Medical Weight Loss With GLP-1 in Grand Rapids, MI: A Whole-Picture Approach Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

The conversation around prescription weight loss has exploded in the past few years. These medications are producing life-changing results for people who've struggled with their weight for a long time, but it's not the medication alone that makes the greatest difference. A full plan, that looks at the whole person, supported by a team of dedicated professionals, is the key to lasting weight loss success.

At the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery and Symmetry Med Spa, we think about weight loss differently than most clinics. Our medical weight loss program in Grand Rapids, MI includes medication management, but it doesn't stop there. It is a medically supervised, high-touch program that pairs GLP-1/GIP prescription weight loss medication with lifestyle guidance, body composition tracking, ongoing provider support and, when you're ready, access to the full spectrum of aesthetic and surgical treatments that can help your outside reflect the work you've done on the inside. Start your plan today.

What Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications?

GLP-1 medications are a class of prescription weight loss drugs that help you eat less and feel satisfied longer. These medications help manage what many patients describe as food noise: the persistent mental chatter about eating, snacking and cravings that can make it so hard to stay committed to healthy choices. They also delay gastric emptying, which is a clinical way of saying you start to feel full faster and continue to feel full longer after meals.

How Do GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Work?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body already produces naturally. After you eat, your gut releases GLP-1 to signal your brain that you're full and to tell your pancreas to release insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar. GLP-1 weight loss medications are "agonists" that mimic this natural hormone, but at levels that produce a much stronger and longer-lasting effect than your body does on its own. The combination of reduced appetite, slower digestion and better blood sugar control makes it easier to eat less without feeling like you're constantly fighting a battle with yourself.

What Are GLP-1/GIP Weight Loss Medications? How Are They Different From GLP-1s?

GLP-1 medications were the initial breakthrough in this space. GLP-1/GIP medications take that breakthrough further.

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is another hormone your body produces naturally. It works alongside GLP-1 to regulate appetite, blood sugar and how your body processes fat. Where GLP-1 medications activate one receptor, GLP-1/GIP dual-agonist medications activate both, which is why clinical research has shown them to produce even greater weight loss results than GLP-1 alone.

At the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery and Symmetry Med Spa, our medical weight loss program uses a GLP-1/GIP medication that includes a B vitamin. This dual-agonist approach, combined with the level of medical oversight and individualized dosing we provide, is part of what sets our Grand Rapids weight loss program apart from GLP-1-only medications and the direct-to-consumer models that have flooded the market in recent years.

What Does the Weight Loss Program at Symmetry Med Spa by Bengtson Center Include?

One of the first questions we hear from prospective patients is, "What does this involve, and why is it better than other weight loss programs?" There are dozens of weight loss programs out there, and many of them are light on details until you've already signed up. We'd rather you know what to expect before you make any decisions.

Your First Step Is a Phone Call

Everything starts with a 15-minute pre-screening phone call with a member of our wellness team. We ask you to complete a medical history intake online prior to the call. That way, when we connect by phone, we can spend the time talking about your goals, what you've tried so far, how the program works and which of our two program options may be the best fit for you. We’ll also go over the costs and review your medical history for anything that might affect your candidacy.

Treat this as a two-way interview. You're learning about us, and we're learning about you. There's no obligation to move forward until you're ready and feel completely comfortable with the team supporting you.

Two Weight Loss Programs

We offer two options for you to choose from. The right path for you depends on your goals and where you currently are in your weight loss process.

Our weight optimization program is the option we recommend in most cases. This program uses higher doses of medication and, for the majority of patients, provides the best results.

We also offer a microdosing option that uses a lower dose of medication. It works best for patients who are already near their goal weight and have a strong foundation of healthy routines in place.

Lab Work and First In-Person Appointment

Before any medication is prescribed, we require lab work. Our Physician Assistant (PA) reviews the results to confirm that it's appropriate for you to start the program. From there, you'll have a detailed in-person consultation where we deep-dive into your goals and design your plan.

