Questions
Asked before the first visit.
Honest answers to the questions patients research at night. If yours is not here, call either office — or bring it to your evaluation.
- Do I have to take medication?
- No. Medication is prescribed when it is medically appropriate for you, and that is a decision made together after your evaluation. Some patients are treated without it.
- Do you prescribe GLP-1 medications?
- Yes — semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), when they are medically appropriate. They are prescribed and monitored by Dr. Saad as part of ongoing care, with follow-up visits to review how you are tolerating treatment.
- Are these medications safe?
- For most patients, yes, when properly screened and monitored — which is exactly why this program is physician-guided. The most common side effects are digestive — nausea, constipation — and usually improve as dosing is adjusted. Serious side effects are uncommon, and your evaluation screens for the conditions that would make a medication the wrong choice for you.
- Will I regain the weight if I stop the medication?
- Obesity behaves like other chronic conditions: when treatment stops, the condition tends to return. Clinical trials show that much of the lost weight returns after stopping a GLP-1. That is not a reason to avoid treatment — it is a reason to plan for maintenance from the start, which is part of how Dr. Saad structures your care.
- What about losing muscle instead of fat?
- Rapid weight loss can include muscle. The program manages this with adequate protein, strength-focused activity guidance, and a rate of loss that is monitored rather than maximized.
- What about compounded versions of these medications?
- Availability, pricing, and regulation of compounded GLP-1s change frequently. Dr. Saad reviews the current options with you honestly at your visit, including when a compounded version may or may not be appropriate. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality, and should only be obtained from appropriately licensed pharmacies. See our Medical Disclaimer.
- How often will I be seen, and on which days?
- You will have regular follow-up visits throughout the program. Dr. Saad currently sees patients on Mondays, by appointment, at both the Umatilla and Weirsdale offices.
- Do you take insurance?
- It depends on how you work with Dr. Saad. If he becomes your primary care physician, visits are typically covered by insurance. If you keep your own PCP and see him for weight loss only, visits are usually self-pay at $300–$400 per month. Medications are billed separately through your pharmacy, and coverage varies by plan — the office will help verify yours.
- What should I bring to the first visit?
- A list of your current medications and supplements, any recent lab results you have, and your health history as you know it. If you do not have recent labs, Dr. Saad will order what is needed.
- How long does the program last?
- There is no fixed end date. Treatment is adjusted over time based on your progress, tolerance, lab results, and goals — including a maintenance plan when you get there.
The rest get answered in person.
One visit — your history, your labs, and answers specific to you rather than to the internet.