--- title: "Medical Weight Loss" date: "2026-01-06" modified: "2026-02-25" medically_reviewed: "2026-02-25" canonical_url: "https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss" # Service / MedicalProcedure schema_type: "MedicalProcedure" procedure_type: "NoninvasiveProcedure" service_name: "Medical Weight Loss" service_description: "Physician-led GLP-1 weight-loss in St. Louis, fully integrated into primary care for safe, sustainable results." # Provider organization: "Three Rivers Concierge Medicine" organization_type: "MedicalBusiness" service_area: "Greater St. Louis, Missouri" medical_specialty: "Primary Care, Endocrinology" practice_model: "Direct Primary Care - Membership Based" # Patient Reviews aggregate_rating: "5" review_count: 7 --- # Medical Weight Loss ## Table of Contents * [Medical Weight Loss](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#medical-weight-loss) * [What Is GLP-1 Weight-Loss Therapy?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#what-is-glp-1-weight-loss-therapy) * [Why Physician-Led Care Matters](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#why-physician-led-care-matters) * [How the Program Works](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#how-the-program-works) * [Step 1: Complimentary Consultation](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#step-1-complimentary-consultation) * [Step 2: Medical Evaluation](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#step-2-medical-evaluation) * [Step 3: Personalized Care Plan](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#step-3-personalized-care-plan) * [Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#step-4-ongoing-monitoring) * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#frequently-asked-questions) * [Other Services](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#other-services) * [Medical weight loss using GLP-1 medications like semaglutide—prescribed and monitored by your primary care physician, not a med spa.](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/what-we-do/medical-weight-loss#medical-weight-loss-using-glp-1-medications-like-semaglutide-prescribed-and-monitored-by-your-primary-care-physician-not-a-med-spa) --- ![A measuring tape surrounding a GLP-1 injector](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2026-01/iStock-2226642622.jpg) Physician-led GLP-1 weight-loss program with safe, personalized care ## Medical Weight Loss ![A doctor with advanced technology](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2026-01/iStock-1496154191.jpg) ![A measuring tape surrounding a GLP-1 injector](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2026-01/iStock-2226642622.jpg) At Three Rivers Medicine, we offer a physician-led GLP-1 weight-loss program that is fully integrated into primary care. This means your weight-loss plan is based on your overall health, medical history, and long-term goals—not just a number on the scale. Our approach focuses on safety, personalization, and ongoing medical support so you can lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. ![A doctor and a patient in deep, comfortable conversation](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2026-01/iStock-689956326.jpg) ## What Is GLP-1 Weight-Loss Therapy? GLP-1 medications help support weight loss by reducing appetite, helping you feel full sooner, and improving how your body regulates food intake. These medications can be very effective for some people when used appropriately and under medical supervision. At Three Rivers Medicine, GLP-1 therapy is offered as part of your primary care—not through a standalone or online program. This allows us to monitor your health, manage side effects, and make adjustments based on how your body responds. ## Why Physician-Led Care Matters Weight-loss medications affect more than appetite alone. They can impact digestion, blood sugar, energy levels, and overall health. Having a physician oversee your care helps ensure the treatment is safe, appropriate, and aligned with your broader health needs. - A medical evaluation before starting medication - Lab work to establish a safe baseline - Ongoing follow-ups and dose adjustments - Monitoring for side effects and overall health changes This level of care is difficult to achieve through prescription-only or non-medical weight-loss programs. ![A doctor and a happy patient shaking hands](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2026-01/iStock-1929407553.jpg) ## How the Program Works ## Step 1: Complimentary Consultation We start with a free consultation to learn about your goals, medical history, and questions. This visit helps determine whether GLP-1 therapy may be right for you. ## Step 2: Medical Evaluation If you choose to move forward, we complete a clinical assessment that may include labs and a review of your overall health to ensure treatment is safe. ## Step 3: