Supervised Medical Weight Loss with GLP-1 Medications
Dr. Howard offers medically supervised GLP-1 weight loss treatment for patients in The Woodlands and the greater Houston area, providing individualized care designed to support safe, sustainable, long-term results.
If you’ve tried dieting, exercise, and lifestyle changes but still struggle to lose weight, you’re not alone. For many adults, weight is strongly influenced by hormones, metabolism, genetics, and underlying medical conditions. That’s why medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications has become a popular option.
Who is Medical Weight Loss For?
Medical weight loss is for adults who have struggled to achieve or maintain meaningful weight loss despite consistent efforts with nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes. It is appropriate for individuals with obesity or who are overweight who may also have weight-related health conditions, such as diabetes, prediabetes (metabolic syndrome), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or joint pain.
Medical weight loss understands that your weight isn't just about willpower. It's related to hormones, genetics, how your body uses energy (metabolism), and your surroundings. We use medication as a tool to help manage appetite, boost your metabolic health, and set you up for long-term wellness. Every treatment plan is unique, built around your personal health history, goals, and a thorough check-up.
What GLP-1 Medications Can & Cannot Do
GLP-1 medications can help regulate appetite and hunger signals, reduce food cravings and “food noise,” slow stomach emptying, and improve metabolic health, making it easier to eat less, lose weight, and maintain weight loss over time. In addition to weight loss, many patients experience better blood sugar control, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduced inflammation.
GLP-1 medications are not a "quick fix" for obesity. They do not work instantly, replace healthy habits, or permanently reset metabolism when stopped. For most, these medications are most effective as part of a long-term, comprehensive treatment plan under medical supervision.
Understanding Obesity as a Medical Condition
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease. It is long-lasting and can come back even after losing weight. Obesity is caused by a number of factors, including genes, hormones, metabolism, behavior, and environment, so it’s not just about willpower. Long-term strategies, including medications, lifestyle support, and sometimes surgery, are often needed to maintain weight loss.
People with obesity are at higher risk for many health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, digestive issues, joint pain, breathing problems, and mental health challenges. These conditions can make daily life harder and may shorten life expectancy. The good news is that even a small amount of weight loss can help lower the risk of obesity-related conditions.
What are GLP-1 Medications?
What GLP-1 (& GIP) Hormones Do in the Body and How GLP-1 (& GIP) Medications Work
GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that the body makes naturally after eating. These hormones help control blood sugar and appetite after you eat.
GLP-1 hormone tells the pancreas to release insulin, slows down the stomach so you feel full longer, reduces sugar release by the liver, and keeps the insulin-making cells in the pancreas healthy. GIP hormone also helps the pancreas release insulin and supports the body in using sugar efficiently.
GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications mimic these natural hormones. They strengthen these effects, helping you release insulin when needed, keep blood sugar stable, make you feel full sooner, and protect the pancreas so it works better over time.
Common Medications:
Medication | Type | Brand Names | Route | FDA-Approved Use | Off-Label Use |
Semaglutide | GLP-1 | *Ozempic | Injectable | Diabetes | N/A |
Semaglutide | GLP-1 | *Wegovy | Injectable | Weight Management | N/A |
Semaglutide | GLP-1 | **Wegovy | Oral | Weight Management | N/A |
Semaglutide | GLP-1 | Reybelsus | Oral | Diabetes | N/A |
Liraglutide | GLP-1 | Victoza | Injectable | Diabetes | N/A |
Liraglutide | GLP-1 | Saxenda | Injectable | Weight Management | N/A |
Dulaglutide | GLP-1 | Trulicity | Injectable | Diabetes | Weight Management |
Exenatide | GLP-1 | Byetta | Injectable | Diabetes | Weight Management |
Exenatide | GLP-1 | Bydureon | Injectable | Diabetes | Weight Management |
Lixisenatide | GLP-1 | Adlyxin/Lyxumia | Injectable | Diabetes | Weight Management |
Tirzepatitde | GLP-1/GIP | *Mounjaro | Injectable | Diabetes | N/A |
Tirzepatitde | GLP-1/GIP | *Zepbound | Injectable | Weight Management | N/A |
*Medications most prescribed include: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, & Zepbound
** Injectable GLP-1 medications deliver slightly more consistent or predictable weight loss compared to oral medications.
