Are you struggling to shed those extra pounds despite your best efforts with diet and exercise? Science suggests that only about 50% of our weight is within our control, with hormones and metabolic processes playing a significant role, especially as we age. If you've experienced weight regain after dieting, your muscle-to-fat proportion may have shifted, making weight management even more challenging. Shed It offers a comprehensive, prescription-based weight loss program designed to address these biological factors and help you achieve your health goals.
Understanding Shed It
Shed It is more than just a weight loss program; it's a holistic approach to improving your overall well-being. It acknowledges that weight loss is not just about the number on the scale but about enhancing your ability to live life to the fullest. The program aims to help you identify what you value most, such as traveling, spending time with family, or excelling in your career, and then improve your health to enable you to pursue those passions with greater vigor.
The program helps you shed pounds and break free from habits that hinder you from living your best life.
What Does Shed It Include?
Shed It provides a comprehensive suite of tools and support to guide you on your weight loss journey. The program includes:
- A monthly consultation with a licensed provider: Regular check-ins with a healthcare professional ensure your progress is monitored and your treatment plan is adjusted as needed.
- A prescription for the GLP-1 medication that’s best for your body and budget: Access to the most appropriate GLP-1 medication tailored to your individual needs and financial circumstances.
- Unlimited support check-ins with medical providers and the Dr. B support team: Ongoing support from medical professionals and the Dr. B team to address your questions and concerns throughout the program.
The price includes all clinical care and program support listed above. It does not change if your medication type or dosage changes.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
GLP-1 Medications: How They Work
Shed It utilizes GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist medications, which have shown promising results in supporting weight loss efforts. These medications mimic hormones naturally produced in the body, such as GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).
These hormones work by:
- Slowing down digestion, which helps you feel fuller for longer.
- Regulating insulin secretion, which helps lower blood sugar levels.
- Potentially reducing inflammation.
- GIP may also increase overall metabolism.
Studies have demonstrated that, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise, GLP-1 medications can lead to a significant reduction in body weight, with patients losing 5-20% of their starting weight within a year. Additionally, these medications can improve medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
GLP-1 Medication Options with Shed It
Dr. B offers three types of GLP-1 weight management medication: Liraglutide, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. Liraglutide and Semaglutide mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone naturally made in the body. Tirzepatide mimics GLP-1 and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone.
Shed It offers a range of GLP-1 medications to suit different needs and insurance coverage:
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Medications for those with health insurance coverage:
If you have health insurance, you can use the free online benefits checker to learn if your plan will pay for brand-name weight loss auto-injecting pens. If approved for coverage (and treatment), your medication price will be the prescription copay determined by your insurance plan. A provider will send your prescription to your chosen pharmacy for pickup and copay payment.
- Wegovy®*: A weekly injection containing Semaglutide, administered via a disposable auto-injector pen.
- Ozempic®*: A weekly injection containing Semaglutide, administered via a prefilled pen for multiple injections (requires a new needle for each injection).
- Zepbound®* or Mounjaro®*: A weekly injection containing Tirzepatide, administered via a disposable prefilled auto-injector pen.
- Saxenda®*: A daily injection containing Liraglutide, administered via a prefilled pen for multiple injections (requires a new needle for each injection).
Medications for self-pay patients (those without insurance coverage):
If you’re approved for treatment but do not have prescription coverage, your provider can prescribe a few self-pay options:
- Wegovy® (Semaglutide) pens: Prescriptions for Wegovy® autoinjector pens can be sent to NovoCare, where patients finalize payment and home delivery. All dosage levels cost $499 per month.
- Zepbound® (Tirzepatide) vials: Prescriptions for Zepbound vials can be sent to LillyDirect, where patients finalize payment and home delivery. Medication costs are $349-$499 per month and are available in dosages up to 10mg. Patients can pay with their HSA/FSA card at checkout!
- Compounded sublingual Semaglutide: A daily oral medication produced and shipped by a licensed pharmacy. Medication costs start at $72 per month, and patients pay for their medication and finalize delivery details with Dr. B. (Note: Sublingual Semaglutide is less effective than injectable GLP-1 medications. But it’s a helpful alternative for those who cannot inject medications.)
