7 questions to ask any medical weight loss provider before you pay them.
Ask all seven. The answers matter — but how they answer matters just as much. Good providers welcome these questions. Evasive answers are your signal to keep shopping.
Ask each one. Listen for how they answer.
“Who exactly will be managing my care — and will it be the same person over time?”
You're listening for a name and a credential, not a shrug. Continuity is where dosing decisions get smart.
“What labs do you run before I start, and what are you looking for?”
The right answer names specifics (metabolic panel, A1C, thyroid, lipids). “Labs are optional” is an answer too — about their model.
“Exactly what medication are you dispensing, and where does it come from?”
Brand-name, manufacturer direct, or compounded — each is a different risk/cost profile. Vague sourcing answers are disqualifying.
“What happens if I get side effects at 9pm on a Friday?”
You want a protocol, not a portal. Who do you contact, how fast do they respond, can they adjust your dose?
“What's your plan when I plateau?”
Everyone plateaus. “We increase the dose” is one tool, not a plan. Listen for nutrition, resistance training, muscle preservation, adjunct options.
“How do you protect my muscle mass while I lose weight?”
A significant share of rapid weight loss can be lean mass if nobody's paying attention. Providers who bring up protein targets and strength training unprompted are showing you their depth.
“What does getting OFF the medication look like in your program?”
The single most revealing question. A provider whose business model requires you to stay on forever will struggle to answer it. A provider practicing medicine will have thought about it before you asked.
Bonus for med spas
“How often is your medical director physically on-site, and can I meet them?”
A one-page checklist for your next consult.
Print it, screenshot it, or bring it up on your phone.
Last updated: [DATE]