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Doctor-Prescribed GLP-1 for Weight Loss
GLP-1 weight loss injections can be a powerful tool for people who have struggled to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone.
At Meridian Health, GLP-1 treatment starts with a medical assessment and consultation with a doctor. If treatment is suitable for you, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment plan and provide ongoing medical care as you progress.
Our Process
How Doctor-Prescribed GLP-1 Treatment With Meridian Health Works
Complete Online Assessment
Submit your basic details and answer a few questions to determine if you’re a candidate for GLP-1 Treatment.
Virtual Appointment
Schedule a secure online session with one of our doctors. The initial 30-minute virtual consultation costs R630 and takes place over Zoom. After payment, you will receive a link to your consultation
Initiate treatment
Sign up to start receiving your GLP-1 couriered monthly to your door, with monthly cost of R1995 for the first two months and R3295 thereafter. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
Virtual Follow-Ups
Thereafter, you will have access to email contact with your doctor should any questions come up and may book follow-up appointments without additional charge. A review over Zoom at least every 6 months is needed to continue treatment.
R 1,995 / month for first two months
R 3,295 / month thereafter
- Medication Hand-Delivered: Sent straight to your door every month.
- Ongoing support for best results: All follow-up consultations and email contact with your doctor included.
Our Process
How Doctor-Prescribed GLP-1 Treatment With Meridian Health Works
R 1,995 / month for first two months
R 3,295 / month thereafter
- Medication Hand-Delivered: Sent straight to your door every month.
- Unlimited Peace of Mind: All follow-up consultations included.
Complete Online Assessment
Submit your basic details and answer a few questions to determine if you’re a candidate for medical weight loss.
Virtual Appointment
Schedule a secure online session with one of our doctors. The initial 30-minute virtual consultation costs R630 and takes place over Zoom. After Payment, you will receive a link to your consultation
Initiate treatment
Sign up to start receiving your medication couriered monthly to your door, with monthly cost of R1995 for the first two months and R3295 thereafter. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
Virtual Follow-Ups
Thereafter, you will have access to email contact with your doctor should any questions come up and may book followup appointments without additional charge. A review over Zoom at least every 6 months is needed to continue treatment.
What is GLP-1?
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone naturally released by your body after you eat. It plays a role in regulating blood sugar, digestion, appetite and feelings of fullness.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications designed to act on the same biological pathway. While originally developed to help manage blood sugar levels, certain GLP-1-based medications are also used for weight management.
For suitable patients, these treatments can make it easier to manage hunger, eat smaller portions and maintain the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.
How Do GLP-1s Work for Weight Loss?
GLP-1 weight loss treatments work on several processes involved in appetite and food intake.
They can help you feel fuller for longer by slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach, while also acting on areas of the brain involved in hunger, fullness and appetite regulation.
Many people also describe experiencing less "food noise" - the persistent and unwanted thoughts about food and cravings that can make changing eating habits difficult.
By reducing hunger and helping you feel satisfied with less food, GLP-1 treatment can make it easier to maintain a lower calorie intake over time.
GLP-1 treatment isn't intended to replace healthy habits. Eating well, staying active and maintaining muscle remain important parts of long-term weight management.
Who Can Be Prescribed GLP-1 Treatment for Weight Loss?
GLP-1 medications aren't suitable for everyone, which is why treatment should start with a proper medical assessment rather than simply choosing a weight loss injection yourself.
Your doctor will consider factors including your current weight, medical history, existing health conditions, medications and previous weight loss experiences before determining whether GLP-1 treatment may be suitable for you.
There are also circumstances where GLP-1 treatment may be unsafe or inappropriate. Your medical assessment helps identify these before treatment begins.
What Results Can You Expect With GLP-1 Weight Loss Treatment?
GLP-1 treatments can support significant weight loss, but there isn't a single result that everyone should expect. Generally, we aim for sustained loss of 500 grams to 1kg per week, and with the right dosage this is a realistic goal for most people.