- Compounded injectable Liraglutide: A daily injection medication produced and shipped by a licensed compounding pharmacy. Medication costs are $141-$209 per month, and patients pay for their medication and finalize delivery details with Dr. B.
Our use of these names is for informational purposes only and does not imply any affiliation, endorsement or approval by the trademark holders.
Accessing Shed It Online
Shed It offers convenient online access to its program, although telehealth laws may require video consultations depending on your state. Most patients can take their consultation by chat. But depending on where you live, you may have to consult with your weight loss doctor online via video. You can also communicate with medical providers via text or phone for any questions or concerns you may have.
The Medical Professionals Behind Shed It
Shed It is run by licensed medical professionals, including doctors, registered nurses, and licensed pharmacists. The Dr. B support team handles the technical side. These professionals adhere to all state and federal rules and regulations and only prescribe medication when it is deemed safe and appropriate based on a thorough review of your consultation. They may request additional information or blood work to ensure your safety.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Potential Side Effects and Support
As with any medication, GLP-1 medications can potentially cause uncomfortable side effects-especially in the early days. If you have any concerns throughout your program, you can talk to a medical provider or chat with the Dr. B support team.
Determining Your Eligibility
With Shed It, you can get prescription weight loss medication online if you’re in the US, over 18 and have a body mass index (BMI) of or above 27. Most patients only qualify for health insurance coverage if they have a BMI of/above 30, or they have a BMI of/above 27 and a qualifying comorbidity.
To determine if you qualify for Shed It, you'll need to complete an online weight loss consultation, sharing your medical history, health problems, and weight concerns. Depending on your state, a video consultation may be required. A licensed provider will review your information and determine if the program is right for you. If approved, Dr. B will organize medication shipment. If prescribed a brand-name auto-injector pen, you’ll pick up and pay for your prescription at your chosen pharmacy.
Shed It: A Promising Option for Weight Loss
Shed It offers a comprehensive and supportive approach to prescription weight loss, addressing the biological factors that can hinder weight management efforts. With personalized medication plans, ongoing medical support, and a focus on overall well-being, Shed It can help you achieve your weight loss goals and live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Scientific Basis
The effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists is supported by various studies:
- Alharbi, S. H. (2024) highlights the anti-inflammatory role of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and its clinical implications.
- Evert, A. B. et al. (2017) discusses the difficulties in weight loss maintenance, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies.
- Farzam, K., Patel, P. (2024) provides an overview of Tirzepatide and its mechanisms of action.
- Gasbjerg, L.S., et al. (2018) explores glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonists as anti-diabetic agents.
These sources, along with information from Mayo Clinic (2024), provide a strong scientific foundation for the use of GLP-1 medications in weight management.
Shed-IT Weight Loss Maintenance Program
Using a two-phase, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomised controlled trial design this study will test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a male-only weight loss maintenance intervention.
In Phase I (3 months) 209 men received the SHED-IT Weight Loss Program. In Phase II (12 months) 92 men who lost 4 kg or more were randomised to either (i) a maintenance group who received the 6-month, gender-tailored SHED-IT Weight Loss Maintenance Program, which included no face-to-face contact (n = 47), or (ii) a self-help control group (n = 45). Randomisation was stratified by weight loss (4 kg-7.4 kg, ≥7.5 kg) and BMI (<30 kg/m(2), ≥30 kg/m(2)). Assessments occurred at 'study entry' (start of Phase I), 'baseline' (start of Phase II), '6 months' (post-test) and will occur at '12 months' (follow-up; primary endpoint).
The primary outcome is weight change in Phase II (i.e. from 'baseline' at 12 months after randomization). Secondary outcomes include waist circumference (umbilicus and narrowest), blood pressure, body composition, objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time, portion size, dietary intake, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and behavioural cognitions. Costing data will be collected for cost-effectiveness analysis. Generalised linear mixed models (intention-to-treat) will assess outcomes for treatment (maintenance vs. control), time (baseline, 6-month and 12-month) and the treatment-by-time interaction. This will be the first study to evaluate a male-only, gender-targeted weight loss maintenance program.