Personalized Care Plan If GLP-1 medication is appropriate, your physician creates a customized plan that includes medication guidance, follow-up visits, and lifestyle support. ## Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring We continue to monitor your progress, adjust dosing as needed, and support you throughout your weight-loss journey as part of your primary care. GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide — **FDA-approved for chronic weight management** — reduce appetite, increase satiety, and improve metabolic function, and at Three Rivers Concierge Medicine they're prescribed and monitored by Dr. Shoemaker as part of your primary care, not through a med spa or online subscription. This means your weight-loss plan accounts for your full medical history, current medications, and long-term health goals. It's the safest, most personalized approach to medical weight loss available in St. Louis. What is physician-supervised GLP-1 weight loss? Online prescribers and med spas typically evaluate you through a brief questionnaire, prescribe a standard dose, and provide minimal follow-up — if any. At Three Rivers, Dr. Shoemaker performs a **complete medical evaluation**, orders baseline labs, monitors your response with regular follow-ups, and adjusts dosing based on how your body actually responds. The medication is the same; the level of medical oversight is not. How is this different from getting GLP-1s online or at a med spa? The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea (reported in roughly 44% of participants in the *STEP 1* clinical trial), constipation, and reduced appetite — which are usually manageable and often diminish as your body adjusts. More serious but less common risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and changes in kidney function, which is why **physician monitoring matters**. At Three Rivers in Creve Coeur, Dr. Shoemaker tracks labs and symptoms at regular intervals so side effects are caught early and addressed proactively. What are the side effects of GLP-1 medications? The landmark *STEP 1* trial published in the *[New England Journal of Medicine](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183)* showed a mean body weight reduction of **14.9%** over 68 weeks with semaglutide 2.4mg, though individual results vary based on starting weight, dosing, adherence, and lifestyle factors. Patients who combine GLP-1 therapy with nutrition guidance and exercise support typically see the best outcomes. Dr. Shoemaker sets realistic expectations and monitors your progress to ensure the approach is working safely and sustainably. How much weight can I lose on GLP-1 therapy? **Yes** — medical weight loss at Three Rivers is delivered within the concierge membership model, which ensures you receive the ongoing physician oversight, extended visits, and care coordination that safe GLP-1 therapy requires. This isn't a limitation; it's a safeguard. The membership structure is what makes it possible to provide the level of monitoring that standalone weight-loss clinics skip. Do I need to be a member to use the weight loss program? Weight regain is common when GLP-1 medications are discontinued without sustainable lifestyle changes in place — which is exactly why Three Rivers integrates nutrition, fitness, and behavioral support into the program alongside medication. Dr. Shoemaker works with you to **build habits that maintain results long-term**, and any decision to taper or discontinue is made collaboratively based on your progress. The goal is lasting change, not medication dependence. Will I gain the weight back if I stop the medication? Coverage varies by plan and diagnosis — many insurers cover GLP-1 medications when prescribed for obesity (**BMI ≥ 30**) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension, per FDA-approved indications. Dr. Shoemaker's team at Three Rivers in St. Louis can help you navigate your specific coverage before starting treatment. The membership itself covers the physician oversight; medications are billed separately through your insurance or pharmacy. Is GLP-1 weight loss covered by insurance? Start with a **complimentary consultation** at Three Rivers — or take the online assessment quiz on our website for a quick initial read. Dr. Shoemaker evaluates your medical history, current medications, metabolic health, and weight-loss goals to determine whether GLP-1 therapy is safe and appropriate for you. Not every patient is a candidate, and she'll tell you honestly if a different approach would serve you better. How do I know if I'm a candidate for GLP-1 therapy? ## Frequently Asked Questions ## Other Services ## Medical weight loss using GLP-1 medications like semaglutide—prescribed and monitored by your primary care physician, not a med spa. Physician-led GLP-1 weight-loss in St. Louis, fully integrated into primary care for safe, sustainable results.