GLP medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have completely changed the landscape of obesity treatment. For many people, the biggest barrier isn’t whether they work. It’s whether they can afford them.

In this episode of Conquer Your Weight, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh walks through the real-world costs of GLP medications and explains why insurance coverage can feel so confusing, inconsistent, and frustrating. You’ll learn what these medications actually cost, why two people with “good insurance” can have wildly different coverage outcomes, and what steps can improve your chances of getting a medication approved.

We also break down the difference between list price and what patients often end up paying, how insurance formularies and prior authorizations work, and why weight-loss medications are treated differently than medications for other chronic conditions. Dr. Stombaugh also shares practical strategies patients can use to navigate denials, understand savings programs, and decide when a cash-pay option may make sense.

This episode is designed to empower you with knowledge, not just about medications, but about the insurance system itself, so you can advocate for your health with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What GLP medications typically cost and why prices vary so much
• How insurance companies decide whether to cover weight-loss medications
• What a prior authorization really is and why it matters
• When self-pay options may be appropriate

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is this medication so expensive?” or “Why won’t my insurance cover something my doctor recommends?” — this episode is for you.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

With so many GLP-1 medications available today, it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed. Ozempic or Wegovy? The weekly injection or the daily pill? Zepbound? And how do you know which option actually fits your body, goals, lifestyle, and budget?

In this episode of Conquer Your Weight, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh breaks down the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 medications in a clear, practical, and judgment-free way. Instead of hype or headlines, you’ll get real-world guidance to help you understand what matters when choosing a medication and why there’s no single “best” option for everyone.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The key differences between popular GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy (injection vs pill), Zepbound, and more
• How effectiveness, side effects, dosing, and cost compare — and what those differences actually mean for you
• Why the “right” medication depends on your medical history, preferences, and long-term goals
• How to think about GLP-1s as part of a comprehensive, sustainable weight-management plan — not a one-size-fits-all solution

If you’ve ever wondered, “Which medication would be best for me?” — this episode is for you.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

In this episode of the Conquer Your Weight podcast, you’re going to learn everything you need to know about the new Wegovy pill. 

We’ll talk about:

• What is the Wegovy pill and how does it compare to the injection
• What are the expected benefits and side effects of the Wegovy pill
• Who is a good fit for this medication
• What can you expect in terms of cost and coverage

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

If you’ve ever felt like your weight gain, rising blood sugar, or hormone issues are somehow all connected — you’re not imagining it.

In this episode of Conquer Your Weight, I sit down with endocrinologist, Dr Chhaya Makhija at Unified Endocrine Care to break down insulin resistance, the common thread linking weight gain, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. We explore how metabolic disease exists on a spectrum, why many people struggle for years before getting answers, and what you can do to intervene earlier.

This conversation moves beyond “eat less and move more” to explain the physiology driving metabolic dysfunction and why addressing insulin resistance can be a turning point for long-term health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What insulin resistance actually is (and what it isn’t)
• The role of insulin as both a blood sugar and fat-storage hormone
• How genetics, lifestyle, and hormones intersect in metabolic disease
• Labs and clinical markers used to identify insulin resistance
• Evidence-based strategies to improve insulin sensitivity
• Whether insulin resistance and prediabetes are reversible

If you’ve been frustrated by stalled weight loss, confusing labs, or conflicting advice, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening inside your body.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

Food journaling can be an incredibly powerful tool for weight management—but only when it’s used the right way. For many people, tracking food brings up perfectionism, guilt, or an all-or-nothing mindset that actually works against long-term success.

