Medical weight loss & GLP-1 programs in NJ | Dr. Kaga
Weight loss isn’t simply a matter of willpower. Metabolic health, hormones, medications, lifestyle, genetics, and other medical factors can all influence how easily someone loses weight and maintains their results.
At The Kaga Institute, Dr. Mira Kaga and our team take a medical, individualized approach to weight management. Our physician-supervised programs begin with an evaluation of your health, weight history, medications, lifestyle, and goals and may include laboratory testing, nutritional counseling, lifestyle guidance, and prescription medication when medically appropriate.
For eligible patients, medical weight loss treatment may include GLP-1 or related medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, with ongoing medical monitoring throughout your program.
How do GLP-1 medications support weight loss?
GLP-1 medications work with pathways involved in appetite, digestion, blood sugar regulation, and feelings of fullness. By helping reduce appetite and increasing satiety, these medications can make it easier for appropriate patients to follow a sustainable nutrition plan and achieve meaningful weight loss.
Semaglutide works primarily through the GLP-1 receptor, while tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
These medications aren’t appropriate for everyone. Before recommending treatment, Dr. Kaga considers your medical history, current medications, previous weight loss efforts, laboratory findings when appropriate, and potential contraindications.
What’s the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Although semaglutide and tirzepatide are often discussed together, they are different medications.
Semaglutide acts on the GLP-1 receptor. Wegovy® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible patients, while Ozempic® contains the same active ingredient but has different FDA-approved indications.
Tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Zepbound® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible patients, while Mounjaro® contains tirzepatide and has different FDA-approved indications.
Rather than choosing a medication based on what’s most popular, our team evaluates which treatment, if any, makes sense for your health and goals.
Who is a candidate for GLP-1 medical weight loss?
GLP-1 or related therapy may be appropriate for adults who meet medical criteria for prescription weight management, particularly when lifestyle changes alone haven’t produced or maintained adequate results.
Eligibility depends on factors such as BMI, weight-related health conditions, medical history, medications, previous treatments, and potential contraindications.
Your consultation helps us determine whether medication should be part of your program or whether another approach would be more appropriate.
What does our medical weight loss program include?
Successful weight management involves more than receiving an injection. At TKI, we provide ongoing care designed around your individual health and the factors that may be affecting your weight.
Depending on your needs, your program may include:
- Comprehensive medical evaluation
- Laboratory testing and metabolic assessment
- GLP-1 or other prescription weight loss medications when appropriate
- Nutritional counseling and individualized dietary recommendations
- Lifestyle and behavioral support
- Supplements or supportive therapies when medically appropriate
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Medication monitoring and adjustments
Our goal is to help you lose weight while also supporting your nutrition, metabolic health, and ability to maintain your progress.
Why is ongoing medical supervision important?
Prescription weight loss medications can be highly effective for appropriate patients, but they also have potential side effects, contraindications, dosing considerations, and long-term treatment implications.
Ongoing medical supervision allows our team to monitor how you’re responding, address side effects or concerns, review relevant laboratory findings, and adjust your treatment as needed.
It also gives us the opportunity to look beyond the scale. Nutrition, muscle preservation, metabolic health, medications, hormones, and other health factors may all need to be considered as your weight changes.
What happens when I reach my goal weight?
Reaching your goal isn’t necessarily the end of medical weight management. Maintaining weight loss can be challenging, particularly after significant weight reduction.
Our team can help develop an ongoing strategy based on your response to treatment, health, nutrition, activity level, and long-term goals. Depending on the individual, this may involve continued medication, adjustments to treatment, nutrition and lifestyle support, or another maintenance strategy.
Medical weight loss in Marlboro & East Brunswick, NJ
If you’ve struggled to lose weight or maintain your results despite changes to your diet and activity level, our team can help determine whether there are additional medical factors or treatment options to consider.
Schedule a medical weight loss consultation with Dr. Kaga in Marlboro or East Brunswick, New Jersey. We’ll evaluate your health, discuss your goals, and determine whether GLP-1 therapy or another medical weight management approach may be appropriate for you. Call 848-8-DRKAGA (848-837-5242) or request an appointment using our online form. We look forward to meeting you and getting you on the path to a happier, healthier life.
