GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists can be expensive if you have to pay for them out of pocket. Call your insurance company to see if the medication is covered and under what circumstances. It’s also helpful to ask for a list of “in-network preferred pharmacies,” because using a specific pharmacy chain can sometimes speed up the approval and ordering process. Ask about the weight loss versions, not the diabetes versions (for example, Wegovy, not Ozempic).
Call Your Health Insurance Company
Schedule fasting blood work at least one week before your appointment, so your provider can review your blood sugar levels, kidney functioning, and liver enzymes.
Get a Blood Test
Talk to your doctor about your current health conditions, including any medications and supplements you already take. You should also mention which weight loss treatments you’ve tried in the past, including what worked and what didn’t. This allows your doctor to take your lifestyle habits and health goals into account while you’re taking a GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist.
Share Your Health History
GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea, especially in the early stages of treatment or when increasing the dose. These side effects are usually temporary and tend to lessen over time, but in the meantime, you may want to stock up on ginger or peppermint tea or lozenges, which can help soothe your stomach. For persistent or severe nausea, ask your doctor about prescribing an anti-nausea medication, such as Zofran, says Dr. Velayati. (You should always talk to your doctor before starting any medication.)
Build a Side Effect Tool Kit
Work with your doctor or a nutritionist to come up with a higher-protein diet. Protein is essential for repairing and maintaining muscle, especially during weight loss. Sriram Machineni, MD, an endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism expert at Montefiore Wellness Center in the Bronx, New York, suggests aiming for a daily average of 1 to 1.5 grams (g) of protein per kilogram of body weight (for example, about 100 to 150 g a day for a 220-pound person). Other experts may recommend lower amounts of protein (such as 80 to 100 g per day).
When you lose weight, your body not only burns fat, but also breaks down bone and muscle tissue. Doing strength training at least twice a week can help reduce the loss of muscle mass while protecting bone health.
Create a Strength-Training Routine
Eat More Protein
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