Medical weight loss is weight loss supervised by a licensed medical provider, often combining prescription medication with diet, exercise, and follow-up care. It is not the same as a wellness influencer's program. It is medicine. Done correctly, it works.
The medical weight loss program at our Gilbert office is led by Chad Dance, FNP-C, MSN, MS. Your provider evaluates your medical history, orders baseline labs when appropriate, and prescribes the medication that fits your situation. The medication menu is unusual: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide, HCG, and Phentermine. Five options. Most clinics carry one or two. The breadth exists because no single medication works for every patient.
This page covers what medical weight loss is, which medications we prescribe, and how to know if you are a candidate. Full pricing for every medication lives on the services pricing page. To get started, call (480) 499-4441 or request a consultation.
Most patients who succeed with our program share three things. They have tried to lose weight on their own and not gotten where they wanted to be. They are tired of diet cycling. They want a provider who will be straight with them about what is realistic.
Clinically, medical weight loss is appropriate for adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure, prediabetes, or sleep apnea. It is also appropriate for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher regardless of other conditions. Patients with a BMI below 27 and no weight-related conditions are usually not the right fit, and that gets said directly during the consultation rather than dragged out across multiple visits.
There are five medications on our menu. They work differently, cost differently, and produce different results. Here is what you need to know about each.
Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection. It works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone your body already produces, that tells your brain you are full. The medication slows gastric emptying, regulates blood sugar, and reduces appetite. Branded versions include Wegovy and Ozempic.
The clinical evidence is strong. The largest trial showed an average weight loss of 35 pounds, a 14.9 percent reduction from initial body weight, five times the result of diet and exercise alone. Semaglutide has FDA approval for chronic weight management for adults with obesity.
Side effects are usually mild and include nausea, fatigue, and constipation, especially during the first few weeks. Most patients tolerate the medication well after the dose-escalation period. Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma should not take Semaglutide.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. This dual action helps regulate blood sugar while reducing hunger and increasing satiety more aggressively than GLP-1 alone. Branded versions include Zepbound and Mounjaro.
In head-to-head clinical trials, Tirzepatide produced greater weight loss than Semaglutide. Some patients lose 20 to 25 percent of their body weight over a year on Tirzepatide. The clinical research on GLP-1 medications supports it as one of the most effective medications currently available for weight management.
Side effects are similar to Semaglutide. The cost is generally higher. We will help you compare what your insurance covers, what cash pay options exist, and whether the cost difference is worth it for your situation.
Retatrutide is a triple-receptor agonist that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. It is not yet FDA approved for general use, but it is available through clinical channels. Early phase 2 trial data showed an average weight loss of 24 percent over 48 weeks, which is the strongest result published for any weight loss medication to date.
Very few clinics in the East Valley offer Retatrutide. We do. It is an option for patients who have plateaued on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide, or who want to start with the most aggressive option available. Because Retatrutide is newer, we monitor more closely during the early months of treatment.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin combined with a low-calorie diet protocol. HCG has been used for weight loss since the 1950s. It is less aggressive than GLP-1 medications but it costs significantly less, and some patients prefer the non-injection structure or have responded poorly to GLP-1 medications.
The HCG protocol runs in three phases over six to twelve weeks. Loading, weight loss with 500-calorie restriction, and maintenance. It requires more daily discipline than GLP-1 medications. For the right patient, it works.
An appetite suppressant taken as a daily oral medication. Phentermine is the oldest weight loss medication on our menu, FDA approved for short-term use. It is appropriate for patients who need rapid initial weight loss, patients with cardiovascular contraindications to GLP-1 medications, or patients who prefer pills to injections.
Phentermine works best as a 12-week intervention paired with diet and exercise. It is not appropriate for long-term use. Side effects include insomnia and elevated heart rate.
You do not have to choose alone. That is the point of seeing a provider.
Your provider will review your medical history, your prior weight loss attempts, your insurance situation, your tolerance for injections, and your goal timeline. From there, the recommendation will be the medication most likely to work for you. If your insurance covers Wegovy or Zepbound, that may be the starting point. If not, we will discuss cash-pay options. If you have a contraindication to GLP-1 medications, we will discuss HCG or Phentermine.
This is the conversation that does not happen at a strip-mall weight loss clinic that only carries one medication. We can recommend the right tool because we carry the toolkit.
If you want a broader overview of all our weight loss programs, see our main weight loss page.
Most weight loss clinics treat pricing as confidential. They want you to schedule a consultation just to find out what a medication costs.
The full pricing for every medication and program length is on the services pricing page. Walking in already knowing what something costs changes the conversation. We accept HSA and FSA payment, offer financing through Cherry, and post current new patient offers that may reduce your first month's cost.
This is a clinical decision, not a marketing one. Patients who know the cost upfront make better decisions about whether to start and whether to continue. Surprise pricing is bad medicine.
