Achieve Lasting Weight Loss

Diet and exercise are key to losing weight. There is no “magic pill” that can achieve weight loss without both. However, diet and exercise alone are usually not enough. This is because the human body has evolved over time to prevent you from losing weight. The body does this through a complex network of biochemicals and receptors. While these mechanisms were protective hundreds of years ago when famine and starvation were real threats to humans, today they just make weight loss extremely difficult. In fact, the older you are and the longer you have been overweight, the harder it is to lose that weight.

Dr. Spradley is able to help patients achieve weight loss success by combing diet and exercise with prescription medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro that help to counteract some of the factors that prevent weight loss. Dr. Spradley will take your lifestyle, habits, and tendencies into account, and help pick lifestyle changes and medications that will ensure your success. During this 12 month program, you have an initial comprehensive evaluation and continual monitoring. Dr. Spradley will discuss diet and exercise plans that are realistic for your life, will work with you to customize a diet and exercise program that works for you, and prescribe the best weight loss medication(s) to ensure that you not only lose the weight, but keep it off. What you won’t get with Dr. Spradley’ medical weight loss program are high-pressure sales pitches powders, mixes, and food in addition to the medical supervision found in many other weight loss programs.

While everyone is different, new prescription medications like Wegovy, Ozempic or Mounjaro work far better than previous weight loss pills. For example, studies have shown that patients on Mounjaro achieved an average loss of 60% of their excess weight in over a year. This is not that much different from the expected weight loss seen with obesity surgery, such as gastric bypass, that can achieve about 70% of excess weight in over a year. Again, whether surgery or medication, there is no “magic bullet. Staying on track with diet an exercise is key to success, which is why Dr. Spradley will help customize a weight loss program specifically for you, and follow up with you regularly to ensure you achieve these goals.

We aim to offer an affordable program cost. We offer flexible payment options, where you can pay month-to-month, or receive a discount for prepaying for multiple months. Practice members also receive a discounted price! This includes everything except for blood work and medications. Dr. Spradley will do initial blood work and most insurances cover the entire cost of the labs (your insurance may charge you a co-pay). Dr. Spradley prescribes a variety of weight loss medications, and many of them are also covered by insurance. As with most prescriptions, a co-pay may apply.

While the new weight loss medications have been incredibly successful, their price tag has put them out of reach for many patients. Fortunately, Dr. Spradley can help you find ways to afford these medications regardless of your insurance coverage. There are currently three GLP-1 injectable medications for weight loss: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Ozempic and Mounjaro are currently only indicated for diabetes. This doesn’t mean they can’t be used in non-diabetics for weight loss. It just means your insurance won’t cover them unless you are diabetic (if your insurance company states they cover these medications, this means only if you have a diagnosis of diabetes). If your regular doctor hasn’t already done so, Dr. Spradley will check you for diabetes to see if you can receive coverage. Wegovy is the exact same medication as Ozempic and made by the same company. However, it is indicated for obesity. Most insurances do not cover weight loss medications, but some will, such as the Federal government, Maryland state government, and certain private companies. Please check with your insurance company to see if they cover Wegovy. (If they say it requires prior authorization, this means it is covered. If they say they cover Ozempic, it means it’s not covered and will only cover Ozempic if you have diabetes). If Wegovy is covered by your insurance, your cost with a coupon could be $0. For those who don’t have diabetes and insurance coverage for Wegovy, even with the manufacturer’s coupon; Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro cost about $1000 a month. Since this is not affordable for most patients, Dr. Spradley works with several compounding pharmacies that can provide these medications at significantly reduced cost. Compounding pharmacies are highly regulated by the FDA, and only a handful in the country meet the strict criteria that allow them to offer injectables for weight loss. Dr. Spradley will ensure that you are only using legal, safe, and effective medication. For semaglutide (the generic of Ozempic/Wegovy), the cost of a one-month supply for maximum dose at a compounding pharmacy can be $400-$600. However, most patients can achieve their weight loss goals at far less than the maximum dose. Dr. Spradley will work with you to find a medication option that you can afford to help you achieve your weight loss goals.