Weight-Loss Medications for Dummies

An easy-to-read walkthrough of the latest weight-loss drugs from a board-certified obesity doctor

GLP-1 drugs, like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide, are inescapable these days. You’ve seen them marketed on TV as treatments for obesity and diabetes. They appear constantly in pop culture and are a common subject of conversation around dinner tables everywhere. Terms like “Ozempic-face” have entered the chat.

But what exactly are GLP-1 medications? Do they work? If they do, how do they work? Are they safe? What do they treat? Who are they ideal for? Are there some people who shouldn’t use them?

In Weight-Loss Medications For Dummies, board-certified obesity medicine specialist and gastroenterologist Patrick Reeves and dual board-certified internist Tania Elliott deliver an easy-to-follow and accurate walkthrough of this new class of GLP-1 drugs. This is the ultimate resource for everyone interested in learning about the first commercially available weight-loss medications that are demonstrably effective over the long-term.

Dr. Reeves and Dr. Elliott explain how you can know if weight-loss drugs are right for you and how they operate in your body to manage appetite, control blood sugar, and promote weight loss. You’ll learn how to choose from among the various options and how to deal with insurance companies that are sometimes reluctant to pay for these relatively expensive medications. You’ll also discover:

• Tips for mitigating and managing the most common side effects caused by GLP-1 drugs
• How to use lifestyle changes – including diet, exercise, and behavioral adjustments – to improve the efficacy of the medications
• Explanations of what to expect from your healthcare provider if you’re being treated with a GLP-1
• Common misconceptions about GLP-1 drugs and their effects on lifespan

Perfect for anyone struggling with obesity or having difficulty managing their weight in a healthy and sustainable way, Weight-Loss Medications For Dummies is a jargon-free and straightforward roadmap to understanding this essential new weapon in the fight to regain our health.

Patrick Reeves, MD, is a quadruple board-certified obesity physician and gastroenterologist. He helps to run one of the largest obesity medicine clinics in the country and has nearly 50 publications under his belt.

Tania Elliott, MD, is a dual board-certified physician known for her effective root-cause weight-loss programs. Dr. Elliott is a Clinical Instructor at NYU Langone Health.