En Pointe Wellness

Comprehensive Weight Management Services

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En Pointe Wellness

Comprehensive Weight Management Services

At En Pointe Wellness, we understand that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a complex journey that extends far beyond simple calorie counting. Our medical weight management service provides evidence-based, personalised care designed to address the underlying factors affecting your weight, metabolism, and overall wellbeing.
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Our Approach to Weight Management

Medical Assessment & Individualised Care
Every weight management journey begins with a thorough medical consultation where our qualified clinicians evaluate your health history, current medications, metabolic function, and personal goals. We assess hormonal balance, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors that may be influencing your weight.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
Where clinically appropriate, we offer access to licensed treatments for weight management, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and other regulated medications. All treatments are provided following a comprehensive medical assessment and with ongoing monitoring throughout your treatment journey.
Holistic Support System

Our service combines medical intervention with nutritional guidance, lifestyle coaching, and ongoing clinical monitoring. We focus on sustainable, long-term changes rather than quick fixes, helping you develop healthier relationships with food, exercise, and self-care.
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What We Offer
  • Comprehensive initial medical consultation and assessment
  • Personalised treatment plans incorporating lifestyle and medical
  • Access to licensed medications when clinically indicated.
  • Regular monitoring appointments and treatment adjustments
  • Nutritional guidance and meal planning support
  • Ongoing clinical support throughout your weight management journey
Our weight management service is designed for adults who meet clinical criteria for medical weight management support, typically including those with:
  • BMI over 30, or BMI over 27 with weight-related health conditions or BMI over 25 with a weight related health condition and non-Caucasian (For people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds, BMI thresholds are reduced by 2.5 kg/m² due to increased health risks at lower BMI levels)
  • Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance weight gain in menopause/perimenopause.
  • Cardiovascular risk factors related to weight
  • Previous unsuccessful attempts at weight loss through lifestyle changes alone
All treatments are provided under medical supervision with regular review appointments to monitor progress, adjust medications as needed, and ensure your safety throughout the process. We provide clear information about potential benefits, risks, and side effects, ensuring you can make informed decisions about your care.

Ready to explore how our weight management service could support your health goals?

We offer a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with one of our clinical team members to discuss your needs and determine if our service is right for you.

During your discovery call, we’ll:

  • Listen to your weight management goals and health concerns
  • Explain our approach and available treatment options
  • Assess your eligibility for our service
  • Answer any questions about the process
  • Discuss next steps if you choose to proceed

Book your free discovery call today:

Please note: This discovery call is for information and assessment purposes only. Clinical advice and treatment recommendations are provided during formal consultations with our qualified clinicians.
Frequently Asked Questions

