What can I expect from the medical weight loss program?

Your program begins with a comprehensive metabolic evaluation, full lab work, body composition analysis, and a physician-led plan. If you are a candidate for GLP-1 medications, your prescription arrives directly to your home on dry ice with detailed instructions and all supplies. You will also receive ongoing follow-ups, coaching, and dose adjustments for safety and results.

I'm afraid of needles — will the injections hurt?

We use ultra-fine 31-gauge syringes, one of the smallest available, to make injections virtually painless. Many patients report barely feeling them. For those who are still uncomfortable, we offer technique coaching and additional comfort measures.

What medications do you use?

We use FDA-approved GLP-1 therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide when appropriate, along with adjunct peptides for metabolic health, cravings, insulin sensitivity, and muscle preservation. All therapies are physician-led, evidence-based, and tailored to your labs and body composition.

What about side effects?

The most common side effects include nausea, reflux, constipation, or decreased appetite — all of which can often be managed with dose adjustments, dietary strategies, hydration, and supportive supplements. If needed, we prescribe Zofran to help ease nausea while you adjust.

Do I have to follow a strict diet?

No crash diets here. We focus on sustainable, whole-food strategies that support blood sugar stability, healthy protein intake, and metabolic flexibility. Your plan is tailored to your labs, lifestyle, and preferences for long-term success.

How long will I need to be on the medication?

Most patients stay on GLP-1 therapy for several months while building healthier metabolic patterns. Our focus is long-term success, so we help you transition off medication with strategies to maintain results, protect muscle mass, and stabilize appetite.

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MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS AT THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN OPTIMIZATION

Evidence-Based Weight Loss Rooted in Metabolic & Hormonal Biology

Move beyond generic diet programs. Our physician-led medical weight loss protocols combine advanced metabolic testing, body composition analysis, and targeted therapies — including GLP-1s when appropriate — to help you lose weight safely while preserving muscle and long-term health.

Comprehensive metabolic and hormonal evaluation
GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 options based on your biology
Body composition, nutrition, and lifestyle integration

Schedule a Medical Weight Loss Consult Explore Our Program Structure

Designed for Patients Who

Have plateaued despite “doing everything right” Have a history of yo-yo dieting or weight cycling Have insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome Want a supervised GLP-1 or peptide strategy Want to protect muscle and metabolic health

Data-driven, physician-supervised protocols — not one-size-fits-all diet plans.

We offer safe, effective, physician-guided weight loss using personalized compounded GLP-1 medications and evidence-based support for sustainable results.

Start Your Medical Weight Loss Journey How GLP-1 Weight Loss Works

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 medications are a class of treatments originally developed to improve blood sugar control — but they’ve become one of the most effective tools for clinically guided weight loss when used under physician supervision.

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a natural hormone your body produces that helps regulate appetite, support insulin response, control cravings, and promote feelings of fullness. When used in medication form, GLP-1s act longer and more steadily than your body’s own hormone, offering better appetite control and improved metabolic function.

Why GLP-1s Work So Well

GLP-1 medications address the biological drivers of weight gain — not just willpower. They can help correct:

Insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation
Appetite and craving imbalances
Age- or hormone-related metabolic slowdown
Chronic inflammation and stress-related eating patterns

This is why so many people who have “tried everything” finally see meaningful progress with GLP-1 support in a medically supervised setting.

Compounded GLP-1s at IFHO

At the Institute for Human Optimization, we prescribe pharmacy-compounded GLP-1 formulations through trusted 503A compounding pharmacies.

This allows us to tailor your treatment to:

Personalized dosing and gentle titration
Combination GLP-1/GIP formulas when appropriate
Improved tolerance and fewer side effects
Better alignment with your unique biology and goals

Every prescription is part of a comprehensive plan — medication alone is never the whole strategy.

“Your body isn’t fighting you — it just needs the right strategy.”

Types of GLP-1 Medications We Use

We work with pharmacy-compounded GLP-1 and combination therapies to personalize your treatment, improve tolerance, and support better long-term outcomes.

①

Compounded Semaglutide

A compounded GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite, stabilize blood sugar, and improve satiety. Dosing is customized and titrated gradually to match your metabolism and reduce side effects.

Supports appetite control and cravings
Improves insulin sensitivity
Gentle, personalized dose adjustments

②

Compounded Tirzepatide

A dual-agonist formulation that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors for powerful metabolic and weight loss benefits. Compounded dosing allows for precise titration and improved tolerability.

