❓ Why are you running this program?

↪️ Because smart, sensitive women need a different approach to weight loss. I'm tired of watching them try to do it conventional ways and running themselves into the ground. It's time to be honest that those old ways don't work. This is something that will.

 

❓ Who is not a suitable candidate for this program?

⚠️ This program is not suitable for insulin-dependent diabetics or those who have a personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2), or a history of pancreatitis, active gallbladder disease, or gastroparesis.

 

❓ Do I have to participate in the group calls or community board?

↪️ You don't, but I have found that people who use community supports in some ways do better. I know it can feel hectic and chaotic to take an hour here and there for yourself, but honestly, it's part of the process. Also, the women in my world are amazing. I hope you can meet them if you can! 

 

❓ What does the weekly reflection forms look like?

↪️ They're 100% personalized to you and your goals (and updated at your monthly calls as needed). They'll help you reflect each week on what went well, what didn't, how to plan your week, and look out for obstacles that may impede your success. Plus, you'll get real-time 1:1 (within 24 hours) feedback, support and guidance.

 

❓ What if the medication doesn't work for me?

↪️ Oh my, this is such a good question, right? I mean, when we're doing something new, it's common to worry about this. The good news? We have options! As a last resort, if low/slow dosing doesn't work, we can switch to a different medication, an oral form of the medication, or a more holistic approach to help your body increase your own GLP-1. I do want you to remember this: the medication is not a magic bullet; it's a tool. And we have lots of options for support if we have to call on them! (Honestly, I've never had to take someone off microdoses, so I wouldn't worry.)

 

❓ What if I don't lose weight?

↪️ This is a common concern. #1, you likely will. #2, if you don't, we can look deeper. There are SO many options we have to optimize your health. I am NOT going to leave you hanging. I also want you to remember that we are going for long-term wins here and if you have significant metabolic syndrome, it might take longer and that is normal. We are here to support you through frustration, wins, and everything in between.

 

❓ What are benefits of GLP-1s other than weight loss?

↪️ So, so many! Decreased inflammation, autoimmunity, decreased substance misuse (alcohol, drugs), generally improved mental health, better use of energy in your body, less brain fog. The list goes on and on. Some people even say, "I would totally stay on this even if I didn't lose another pound."

 

❓ What are the side effects? 

↪️ There are always risks and benefits to every peptide, supplement, hormone, or drug. Tirzepatide is no different. In general, used appropriately with supervision, Tirzepatide is safe. Side effects are generally dose-dependent and we will always go low + slow here.. Always report adverse effects and seek medical care if required. Even at the highest doses, few people drop out due to side effects.

 

Common side effects, especially with higher doses: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, fatigue.

 

Less common side effects, especially with higher doses: indigestion/dyspepsia, abdominal pain, injection site reactions, hypoglycemia, GERD, dizziness, allergic reactions, gallstones, low blood pressure, hair loss, acute kidney injury due to dehydration, depression, increased anxiety, suicidal ideation, pancreatitis, fast heart rate, sweating, vision changes, bowel obstruction/ileus, gastroparesis, muscle loss, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, thyroid tumors (only seen in animal studies, not humans; newer research showing less concern)

 

Sounds scary, right? Remember: low + slow to minimize side effects and maximize your results. Always do your research.

 

❓ How long will the initial medication vial last?

↪️ In Michigan, the vial  may last 45-90 days. Some compounding pharmacies say to discard after 28-40 days. However, the medication is carefully compounded in a sterile compounding pharmacy, and as long as proper technique is used when drawing up and administering medication, risk of contamination is low. Newer testing conducted by Orderly Meds show that the medication remained safe and effective for up to 365 days from the date of compounding. If you are outside of Michigan or order from Orderly Meds, you will receive a 3+ supply.

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❓ Will I have to be on this medication for the rest of my life?

↪️ It depends on your goals. I believe (and have witnessed) that, when done correctly with appropriate dosing + habit changes, you can rewire your metabolism, habits, and patterns so that you don't have to be. That said, some studies do show weight regain, other studies show that some people continue to lose weight when they go off of GLP-1 medications. The difference is likely whether the person used the medication as a tool vs. a bandaid to just stop them from eating crap. We are using this as a tool to help you reduce your chronic disease, cardiovascular risks, address your metabolic health, and reduce inflammation so you can have the lifestyle you’ve always wanted to have. Additionally, let’s just stay focused on now. In the future, after you are metabolically healed, you may be able to go off of it entirely or even cycle it. So no, I don’t believe you have to stay on it the rest of your life, but that is personalized and dependent on your goals and underlying conditions.

