Medically reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional. Last updated March 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first GLP-1 appointment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes and includes a physical exam, lab work, and a detailed health history review.
  • Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any prior lab results from the last 12 months.
  • Most providers will check your BMI, A1C, thyroid function, and kidney markers before prescribing.
  • You may receive your first injection at the office or a prescription to fill at a pharmacy, depending on the clinic.
  • Expect to start on the lowest available dose and titrate up over 4 to 8 weeks.
  • Not every patient qualifies. Providers evaluate your full medical history before making a decision.

Why the First Appointment Matters

Starting GLP-1 therapy is not like picking up an over-the-counter supplement. These are prescription medications that require medical oversight, and your first appointment sets the foundation for everything that follows. A good initial visit ensures you get the right medication at the right dose with proper monitoring in place.

If you are not sure where to start, our clinic finder can help you locate a provider near you. You can also take our quick quiz to see which GLP-1 medication might be the best fit for your situation.

Before Your Appointment: What to Prepare

Documents to Bring

Showing up prepared saves time and helps your provider make a faster, more informed decision. Here is what to have ready:

  • Insurance card (front and back). Even if you think your plan does not cover GLP-1 medications, bring it. Many providers have staff who handle prior authorizations.
  • Photo ID for new patient intake.
  • Complete medication list, including supplements, vitamins, and anything you take regularly.
  • Recent lab work if you have had bloodwork done in the past 6 to 12 months. A1C, lipid panel, and metabolic panel results are especially useful.
  • Weight history, including any previous weight loss programs, surgeries, or medications you have tried.
  • A list of questions you want answered. Write them down so you do not forget.

What to Eat (or Not Eat)

Some clinics require fasting labs, so ask when you schedule whether you should come in fasting. If they are drawing blood for A1C, fasting is not required. But if they are running a full metabolic panel or fasting glucose, you will need to skip food for 8 to 12 hours beforehand.

What Happens During the Visit

Step 1: Intake and Health History

A medical assistant or nurse will take your vitals: blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight. They will calculate your BMI on the spot. For most GLP-1 medications, you need a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

You will fill out a health history questionnaire covering your medical conditions, family history, allergies, and previous weight management attempts.

Step 2: Provider Consultation

This is the core of the visit. Your provider will review your history and ask targeted questions:

  • How long have you been at your current weight?
  • Have you tried other weight loss methods? What worked, what did not?
  • Do you have a history of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or gallbladder disease?
  • Are you currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant?
  • Do you have any history of eating disorders?

Be honest. These questions are not gatekeeping. They are safety checks. Certain conditions, like a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), are absolute contraindications for GLP-1 medications.

Step 3: Lab Work

If you did not bring recent labs, your provider will likely order bloodwork. Common tests include:

  • A1C (measures average blood sugar over 3 months)
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) (checks kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes)
  • Thyroid panel (TSH at minimum, sometimes free T4)
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides)
  • CBC (complete blood count)

Results usually come back within 1 to 3 business days. Some clinics have in-house labs and can give you results the same day.

Step 4: Treatment Plan

Assuming you qualify, your provider will walk you through the treatment plan. This includes:

  • Which medication they recommend (semaglutide, tirzepatide, or another option). Check our medications guide for a full comparison.
  • Starting dose, which is almost always the lowest available. For semaglutide, that is 0.25 mg weekly. For tirzepatide, it is 2.5 mg weekly.
  • Titration schedule. You will increase your dose gradually over several weeks. This is critical for minimizing side effects.
  • Injection training. If you are self-injecting at home, the provider or nurse will show you how to use the pen, where to inject (typically the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm), and how to store the medication.
  • Follow-up schedule. Most providers want to see you again in 4 to 6 weeks to assess how you are tolerating the medication.

How Long Does the First Visit Take?

Plan for 30 to 60 minutes. If the clinic does bloodwork on-site, add another 15 to 20 minutes. Telehealth appointments tend to be shorter, around 15 to 30 minutes, since they skip the physical exam and send lab orders to a local facility.

If you prefer the convenience of a virtual visit, check out our guide on how to get prescribed semaglutide online.

When Will You Get Your Medication?

This depends on your provider and insurance situation:

  • Same-day start: Some clinics, especially cash-pay and telehealth providers, can prescribe immediately and even administer your first injection during the visit.
  • 1 to 3 days: If your provider needs to wait for lab results before prescribing.
  • 1 to 2 weeks: If your insurance requires a prior authorization. Your clinic's staff will usually handle this, but it takes time.
  • Longer: In rare cases, insurance denials require appeals, which can add weeks. Your provider can discuss alternatives like compounded medications or manufacturer savings programs.

What to Expect After Your First Injection

The first dose is intentionally low, so most patients tolerate it well. Common early side effects include mild nausea, reduced appetite (which is the point), and occasional constipation. These tend to improve as your body adjusts.

You should not expect dramatic weight loss in the first week or two. The initial dose is about getting your body used to the medication, not about maximum effect. Most patients start seeing noticeable results after reaching the therapeutic dose range, which can take 8 to 16 weeks depending on the medication and titration schedule.

Red Flags: When to Call Your Provider

Contact your provider right away if you experience:

  • Severe, persistent nausea or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
  • Sharp abdominal pain that does not go away
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
  • Symptoms of pancreatitis (intense pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to your back)

These are uncommon but important to catch early.

How to Find the Right Provider

Not all GLP-1 providers are the same. Look for clinics that offer comprehensive intake processes, ongoing monitoring, and lifestyle support alongside the medication. Use our clinic directory to browse providers by location, insurance acceptance, and available medications.

Sources

  1. FDA Prescribing Information for Wegovy (semaglutide). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
  2. FDA Prescribing Information for Zepbound (tirzepatide). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024.
  3. Wilding JPH, et al. "Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity." New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002.
  4. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. "Comprehensive Guidelines for Medical Care of Patients with Obesity." 2024.
  5. Jastreboff AM, et al. "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity." New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3):205-216.