Medical Weight Loss

Integrated Functional Medicine Care for Metabolic Health & Longevity

At Caring for the Body, PLLC – Center for Functional Medicine, medical weight loss is not a separate offering or a rigid protocol. It is woven into comprehensive functional medicine care for individuals who need it and desire it.

We view weight changes as meaningful clinical information—not a personal failure, not a willpower issue, and not simply a matter of calories. Persistent weight gain or resistance often reflects deeper physiologic patterns involving metabolism, hormones, inflammation, insulin signaling, stress physiology, sleep, medications, and genetics.

Our goal is not just weight loss—but metabolic restoration, strength, clarity, and long-term vitality.

A Functional Medicine Lens on Weight

From a functional medicine perspective, excess weight is often a downstream effect, not the root problem. Contributors we routinely evaluate include:

• Insulin resistance and metabolic inflexibility
  
  
• Hormonal transitions (perimenopause, menopause, low testosterone, thyroid dysfunction)
  
  
• Chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation
  
  
• Inflammation and mitochondrial inefficiency
  
  
• Sleep disruption and circadian rhythm misalignment
  
  
• Gut health and nutrient absorption challenges
  
  
• Medication-related metabolic effects
  
  
• Genetic tendencies affecting hunger, satiety, and fat storage
  
  

Understanding why the body is holding onto weight allows us to treat it with precision rather than frustration.

How Medical Weight Loss Is Integrated Into Care

Comprehensive Medical & Metabolic Evaluation

When weight loss support is appropriate, we begin with a personalized, physician-led evaluation that may include:

• Detailed medical, nutrition, lifestyle, and stress history
  
  
• Advanced cardiometabolic and insulin markers
  
  
• Hormone and thyroid assessment when indicated
  
  
• Body composition analysis (fat mass, lean mass, visceral fat)
  
  
• Review of medications, supplements, sleep patterns, and training load
  
  

This approach ensures weight loss strategies support muscle preservation, brain health, cardiometabolic resilience, and longevity—not just a lower number on the scale.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Foundations

Lasting weight loss is built on restoring physiologic balance. Care plans often include:

• Anti-inflammatory, protein-forward nutrition
  
  
• Blood sugar–stabilizing meal composition and timing
  
  
• Strength training to preserve lean muscle and resting metabolic rate
  
  
• Movement that supports nervous system regulation rather than depletion
  
  
• Sleep and circadian rhythm optimization
  
  
• Stress physiology and resilience support
  
  

These foundations are essential whether or not medication is used.

Thoughtful, Expert Use of GLP-1 Agonist Medications (When Indicated)

For select individuals, GLP-1 receptor agonists can serve as a valuable adjunct to care—not a replacement for lifestyle foundations.

When clinically appropriate and carefully prescribed, GLP-1 medications may:

• Improve insulin sensitivity
  
  
• Reduce excessive hunger and “food noise”
  
  
• Enhance satiety and portion awareness
  
  
• Support metabolic recalibration during lifestyle change
  
  

Our expertise lies in appropriate patient selection, conservative dosing, close monitoring, and intentional integration into whole-person care.

Equally important, we prioritize:

• Lean muscle preservation
  
  
• Adequate protein and micronutrient intake
  
  
• Gut health support
  
  
• Avoidance of metabolic suppression
  
  
• Thoughtful planning for tapering when appropriate
  
  

Medication is used as a supportive tool, not a shortcut.

GLP-1 Medications: Safety, Side Effects & Common Myths

Are GLP-1 medications safe?

GLP-1 receptor agonists have been extensively studied and are FDA-approved for diabetes and obesity management. When prescribed appropriately and monitored by an experienced physician, they are generally well tolerated. Safety depends on patient selection, dosing, monitoring, and integration with nutrition and lifestyle support.

They are not appropriate for everyone, which is why medical oversight matters.

What are the most common side effects?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal and dose-related, especially early on or with rapid dose escalation. These may include:

• Nausea
  
  
• Early fullness
  
  
• Bloating or reflux
  
  
• Constipation or diarrhea
  
  

In our practice, we mitigate these risks by:

• Starting with low doses
  
  
• Titrating slowly
  
  
• Supporting digestion, hydration, and protein intake
  
  
• Monitoring closely and adjusting as needed
  
  

Severe or persistent side effects are uncommon when medications are used thoughtfully.

Will I lose muscle while taking a GLP-1?

Muscle loss is not inevitable, but it can occur if weight loss is rapid and unsupported.

We proactively protect lean mass through:

• Adequate protein intake
  
  
• Resistance training
  
  
• Body composition monitoring
  
  
• Avoiding overly aggressive dosing
  
  

Preserving muscle is essential for metabolism, balance, bone health, and long-term weight maintenance.

Will I have to take this medication forever?

Not necessarily.

Some individuals benefit from GLP-1 support for a defined period while metabolic foundations are strengthened. Others may require longer-term use depending on genetics, insulin resistance, or medical history.

Our approach includes ongoing reassessment and intentional planning, rather than indefinite prescribing without a strategy.

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Is using a GLP-1 “cheating”?

This is one of the most common myths.

Using medication to treat a biologic condition such as insulin resistance or dysregulated appetite signaling is no more “cheating” than using medication for hypertension or hypothyroidism.

When used appropriately, GLP-1 medications support physiology—they do not replace personal responsibility or foundational lifestyle care.

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Do GLP-1 medications fix the root cause?

GLP-1 medications can support metabolic regulation, but they do not address all root causes on their own.

That is why we integrate them within functional medicine care that addresses:

• Nutrition quality
  
  
• Muscle and mitochondrial health
  
  
• Hormones and thyroid function
  
  
• Sleep and stress physiology
  
  
• Inflammation and gut health
  
  

True, lasting change comes from addressing the full picture.

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Who May Benefit From This Integrated Approach

Medical weight loss support may be appropriate if you:

• Have persistent weight gain or resistance despite disciplined efforts
  
  
• Suspect hormonal or metabolic contributors
  
  
• Are navigating midlife body changes
  
  
• Want expert guidance around GLP-1 medications
  
  
• Value long-term health, cognition, and vitality over quick fixes
  
  

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Our Philosophy

Weight loss should never come at the expense of muscle, metabolic health, brain health, or dignity.

Our goal is to help you feel strong, clear-headed, and at peace in your body again—using medical wisdom, evidence-informed care, and compassionate partnership.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re curious whether integrated medical weight loss support—including lifestyle optimization and thoughtful use of GLP-1 medications—is right for you, we invite you to begin with a complimentary strategy session.

This no-obligation conversation allows us to:

• Understand your goals and health history
  
  
• Explore potential metabolic contributors
  
  
• Clarify whether medical weight loss support may be appropriate
  
  
• Help you identify the most aligned next steps
  
  

👉 Schedule your complimentary strategy session today and take the first step toward sustainable metabolic health and renewed vitality.

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