Frequently Asked Questions

LeanDreams is not just a generic weight management program. It's a personalized journey designed to help you achieve your weight and health goals in a sustainable way. We understand that each individual is unique, so our approach involves highly customizable, high-quality services with support from multiple disciplines.

Our core values are:

People First

Community

Sustainability

We hope that you can achieve and maintain your goals by providing a toolbox of different things, education, accountability, and a supportive environment.

Medications are used as just one part of the treatment program, tailored to your specific needs.

Anyone 18 and older interested in a healthy weight and residing in a state we serve can benefit from LeanDreams. However, it's important to note that to qualify for our program, you must have a medical need for treatment, which will be determined during your initial consultation with our medical provider.

We care for people from all walks of life, from every age, gender, ethnicity, and social background. Whether you are new to your weight management journey, have had bariatric surgery, or have tried medical weight loss in the past and need follow-up care, we can provide it!

What are you looking for?

Support groups are free, with no strings attached.

Individual consultations with our team range from $49-99 monthly.

Medication plans range from $150 on up, depending on the type of medication, the timeframe you select, and the tier (dosage).

Unfortunately, the vast majority of insurance plans don't offer either comprehensive medical weight management coverage, or access to the newest medications.

The best way to find out is to call your insurance company and find out what they do cover.

We keep things simple for you.

1. Based on your budget and goals, choose a medication, time frame (month-to-month, 3-month, or 6-month plan), and tier (the higher the tier, the higher your available dosage and extra benefits).

2. Meet with your medical provider (once your labs and intake form are complete), who will prescribe your medication if you medically qualify.

3. Begin your medication (it will be shipped to your home).

4. 3 and 6-month plans include your choice of a monthly behavioral health, diet, or personal fitness consultation. These services can be purchased if you're on a month-to-month plan.

5. During the program, take advantage of our monthly support groups, private online Facebook communities, and high-quality educational courses.

6. Repeat.

The program is highly customizable based on your health goals and budget.

Additional add-on features:

- in-depth medical evaluation

- dietitian/nutritionist consultation

- personal trainer consultation

These can be purchased separately, but there is no obligation.

1—Choose a medication, timeframe, and tier that fits your budget and timeframe. If you need help choosing, request a 15-minute FREE consultation.

Month-to-month plans include a medical evaluation and access to weight management medications if you medically qualify.

3 and 6-month plans also include ancillary support consults with our certified psychologists, dietitians, and/or personal trainers.

2 - Complete a medical intake form with questions about your medical history.

3 - Upload recent bloodwork (less than 3 months old), OR use the order we generate for you to get labs drawn and then upload.

4 - Complete a consultation with one of our board-certified medical providers.

5 - Receive your medications directly by mail from a pharmacy if your provider agrees that there is a medical need and no contraindications.

6 - Take advantage of the monthly support groups, as well as our private Facebook communities and educational curriculum.

7 - Sign up for a subscription plan for added convenience and to lock in your results!

Current states with LeanDreams provider coverage:

California

New York

Illinois

Maryland

Delaware

Please call 9-1-1 or another emergency number.

Once you fill out your initial medical intake form, complete the necessary bloodwork, and undergo your first medical evaluation, your medical provider will prescribe and order your medication from a third-party pharmacy that we use. Your medication will be mailed directly from that pharmacy to your address on file in discreet packaging for your privacy. If you’d like your prescription sent to another pharmacy, our providers can fax it to your pharmacy of preference.

Program fees include the price of medications (if approved by your provider). This means that if your provider determines that medications are necessary for your weight management, your program fee will cover the cost of these medications. There are no additional costs for medicines beyond your program fee.

We are entirely transparent about our pricing. There is no "bait and switch" here. You can choose from a wide selection of medications, timeframes, and tiers based on your health goals and budget.

Month-to-month plans have no time commitment. You can pay each month or subscribe and cancel at any time.

The 3- and 6-month plans require complete payment upfront. We work with third parties like Afterpay and Klarna so that you can pay interest-free installments instead of the total fee upfront.

We also accept HSA and FSA!

Your medical provider will make a recommendation for medication based on several factors. If there is a contraindication for a specific medication, your provider will attempt to find an alternative medication. Ultimately, payment made is for provider time and is not a guarantee of medication prescribing or dispensing.

