Frequently asked questions about weight loss and wellness

You take the custom-blended medicine once a week, but how exactly does it work?

GLP-1 medications mimic a natural gut hormone that your body already produces after eating. A once-weekly injection activates the same pathways as that hormone, reducing appetite, slowing digestion so you feel full longer, and helping regulate blood sugar, all working together over the course of the week between doses.

How do you customize the medicine for each patient?

Refine's GLP-1 treatments are doctor-prescribed and individually compounded, meaning your dose and formulation are based on your specific health history, goals, and how your body responds, rather than a one-size-fits-all prefilled dose.

What is it that determines how much weight a patient will lose and how quickly it will happen?

Results vary based on the specific medication and dosage, along with individual factors like starting weight, metabolism, diet, and consistency with treatment. In clinical trials, patients lost an average of 15–20% of body weight over about 68–72 weeks, but your medical team will set realistic expectations based on your specific situation.

What results have you seen with your own patients?

Some patient transformations are hard to put into words. One of the most memorable was a single mother facing serious life stress who had gained significant weight over the years, she went on to lose more than 100 pounds through treatment, coming out of her shell and facing life with a level of confidence she hadn't had in years. Beyond the physical change, results like this often mean real medical significance too, for patients at that level of excess weight, treatment can help head off conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol before they take hold.

You take the medication. What's it done for you?

Our doctor's own experience is what started it all. A colleague first encouraged him to try GLP-1 treatment after noticing his weight, sharing research on how the medication mimics a protein the body releases naturally after gastric bypass surgery. He was skeptical at first, having seen too many past weight loss medications (often amphetamine-based) that patients would inevitably regain weight on. But within two days of his first dose, his appetite noticeably decreased. He's since lost 42 pounds himself, back to the weight he was in college, and gone on to treat more than 900 patients with GLP-1 treatment.

How have you been able to keep the cost down, so it's affordable for anybody?

Refine's GLP-1 treatments are individually compounded rather than sold as pre-filled brand-name pens, compounding typically costs less than commercial brand-name versions, which is part of how the price stays more accessible.

What are some of the side effects from this medicine?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, and tend to be strongest when starting treatment or after a dose increase, often improving with continued use. Less common but more serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems; your medical team will screen for risk factors and monitor you throughout treatment.

Who qualifies for this treatment plan, who can take this medication and who can't?

GLP-1 treatment isn't right for everyone. It's generally not recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, anyone with a known allergy to the medication, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. A history of pancreatitis or significant digestive conditions may also require closer evaluation. Your provider will review your full medical history during your consultation to determine if GLP-1 treatment is safe and appropriate for you.