How much weight you lose can depend on factors including the treatment prescribed, your individual response, the dose you require, how long you remain on treatment and the lifestyle changes you make alongside it. Based on large clinical trials and our own experience, a total weight loss of 15 to 22% of the starting bodyweight may be expected for the average person.
Rather than aiming for the fastest possible weight loss, your doctor can help you work towards progress that is appropriate for your health and individual goals.
The aim isn't simply to reach a lower number on the scale. Medical weight management should also support your longer-term health and help you build habits that are easier to maintain.
Which GLP-1 Is Best for Weight Loss?
There isn't one GLP-1 treatment that's best for everyone.
Medications vary in their precise mechanism of action and what they cost, and the treatment that's appropriate for you will depend on your health, medical history, treatment goals and how you respond.
This is one reason GLP-1 medications should be prescribed rather than selected based purely on popularity or the results someone else has experienced.
Your doctor can explain the available options and recommend a treatment based on your individual clinical needs.
Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections Safe?
GLP-1 medications are generally considered safe for appropriate patients when they are prescribed and used with medical supervision.
Like any medication, however, they can cause side effects.
This is why medical assessment and ongoing care matter. Your doctor can consider your individual risk factors before prescribing treatment and monitor how you're responding once treatment has started.
If you experience concerning or severe symptoms while taking a GLP-1 medication, contact your doctor or seek appropriate medical care rather than attempting to manage them yourself.
What Are the Common Side Effects of GLP-1s?
Common side effects can include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort, particularly when starting treatment or after the dose is increased.
There are also less common but potentially more serious risks, and certain medical conditions or circumstances can make GLP-1 treatment unsuitable.
Can You Lose Muscle While Taking GLP-1s?
When you lose a significant amount of weight, some of that loss can come from lean mass as well as body fat. This isn't unique to GLP-1 treatment, but preserving muscle remains an important consideration while losing weight.
Adequate protein, an appropriate rate of weight loss, and resistance exercise can help support muscle maintenance while you're losing weight.
Your overall goal should therefore be more than simply making the number on the scale decrease. Maintaining strength and lean muscle is an important part of supporting your health as your weight changes.
What Happens When You Stop Taking GLP-1s?
The appetite suppression attained while on treatment can reduce after stopping, which may make hunger and food cravings more noticeable again. Some people may regain weight, particularly if the factors that contributed to weight gain are still present.
Building sustainable eating and activity habits while you're receiving treatment can help support longer-term weight management, but some people may need ongoing maintenance medical treatment. In our experience this can sometimes be in the form of a low or even micro-dose, but for an individual this cannot be predicted ahead of time. A controlled reduction in dosage is therefore needed to find the lowest effective dose that maintains results.
Your doctor can help you decide whether and when stopping treatment is appropriate rather than making that decision based solely on reaching a particular weight.
Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Weight Loss
Browse through our FAQs, and if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us at support@meridianhealth.co.za. We'll be happy to assist.
F.A.Qs
Frequently asked questions
Yes. GLP-1 medications used by Meridian are prescription treatments. A doctor must assess whether treatment is appropriate for you before prescribing medication.
This depends on the specific medication prescribed. The commonly used GLP-1 treatments are administered once weekly, but your doctor will explain how and when to use the treatment prescribed for you.
There isn't one treatment duration that's appropriate for everyone. GLP-1 medications can form part of longer-term weight management, and your doctor can review your progress, response to treatment and individual circumstances when deciding with you whether treatment should continue.
Meridian Health is a fully online medical weight loss practice serving patients within South Africa. You can complete your initial medical assessment online and, if you may be a suitable candidate, have a virtual consultation with one of our doctors.
Find Out if GLP-1 Treatment Could Be Right for You
You don't need to choose a medication or determine whether GLP-1 treatment is suitable for you on your own.
Start with Meridian's free medical assessment. If you may be a suitable candidate, you'll be able to meet with one of our doctors online to discuss your health, goals and appropriate treatment options.
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