Getting started with medical weight loss: a complete guide

1. Orient yourself thoroughly first

Before you approach a clinic, it helps to understand what you are getting into. Medical weight loss revolves around prescription-only GLP-1 medication combined with lifestyle guidance; it is not a stand-alone pill you simply order online. So first read up on how GLP-1 works and look at which clinics offer it. That way you know what to expect and can tell reliable providers from unreliable ones.

Be especially alert to parties that offer medication without a prescription or that make promises that sound too good to be true. That is a clear signal to stay away; also read how to recognise counterfeits.

2. Do you belong to the target group?

GLP-1 medication is intended for people with overweight or obesity, often from a certain BMI or at a lower BMI in combination with weight-related conditions. You can make an initial assessment yourself, but the doctor ultimately makes the decision. Read our explainer on who it is suitable for to learn what plays a role.

These thresholds are indicative; your medical history and health also help determine whether treatment is sensible. The doctor assesses this during the intake.

3. Choose a reliable clinic

The clinic you choose largely determines how safe and pleasant your treatment journey will be. Look for a BIG-registered doctor (the official register for healthcare providers in the Netherlands), personal contact with a doctor, delivery via a recognised pharmacy, transparent prices and good guidance. On our page with clinics you can compare providers side by side, including our transparency score. If you want to know specifically what to look out for, read our separate guide on choosing a safe clinic.

4. The intake with the doctor

During the intake the doctor maps out your health: your weight and BMI, medical history, medication use and any risk factors. Based on this, the doctor assesses whether medication is suitable and safe for you. Read in advance what a doctor's intake involves and prepare your questions with our guide on preparing for your intake.

A good intake does not feel like a sales pitch, but like a medical assessment in which 'no' is also a possible outcome.

5. Build-up, dosing and lifestyle

You start a GLP-1 treatment at a low dose and build it up in steps. This gradual schedule helps limit side effects such as nausea. You can read exactly how this works in dosing and build-up; for the injection itself, read how injecting works.

The medication supports you, but does not do the work on its own. Nutrition and exercise remain the foundation. So combine your treatment with attention to healthy nutrition and, where possible, guidance from a dietitian. That increases the chance of lasting results and helps limit a yo-yo effect after stopping.

6. Costs and realistic expectations

Medical weight loss costs money: in addition to the medication you pay for consultations and guidance. Prices differ per dose and per clinic; check our up-to-date overviews at what it costs and read about possible reimbursement. If you are unsure which medicine to choose, our comparison of Ozempic or Mounjaro can help.

Keep your expectations realistic. In studies, participants lose on average a substantial part of their body weight, but these are study averages and not a promise; results differ from person to person. Read more about this at how much you can lose.

Frequently asked questions