 

❓ How will I feel after the injection?

↪️ You may feel nothing, more energized, or more tired. We start low + slow to see how you feel. Generally the first day, some people notice extra burps or struggles with heavier/fattier food. So many recommend eating light on that day.

 

❓ How fast can I expect to lose weight?

↪️ It depends on a lot of factors. Clinical trials show up to a 22.5% loss of total body weight with Tirzepatide, which, for a 200 pound person, is approximately 45 pounds and for a 300 pound person is approximately 67.5 pounds. Your experience may be more or less. First, remember that we are using this medication to treat the inflammation and cravings/habits/food noise that is causing distress. The weight loss WILL come. If you have been eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates, you will likely lose a lot of water weight the first week or two. After that, we want about 0.5-2 pounds of fat loss or no more than 1% of your body weight per week. Any expectation of higher than this weight loss is setting yourself up for failure.

 

❓ What if I hate exercising?

↪️ I get it. When we don’t feel great in our bodies, exercise is hard. Plus, you throw in the diet culture mentality of more is better and it's just one more thing on our to-do list. So we start low and slow, just like with this medication. It is really important to maintain your muscle mass. If exercise just hurts too much in the beginning, let’s give the medicine some time to work on inflammation and then revisit it. Even a few squats (sitting down and getting up from a chair), wall push ups, other bodyweight exercises count!

 

❓ Who should not take Tirzepatide?

↪️ Those with a history of thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome, pancreatitis, acute gallbladder attacks, or an allergic reaction to something in Tirzepatide. Caution is recommended with severe gut issues due to the decreased motility from the drug. I will not personally prescribe the medication for insulin-dependent diabetics.

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❓ I’ve heard my stomach can become paralyzed with GLP-1 medication. Is this true?

↪️ The most common gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) risk is with diabetic patients due to nerve damage from prolonged high blood sugars. It is likely those that developed the gastroparesis were actually on the verge and had compromised motility already from diabetes itself, not directly from the medication. Moreover, the gastroparesis generally resolved itself after discontinuation of the medication. And yet, another reason to go low and slow, just on the off chance something happens.

 

❓ If I have my gallbladder, am I going to need surgery?

↪️ Anytime there is rapid weight loss, you risk gallbladder disease. It doesn’t matter whether you’re taking Tizepatide, you have weight loss surgery, taking another drug, or are going the natural route. We need to be eating a healthy, whole foods based diet including some healthy fats to stimulate the gallbladder. Additionally, I do recommend eating bitter foods and vinegars/citrus to promote bile flow. If we do this the right way, you should be able to keep your gallbladder.

 

❓ Can I use my insurance?

↪️ Some insurances cover Zepbound for weight loss. The issue with that is that you have to dose it at standard dosing and do not have the flexibility of the compounded medication. Sensitive women OFTEN need personalized dosing. Additionally, even if insurance covers it, copays and deductibles can sometimes be much higher than the compounded version. Finally, some prescribers (and even insurance companies) jack up doses too fast and create far more issues. I personally do NOT order namebrand medication and only use compound. That said, if you want to use your insurance and have your doctor order the namebrand, you can still do the "out of state" program that does not include medication ordering.

 

❓ What labs do you want to see? Do I have to do these prior to starting? 

↪️ CBC, CMP, Hb A1c, fasting insulin, lipid panel, TSH, and HS-CRP are highly recommended, though not required if you've had lab work within the past year. Obviously, these are not health optimization labs, but at least cover kidneys, liver, electrolytes, thyroid gland stimulation, and insulin/metabolic health. If you have these (or most of these), great! We can also order them through Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp for generally around $60-80. You can start the medication prior to the labs if you'd like, but we can generally get them ordered quickly. There's a good chance they will improve down the road, so it's nice to see that happen by getting them prior to the medication.

 

❓ What if I want other functional medicine testing such as a hair tissue mineral analysis, DUTCH hormone test, food sensitivity testing, and so on?

↪️ These are available and results/review sessions are discounted for this program. You will need to schedule additional sessions for review (at a discounted rate of $250). I decided not to include this in this program because sometimes, we just need to start with the basics and build from there.

 

❓ What if I'm outside the state of Michigan or I'm already on a GLP-1 but want additional support?

↪️ No worries! As long as you're in the United States, purchase the other RESTORE + RELEASE out-of-state package that includes medication recommendation guidance, but does not include the medication. I can help you get the medication really easily (through different channels depending on your state). I welcome anyone who is already on a GLP-1 but struggling with consistency, habits, or wanting to create thriving health. You're welcome here!

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