BMI of 30 or higher
BMI compares weight with height. It is one part of the assessment, alongside your health history.
Medical weight managementMedical Weight Loss & GLP-1 Clinic
Medical Weight Loss & GLP-1 Clinic
in West Hartford, CT
Losing weight and keeping it off can be difficult. At Ample Urgent & Primary Care, Dr. Mojdeh Heidari, DNP, FNP-C, offers medical weight management at our West Hartford office. We review your health and discuss treatment, which may include semaglutide or tirzepatide when appropriate.
We start with an evaluation. Whether we prescribe medicine, how well it works and what insurance covers depend on your situation.
Your first visit
Medical Weight Loss at Ample
We begin with your medical history, current medications, previous attempts at weight loss and the health concerns you want to address. Blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep and other conditions can affect the plan. Recent lab results may help; additional testing depends on your history and assessment.
Your plan may include medicine, changes to food and activity, or another treatment. We discuss meals, nutrition and movement that fit your health and daily routine. At follow-up visits, we check what is working and what needs to change.
New and existing patients are welcome to ask about a consultation. If you come to Ample for primary care, we can discuss weight management along with your other health concerns. Bring records from other providers so we can review them.
Medication eligibility
Who May Benefit From Weight-Loss Medication?
For adults, commonly used prescribing criteria include either of these starting points:
BMI of 27 or higher
At least one weight-related condition is also needed, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.
BMI is only part of the decision. We also consider the medicine, its risks, other treatments and your goals. If medicine is not right for you, we can discuss other care or a referral.
NIDDK: who may benefit from prescription weight-management medicines
Treatment and follow-up
Your Treatment Plan
Review your history
Tell us about your goals, eating habits, previous treatments and current medicines. We will check whether we need more records or tests.
Discuss the options
If medicine is appropriate, we explain the product, how to take it, possible risks, follow-up and costs before you start.
Check how treatment is working
Follow-up may include weight, blood pressure, symptoms and relevant test results. Dose changes depend on the product and how you tolerate it.
Nutrition and activity remain part of treatment. We discuss portions, protein-containing foods and changes you can continue at home. Regular movement, including strength-building activity when suitable, supports your health during weight loss. You can ask about food or exercise without bringing a meal plan.
Keep a record of side effects and questions between visits. Do not increase a dose faster than prescribed or try to push through symptoms that concern you.
NIDDK: features of a safe weight-loss program and food and physical activity guidance
Semaglutide and tirzepatide
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Both can affect appetite and food intake. They are prescription treatments used with nutrition and activity changes. The right choice depends on your assessment, the product's approved use, coverage and availability.
| Medicine | What it does | Weight-management forms |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide Example: Wegovy | Acts on the GLP-1 receptor. | Wegovy has a once-weekly injection and a once-daily tablet form for eligible adults. Instructions differ by form. |
| Tirzepatide Example: Zepbound | Acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. | Zepbound is a once-weekly injection. The dose is increased gradually as prescribed. |
Ask which exact product and form are being considered. Medicines with similar ingredients or schedules can have different instructions. The table describes approved products; call about the options currently available at Ample.
Current product information: Wegovy prescribing information and Zepbound prescribing information. FDA explanation of tirzepatide and its uses.
Medication safety
Side Effects and Medical History to Discuss
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomach discomfort can occur. Some symptoms ease with time, but side effects can be severe. Call your prescriber if symptoms continue, make eating or drinking difficult, or worsen after a dose change.
Wegovy and Zepbound carry a boxed thyroid-tumor warning. Tumors occurred in animal studies; it is not known whether these medicines cause this cancer in humans. They should not be used with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a specific thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). A previous serious allergic reaction to the product also rules it out.
Read the product-specific warnings in the Wegovy and Zepbound prescribing information.
