Medical Weight Loss Resources from a Charlotte Physician
Clear, physician-reviewed answers about weight loss medications, what your first visit involves, what care costs, and how insurance works. Written for patients, by a board-certified internal medicine practice in Charlotte.
Or call (980) 306-2060
Everything You Need Before You Decide
Most people researching medical weight loss have the same handful of questions, and the answers are scattered across the internet in pieces written to sell something.
This is our library of those answers in one place. Each guide below is written and reviewed by our physician, grounded in FDA labeling and mainstream clinical evidence, and kept current as treatments change. Read what you need, skip what you do not, and bring your questions to your visit.
Our clinic is on Eastway Drive in Charlotte. Initial and follow-up visits are available in person or virtually.
Browse by Topic
Every guide below is written by our clinic and reviewed by a board-certified internal medicine physician.
Start HereGLP-1 Medications Guide
How GLP-1 medications work, what they treat, what to expect from treatment, and the safety points worth understanding before you start.
Read the GLP-1 guideYour First Visit
What happens at your first appointment, what to bring, and how Dr. Okoye builds your plan with you.
Prepare for your visitBMI Calculator
Find your adult BMI, see what the number means, and learn what it does not tell you about your health.
Use the BMI calculatorCalculadora de IMC en español
Wegovy
Semaglutide for chronic weight management. How it works, how doses increase, side effects, and safety considerations.
Read about WegovyZepbound
Tirzepatide for chronic weight management. How it works, how doses increase, side effects, and safety considerations.
Read about ZepboundFoundayo (Orforglipron)
The oral GLP-1 approved in April 2026. Taken any time of day, with no food or water restrictions.
Read about FoundayoOral GLP-1 Tablets
The daily tablet options for weight management, how they compare to injections, and who they suit.
Compare oral GLP-1 optionsWegovy vs. Zepbound
A direct comparison of the two leading weight loss injections and how a physician decides between them.
Compare the twoPrescription Weight Loss Medications
The full range of prescription options we use, including GLP-1 medications and other approved treatments.
See all medicationsInsurance and Coverage
Which plans we accept, how medical and pharmacy benefits differ, and what prior authorization involves.
Understand your coveragePricing and Self-Pay
Consultation and follow-up pricing, lab costs, and the self-pay, HSA, FSA, and CareCredit pathways.
Review pricingMedicare GLP-1 Bridge
Medicare covers Wegovy, the Zepbound KwikPen, and Foundayo at $50 a month through December 2027 for people who qualify. Who is eligible and how to apply.
Read the Medicare guideNorth Carolina Medicaid
How NC Medicaid handles medical weight loss visits and prescription coverage, and what our team can help with.
Read the NC Medicaid guideSouth Carolina Medicaid
How SC Medicaid handles weight management care and medication coverage for patients we see virtually.
Read the SC Medicaid guideTRICARE
What TRICARE covers for weight management, what it excludes, and how referrals and pharmacy rules work.
Read the TRICARE guideManufacturer Savings Programs
Savings cards and manufacturer programs that can lower medication cost, and who qualifies for them.
See savings programsGLP-1 Weight Maintenance
What happens after you reach your goal weight, and how a maintenance plan keeps results steady.
Plan for maintenancePhysician-Led vs. Online Care
How care from a board-certified internal medicine physician differs from an online prescription service.
See the differenceChronic Disease Management
How weight management works alongside blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other ongoing conditions.
Read about chronic careReading is a good place to start. A medical evaluation is where your plan actually gets built.
Schedule an AppointmentFrom First Question to Ongoing Plan
Reading about medications answers part of the question. The rest depends on your health history, your labs, and your goals, which is what the visit is for.
- Medical evaluationOur physician reviews your health history and current medications, discusses your goals, and checks your body composition to establish a true baseline. Labs are obtained and reviewed.
- Your personalized planYou and our physician review your treatment options together, including medication, nutrition guidance, and activity counseling, built around what your evaluation shows.
- Ongoing follow-upRegular visits track your progress and adjust the plan as you go, in person at our Charlotte clinic or virtually.
Programs, Locations, and Articles
Beyond the topic guides above, these pages cover our full program, where we see patients, and our ongoing writing on weight and metabolic health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who writes and reviews these resources?
Every guide on this page is written and reviewed by our board-certified internal medicine physician, drawing on FDA labeling, manufacturer prescribing information, and mainstream clinical evidence. They are general education, not a substitute for a medical evaluation.
Where should I start if I am completely new to this?
Start with the GLP-1 medications guide for how treatment works, then read what happens at your first visit so you know what to expect. If cost is your main question, the pricing and insurance guides answer that directly.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. Self-pay options are also available. Coverage for your visit and coverage for medication are handled separately, and our team helps you understand your visit and medication coverage steps.
Are visits available virtually?
Initial and follow-up visits are available in person or virtually. In-person care is provided at our Charlotte clinic, and virtual visits are available to patients located in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Do you offer compounded weight loss medications?
No, we use brand-name commercial weight loss medications filled through licensed retail pharmacies.
Can I ask a question that is not answered here?
Yes. Call the clinic at (980) 306-2060 or schedule an appointment, and our physician will address it directly as part of your evaluation.
Ready to Talk to a Physician?
Bring your questions to a real medical evaluation. Our physician reviews your health, your goals, and your options, and builds the plan with you.
Or call (980) 306-2060
Charlotte Weight Loss & Wellness Clinic, 1220 Eastway Drive, Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28205. Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
This page is for general education only and does not replace a medical evaluation, diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan. Treatment recommendations are individualized and based on medical evaluation, health history, medication safety considerations, insurance coverage, medication availability, and clinician judgment. Individual results vary, and no specific outcome is guaranteed. Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk. Zepbound® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.