Medical Weight Loss in Houston Heights | Physician-Supervised Program

Considering medical weight loss in houston? Start with a consultation.

What it treats

Excess weight that has not responded to diet and exercise alone
Insulin resistance and prediabetes
Weight gain associated with hormonal shifts (perimenopause, menopause)
Patients who have had weight-loss success but plateaued
Patients who want a sustainable medical framework rather than a yo-yo diet

Products used in this treatment: Wegovy (semaglutide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management), Zepbound (tirzepatide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management), Mounjaro (tirzepatide, type 2 diabetes - off-label for weight in some cases), Ozempic (semaglutide, type 2 diabetes)

How these medications work, briefly

The medications we prescribe do three things that produce weight loss. First, they slow gastric emptying, which means food stays in your stomach longer and you feel full for longer. Second, they reduce appetite signaling in the brain, so you naturally want less food. Third, they improve insulin sensitivity and glucose handling, which addresses the metabolic side of why weight has been difficult to lose.

The result for most patients in pivotal trials and in my practice is steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, with meaningful improvement in waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting glucose alongside the weight number.

Why we use brand-name medications, not compounded

When the FDA-approved versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide were on official shortage in 2023 and 2024, compounding pharmacies were permitted to produce these drugs as a way to meet patient demand. That shortage is over. The FDA declared the semaglutide shortage resolved in February 2025; the tirzepatide shortage ended earlier in 2024.

When the shortage ended, the regulatory permission to compound essentially-a-copy of the commercial drug ended as well. Continuing to prescribe compounded versions as a routine cost-savings option is not consistent with FDCA section 503A and has been the subject of state medical board enforcement actions in 2025, including in Texas.

At MV we prescribe the FDA-approved branded medications. They cost more than what some practices charge for compounded product. They also have the safety profile of the actual studied drug, the dosing precision of factory-manufactured product, and the support of the manufacturer if anything goes wrong.

What your first month looks like

The first visit is 45 to 60 minutes. We review your full medical history, current medications, weight history, what you have tried before, and what your actual goal is. We talk about realistic expectations and the side-effect profile honestly. I do not start anyone on these medications who has not heard the full story of what could happen with their stomach for the first month.

Initial dosing is conservative. We start low to let your gut adapt. Common first-month side effects include nausea, constipation, and appetite changes that take some adjustment. Most patients move past these by week 3 or 4. We see each other every 4 weeks for the first three months to titrate dosing and address anything that comes up.

Nutrition counseling - the half of the program that lasts

The medication does part of the work. The other part is learning to eat in a way that supports the new baseline. We focus on protein adequacy (especially important on these medications where you might be eating less overall), fiber, hydration, and sustainable food patterns rather than rigid diets.

Patients who treat the medication as a temporary fix and do not change their relationship with food regain weight when they stop. Patients who use the medication as a window to rebuild habits keep the result.

Who I will not start on this program

Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2 (FDA-listed contraindication).
Patients with active pancreatitis or significant pancreatic disease history.
Patients who are pregnant or trying to conceive in the next 2 months. We discontinue these medications in pregnancy.
Patients with severe gastroparesis already.
Patients with a current eating disorder.

Common questions about medical weight loss in houston

Why do you use brand-name medications instead of compounded?

The FDA shortage that previously allowed compounding has ended (semaglutide February 2025, tirzepatide in 2024). Continued routine prescribing of compounded versions outside specific medical-necessity criteria does not match current FDA guidance and has been the subject of state medical board enforcement. We use the actual FDA-approved studied medications.

How much weight will I lose?

In the pivotal trials, average weight loss was 14% to 22% of starting body weight over 68 to 72 weeks, depending on which medication and dose. Individual results vary considerably. We set personalized goals at your first visit based on your starting point, your health history, and what is realistic for you.

How long do I stay on it?

These medications are intended for chronic weight management. Most clinical guidelines treat them as ongoing therapy for as long as the benefit-risk balance favors continuing. Some patients can transition off after meaningful habit change. We discuss your specific plan at each visit.

What are the side effects?

Most common: nausea, constipation, appetite changes, and occasional reflux, especially in the first month. Most settle as your body adapts. Less common but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, severe gastroparesis. We screen for these at every visit.

Does insurance cover it?

Coverage varies widely. Wegovy and Zepbound (the FDA-approved-for-weight versions) are covered by some commercial insurance plans, especially when BMI and comorbidities meet criteria. We can help with prior authorization paperwork but cannot guarantee coverage. We will be honest with you at the first visit about likely out-of-pocket cost.

Will I gain the weight back if I stop?

Most patients regain meaningful weight after stopping, similar to what happens after stopping any weight-management intervention. The nutrition and habit work we do during the medication period is what determines how much regain happens.

How often do I come in?

Every 4 weeks for the first 3 months, then every 8 to 12 weeks once stable. Visits are short - we cover labs, weight, side effects, and dose adjustment.

Medical Weight Loss in Houston