Pregnancy and contraception matter. Weight-loss medication is not used during pregnancy. The Wegovy label advises stopping at least two months before a planned pregnancy. Zepbound can affect oral birth-control effectiveness; its label calls for a non-oral method or added barrier protection for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase. Discuss a plan with your prescriber.
Seek prompt medical care for severe or persistent abdominal pain or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down. Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, dehydration-related kidney injury and serious allergy are possible. Call 911 for trouble breathing, severe swelling or collapse. These examples do not cover every possible reaction.
Planning your visit
Your First Visit and Follow-Up
At the first visit, we review your history, goals and treatment options. Follow-up visits cover progress, side effects and changes in your health or medicines. We will explain when to return.
Visits take place through our West Hartford office. Injectable medicines are generally taken at home after instruction. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to show you the directions for your exact product.
Call ahead to arrange a weight-management consultation. Our team will confirm the appointment and what to bring.
Visit and prescription costs
Costs and Insurance
Call for current consultation and follow-up fees. Ask whether lab work and medication are billed separately, and what is included in a quoted price.
Coverage depends on your exact plan, the medicine and why it is prescribed. Some plans exclude weight-loss drugs or require prior authorization. Check your benefits before starting; a submitted authorization request does not guarantee approval.
If coverage is unavailable, discuss the full self-pay cost before starting. Do not assume a manufacturer discount or a fixed monthly price applies to you.
Review Ample's insurance and payment informationPrimary care and weight management
Weight Management and Primary Care
We offer weight management in the same office as primary and urgent care at 10 Princeton Street. You can discuss related concerns, such as blood pressure or blood sugar, with the practice.
Dr. Heidari is a family nurse practitioner who founded Ample in 2022. We welcome questions about treatment, follow-up and costs from new and existing patients. Learn about our primary care practice.
Ask about the actual product. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved and have not undergone the same approval review for safety, effectiveness and quality. Do not assume a compounded product is an approved generic or equivalent. Read FDA guidance on unapproved GLP-1 products.
Patient questions
Medical Weight Loss and GLP-1 FAQs
Do I need diabetes to qualify for weight-loss medication?
No. Some medications are approved for weight management in people without diabetes. Eligibility depends on the specific medicine, your weight-related health risks and a medical assessment. Meeting a BMI threshold does not guarantee a prescription or insurance coverage.
Are Ozempic and Mounjaro the same as Wegovy and Zepbound?
They share active ingredients with those weight-management brands, but the products have different approved uses and dosing instructions. Ozempic and Mounjaro are diabetes brands. Do not substitute one product for another or change your dose without your prescriber.
How much weight will I lose, and how quickly?
The amount and speed of weight loss vary. Your medicine, dose, health history, habits and response all matter. At follow-up, we review side effects and changes in your health as well as your weight.
Will I need medication long term?
Possibly. Weight management often requires ongoing treatment, and some weight can return after medication is stopped. Discuss a maintenance plan, costs and follow-up before making a change. Reaching a goal does not automatically mean the prescription should end.
Can I combine these medicines with another GLP-1 medication?
Wegovy and Zepbound should not be combined with another GLP-1 medicine or another product containing the same active ingredient. Bring every prescription, supplement and weight-loss product you use so your clinician can review the combination.
Do I need an appointment for a weight-loss visit?
Call or request a weight-management appointment in advance. We will confirm availability and what to bring. Keep medical details out of the website form.
For more about treatment duration and medication choices, see NIDDK's prescription medication guide and the product information linked above.
Book a consultation
Ample Urgent & Primary Care10 Princeton StBook a Weight-Loss Consultation
Bring your questions and recent test results. We will review your history and discuss whether a medically supervised weight-loss plan is right for you.
We usually reply to appointment requests within one business day. Your visit is booked once our team confirms it.
West Hartford, CT 06110
- Monday to Friday
- 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Call about consultation availability and holiday hours.
Medical information checked: . Official sources are linked beside the relevant information. This page provides general education and does not replace a medical evaluation. Product labeling and availability can change.