Comprehensive Weight Management

GLP-1 medications are a class of drugs that mimic a natural hormone called Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) that your intestines produce when you eat. This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. The medications work through several mechanisms: they slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach (called gastric emptying), which helps you feel full for longer periods; they signal your brain to reduce appetite and food cravings; they help your pancreas release more insulin when your blood sugar is elevated; they prevent your liver from producing excess glucose when it’s not needed; and they improve your body’s overall sensitivity to insulin. This combination of effects leads to better blood sugar control and significant weight loss in most patients.
These medications are not suitable if you have personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), diabetic ketoacidosis, severe gastrointestinal disease, severe kidney or liver disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of severe pancreatitis.
GLP-1 medications can cause a range of side effects, with gastrointestinal (stomach and digestive) problems being by far the most common. The most frequently reported side effects affect more than 1 in 10 people and include nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, headache, and feeling weak or tired. These side effects are typically most noticeable when you first start treatment or when your dose is increased, and they usually improve over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea is the most common side effect, affecting up to 50% of patients, but it’s generally mild to moderate and tends to diminish with continued treatment.
While most side effects are manageable, there are some serious but rare complications to be aware of. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can occur, causing severe stomach pain that radiates to your back, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Gallbladder problems, including gallstones and inflammation, may develop and cause severe upper abdominal pain, fever, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Kidney problems can occur, particularly if you become severely dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhoea. There’s also a very rare risk of thyroid tumours, and some people may experience severe allergic reactions including swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, or difficulty breathing, which requires immediate medical attention.
There have been reports of psychiatric side effects with GLP-1 medications, though they represent only about 1.2% of all reported adverse events. The most commonly reported mental health effects include depression, anxiety, and in rare cases, suicidal thoughts. While these events are uncommon, some have resulted in serious outcomes. The UK drug regulator (MHRA) and European Medicine Agency are investigating these reports. If you have a history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, it’s particularly important to discuss this with your healthcare provider before starting treatment and to monitor your mood closely while taking these medications.
For mild gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, try eating smaller, more frequent meals, stay well-hydrated, and consider ginger tea which may help. If you’re vomiting more than three times a day, experiencing severe dehydration (dark urine, dizziness), or having persistent severe stomach pain, contact NHS 111 or your healthcare provider immediately. Stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical help if you experience signs of pancreatitis (severe stomach pain radiating to your back), gallbladder problems (severe upper abdominal pain with fever), severe allergic reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing), or any concerning changes in mood or thoughts of self-harm.
GLP-1 medications can significantly affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, but the extent varies depending on which medication you’re taking. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) has the strongest interaction – it reduces the absorption of ethinylestradiol (a key component of the combined pill) by about 20% and delays its absorption by 2-4 hours. This means the contraceptive pill may be less effective at preventing pregnancy. Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) has a much smaller effect on oral contraception absorption. The problem occurs because these medications slow down stomach emptying, which affects how well your body absorbs oral medications. The risk is highest during the first 4 weeks after starting treatment and for 4 weeks after any dose increase, as this is when side effects like nausea and vomiting are most common.
The UK’s Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) provides specific guidance based on which medication you’re using. For Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Use additional barrier contraception (like condoms) for 4 weeks after starting and 4 weeks after each dose increase, or switch to a non-oral contraceptive method like the coil, implant, patch, or injection. For Semaglutide and other GLP-1s: While the interaction is less significant, you should still use extra protection if you experience vomiting within 3 hours of taking your pill or severe diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours. Non-oral contraceptive methods (IUDs, implants, patches, injections) are not affected by GLP-1 medications and remain fully effective. Emergency contraception may also be less reliable, so the copper IUD is the preferred option if needed

Yes, you can use HRT with GLP-1 medications, but there are important considerations, particularly regarding oral progesterone. The British Menopause Society (BMS) has issued guidance stating that GLP-1 medications may reduce the absorption of oral progesterone (like Utrogestan), which protects the lining of your womb when you’re taking oestrogen. If insufficient progesterone is absorbed, this could potentially increase the risk of endometrial (womb lining) problems over time. Transdermal (patch/gel) oestrogen is preferred over oral oestrogen in women taking GLP-1s, as it bypasses the digestive system entirely. For progesterone, safer alternatives include the Mirena coil, combined patches, or vaginal progesterone, as these routes avoid the absorption issues caused by delayed stomach emptying.

If you’re currently taking both treatments, you should arrange a review with your healthcare provider, particularly if you’re using oral progesterone. This is especially important if you experience unusual bleeding, have had a Mirena coil for more than 5 years, or are unsure whether your current progesterone dose is adequate. Your doctor may recommend switching to alternative progesterone delivery methods that aren’t affected by the GLP-1 medication. This doesn’t mean you need to stop either treatment – both can be used safely together with appropriate adjustments. Recent research actually suggests that combining HRT with GLP-1 therapy may provide enhanced benefits, with some studies showing approximately 30% greater weight loss in postmenopausal women using both treatments compared to GLP-1 alone.

