How to Talk to Your Provider About Weight Loss Medication
Starting the conversation is the hardest part. Here is what to say and what to expect.
Starting the conversation is the hardest part. Here is what to say when you ask about tirzepatide or semaglutide and what to expect from your provider.
Is this you?
Is this you?
You want to ask about weight loss medication but you do not know how to start. You tried diets and nothing stuck. The scale will not move. Snacking at night feels automatic. You feel judged when you bring it up. The 3pm slump wipes you out. Jeans that used to fit do not anymore. Tired after meals. You want your energy back. You want to keep up with your kids. You want to feel like yourself again. No time for long clinic visits. If you nodded at two or three of those, keep reading.
What to say to start the conversation
You do not need to justify yourself or explain everything you tried. Start simple. Say you want to talk about weight loss medication. Say you have been hearing about tirzepatide and semaglutide and you want to know if they are right for you. A good provider listens and asks about your health history. They do not lecture you about eating less or moving more. You already know that.
What your provider will ask
Your provider will ask about your health history. Do you have diabetes or prediabetes. Do you have high blood pressure or cholesterol. Have you tried weight loss medication before. Are you taking other medications. These questions help your provider decide if tirzepatide or semaglutide is safe for you. They are not judging you. They are doing their job.
Ready when you are. Ten minutes on your phone.
Start my online visitWhat to expect from the visit
A good provider explains how the medication works. They tell you about the dose schedule and what side effects to watch for. They explain that the dose starts low and steps up slowly over weeks. They tell you that nausea can happen at first and usually passes. They explain that you inject once a week at home. If your provider skips all of this and just writes the prescription, ask questions. You deserve to know what you are starting.
Online vs in-person visits
An online provider visit works the same way. You answer questions about your health on your phone or computer. A licensed physician reviews your intake and most people hear back the same day. When you are approved, the pharmacy ships your medication to your address. You can message the care team anytime with questions. No waiting room. No drive. The visit happens on your schedule.
The real thing vs the rest
Gummies and GLP-1 pills are not the same thing
Gummies and pills were never in the clinical trials that produced the weight loss numbers. Swallow a GLP-1 pill and about 1% reaches your blood. Inject it and about 80% does. Injectable semaglutide posted about 15% average body weight loss in clinical trials and tirzepatide about 20%. A gummy cannot do that. Not even close.
The real thing vs the rest
A gummy cannot do this. Not even close.
Weight loss gummies, so called GLP-1 pills and liposomal drops sold on social media were never in the clinical trials. Injectable tirzepatide and semaglutide were. Overseas research-only vials have no pharmacy and no physician behind them.
Weight loss gummies
0 mg
No GLP-1 medication inside. Fiber and plant extracts.
Pills and drops
about 1%
Swallow it and about 1 of every 100 units reaches your blood.
Weekly injection
about 80%
Absorbed from the fat layer. Nothing in the way.
Swallow it: about 1% reaches your blood. Inject it: about 80% does. Same comparison we show on our homepage.
| What you get | PepHaūs prescription | Gummies and “GLP-1 pills” | Grey market vials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studied in clinical trials | |||
| Average loss in clinical trials | About 15% to 20% of body weight | None reported | Unknown |
| Physician licensed in your state | |||
| U.S.-licensed pharmacy | |||
| Tested product, cold shipped | |||
| Provider visit included | |||
| Dose tuned to you |
Pricing
What it costs
Semaglutide starts from $169 a month for the first month. Step down to $160 a month on the 3-month plan or $152 a month on the 6-month plan. Tirzepatide starts from $239 a month and steps down to $227 or $215 on longer plans. The provider visit and shipping are included. You never pay a separate doctor fee.
Pricing in your door
One price. Provider visit, medication and shipping included.
- First month$239
- 3-month plan$227/mo
- 6-month plan$215/mo
- First month$169
- 3-month plan$160/mo
- 6-month plan$152/mo
- Provider visit
- Medication
- Cold shipping to your door
- Refills on a schedule
- Care team messaging
- Cancel anytime online
LegitScript certified
A real U.S. pharmacy vs the grey market
The grey market sells overseas research-only vials with no pharmacy and no provider. You are on your own. PepHaūs is a LegitScript-certified U.S. pharmacy. Your medication is compounded by a U.S.-licensed pharmacy and prescribed by a U.S.-licensed physician. You get care team messaging and refills on a schedule.
FAQ
FAQ
What if my provider says no?+
Ask why. If your provider says you just need to eat less, consider getting a second opinion. A provider who dismisses you without discussing your options is not helping you.
Can I ask for tirzepatide instead of semaglutide?+
Yes. Both are GLP-1 medications. Tirzepatide posted higher average weight loss in clinical trials. Your provider will help you decide which one fits your goals.
What if I feel judged?+
A good provider does not judge you. If you feel dismissed or lectured, find a different provider. You deserve care that respects you.
Do I need to have diabetes to get tirzepatide or semaglutide?+
No. Both are prescribed for weight loss in people without diabetes. Your provider will check your health history to make sure they are safe for you.
How do I know if I qualify?+
Most people with a BMI over 27 and a weight-related health condition qualify. Some people with a BMI over 30 qualify even without a health condition. Your provider will decide based on your health history.
Can I start today?+
With an online provider visit, most people hear back the same day. Your first shipment can arrive in about two to three business days after approval. Ready to start the conversation? Visit /start to answer a few questions. The intake takes about ten minutes and a licensed physician reviews every submission.
Start your visit from your phone
Ten minutes on your phone. A physician licensed in your state. A box on your porch in 2 to 3 business days.
See if you qualifyYour care team
Every PepHaus visit is reviewed by a licensed physician from the Wasef Health Group provider network. A doctor reads your intake, decides if treatment fits, and sets your plan.
Meet the physiciansThis article is educational and is not medical advice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Treatment requires evaluation by a licensed provider.