GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss: What You Should Know Before You Ask Your Doctor

You've probably heard about them by now. Ozempic. Wegovy. Mounjaro. They're on the news, in your social media feed, and maybe even in conversations at your kitchen table. GLP-1 medications have become one of the most talked-about developments in medicine in years — and for good reason. But with all the buzz comes a lot of confusion. So let's cut through the noise and give you the straight story.

What Is a GLP-1 Medication?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 — a hormone your body naturally produces after you eat. It helps regulate blood sugar, slows digestion, and signals to your brain that you're full. GLP-1 receptor agonist medications work by mimicking this hormone, which is why they've shown meaningful results in managing both type 2 diabetes and, more recently, obesity and overweight.

The FDA has approved certain GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and a growing list of related conditions. These are not diet pills. They are prescription medications with a clinical profile, and they work best as part of a comprehensive, medically supervised plan.

So... Is This Right for Me?

That's the most important question — and it's one you should answer with your doctor, not with a social media post.

At Sisselman Medical Group, we offer GLP-1 treatment consultations for patients who may be candidates based on FDA-approved indications.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

• We sit down with you one-on-one and review your full health history

• We talk about your weight history, any related health conditions, and your goals

• We discuss how GLP-1 medications work, what to expect, and what the risks are

• We build a plan that includes lifestyle modifications — nutrition, activity, and behavioral changes — because medication alone is never the whole answer

• We monitor your progress and adjust as needed

A consultation with one of our providers does not guarantee a prescription. GLP-1 treatment is not right for everyone, and we take that seriously. Our job is to figure out what's right for you — not to simply write a script because you requested one.

Why Your Primary Care Team Should Be Leading This Conversation

Here's something we see too often: patients getting GLP-1 prescriptions from online platforms or med spas with little more than a quick questionnaire and a credit card. No full health history. No follow-up plan. No conversation about what happens if side effects kick in — or what comes next.

That's not the kind of care we provide.

At Sisselman Medical Group, GLP-1 consultations are conducted by our full clinical team — including Dr. Stephen Sisselman, Dr. Jill Sisselman, and our experienced midlevel providers: Sabrina, Erin, Lauren, and Danielle. Every one of them brings the same commitment to personalized, thoughtful care, and every consultation is grounded in your complete medical picture — your other medications, your lab results over time, your history with blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar.

That context matters enormously when making any prescribing decision — but especially for a medication class as powerful and nuanced as GLP-1s. We're also here for the long game. Weight management isn't a six-week sprint. It's an ongoing part of your overall health, and we want to be your partner through it.

Who Might Be a Candidate?

FDA-approved GLP-1 medications are indicated for several conditions — not just weight loss. While your individual consultation will determine eligibility, here is a look at the broader landscape of approved uses:

Obesity or Overweight (BMI criteria).

The foundational indication. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol may qualify.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The FDA has approved certain GLP-1 medications as an adjunct treatment for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. If you've been told you need a CPAP — or you've struggled to tolerate one — this is a conversation worth having. Meaningful weight reduction has been shown to significantly reduce sleep apnea severity.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD).

Excess weight and metabolic dysfunction are closely tied to fat accumulation in the liver. GLP-1 medications have demonstrated benefit in reducing liver fat and improving metabolic markers in patients with MAFLD, and FDA approvals have expanded to reflect this. If you've been told your liver enzymes are elevated or that you have fatty liver disease, this may be relevant to your care.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction.

For patients with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or type 2 diabetes, certain GLP-1 medications have received FDA approval specifically to reduce the risk of serious cardiac events — including heart attack and stroke. If you have a history of heart disease, this indication alone may make GLP-1 therapy worth discussing with your care team.

Across all of these indications, a commitment to sustainable lifestyle changes remains an essential part of the plan. There are also patients for whom GLP-1 medications are not appropriate — including those with certain personal or family histories of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or other conditions. This is exactly why a real, individualized medical consultation matters.

What About the Lifestyle Changes?

We want to be honest with you: GLP-1 medications work best when they're part of a bigger picture. The patients who see the most meaningful, lasting results are the ones who use the reduced appetite these medications provide as a runway to build healthier habits — not as a substitute for them.

That means working with you on what you're eating, how you're moving, how you're managing stress, and how all of it connects to your overall health. We're not here to hand you a prescription and send you on your way. We're here to help you build something sustainable.

Ready to Have the Conversation?

If you've been wondering whether GLP-1 treatment might be right for you, the best next step is simple: come in and talk to us. No pressure, no assumptions, and no judgment. Just an honest conversation between you and your care team about where you are and where you want to be.

Sisselman Medical Group has two convenient locations on Long Island — Massapequa and Commack. Same-day appointments are often available, and we'd love the chance to take care of you like family.