FAQs

General

• Do you accept health insurance?

  For our medical weight loss options (semaglutide, tirzepatide), we do not accept insurance. Insurance does not typically pay for weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro and because we partner with a compounding pharmacy to deliver your medication to you, you never have to worry about copays at the pharmacy or medications running out of stock.

  For our surgical procedures (general surgery and bariatric procedures), Dr. Lorenzo accepts most medical insurance providers.

• How much do you charge for your program?

  The price you pay may vary depending on the medication and dose that our doctor prescribes for you. Our Program fees include your doctor consultation fees, medications, and necessary injection supplies. For compounded semaglutide, it will be about $400 per month and for compounded tirzepatide, it will be about $500 per month.

  For general surgery and bariatric surgery, Dr. Lorenzo will work with your insurance so the exact price depends on your insurance policy and plan.

• Cancellation and refund policy

  Federal and State laws prohibit the return of prescription medication. Therefore, all sales are final once your medication has been shipped from the pharmacy.

• Where do the medications come from?

  We have partnered with Hawaii-licensed compounding pharmacies located in the United States that are used by other weight loss centers across the nation. These partnerships allow Oahu Weight Loss to provide our clients a safe, convenient and consistent source of weight loss medications at a much lower price than the brand name versions.

• What is compounding?

  Compounding refers to the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. This is different from manufacturing drugs. Healthcare providers have worked with compounding pharmacies for decades to customize medications for patients. Because semaglutide is on the FDA list of drug shortages, pharmacies are able to compound these prescriptions for patients in order to help meet demand.

Medical Weight Loss

• How much weight loss will I see?

  Individual results may vary by drug, dosing, and other individual factors. In the Wegovy clinical trial, participants receiving 2.4 mg semaglutide every week (with gradual increase to 2.4 mg) lost about 10% of their mean body weight after 28 weeks. In the Mounjaro clinical trial, participants receiving the maximum tolerated tirzepatide dose of 10 or 15 mg lost about 20% mean body weight after 36 weeks.

• How long does it take to lose weight?

  Individual results may vary but usually, weight loss will not be immediate. You may start to see small to moderate effects on weight loss after the first month and more significant results after approximately 3 months of medication therapy.

• Will I regain any weight after stopping medication?

  You can stop at any time, but stopping medication may result in weight regain. In order to keep the weight loss off, you may have to be on medication treatment until you develop lifestyle modifications to your diet and exercise.

• Is it typical to experience a decrease in appetite when starting the medication?

  Yes, absolutely. The medications work by helping your brain tell you that you are fuller.

• What can I do to minimize symptoms of heart burn, indigestion, nausea, and acid reflux?

  Although your doctor will minimize the likelihood of these side effects by gradually increasing your dose, you can minimize these side effects by avoiding sugary, greasy, fried, or fatty foods. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, go to the ER or call 911.

• What is "Ozempic face" and how can I avoid it?

  “Ozempic face” refers to the side effect that some patients may experience when they lose weight too quickly. When you lose facial fat, may result in a hollowed-out appearance which may increase wrinkles and make you look older. This can be minimized by drinking plenty of water everyday and eating a protein-rich diet.

Surgical Weight Loss

• What qualifies someone for weight loss surgery?

  An individual is considered a candidate for weight loss surgery if their weight has resulted in significant health issues and other conventional weight loss efforts have not been successful.

• Does insurance cover weight loss surgery?

  Generally most insurers will cover weight loss or bariatric surgery if an individual’s BMI is 40 kg/m2 and above or if their BMI is between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2 and associated with an obesity-related condition like diabetes or severe sleep apnea. Because each insurer has their own specific criteria, it is best to contact your insurer to determine if this is a covered benefit.

• How much weight can I expect to lose with weight loss surgery?

  While individual results vary, most patients will lose about 50-70 % of their excess body weight within 1-1.5 years.

• How do I know if I can safely undergo weight loss surgery?

  Individuals interested in weight loss surgery must undergo a thorough evaluation with a bariatrician (obesity medicine specialist), dietician and psychologist. These providers will make sure you are fit enough to undergo a major operation and have the ability to make the necessary changes to your diet and activity to succeed afterwards.

• How do I know which operation is right for me?

  Dr. Lorenzo will meet with you to discuss your goals and review your medical conditions. Surgical options will be presented to you along with expected outcomes and contraindications. Together, your surgeon will help you select the operation that best meets your needs.

• How long is the operation and how long will I be in the hospital?

  Surgery takes about 1-2 hours and most patients stay just one night in the hospital.

• When can I return to work?

  Most patients will return to work in 2-4 weeks. Your surgeon and team of providers will make sure you are ready to return to normal activities and work.