A More Comprehensive Approach to Weight Loss
Weight management is about more than simply eating less or watching the number on the scale.
At Bayou Functional Medicine, we take a broader approach by looking at the factors that can influence metabolism, body composition, appetite, energy, and long-term success.
For appropriate patients, prescription weight-management medications, including GLP-1–based therapies, may be used as one tool within a more complete medical weight-management plan.
Looking Beyond the Scale
Weight can be influenced by many factors, including insulin resistance, thyroid function, hormones, nutrition, sleep, stress, muscle mass, activity level, and overall metabolic health.
Our approach may include:
• Comprehensive laboratory testing that can often be ordered through insurance, depending on your individual plan and coverage
• Evaluation for insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction
• Thyroid assessment
• Hormone evaluation when clinically appropriate
• Nutrition and protein guidance
• Body composition monitoring
• Resistance and strength-training recommendations
• Sleep and stress support
• Hydration and digestive health
• Ongoing medical follow-up
• Prescription weight-management medications when appropriate
Our goal is not simply to help you lose weight, but to help you improve your overall metabolic health and body composition along the way.
GLP-1 Therapy
GLP-1–based medications can be a useful tool for appropriately selected patients, but medication is only one part of the program.
Every patient is medically evaluated before prescription therapy is considered.
When GLP-1 therapy is appropriate, treatment is individualized based on:
• Medical history
• Laboratory findings
• Current medications
• Treatment goals
• Clinical response
• Medication tolerability
• Ongoing progress
We believe medication works best when it is paired with the foundations that continue to matter:
Nutrition
Protein
Muscle
Movement
Sleep
Stress
Metabolic health.
More Than Just Weight Loss: We Monitor Body Composition
The scale cannot tell you whether weight loss is coming from fat, muscle, or both.
That is why we incorporate body composition monitoring into our medical weight-management program.
Depending on the patient, we may track trends in:
• Total body weight
• Body fat percentage
• Lean body mass
• Skeletal muscle
• Visceral fat
• Overall body composition
Monitoring these changes helps us make more informed recommendations around nutrition, protein intake, resistance training, and lifestyle.
One of our priorities is helping patients support and preserve lean muscle while improving overall body composition.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Support
Medication should complement healthy habits, not replace them.
Throughout treatment, we emphasize practical strategies that can support long-term success, including:
• Protein-forward meals
• Whole-food nutrition
• Appropriate calorie and nutrient intake
• Resistance and strength training
• Daily movement
• Hydration
• Sleep optimization
• Stress management
• Digestive health and regular bowel movements
We want patients to understand not only what they are doing, but why it matters.
This Is Not a “Shot and Go” Program
Medical weight management should be more than receiving a prescription and being sent on your way.
Our goal is to provide ongoing support, education, monitoring, and adjustments throughout your treatment.
GLP-1 medications may create an opportunity for meaningful change, but long-term success also depends on protecting muscle, improving metabolic health, and building habits that can continue beyond medication.
Laboratory Evaluation
Many patients benefit from a more comprehensive metabolic evaluation before or during treatment.
Depending on your health history and goals, testing may include:
• Glucose and hemoglobin A1C
• Fasting insulin
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Thyroid testing
• Lipid and advanced cardiovascular markers
• Hormone testing when appropriate
• Vitamin and nutrient markers
• Additional laboratory testing based on individual needs
Whenever appropriate, laboratory testing can often be ordered through your insurance, depending on your individual plan and coverage.
Medication Options
Treatment is individualized and may include FDA-approved weight-management medications or, when clinically appropriate and legally permissible, a patient-specific compounded medication.
Medication selection is based on your health history, clinical needs, availability, and medical evaluation.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA premarket review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
Medication Pricing
When an individually prescribed compounded medication is clinically appropriate and available:
Compounded semaglutide formulations — starting at $150
Compounded tirzepatide formulations — starting at $200
Medication pricing varies based on the prescribed formulation, concentration, dose, pharmacy pricing, and treatment plan and is subject to change.
Consultations, laboratory testing, follow-up visits, supplements, and other services may have separate fees.
A Different Way to Approach Weight Management
Whether you have struggled to lose weight, regained weight after previous attempts, noticed changes in your metabolism, or simply want a more medically guided approach, we want to understand what is happening beneath the number on the scale.
Our goal is to combine medical treatment, metabolic evaluation, nutrition, movement, body composition monitoring, and ongoing support into a plan designed around you.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a Medical Weight Management consultation with Bayou Functional Medicine.
(985) 438-3245