We take baseline measurements and progress photos so you (and we) can track your progress. Your first injection happens at this visit. We will show you how to do the injections and we’ll do the first one together. After that, you’ll have the choice of continuing to do the injections yourself at home or returning to the office to have a member of our wellness team do them.

Ongoing Support

After your first injection, our team checks in with you twice: once within a few days to see how you're feeling, and again after the first week to make sure everything is going smoothly. From there, you'll come in monthly for a check-in with your provider. We use an InBody 580 body composition scanner at your monthly visits to track your progress.

Once you've reached a maintenance phase and your weight is stable, your visits can be spaced out further. Established patients can also do medication pickups between full appointments when needed.

A Multidisciplinary Team

Our weight loss program is run by a dedicated team that includes a Physician Assistant and a Registered Nurse. The program is supervised by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Narges Horriat. Having a diverse line-up of providers involved means you benefit from a holistic, evidence-based approach that supports weight loss from every angle.

Side Effect Management

The most frequently reported side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea and constipation. Most patients find that side effects are manageable, especially with a few simple adjustments. We recommend staying well-hydrated, increasing your fiber intake and moving your body regularly. You may also use over-the-counter solutions like stool softeners and magnesium.

Our individualized dosing approach helps with this. Because we adjust the dose in smaller increments than most clinics, patients who are sensitive to the medication can increase their dose more gradually, which often reduces or prevents the side effects.

A Focus on Sustainability

Medication is a tool, not magic. We use it to give you a head start, but the real work and the real reward come from building habits that will support you for the rest of your life. Our providers help you develop sustainable patterns around diet, movement and other essentials for a healthy lifestyle. We want you to leave with a practical, achievable approach to weight management that you can maintain for good.

Why Symmetry Med Spa by Bengtson Center Is Uniquely Positioned to Manage Your Weight Loss

When you lose weight, whether it's 15 pounds or 50 or even more, your body changes in many different ways. You may be left with stretched skin or volume loss in places you didn't want it. Fat can stubbornly stick around in certain areas, even if you've lost it in others. Your breast shape and body contours might look different than you imagined they would. You may experience hair loss.

These changes are the natural result of weight loss. Most clinics aren't equipped to address them, but the Bengtson Center can continue your care with a team that already knows you and your medical history.

Many of our patients celebrate their weight loss success with aesthetic treatments that help them feel more at home in their new bodies.

At the Bengtson Center, our board-certified plastic surgeons perform the full spectrum of breast and body contouring procedures, including tummy tucks, liposuction, breast lift, breast reduction, body lift and mommy makeover procedures.

At Symmetry Med Spa by Bengtson Center, our licensed medical aestheticians and Master Injectors offer nonsurgical options like dermal fillers for facial volume restoration, nonsurgical fat reduction with CoolSculpting® and skin rejuvenation treatments.

If hair loss occurs at any stage of your weight loss journey, we offer solutions through our New Vista Hair Restoration Center. We can include Nutrafol or Xtressé into your treatment plan if you notice shedding or thinning or want to proactively incorporate them as a preventative measure.

Not every patient who loses weight will need or want these treatments. But having the option available, under the same roof, with the same standard of care, is why patients come to the Bengtson Center from across Michigan and beyond.

Start Your Weight Loss Plan in Grand Rapids, MI

A good weight loss plan shouldn't end with a prescription, and the right provider won't let it. At Symmetry Med Spa by Bengtson Center, our medical weight loss program gives you the medication, the medical oversight and the ongoing support to make lasting progress. And if your goals extend beyond the scale, you have an entire team of board-certified plastic surgeons, licensed medical aestheticians, Master Injectors and aesthetic experts ready to help you look and feel like your best self.

We'd love to be part of your plan. Call us at 616-202-5640 or reach out online to schedule your initial phone consultation.