Weight-loss program

For the initial weight assessment visit, your MinuteClinic® provider will review your medical history and perform a risk assessment. The assessment includes a check of your vital signs, waist circumference measurement and calculation of your body mass index (BMI).

1. Prior to scheduling your visit, you may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:



If you made your appointment online:

Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.



If you made your appointment in the clinic:

Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.

4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.

5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

During your one-on-one consultation, your MinuteClinic® provider will review your lifestyle, discuss your weight-loss goals and check your physical health. Based on the information provided, a personalized weight-loss plan will be created to help you lose weight and improve your overall health.

The MinuteClinic® Weight-Loss Program involves follow-up visits for you to receive personalized coaching and medical evaluations to help you along on your weight-loss journey. The key to success is the ongoing support of your weight-loss program. 

The number and frequency of the coaching sessions will be tailored to fit your individualized requirements. Your MinuteClinic® provider will check your vital signs and perform any assessment and testing based on your needs. They will review and discuss your progress and provide coaching for you to continue to enjoy the optimal health benefits of the program.

MinuteClinic® providers can prescribe weight-loss medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — such as Orlistat and GLP-1s,* including Liraglutide and Semaglutide — to patients who meet eligibility criteria. GLP-1s are an FDA-approved class of medication used to lower glucose levels and manage metabolism in affected patients.

Eligibility criteria includes: 

• BMI ≥ 30 kg or ≥ 27 kg to 29.9 kg with comorbidities 
• An inability to meet weight-loss goals of at least five percent of total body weight after three to six months with diet and lifestyle changes

GLP-1 agonists mimic the effects of a natural hormone. This hormone tells your body to make more insulin, lowering your blood sugar. Health care professionals don't know exactly how GLP-1 medications help people lose weight, but they believe it's because GLP-1s curb your appetite.

You can get prescription weight-loss medications by meeting with a health care provider. Wegovy and Saxenda are potential weight-loss medications that can be prescribed by your health care provider.

Be prepared to discuss your goals and share information about your personal medical history. Your provider will also ask you about your family history of certain medical conditions.

MinuteClinic® also prescribes GLP-1 medications as part of our weight-loss program, making it more convenient to address weight-related concerns.

Before taking weight-loss medications, it's important to change your diet and add more exercise into your lifestyle. However, not everyone who makes these adjustments can lose a substantial amount of weight.

If you haven't met your goals after three to six months of following our weight-loss program, you may be eligible for one of the following GLP-1 weight-loss drugs:

• Liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza)
• Orlistat (Xenical)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy)

Wegovy is an injectable weight-loss drug used to reduce heart-related complications in people who are overweight or who have obesity. It's also available in a generic form called semaglutide.

Wegovy helps you lose weight by reducing your appetite. If you have less of an appetite, you consume fewer calories. This is what helps you lose weight. Wegovy also helps you feel fuller longer. It does this by increasing the amount of time it takes for food to move out of your stomach.

Wegovy is safe for weight loss when used as prescribed. The medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means it went through several rounds of testing before it was introduced. If you still have concerns about using weight-loss drugs, talk with your health care provider.

The most common side effects of Wegovy include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You may also have bloating, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, heartburn, a runny nose or sore throat. If you have type 2 diabetes, Wegovy may cause low blood sugar. Ask your health care provider what to do if your blood sugar is lower than normal.

You shouldn't use Wegovy if you've ever had an allergic reaction to one of its ingredients, including semaglutide. Your health care prescriber may also advise you not to take Wegovy under these circumstances:

• You have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
• You have or have had medullary thyroid cancer or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer

Wegovy starts working within the first few weeks of use. However, the medium-term effects of the medication don't begin until about the fifth week. Your weight may decline steadily from weeks 5 through 20. After 20 weeks, you may experience sustained weight loss, especially if you continue exercising and following a healthy diet.

Wegovy is intended for long-term use. If you stop taking it, you may regain some or all of the weight you lost. You may also start craving food or feeling hungry shortly after eating. This is because you no longer have medication controlling your appetite and helping you feel full after meals.

Saxenda is a weight-loss drug designed to help adults and eligible children lose weight. Also known as liraglutide, Saxenda is available to children between the ages of 12 and 17. 

Saxenda helps you lose weight by affecting the areas of the brain responsible for hunger. When you don't feel hungry, you don't consume as many calories. This helps you lose excess weight. Saxenda also slows down digestion, which helps you feel fuller after meals and snacks.

Saxenda is safe for weight loss when used according to your health care provider's instructions. In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication for weight management in adults and children over 12 years old. Before the FDA approved it, Saxenda went through three clinical trials to demonstrate that it's safe and effective.

The most common side effects of Saxenda involve the digestive system. You may experience abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, an upset stomach or vomiting. Teens who take Saxenda may develop fevers or gastritis (an inflammation of the stomach lining). Saxenda may also cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches or low blood sugar.

You shouldn't take Saxenda if any of the following apply:

• You're allergic to liraglutide or any other ingredient in Saxenda
• You're pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• You have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
• You have medullary thyroid cancer or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer

Saxenda may start working as soon as two weeks after you begin using it. However, it takes time to experience the full effect of the medication. Users typically lose a significant amount of weight after taking Saxenda for eight weeks. The exact timeframe depends on how much Saxenda you take and how well you follow your diet and exercise plan.

When you stop taking Saxenda, the medication leaves your body. Without medication to control your appetite, you may start to crave food again. Like semaglutide (Wegovy), Saxenda is a long-term medication, so users typically regain some of the weight they've lost after stopping it.