FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At Restore Wellness Collective, we believe in transparency and patient education, and this page is just one way we demonstrate our commitment to your well-being, and ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way. If you can't find the answers you're looking for here, don't hesitate to reach out to us! We're here to provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your unique needs.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are weekly injectable medications that were initially FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1s are not new to the market, in fact this class of medication has been intensively studied and has been on the market since 2005.
This medication will not cause your blood sugar to drop, and you do not need to test your blood sugar while you are on it.
However, as with all medications, there are risks and benefits. We advise that you take the time to do your due diligence and determine if a medication is right for you. We are happy to answer any questions you may have along the way.
No! These medications are not used to control a person’s blood sugar levels like insulin. Therefore, it is not necessary for survival and is instead used in addition to other medications (like metformin and insulin) to help people with diabetes lose weight and lower their hemoglobin A1C.
We will teach you how to inject yourself so that you can do it in the comfort of your home. If we determine they are right for you, you will receive thorough written and verbal instructions walking you through the process.
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Low appetite
- Indigestion (heartburn)
- General feeling of malaise when increasing doses
- GLP-1s may decrease the efficacy of oral birth control. It has NOT been shown to decrease the effectiveness of non-oral contraceptives (ie, IUD, depo provera, nexplanon, etc). Those using an oral birth control should use condoms for 4 weeks after starting treatment and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
While all medications come with the possibility of side effects, that does not necessarily mean that you will experience them. We have individuals who have not experienced a single side effect, and others who have experienced all of them. We will work with each person to minimize side effects and ensure the best possible outcome.
Once you meet your weight loss goal, you will begin to taper down to a lower maintenance dose. The maintenance dose is different for everyone. It is a dose where you are no longer continuing to lose weight but are staying steady at your goal.
You may choose to taper off the medication completely and maintain your goal weight with the lifestyle changes and tools you have learned over the course of this program. If you find yourself gaining the weight back, you may restart the medication.
- Those with Type 1 Diabetes
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or actively trying to conceive
- Those who have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, thyroid tumors, or multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2)
- Those with a personal history of diabetic retinopathy
- Those with gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal diseases
- Those with active gallbladder disease
- Those with a personal history of pancreatitis or pancreatic disease (i.e. cancer)
- Those under age 18
Although those with Type 2 Diabetes may be great candidates for GLP-1s, we do not prescribe them to individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, we encourage you to discuss this medication with your primary care provider or endocrinologist to determine if this medication is right for you.
We source our medications from compounding pharmacies in Florida and Texas. They are then shipped overnight via UPS.
A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in making medications that are tailored to an individual. The FDA describes them as “the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.” The compounding pharmacy we use sources all their ingredients from a United States, federally inspected and regulated supplier. They also test their products for sterility and endotoxin prior to releasing them for dispensing.
No, we do not accept or bill insurance. If you are a type 2 diabetic and would qualify for insurance to cover this medication, you should speak with your primary care provider and discuss whether starting a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
We do accept health savings account/flexible spending account (HSA/FSA) cards.
Unfortunately, we do not do virtual visits at this time. You will need to come in person to your consult and follow up appointments.
Yes, switching from one GLP-1 medication to another is fairly straightforward. There is no downtime needed to switch and you do not need to start over at the lowest dose.
The cost of the consultation is $50. This is an hour-long appointment where we discuss the medication and how it works, side effects, what you can expect in terms of length of time needed to lose your desired amount of weight, counseling on diet and how to inject the medication yourself, as well as weighing in and taking before photos. If you choose to start the program the day of your consultation, your total cost will be $455.00. Every visit thereafter will be free, and you will just be paying for the medication and supplies.
The price of the medication varies by dosage. For the first several months, the price will be $420.00. We will try to keep you at the lowest price point for as long as possible. When your weight loss plateaus, we will need to increase your dose and that will also increase the price. We have deeply discounted the higher doses because we understand what a big financial commitment this is. Included in this price is your visit, medication, supplies, training, and counseling.
Because these medications are not covered by most insurances, if you were to pay out of pocket for this medication at the pharmacy, it would cost around $1100 or more per month. Through Square's interest-free AfterPay option, patients do have the choice to pay in installments over time instead of all at once. We also accept Care Credit! If you are interested in using Care Credit, apply before your appointment using this link: https://www.carecredit.com/go/274XCJ/
