What GLP-1 medications do
GLP-1 medications mimic a natural gut hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. They slow stomach emptying and act on the brain's hunger and fullness signals, so many people feel satisfied with smaller portions and have fewer food cravings. Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Zepbound®), which also acts on a second hormone called GIP, are FDA-approved for chronic weight management and are given as a once-weekly injection under the skin.
JennWell Women's Health offers GLP-1 medical weight loss with Jennifer Neilan, WHNP. Because weight in women is so often tied to hormones — PCOS, insulin resistance, perimenopause and postpartum changes — treatment is built around a full women's health evaluation, not just a prescription.
Who may qualify
Current guidelines, including the American Gastroenterological Association's 2022 obesity guideline and Endocrine Society guidance, support weight-management medication alongside lifestyle changes for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sleep apnea. GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. They are not used with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome, and a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease or certain digestive conditions needs careful review.
Starting treatment
Your first visit covers weight history, eating patterns, sleep, cycles, medications and goals, with labs such as A1c, lipids, thyroid and liver tests when needed. Medication starts at a low dose and increases gradually every few weeks, which helps your body adjust. You will learn how to give the weekly injection yourself — it uses a very small needle and takes seconds.
Common side effects
The most common side effects are digestive and usually ease as your body adjusts:
- Nausea, especially after dose increases or large meals
- Constipation, diarrhea or heartburn
- Feeling full quickly or reduced appetite
- Fatigue in the first weeks
Protecting muscle and building habits
Losing weight quickly can mean losing muscle as well as fat. To protect strength and metabolism, your plan emphasizes adequate protein at each meal, strength training at least two days a week, hydration and fiber. Regular check-ins track not just the scale but energy, blood sugar, blood pressure and how your clothes fit, and the dose is adjusted for steady, sustainable progress.
Special considerations for women
GLP-1 medications can be especially helpful for women with PCOS and insulin resistance, and improving weight may help restore more regular cycles — which can also increase the chance of pregnancy. These medicines should not be used during pregnancy, and semaglutide's labeling advises stopping at least two months before a planned pregnancy. Tirzepatide can make birth control pills less reliable for several weeks after starting and after each dose increase, so a backup or non-oral method is recommended. Jennifer reviews contraception and family-planning goals before you begin.
Preparing for your visit
Coming prepared helps you get the most from an appointment about GLP-1 weight loss. Bring your current weight and any recent labs, a list of medications and supplements, and any weight-loss medicines you've tried. Note your birth control method and pregnancy plans, and any personal or family history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis.
JennWell Women's Health is located at 11844 Standing Stone Dr., Suite 200 in Gretna, inside Skilled Touch Health and Healing, and welcomes women from Elkhorn, West Omaha, Millard, Papillion, La Vista, Bennington, Lincoln and across Eastern Nebraska. To schedule, call (402) 800-8595 or request an appointment online. If you are unsure whether this service is right for you, a consultation is a no-pressure place to start the conversation and learn your options.
Frequently asked questions
Clinical guidelines & references
This guide is informed by published consensus statements from these professional organizations. It is educational and not a substitute for individual medical advice.
- American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on Pharmacological Interventions for Adults With Obesity. Gastroenterology. 2022;163(5):1198–1225.
- Endocrine Society. Pharmacological Management of Obesity: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(2):342–362.
- Monash University, ASRM, ESHRE & Endocrine Society (co-endorsed). Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447–2469.