Your first visit takes about 45 minutes. Your provider reviews your medical history, performs a basic exam, orders baseline labs when appropriate, and walks through which medications fit your situation. If you decide to start that day, you can leave with a prescription or a medication-in-hand depending on the option you select.
Most patients see initial appetite changes within the first one to two weeks on GLP-1 medications. Measurable weight loss typically starts around weeks three to four. The full effect of dose-escalated Semaglutide or Tirzepatide takes about three to four months. Patience matters with this work.
We schedule follow-up visits every four to six weeks during active treatment to monitor progress, adjust doses, and address any side effects. This is not a fire-and-forget prescription. It is a relationship with your provider.
Chad Dance is the lead Family Nurse Practitioner overseeing the medical weight loss program at our Gilbert office. He earned dual master's degrees from the University of Phoenix and Idaho State University. Before becoming a nurse practitioner over eight years ago, he spent more than five years in the ICU at a Level II trauma center caring for critically ill patients.
That background matters for weight loss medicine. GLP-1 medications affect cardiovascular function, glycemic control, and gastrointestinal motility. A provider who has managed those systems in critically ill patients brings a clinical floor that wellness clinics staffed by aestheticians cannot match.
Chad is also fluent in Spanish, both conversational and medical. You can request a Spanish-language appointment when booking.
Our Gilbert office is at 3076 East Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115, in south Gilbert. We are about five minutes from Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and ten minutes from San Tan Village. Many of our weight loss patients come from Power Ranch, Seville, Adora Trails, Trilogy at Power Ranch, Coronado Ranch, Country Shadows, and the surrounding master-planned communities.
We also serve patients from Queen Creek and east Chandler. The drive from most parts of Queen Creek is under fifteen minutes. From east Chandler, even less. If you would prefer our Mesa Eastmark office, that location offers the same weight loss program with the same provider.
3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115, Gilbert, AZ 85298
Located on the south side of Chandler Heights Road, just east of Greenfield Road. Get Directions
Phone: (480) 499-4441
Semaglutide programs start at $395 per month and include weekly weigh-ins, fat burner injections, and B12. Tirzepatide and HCG packages cost more. Phentermine costs less. The services pricing page lists every medication and program. HSA, FSA, and financing through Cherry are accepted.
Clinical trials show an average loss of 35 pounds, a 14.9 percent reduction from starting body weight, over 68 weeks of treatment. Some patients lose more. Some lose less. Results depend on starting weight, dose, adherence, and whether you pair the medication with dietary and lifestyle changes. Most of our patients see meaningful weight loss within the first three months.
Semaglutide targets one receptor in the GLP-1 pathway. Tirzepatide targets two, GLP-1 and GIP. In head-to-head trials, Tirzepatide produced greater average weight loss. The trade-off is cost: Tirzepatide is more expensive. The simple framework: Semaglutide is the standard starting point for most patients, Tirzepatide is the choice when budget allows for the more aggressive option or when Semaglutide stops producing results.
Retatrutide is not yet FDA approved for general use as of 2026. It is available through compounding pharmacies and clinical channels. Early phase 2 trial data showed an average weight loss of 24 percent over 48 weeks. We offer Retatrutide as an option for patients who have plateaued on other medications or want the most aggressive evidence-based option available.
Most patients notice appetite changes within one to two weeks on GLP-1 medications. Measurable weight loss usually begins around weeks three to four. Full medication effect at the target dose takes three to four months. Total weight loss continues to progress over the first year of treatment. Expect a clinical journey, not a quick fix.
Yes. Semaglutide is a prescription medication. It requires evaluation by a licensed medical provider, baseline lab work in most cases, and ongoing monitoring. We provide all of this at our Gilbert office. We do not prescribe Semaglutide without seeing the patient.
The most common side effects are nausea, fatigue, constipation, and occasional diarrhea, especially during the first few weeks and after dose increases. Most side effects diminish over time. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder issues. Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma should not take GLP-1 medications. We screen for contraindications during your initial visit.
Yes. We offer two non-injection options. Phentermine is a daily oral appetite suppressant appropriate for short-term weight loss interventions. The HCG diet combines oral or sublingual HCG with a structured low-calorie protocol. Both options work for the right patient.
Insurance coverage for weight loss medications varies widely. Some plans cover Wegovy or Zepbound when prescribed for FDA-approved indications. Most plans do not cover compounded Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. We are an out-of-network practice and do not bill insurance directly. We accept HSA, FSA, and offer financing options.
Good candidates have a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition, or a BMI of 30 or higher regardless of other conditions. They have tried weight loss through diet and exercise without sustained results. They are willing to commit to follow-up visits and lifestyle adjustments. They want a provider relationship, not a vending machine for medication.
Call (480) 499-4441 or request a consultation online. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Keystone Medical Wellness, Gilbert
3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 499-4441