The recommended washout period varies depending on which GLP-1 medication you’re taking, based on how long each drug stays in your system. For Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus), the manufacturer recommends stopping at least 2 months before trying to conceive, as it can take up to 6 weeks for most of the medication to be eliminated from your body. For Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), the recommended washout period is at least 2 months before attempting pregnancy due to its shorter elimination time.
GLP-1 medications should be stopped before pregnancy because there isn’t enough human safety data to confirm they won’t harm your developing baby. Animal studies have shown potential risks including lower birth weights and increased miscarriage rates, though it’s unclear whether these effects were due to the medication itself or the associated weight loss. The medications can also cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, which could make it difficult to maintain proper nutrition during pregnancy when adequate nutrient intake is crucial for your baby’s development. As a precautionary measure, healthcare providers recommend stopping these medications well before conception to ensure they’re completely out of your system.
Non-response rates vary depending on how you define “response,” but research shows that approximately 10-20% of people are considered non-responders to GLP-1 medications. In clinical trials, studies of Semaglutide found that 13.8-16.7% of participants failed to achieve clinically significant weight loss (defined as ≥5% body weight loss), while for Tirzepatide, only 9% were non-responders in obesity trials without diabetes. However, the rates are higher in people with type 2 diabetes – in the STEP-2 trial (Semaglutide for diabetes patients), 31% were non-responders, compared to 17% with Tirzepatide in similar populations. Real-world studies suggest slightly higher non-response rates, with some research indicating that up to 1 in 5 people (20%) may not achieve meaningful weight loss with these medications.
Most guidelines, including those from the Endocrine Society, suggest that GLP-1 medications should be considered effective if you lose more than 5% of your body weight within 3-6 months of treatment. If you haven’t achieved at least 5% weight loss by 3-6 months, you’re typically classified as a non-responder, and your healthcare provider should consider dose optimization, switching to a different GLP-1 medication, or exploring alternative treatments. However, some people may be slower responders and continue to lose weight beyond 6 months, so individual assessment is important. Real-world studies show that peak weight loss often occurs around 6-12 months of treatment.

Yes, if you don’t respond to one GLP-1 medication, switching to another may be beneficial. Tirzepatide appears to be more effective than Semaglutide – studies show that people who switch from Semaglutide to Tirzepatide often achieve additional weight loss. The dual-receptor mechanism of Tirzepatide (targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors) may work for some people who don’t respond adequately to single-receptor GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide. 

Your healthcare provider might also consider dose optimisation before switching, as some non-responders may simply need a higher dose than initially given.

Additionally, emerging research on obesity phenotyping may eventually help predict which specific GLP-1 medication might work best for individual patients based on their biological profile

Research consistently shows that most people experience significant weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications. The landmark STEP-1 extension study found that participants who stopped Semaglutide regained approximately two-thirds of their lost weight within one year of discontinuation. Specifically, those who had lost an average of 17.3% of their body weight while on Semaglutide regained 11.6 percentage points, leaving them with only 5.6% net weight loss after a year off the medication. Similar findings were seen with Tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT-4 study, where participants who switched from Tirzepatide to placebo experienced 14% weight regain compared to those who continued the medication. Weight regain typically begins within 8 weeks of stopping and continues for approximately 20 weeks before plateauing.
Most people begin seeing weight loss within 2-4 weeks of starting GLP-1 medications, but significant results typically require 6-12 months of treatment. The medications require gradual dose escalation – for example, Semaglutide starts at 0.25mg weekly and increases to the full 2.4mg dose over 16-20 weeks. Peak weight loss usually occurs around 6-12 months, with most clinical studies showing continued benefit throughout this period. For chronic weight management, healthcare providers often recommend long-term or indefinite treatment because discontinuation frequently leads to weight regain. The medications work best when viewed as a chronic treatment rather than a short-term intervention, similar to how blood pressure or diabetes medications are used long-term
Emerging research suggests that gradual tapering combined with intensive lifestyle support may help reduce weight regain, though complete prevention remains challenging. A Danish study from the Embla digital weight loss clinic found that patients who slowly tapered off Semaglutide over 9 weeks while receiving comprehensive lifestyle coaching maintained stable weight for at least 26 weeks after complete discontinuation. These patients actually lost an additional 2.1% of weight during the tapering period and maintained an average 1.5% weight loss after stopping completely. However, this approach required intensive support including nutritionist guidance, exercise coaching, and psychological support for emotional eating. Only 46 out of 240 patients (19%) who successfully tapered needed to restart the medication due to weight regain.
While long-term use may be necessary for many patients, real-world data shows that most people discontinue GLP-1 medications within 1-2 years. Studies indicate you have approximately a 50% chance of stopping within the first year, and even higher rates of discontinuation by two years. Common reasons for stopping include side effects (particularly gastrointestinal issues), reaching weight goals and preferring not to continue medication, cost and insurance coverage issues, and lack of diabetes (patients without diabetes are more likely to discontinue than those with blood sugar conditions). However, for patients who achieve significant lifestyle changes during treatment, some may be able to maintain weight loss with reduced doses or intermittent treatment. The key is working with healthcare providers to develop individualized plans that balance medication benefits with lifestyle modifications.