Who May Be a Candidate for GLP-1 Medications?
Common health conditions that make individuals candidates for GLP-1 medications include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure (or hypertension), cholesterol abnormalities such as dyslipidemia or hyperlipidemia, and sleep apnea. However, having one of these conditions does not guarantee that GLP-1 medication will be covered by insurance.
Additionally, there is criteria for an individual’s body mass index (BMI) that would make them a candidate. This includes having a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity) or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea.
Who Should Avoid GLP-1 Medications:
- People who are allergic
- People who are pregnant (use of birth control measures should be discussed with women who could become pregnant)
- People with serious stomach or intestinal problems
- People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or certain genetic thyroid conditions (MEN 2A or 2B).
- People with a history of pancreatitis (GLP-1s should be stopped if pancreatitis develops while using)
It is important to consult with a physician who specializes in weight management before starting any weight-loss program to determine whether medications are a good starting point or whether weight loss surgery may be a better option for you. Dr. Drew Howard in The Woodlands can help determine whether you’re a candidate and choose the weight-loss procedure that may be best for you.
Importance of Individualized Medical Evaluation
GLP-1 medications can be very helpful for weight loss, blood sugar control, and heart health, but they don’t work the same for everyone. Each person’s health history, medications, and risk factors, like stomach problems, thyroid issues, pancreatitis, or pregnancy, can affect whether these drugs are safe or effective. It is important for a provider to review your medical history, lab results, and goals to decide if a GLP-1 medication is right for you, what dose to start, and how to monitor side effects. This personalized approach helps maximize benefits while keeping you safe.
For patients in The Woodlands and the Houston area, Dr. Howard provides medically supervised evaluation and follow-up throughout treatment.
Expected Benefits
It is important to set realistic expectations. GLP-1 medications are tools, not magic. Most people feel less hungry and start losing weight gradually over weeks to months, not overnight. Some side effects, like nausea, are common at first but usually improve. Weight loss varies from person to person, and steady, slow progress is normal and healthy. Long-term success is best achieved when the medication is combined with realistic eating habits, physical activity, and ongoing medical follow-up.
Timeline of Results:
First Few Weeks:
- Most people notice reduced appetite and feeling full sooner
- Mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort are most common.
- Some people may notice small early weight loss (usually a few pounds)
- These effects often improve as your body adjusts, especially if the dose is increased gradually.
Over Months:
- Steadier, more significant weight loss usually occurs over 3–6 months
- Blood sugar and heart health may improve in people with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular risk
- Side effects often become less noticeable, though some mild digestive issues can persist
- Long-term lifestyle changes (diet, activity) boost the benefits of medication
Typical Weight-Loss Ranges
Individual results can vary depending on the specific GLP-1 dose, how long it’s taken, and diet and exercise habits. Below are average weight-loss ranges an individual could see.
Mild weight loss is defined as losing 5% of body weight. This is about 10 to 15 pounds for someone weighing 200 to 300 pounds.
Moderate weight loss is defined as losing 10 to 15% of body weight. This is about 20 to 40 pounds of weight loss.
Higher weight loss is defined as losing 15 to 20% or more of body weight. This is about 30 to 60 pounds, sometimes more, with higher doses and lifestyle changes
Follow-Up Visit Expectations
- Timing: Expect visits every 4–8 weeks when starting or adjusting your dose, then every 3 months once stable.
- What Will Be Checked: Your provider will review weight, side effects, and overall health.
- Lab Tests: Blood work may be done to monitor blood sugar, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, and nutrients.
- Medication Adjustments: Dose changes may be made based on tolerance, weight loss, and side effects.
- Lifestyle Support: Your provider may discuss nutrition, protein intake, hydration, and physical activity at each visit.
Benefits of GLP-1 Medications Beyond Weight Loss
Control Blood Sugar, Appetite, and Cravings
Studies show that GLP-1 medications help control blood sugar in several important ways. They help muscles use sugar more effectively and reduce the amount of sugar released by the liver into the bloodstream. These medications also help the brain regulate hunger and fullness, which can lead to eating less and steadier blood sugar levels. In people with type II diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been shown to lower A1C levels, which reflects long-term blood sugar control, and are associated with a lower risk of death from all causes.