Are you wondering if there's an age limit for our program?
🎯 Minimum age: 18 years
🚫 Maximum age limit? None. Health knows no age!

We conduct a personalized assessment for every person starting our program to ensure we understand their background and goals and can tailor a plan for them.

Both the STEP and SURMOUNT trials studied patients over the age of 18, with no upper age limit.

At LeanDreams, we support your well-being at any stage of life. It's never too late to start feeling better!

References:

Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., ... & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., ... & Wadden, T. A. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038

Treating this as a lifestyle change is critical to long-term success with weight. Utilize our program and the time you're with us to work on sustainable, healthy behaviors.

While a subscription or 3 or 6-month plan is not obligatory, available evidence shows that it takes at least several months to achieve the results you want with a medical weight loss program. It can take several more months after that to start entering a ‘maintenance phase’ with your weight.

Remember, if you don’t change your habits, statistics show that two-thirds of patients will regain their weight when they stop medications.

Once you select a medication and begin a monthly program, you will be matched with a board-certified medical provider who serves your state. If you are in the appropriate plan, you will also be assigned to a specialist depending on your chosen service (behavioral health, dietitian, psychology).

You can purchase add-on features at any time during the program, such as a 60-minute consultation with a dietitian or personal trainer or a more in-depth (also 60-minute) medical or behavioral health evaluation.

You will be asked to fill out a medical intake form, which helps your weight loss team with their consultations with you. Each provider will set up a two-way audiovisual communication (telehealth) appointment with you on a HIPAA-compliant telehealth system. This means you can see your provider from the comfort of your home at a convenient time.

With LeanDreams, you can choose the level of support you need.

The monthly plans come with a medical consultation. 3 and 6-month plans have, in addition to monthly medical consults, access to our team of dietitians, personal trainers, and psychologists.

This flexibility allows you to tailor your weight loss journey to your needs and goals.

Yes, depending on the state. We only work in states where it is legal.

Yes, it is. At LeanDreams, we believe in addressing the underlying reasons for increased weight rather than just looking for a quick fix.

A significant factor in this health journey involves a comprehensive dive into your current thought process on your health, eating, activity, and your behaviors and habits. While we offer medication-based programs, they are associated with a medical provider's initial consultation via two-way audiovisual communication (video call).

We recommend more than one month to capitalize on your gains and cement them in place when you eventually stop taking your medications.

If you feel the need to change your provider for any reason, we understand and respect your decision. Simply email our support team at customer@leandreamsweightloss.com, and we will do our best to match you with a provider who can help you achieve your health goals.

Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro and Zepbound) can result in 20-22% of total body weight loss. The average weight loss per month is around 7 lbs.

Semaglutide (also known as Ozempic and Wegovy) can results in around 15% total body weight loss. The average weight loss per month is around 5 lbs.

Phentermine/topiramate combination can results in 5-7% total body weight loss. The average weight loss per month is around 2-3 lbs.

The numbers are all averages. Some people lose more, and some lose less. Much of this has to do with your dosage, and what you're doing in terms of lifestyle (nutrition and fitness).

Weight loss medications work through various mechanisms. Two of the main ones used by LeanDreams are semaglutide and tirzepatide. These are two of the most advanced medications on the market and have several effects on the body.

The impact you will most feel with these medications is essentially slowing your digestive system down, putting the ‘brakes’ on it. This results in feeling full for extended periods and feeling full faster after eating. It can also result in some side effects, such as nausea, bloating, and constipation.

Other medications available include phentermine, which also works as an appetite suppressant.

Part of the medical consultation is designed to help you understand how to use the medications and work on other habits and behaviors that can minimize the side effects.

We use multiple nationwide pharmacies that will mail the medication to you for convenience. Once you see your medical provider, they will create a prescription.

You can fill your medication prescription at any licensed pharmacy you choose. However, if you use a pharmacy outside our preferred network, you will likely need to pay out of pocket for the medications separate from your program fee with Lean Dreams.

