Weight loss (GLP-1) medicine w/ Kaiser
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Anonymous
| Adult son who has Kaiser insurance is trying to lose weight. I think he is at least 30lbs overweight. My understanding is that Kaiser is very strict about prescribing GLP-1 medication. Is there any way he can get one without going thru insurance? or even his doctor? Any economically feasible programs out there he can sign up? Sorry, I obviously know nothing about this topic. TIA. |
Anonymous
| Kaiser will not support this unless his bmi is over 40. |
Anonymous
| He can use an online provider for either name brand or compounded medication. |
Anonymous
Do you know any online providers you recommend? |
Anonymous
I think there are many but I know of two: Push Health Plush Health Similar names but slightly different. Both prescribe the real medication, not compound. Plush has video appointments with doctors and you go take blood tests periodically. A family member uses this. Each visit costs something. Push--you talk to someone once and they refill with a very brief checkin fees. Better for someone who doesn't really want to interact with someone. No insurance coverage but you can get the Lily discount for Zepbound for $550 a month. It's expensive but works. |
Anonymous
| For a self-pay option look into Fridays for compound meds (joinFridays.com) or go directly to Lilly Direct for Zepbound |
Anonymous
It’s actually $450/month for higher doses now and expected to drop more by April |
Anonymous
|
I dislike being the one to say this, but 30 pounds to lose is not that much for most men.
Would GLP-1s make this easier? Sure, but he could also do it himself by modifying his diet, which he would need to do anyway if he was on a GLP-1 to make it successful. Also, has he factored in the lifetime nature of GLP-1s? My answer would be different if he has sleep apnea, high cholesterol, or pre-diabetic or has some other condition that would point to a GLP-1. |
Anonymous
|
Whatever option he chooses, he should be aware this medicine is intended to be taken for life, so if it's not financially sustainable for him, he's probably better off not starting it. Weight cycling is bad for you and that is what happens when you go on and off of these drugs.
If being staying on the GLP-1 drug works for him, I think that's great. If he wants to try something else first, I'd start with him making sure he is following the CDC for 150 minutes of cardio every week and 2 days of strength training. While many people say you can't lose weight from exercise, I have found it works for me, and so have researchers: "Exercise is key to maintaining good health, and guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking. But how much aerobic exercise does it take to lose weight — even around your middle? One potential answer comes from a review of 116 randomized, controlled trials that included almost 7,000 people (average age 46) who were overweight or obese. They took part in exercise programs for at least eight weeks. Researchers found that participants who did aerobic exercise for as little as 30 minutes per week had some reduction in body weight, waist size, and body fat by the end of the program. The more people exercised, the better the results: an average loss of about six pounds and 1.3 inches around the waist for those who exercised 150 minutes per week, and nine pounds and 1.6 inches for those who exercised 300 minutes per week." https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/how-much-aerobic-exercise-does-it-take-to-lose-weight |