Considering weight loss medication is a big decision, and you deserve honest answers before you start, not after. Here are the questions patients ask us most, answered plainly.
About the Medications
Will I get Ozempic?
Ozempic is the name most people know, but it is one medication among many, and it is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss specifically. Which medication fits your health, your goals, and your insurance coverage is what your evaluation with Dr. Baptista determines. That individual matching is the entire reason supervised programs exist.
Which medications does the program use?
Dr. Baptista prescribes a range of FDA-approved weight loss medications, including GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, as well as other options when they are the better fit. No single medication is right for everyone, and we do not promote one over another. See the full list on our Weight Loss Medications page.
Are these medications safe?
They are FDA-approved and generally well tolerated, and like all prescription medications they have side effects, most commonly nausea and other digestive symptoms, especially early on. This is one of the strongest reasons for medical supervision: side effects are managed by adjusting your plan, not by suffering through or giving up. Dr. Baptista reviews your full health history before prescribing anything.
How much weight will I lose?
The honest answer is that it varies, by medication, by dose, and most of all by person. Newer weight loss medications have produced meaningful, sustained weight loss for many patients in clinical studies, and results are strongest when medication is combined with nutrition support and follow-up care, which is exactly how our program is built. At your evaluation, Dr. Baptista will talk with you about what a realistic goal looks like for your body and your health, not a number from an advertisement.
Do I have to give myself injections?
Most weight loss medications in this class are once-weekly self-injections using a small, pre-filled pen, and most patients find it far easier than they expected. An oral (pill) option also exists. If needles are a genuine barrier for you, say so at your consultation, it is part of choosing the right medication for you.
What is "Ozempic face"? Should I be worried?
"Ozempic face" is a nickname for something that is not specific to any medication: when anyone loses a significant amount of weight quickly, by any method, the face can lose volume and skin can appear looser. A supervised program helps by pacing your weight loss appropriately and supporting your nutrition, particularly protein, along the way. It is a fair question, and it is the kind of thing we discuss openly at your visits.
What happens if I stop taking the medication?
An honest answer: these medications work while you take them, and weight regain is common when medication stops without other changes in place. That is exactly why our program pairs medication with nutrition guidance and habit-building from day one, and why your plan includes a long-term conversation, whether that means continuing medication, transitioning off with support, or considering surgical options. The goal is never just weight loss. It is keeping it.
About the Program
What is Dr. Baptista's Medical Weight Loss Program?
A six-month, physician-supervised program that combines prescription weight loss medication, when appropriate, with monthly follow-up visits, nutrition guidance from our dietitian, and support from a dedicated patient care specialist. It is led by Dr. Baptista, a bariatric surgeon in Jacksonville who has helped thousands of patients lose weight.
How is this different from getting a prescription online or at a med spa?
A prescription is one ingredient. A program is the recipe. Online services and med spas typically write a prescription and leave the rest to you. In our program, your health is evaluated before you start, your progress is monitored monthly, your medication is adjusted when your body's response changes, and a team is behind you the entire way. And because Dr. Baptista is a bariatric surgeon, if medication alone turns out not to be enough, your options do not end, they expand, with the doctor who already knows you.
Do I have to commit to six months?
The program is designed as a six-month commitment, and that is a deliberate choice, not a sales tactic. Lasting weight loss is not a thirty-day project. Six months gives your medication time to work properly, your habits time to form, and your team time to support you through the early adjustment period where most people going it alone give up. If you are looking for a one-time prescription, we are honestly not the right fit, and we would rather tell you that up front.
I'm already a patient of Dr. Baptista's. Can I join the program?
Absolutely, and you are exactly who we built it for. The program serves our current patients, past patients whose progress has stalled, patients who had surgery at another practice, and patients entirely new to us. Wherever you are starting from, the first step is the same conversation.
I had weight loss surgery years ago and the weight is coming back. Can this help?
After years, a small number of patients can experience a slow weight regain, and yes, medication can be the appropriate next step after bariatric surgery, whether Dr. Baptista performed your surgery or another surgeon did. Your history matters here more than anywhere, which is why this decision belongs with a bariatric surgeon.
Practical Questions
Does insurance cover the program?
Coverage for weight loss medication varies widely by plan, and it is usually the deciding factor in which medication makes sense. Our team will assist you in verifying your benefits, however insurance coverage can vary based on your specific plan and it is always subject to change. We encourage patients to contact their insurance provider directly to confirm coverage and benefits for the services and medications they will receive. Call us at (904) 724-2263 with your insurance information and we will help you understand your options.
How do I find out if I qualify?
One conversation. Call (904) 724-2263 or schedule a consultation online. Dr. Baptista will review your health history and goals with you and give you a straight answer about whether the program, surgery, or another path is your best option.
This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Weight loss medications are prescription medications, prescribed only after an individual medical evaluation. Individual results vary.