Are You a Good Candidate for Weight Loss Shots?

Weight loss isn’t easy, and despite your best efforts with salad, steps, and skipping dessert (most of the time), progress can stall. So if you’re considering weight loss shots like semaglutide or tirzepatide, you wouldn’t be alone, and you wouldn’t be wrong.

These medications, originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, have proven to help with sustainable weight loss, appetite control, and improving metabolic health. If you’re in Memphis and curious about whether weight loss shots like semaglutide or tirzepatide could help you, this blog is for you.

Let’s break it down.

What Are Weight Loss Shots, Really?

Weight loss shots refer to medications like semaglutide (brand names Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®), which belong to a class called GLP-1 +/- GIP receptor agonists.

Translation? These meds mimic natural hormones that:

• Tell your brain you’re full
• Slow down how fast your stomach empties
• Help regulate your blood sugar
• Reduce inflammation and support long-term weight regulation
  

Basically, they work with your body, not against it, to help you eat less and feel better doing it.

At our Memphis-based clinic, our providers work with you to prescribe the most appropriate dose based on your indication, progress, and tolerance. If you have insurance coverage for these agents, you are lucky, and you’ll see our providers each month until you reach your target dose. Importantly, unlike online clinics that only offer prescriptions, we’re the experts in medication optimization. We’ll meet with you weekly at first to make sure you are properly titrated and reach your weight loss goals safely.  

You Might Be a Great Candidate If…

Wondering if these shots are for you? Let’s walk through what makes someone a good fit.

You’ve Tried Diet and Exercise—And You’re Still Stuck

You count calories, skip the late-night chips, maybe even started lifting weights. But no matter what you do, the number on the scale barely budges. If that sounds familiar, weight loss shots may help you overcome that frustrating plateau.

These medications aren’t designed to replace healthy habits, but they are especially helpful tools that can remove obstacles to long-term benefits, especially when paired with ongoing support. At our clinic, you’re not on your own. You’ll work one-on-one with a clinical Pharmacist to adjust your dose, manage side effects, and stay on track.

Your BMI Is 30 or Higher—Or 27+ With Health Concerns

The general medical guidelines for GLP-1s say you qualify if:

• Your BMI is 30 or higher (classified as obesity)
• Or, your BMI is 27–29.9 and you have a weight-related condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, or insulin resistance
  

But we don’t look at numbers alone—we look at your whole health picture. That includes waist circumference, lab results, your history, and yes, how you feel in your own body. If you’re at risk for heart disease or struggling with metabolic symptoms, this therapy could help you stop issues before they start.

You Have Prediabetes or Metabolic Syndrome

Even if you don’t have diabetes, you might have signs that you’re heading in that direction:

• Elevated fasting blood sugar
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL cholesterol
• Bigger waistline
• Higher blood pressure
  

This cluster of risk factors is called metabolic syndrome, and it’s more common than you think. GLP-1s can help reverse many of these warning signs, and cash-based or compounded options allow us to use them preventively, not just after disease sets in.

At our clinic, we’ve seen real-world results: patients improved their waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels in just 12–24 weeks of treatment. And no, they weren’t eating cardboard or running marathons.

You’re Ready to Pair the Shot With Real Lifestyle Support

GLP-1s make it easier to say “no thanks” to second helpings and sugar cravings. But they’re not magic wands. You still need to fuel your body well, stay active, and build habits that support long-term health.

If you’re ready to work with the medication—rather than hoping it’ll do all the work—then you’re exactly the type of patient who sees the best results. You’ll meet with our Memphis-based Pharmacist regularly, which means you get:

• Real-time dose adjustments
• Digestive tips for upset stomachs
• Encouragement when the scale stalls
• Honest advice (and a little tough love if needed)

You Can’t Access Shots or Insurance Won’t Cover Them

If you’ve ever tried to get Ozempic® or Mounjaro® and hit a wall at the pharmacy, welcome to the club. Between on and off nationwide shortages and ever-changing insurance rules, even patients who should qualify often can’t get what they need.  

If your insurance doesn’t cover these agents, our providers work with you to find options that include cash pay for branded products. In some cases, you may need a dose or formulation that is not available in commercial form. In this case, we can work with compounding pharmacists to help you obtain exactly what you need for your weight loss success. Regardless, every prescription is backed by proper monitoring and a provider who is watching your success every step of the way.

Bottom line: don’t inject mystery vials from Instagram!  At Züp, you’ll be under the care of trained professionals using medical-grade formulations tailored for you.

Who Should Skip Weight Loss Shots?

GLP-1s aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. You may not be a good candidate if:

• You have a history of thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome
• You’ve had pancreatitis or severe GI disease
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• You’re not able (or willing) to come in for follow-up and monitoring
• You’re looking for a quick fix without lifestyle changes
  

We’ll review your full medical history before starting anything. Your safety matters way more than your scale number.

Why Choose a Pharmacist-Led Program in Memphis?

There’s no shortage of online ads for weight loss programs promising miracle results. But most of them can’t offer the thing that really makes a difference: human guidance.

Here’s what makes our clinic different:

• You’ll work with a board-certified clinical Pharmacist, not just a chatbot
• We offer local care in Memphis, with someone you can call or visit in-person
• We use trusted pharmacies with consistent dosing
• We base every recommendation on lab work and real science
  

And unlike those cookie-cutter telehealth platforms, we don’t just mail you meds and wish you luck. We’re here with you, every week if needed, adjusting, encouraging, and guiding you toward actual health.

So… Are You a Good Candidate for Weight Loss Shots?

If you’re tired of fad diets, overwhelmed by options, or just ready to feel like yourself again, weight loss shots might be worth exploring. Especially when they’re paired with real, Pharmacist-led care right here in Memphis.

Let’s find out if they’re right for you.

Schedule your appointment today and see how compounded GLP-1 therapy could work for your body, your goals, and your health.

Posted by ZüpMed