Our current licensed pharmacy partners are:

Hallandale Pharmacy

https://hallandalerx.com/

Strive Pharmacy

https://www.strivepharmacy.com/

You can fill your medication prescription at any licensed pharmacy you choose. However, if you use a pharmacy outside our preferred network, you will likely need to pay out of pocket for the medications separate from your program fee with Lean Dreams.

Some side effects can be expected with any medication. Your medical provider will counsel you on these during your consultation.

Common side effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide include bloating, constipation, nausea, and abdominal discomfort.

Common side effects of phentermine include a fast heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia.

If the side effects are severe, you must stop the medication immediately and call 9-1-1 or another emergency number.

If the effects are minor, you should communicate with your medical provider.

These medications are administered via either subcutaneous injection or orally (tablet or sublingual). The injectable versions will be delivered with syringes, needles, and instructions.

There are no dietary restrictions per se. However, as part of a nutritious diet, you should prioritize hydration, protein, and fiber/complex carbohydrates in that order.

While on the medications, you will notice that ‘heavier’ foods will be less tolerated, since the medications make you full more quickly, and for longer periods of time.

Contraindications for semaglutide and tirzepatide include a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, pancreatitis, and chronic kidney disease. Also, care should be taken if you are a diabetic and already on a similar-acting medication.

Contraindications for phentermine usage include a history of cardiac arrhythmia or other heart problems, glaucoma, and certain anti-depressants.

You should not take these medications while pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.

Pick a day and time of the week that’s convenient for you to remember and administer your weekly injection. If you miss a dose, it’s ok! Get back on track with the following week’s dose.

If you're taking an oral version of semaglutide (tablet or sublingual), missing a dosage should not effect your routine; simply take the medication the following day.

You will notice the medication working within the first 1-2 days of an injection! Initial weight loss results typically occur around 1-2 weeks after beginning the medication.

Not a problem! Many primary care providers prescribe these medications. However, many do not have the experience or the backing of an extensive team of specialists who can help educate and implement the lifestyle changes crucial for keeping weight off.

Additionally, many primary care physicians are constrained by the limitations of insurance. We are not.

Some companies choose to deal directly with insurance companies. We do not. However, you can try and request reimbursement from your insurance carrier.

The most crucial qualifying (or disqualifying) lab we check is your kidney function before starting medication.

If you choose to do a comprehensive medical evaluation (add-on service), your provider will check other bloodwork to evaluate things such as endocrine function.

Current studies have followed patients out to two years on these medications.

The most important thing that can rebound after stopping medication is appetite. Patients on the medicines for three months or longer are typically advised to taper their dosage back to reduce the risk of rebound appetite.

To prevent your weight from rebounding, it would be best to focus on the behavioral changes you learned in the program.

The standard dosing escalation is every four weeks. This is a decision between you and your medical provider based on your medication tolerance, weight loss goals, and budget (higher dosages are available in higher tiers).

If you don’t see the results that you are looking for, bring this up with your provider! Sometimes, this may result in medication dose escalation, but remember that medication is not magic. You also have to do the work.n

The existing evidence does NOT support a concerning cancer risk in patients who take GLP-1 agonist medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide).

A particular thyroid cancer (medullary thyroid cancer) can sometimes increase the expression of GLP-1 receptors by specific cells in the thyroid gland. Using a GLP-1 agonist is contraindicated for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. For patients with a genetic risk for thyroid cancer in general, caution should be demonstrated.

For the rest of the public, there is no evidence that GLP-1 agonist medication increases cancer risk.

https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/82/3/142.full.pdf

All program fees are listed on the webpage and available for your review before payment. While you can purchase additional services in addition to the main program, these are entirely optional. There are no additional or ‘hidden’ fees outside of what is posted.

LeanDreams does not accept commercial or public insurance plans. Patients are solely responsible for the cost of the service.

No. What you see is what you get. All program fees are posted prominently on the website. If you decide to fill your medication outside of our preferred pharmacies, however, you may pay additional out-of-pocket expenses.

No long-term contract is required. You can choose to do a simple monthly plan or pay for a 3-month or 6-month plan. However, you can cancel at any time without future obligations.

For your peace of mind, our programs include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Contact LeanDreams via the website, email, or phone and let our team know.

Contact LeanDreams via website, email, or phone; our team will assist you.