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh breaks down how to use food journals as a tool for awareness, curiosity, and understanding your body—not control or self-punishment. You’ll learn how to get the benefits of food journaling without turning it into an obsession, especially if you’ve struggled with tracking in the past or are using GLP-1 medications.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why food journaling works for weight loss—and why it often backfires
• Common mistakes that turn food journals into a source of stress
• How to shift from judgment to curiosity when tracking food
• How to use food journals to identify patterns—not micromanage meals
• How food journaling can support appetite awareness on GLP-1 medications
• Practical tips to keep journaling simple, sustainable, and mentally healthy

Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone who has tried tracking food and felt overwhelmed or obsessive
• People pursuing weight loss who want a healthier relationship with food
• Those using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound
• Anyone who wants to understand hunger, fullness, and cravings more clearly
  
  

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

Would you take a medication long term if it truly improved your health and quality of life? In this episode of Conquer Your Weight, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh explores the role of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound in the long-term treatment of obesity. We discuss why obesity is a chronic, biologically driven condition, not a failure of willpower—and why long-term treatment is common in medicine.

You’ll learn what research shows about weight regain after stopping GLP medications, why this happens, and why it doesn’t mean the medication “failed.” We also talk through common reasons people feel resistant to long-term medication use—fear of dependency, stigma, diet culture, cost, and safety concerns—and how to reframe those thoughts with compassion and evidence.

Finally, we discuss how “forever” isn’t the goal. The goal is ongoing, informed reassessment—using the right tools, for the right person, at the right time.

This episode will help you decide whether long-term medication support is a helpful part of your weight and metabolic health journey—without shame or pressure.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

If you're taking a GLP-1 medication like Wegovy, Zepbound, or Ozempic, protein becomes non-negotiable. In this video, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh—Obesity Medicine Physician and weight-loss expert—breaks down exactly how much protein you need, why protein protection matters during weight loss, and how to easily hit your goals even when appetite is low.

You’ll learn:
 ✔ Why GLP-1s increase your protein needs
 ✔ The exact grams YOU should aim for
 ✔ How to prevent muscle loss on a GLP
 ✔ Easy protein-rich foods (even if you have nausea)
 ✔ Common signs you’re not getting enough
 ✔ The best way to structure meals for satiety + metabolic health

This video is perfect for anyone on Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, Mounjaro, or other GLP-1 medications—and for anyone who wants to lose weight safely and keep it off.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

In this episode, Dr. Sarah breaks down one of the most common emotional struggles people face when considering GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound: the belief that taking medication is “cheating.” 

If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing medical help to lose weight—or worried that others will judge you—you’re not alone. Cultural messages about willpower, discipline, and doing things “the hard way” have shaped the way many of us think about weight loss. But obesity is a medical condition, and using an evidence-based treatment is not only appropriate—it’s empowering. Today’s conversation will help you understand the science behind GLP-1s, reframe unhelpful beliefs, and step into your journey with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

You’ll learn:

• Why many people feel shame or guilt when considering weight-loss medication
• How internalized obesity bias and cultural pressure shape beliefs about “willpower”
• The physiology of hunger, satiety, metabolism, and set point regulation
•  What GLP-1 medications actually do in the body
• Why using medication is not a shortcut or moral failure
• The difference between physiologic support and “cheating”
• How medication creates the stability needed to build sustainable habits
• Why the real work still happens off the medication—through skills, routines, and mindset
• Practical reframes to help you embrace your treatment plan without guilt

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Stombaugh—Family Medicine & Obesity Medicine physician—breaks down the most common side effects of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and shares simple, effective strategies to help you feel your best.

You’ll learn:

• Why GLP-1 meds cause nausea, constipation, reflux, and more
• Physician-approved techniques to reduce symptoms
• How to know if your dose is too high
• What to do when side effects don’t improve
  
  

If you want to understand your body, manage your symptoms, and get the most benefit from your medication, this podcast is for you.

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk with your personal physician. 

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Mounjaro have changed the conversation around weight loss. But with so much noise online, how do you know if these medications are actually right for you?

In today’s episode, I break down the science, the safety, and the real-world factors that determine whether GLP-1 medications could be a helpful tool on your weight-loss journey.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• What GLP-1 hormones do in your body
• How these medications help with appetite and metabolic regulation
• Who is a good candidate—and who isn’t
• Why GLP-1s work incredibly well for some people but not for others
• How to avoid going on a dose that’s too high for your body
• The essential habits you still need even with medication
• How to know if the medication is working for you

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp