a 140 lb weight loss… This is the most amazing journey that anyone could ever take and the DFW Bariatric Institute staff will all be there to hold your hand and lead you down the road to your success.”
Sherrie M.
Lost 110 pounds*
“I am currently 29 years old and weigh 130 lbs. Before surgery I weighed almost 240 lbs…This is the best thing I have done with my life and would do it again today. It changed my life drastically. My surgeon said to me, 'I can do 50% for you and give you the surgery, but the other 50% is up to you. Your eating, your exercise, your total outlook on life make up the other 50%. And what you want from the surgery is what you will get, and the life you will gain.'”
John E.
Lost 90 pounds*
“I went to a seminar and left there with complete ease, feeling like everyone cared about me and my health. On first office visit I was totally impressed…I never felt rushed in the office, and always felt everyone cared. My surgery was completed and I am now down 90 pounds…The biggest part of recovery comes from the encouragement DFW Bariatric gives. Everyone is always positive and takes the time to explain things in a positive way.”
Kathy D.
Lost 161 pounds*
“There are no words to express the amount of change that weight loss surgery has brought to my life. I am a 54 year old female. There were so many things I was unable to do before the surgery that I blamed on age. It wasn’t my age at all, it was the weight. I am 30 again…The day of my surgery, I weighed 299 pounds. Today I weigh 138 and wear a size 6…I feel so good about myself now. The surgery saved my life!”
Brian S.
Lost 130 pounds*
“After losing 130 pounds, I feel like I have a new lease on life. I was able to stop all of my diabetes, high blood pressure, and my cholesterol medicines. I have always had chronic knee problems and now I am able to run three miles per day without any pain. If I had a choice of doing this surgery again or not, I would definitely do it again. I feel that by having the surgery it not only gave me my life back but it also saved my life.”
Lorna Q.
Lost 107 pounds*
"I have lost the astonishing amount of 107 pounds in less than a year. I feel like I have my life back and I am in control again. All my family and friends are always telling me that I look happier than before and they are right, I am much, much happier than before. I have to thank DFW Bariatric and my husband for helping me throughout this very emotional and amazing journey. I do not regret at all having the surgery, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.”
Danielle L.
Lost 154 pounds*
“My outlook on life was so different before having my weight loss surgery. I was taking medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression, and my back, legs, and shoulders hurt all the time which kept me from sleeping. My start weight was 298 pounds. And I am now 144. I’m no longer on any type of medications. My body is the best shape I have ever been in. I am so happy to be where I am today mentally and physically. With my hard work and dedication and with the aid of DFW Bariatric, I am where I want to be. I trust this team with all my heart.”
Dennis H.
Lost 170 pounds*
“At 365 pounds, I was medicated for high blood pressure, diabetes, joint inflammation, and high cholesterol…I was a living example of morbid obesity. I knew then that it was time to do something with my weight…It was not easy to get through all of the hoops that my health plan demanded, but the DFW Bariatric team helped me every step of the way. Today I weigh 195 pounds and feel great! From the time I left the hospital after surgery I have been free from all prescription medications. I can never thank this team enough for giving me back my life."
