Your first GLP-1 appointment is mostly about information gathering — yours and theirs. The clinic needs to assess whether you're a good candidate, and you need to figure out whether this is the right provider and treatment plan for you. A little prep goes a long way toward making the visit efficient and getting you started faster.
What to Bring
Most clinics will ask for a handful of things upfront. Having them ready saves time and avoids a second visit:
- Photo ID and insurance card (if applicable — many patients pay cash)
- A list of current medications — include dosages, not just names. GLP-1 medications can interact with insulin, sulfonylureas, and certain other drugs
- Recent lab work — if you've had bloodwork done in the past 3-6 months, bring the results. Most clinics want to see a basic metabolic panel, A1C, and lipid panel. If you don't have recent labs, the clinic will order them
- Your medical history summary — especially anything related to your weight, diabetes, thyroid conditions, pancreatitis, or kidney issues
- A list of prior weight loss attempts — diets, programs, medications you've tried. This matters both for your doctor's assessment and for insurance prior authorization
What the Clinic Will Do
Expect a basic physical assessment: weight, height, blood pressure, and sometimes waist circumference. The provider will calculate your BMI — you can check yours beforehand with our BMI calculator. They'll review your medical history, ask about your eating habits and activity level, and discuss your weight loss goals.
For in-person visits, some clinics do lab draws on-site. Others will send you to a lab before or after the appointment. Telehealth providers typically partner with Quest or Labcorp and send you a lab order you can complete at a location near you. Either way, labs are usually required before a prescription is written. For more on what the overall visit looks like, check our guide on what to expect at your first appointment.
Questions You Should Ask
This is your chance to evaluate the clinic, not just the other way around. Good questions include:
- Which GLP-1 medication do you recommend for me, and why?
- What's the total monthly cost, including medication, consultations, and any required lab work?
- How often will I have follow-up visits?
- What happens if I experience side effects between appointments — is there someone I can contact?
- Do you help with insurance prior authorization?
- What's your approach if I hit a weight loss plateau?
Pay attention to how the provider answers. A good clinic takes time with new patients and doesn't rush you through. If you feel like you're on a conveyor belt, that's a red flag.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious about clinics that prescribe without any lab work or medical evaluation. A provider who barely looks at your history before writing a prescription isn't doing thorough medicine. Similarly, watch out for clinics that require large upfront payments for multi-month contracts before you've even tried the medication and know how you'll respond.
Legitimate providers want to see how you tolerate the starting dose before committing to a long-term plan. They'll start you on the lowest dose and titrate up gradually.
After the Appointment
If everything checks out, you'll leave with a prescription or a plan for when your prescription will be sent to the pharmacy. Most clinics schedule a follow-up in 4-6 weeks to check on your progress, adjust dosing, and address any side effects. Some telehealth providers do check-ins via messaging between formal appointments, which can be convenient.
If you're still looking for the right clinic, our directory lists over 2,900 GLP-1 providers across the US, with ratings and telehealth availability to help you compare options.