Reduce Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Health
Studies show that GLP-1 medications can help lower both the top and bottom numbers of blood pressure. They also have positive effects on heart health by helping the heart pump more effectively, improving blood flow to the heart, and supporting healthier blood vessels. In addition, these medications may reduce the amount of damage to the heart during a heart attack and lower the overall risk of serious heart problems.
Reduce Inflammation
Studies show that GLP-1 medications appear to reduce inflammation in the body. They can reduce the activity of certain immune cells and the production of chemicals that cause inflammation. This may help protect the heart, blood vessels, and other organs from damage related to chronic inflammation, which is often seen in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The combination of weight loss and reduction in inflammation has been shown to have positive effects on the brain. Both factors may improve brain health and potentially reduce the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Better Sleep and Less Stress
Sleep and stress affect weight and metabolism. Poor sleep can make your body less sensitive to insulin, increase hunger, and contribute to weight gain, while losing weight can improve sleep apnea. Stress can also promote weight gain by increasing cortisol, affecting blood sugar, encouraging the body to store more energy, and triggering cravings for highly processed “comfort foods.” GLP-1 medications can help by reducing these effects, improving how the body responds to stress, and making it easier to control appetite and food choices.
Risks and Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications
Common Side Effects
GLP-1 medications commonly cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which in some cases can lead to kidney problems from dehydration. Because GLP-1 medications make you feel full, eating while full can cause temporary, mild nausea.
Other possible side effects include dizziness, a slightly fast heartbeat, infections, headaches, and indigestion. Some people also get redness or itching at the injection site, especially with the longer-acting versions. It is important to rotate injection sites.
Less Common Serious Risks
A review of multiple studies found that using GLP-1 medications may increase the risk of gallbladder or bile duct problems, especially when taken at higher doses or for a long time.
GLP-1 medications slow down how quickly your stomach empties and make you feel full longer. This can change how bile (the fluid that helps digest fat) moves and is stored in the gallbladder. When bile sits too long, it can form stones or cause other gallbladder problems. Taking higher doses or using the medication for a long time makes this more likely.
GLP-1 medications make the pancreas work harder to release insulin and help control blood sugar. This extra stress on the pancreas, along with any backup of digestive fluids from the gallbladder, can increase the risk of pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas.
Traditional Medications vs. Compounded Versions
The FDA has issued a warning about compounded GLP-1 medications, which are made by mixing or altering ingredients, sometimes using forms like Semaglutide sodium or Semaglutide acetate. Many companies, including Hims & Hers, Ro, Sesame, and MedVi, advertise cheaper versions of GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP injectables on TV and social media. While saving money may be tempting, these compounded products are not tested or approved by the FDA, so their safety, effectiveness, and quality are not guaranteed. There have also been reports of serious side effects with these versions, so you should only use FDA-approved Semaglutide and avoid compounded products.
Dr. Howard provides patients in the Houston area with FDA-approved GLP-1 medications under direct medical supervision.
Long-Term Use & Maintenance
GLP-1 medications are often used long-term to help maintain weight loss and support blood sugar control. If the medication is stopped, weight may return, so planning ahead is important.
Weight maintenance strategies include healthy eating, staying physically active, prioritizing protein, and staying hydrated. At some point, a transition plan may be needed, which could involve gradually reducing the dose, adding other therapies, or focusing on lifestyle strategies to maintain results.
Long-term use of GLP-1s and potential long-term side effects have not been fully studied, so ongoing monitoring with your healthcare team is essential.
Medical Weight Loss with GLP-1 Medications Available in The Woodlands
Medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications can be an impactful option for people who have struggled with obesity or weight-related health conditions. These medications can support steady, meaningful weight loss by helping regulate appetite, cravings, and metabolic function, especially when paired with long-term lifestyle changes and medical follow-up.
If you live in The Woodlands or the greater Houston area, Dr. Howard provides supervised GLP-1 treatment with personalized dosing, safety monitoring, and ongoing support to help you reach and maintain your health goals.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Drew Howard to learn more about GLP-1 medications and determine whether they are a good option for you.