Dual pathway metabolic activation
Enhanced fat-loss support
Ideal for resistant weight loss cases

③

Advanced GLP-1 Combinations

Depending on your clinical picture, we may use advanced compounded blends—such as GLP-1/GIP or emerging triple-agonist formulas—designed to further enhance metabolic function and body composition.

Combination GLP-1/GIP formulations
Potential triple-agonist options (where available)
Tailored to your biomarker profile

④

Adjunct Metabolic Peptides & Support

To protect muscle, support mitochondria, and improve overall metabolic resilience, GLP-1s can be paired with additional therapies when appropriate.

Peptides such as AOD 9604, CJC/Ipamorelin, MOTS-C, 5-Amino-1MQ
Metabolic micronutrients and amino acids
Integration with hormone and thyroid optimization

How Our Medical Weight Loss Program Works

Every plan begins with a focused conversation and evolves into a fully personalized, physician-led program that respects your biology, lifestyle, and budget.

Your journey begins with a dedicated, 30-minute visit with a physician. We review your health and weight history, hormone changes, prior medications, and what you’ve already tried.

We’ll discuss whether compounded GLP-1s are appropriate, outline realistic expectations, and talk openly about options that align with your goals and budget.

We go beyond the scale with body composition testing to understand how much of your weight is fat versus muscle and where you carry it.

Body fat percentage
Lean muscle mass
Visceral (abdominal) fat trends

This helps us build a plan that protects muscle integrity while you lose fat.

We review your existing labs and order any missing bloodwork to guide treatment. This may include:

Fasting insulin and glucose
Thyroid panel and sex hormones
Cortisol and inflammatory markers
Micronutrient levels

Your plan is built from real data, not guesswork.

Based on your labs, history, and preferences, we design a compounded GLP-1 plan using trusted 503A pharmacies.

Individualized starting dose
Gentle titration to improve tolerance
Medication options matched to your budget

You’ll understand exactly what you’re taking, why, and how we’ll adjust it over time.

Medication is only one piece of your plan. We layer in simple, realistic strategies that move the needle:

Weight lifting to preserve and build muscle
A sustainable caloric deficit (no extreme restriction)
Protein and nutrient optimization

The goal is not just weight loss—it’s a healthier, stronger body.

We stay connected through follow-up visits, lab reviews, and body composition re-checks. As your body changes, your plan evolves with it.

Medication dose adjustments
Support for side effects or plateaus
Refinement of nutrition and training targets

When it’s time to taper off GLP-1s, we help protect your results with a structured plan for appetite, metabolism, and lifestyle.

Gradual medication tapering
Metabolic and muscle support
Long-term habits you can maintain

The goal is sustainable weight loss that supports your health for years, not weeks.

Ready to see if this approach is right for you?

Schedule Your 30-Minute Medical Weight Loss Consultation

“GLP-1 medications reduce visceral fat — the deeper abdominal fat linked to metabolic and cardiovascular disease.”

Source: Rubino D. et al., STEP-4 Trial, New England Journal of Medicine, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect once I start the program?

During your first month, you’ll begin at a personalized starting dose and gradually titrate based on your comfort and response. Most people notice reduced appetite, fewer cravings, and improved portion control within the first 1–2 weeks.

How will my medication be delivered?

For most of our patients, your compounded GLP-1 medication is shipped directly to your home on dry ice to maintain stability and potency.

Your package includes everything you need:

medication vial or prefilled syringes (depending on formulation)

31-gauge injection syringes

alcohol swabs

dosing instructions

injection guidance

storage instructions

How will my medication be delivered?

For most of our patients, your compounded GLP-1 medication is shipped directly to your home on dry ice to maintain stability and potency.

Your package includes everything you need:

medication vial or prefilled syringes (depending on formulation)

31-gauge injection syringes

alcohol swabs

dosing instructions

injection guidance

storage instructions

I am afraid of needles. Will the injections hurt?

Not at all.

We use extremely small 31-gauge insulin syringes, which are some of the thinnest available. Most patients describe the injection as a tiny pinch or barely noticeable.

We also show you how to inject comfortably and safely so you feel at ease from day one.

What happens after I reach my goal weight?

We focus on long-term metabolic stability, not short-term results. When you’re ready to taper off, we support appetite regulation, protein and strength training, hormonal balance, and gradual dose changes so you maintain your progress without rebound.