Our Chicago weight management clinic takes a physician-led approach to weight loss. We use glucose monitoring, prescription GLP weight loss medication (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy), and scientific data to drive behavior change and improve health.
Glucose spikes and insulin resistance are common among people who struggle to lose weight. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, and you still can’t lose weight, let’s chat. You may be a candidate for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or other weight loss medications.
Erratic blood sugar can lead to an array of health issues, including weight gain. Glucose monitoring allows patients to see how the foods they eat impact blood sugar in real-time. When blood sugar spikes are curbed to keep glucose in a tight range, you burn fat and lose weight.
From weekly appointments during your first few months, to being just a phone call away for questions, our team goes above and beyond to ensure your success. At Innovative Vitality, we are here for you every step of the way.
Take a deeper dive into each phase and discover the process we use to take your health to the next level.
While most primary care doctors only see their patients annually, or as needed, we schedule frequent check-ins to keep your health on track. Your first appointment will be in-person at our office so we take blood, measurements, and do an InBody analysis. Moving forward, 90 percent of your appointments can be done virtually. The typical appointment schedule is as follows*:
*Or at the discretion of your medical provider
Go beyond the scale with the InBody Test, a non-invasive, quick, and accurate body composition analysis that provides a detailed breakdown of your weight in terms of muscle, fat, and water. The InBody is one of the most reliable methods of body composition testing and helps you and your medical provider set goals for your health. InBody testing is free for Innovative Vitality members and $50 for non-members (self-pay only).
Dr. Rahul Khare and Dr. Renata Gazzi lead the Innovative Vitality team. Together with Meredith Villarreal, NP, they deliver care that is far above what you’d find at a typical medical practice. Our team is passionate about helping patients improve their health.
Weight loss, menopause care and health optimization require a personalized approach and a partnership between patient and provider. Our membership model allows us to deliver an exceptional level of care to our patients. From longer appointment times, to being available on text when you need us, you’ll immediately notice the Innovative Vitality difference.
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Innovative Vitality accepts most major insurance plans. We will bill your insurance for appointments and lab visits. Patients are responsible for paying the monthly membership fee and any applicable insurance copays or deductible amounts per their plan. The membership fee allows for longer appointments, text/email communication between provider and patient outside of appointment times, priority access at our urgent care, body composition analysis (InBody®), and other services. Innovative Vitality patients also receive a 15% discount at Innovative MedSpa.
Innovative Vitality requires a 6-month membership commitment from our patients.
There is more to weight loss than just diet and exercise. Insulin resistance, hormones and other health factors can make it difficult to lose weight. Let our team of doctors help.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists are a class of medications that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for weight loss. These medications work by mimicking the effects of the hormone GLP-1, which is naturally produced in the body to stimulate insulin secretion and suppress appetite. Some examples of GLP-1 receptor agonists include exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), and semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). These medications can be administered by injection and may be used in combination with other weight loss medications, such as metformin or a sulfonylurea. It’s important to note that these medications are only available by prescription and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors are a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) found on the surface of cells in the pancreas, brain, and gut. When GLP-1 binds to these receptors, it activates a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways that lead to a number of physiological effects.
In the pancreas, GLP-1 binding to its receptors stimulates the secretion of insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels. This effect is particularly important in people with type 2 diabetes, as it can improve glucose control and reduce the risk of complications associated with high blood sugar.
In the brain, GLP-1 binding to its receptors can suppress appetite and reduce food intake, which may contribute to weight loss. This effect is thought to be mediated by GLP-1’s ability to inhibit the activity of hypothalamic neurons that promote hunger and to stimulate the activity of neurons that promote satiety.
In the gut, GLP-1 binding to its receptors can slow down the emptying of the stomach, which can also help to reduce food intake and promote weight loss.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic the effects of GLP-1 by binding to and activating the GLP-1 receptors. These medications can be used to treat type 2 diabetes and as an adjunct therapy for weight loss.
Non-diabetics need to care about glucose, too. The truth is, most Americans eat in a way that causes repeated glucose spikes in their body. Over time, this can cause a host of health problems, including the following:
Increased insulin resistance: Glucose spikes can lead to a sudden surge in insulin production by the pancreas. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, which means the body becomes less responsive to insulin. This can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Damage to blood vessels: High glucose levels can damage the lining of blood vessels, which can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Inflammation: High glucose levels can also lead to inflammation in the body, which is linked to several chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Weight gain: Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for several health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Mood and energy fluctuations: Glucose spikes can also cause mood swings and energy fluctuations, leading to fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Many insurance companies will cover weight loss medication, but it’s dependent on the plan and the individual. We have a team of people dedicated to working with insurance companies to get our patients coverage. While we can’t guarantee your plan will cover the prescriptions, we can guarantee that we will try hard to get it approved for you. That’s part of what makes Innovative Vitality unique. We spend more time advocating for our patients to get them the medication and care they need and deserve. If you are unable to get the desired medication, we will look at alternatives that are available to you at a lower cost. Together we will come up with a care plan that works for you.
Most weight management patients work on this goal for a year. That said, there is no specific length of the program. This is highly personalized care, so the time it takes to reach each goal and the steps along the way are based on your individual health. When you do reach your weight goal (and you will), we’ll shift our focus to longevity and maintaining health for long-term wellness. Our focus is on health optimization, which is life-long.
Yes, other doctors can absolutely prescribe GLP-1s and other weight loss medications. What you may not find elsewhere, is the doctor-driven approach. We don’t just write a prescription and send patients on their way. We take time to coach them, educate them, give them data and tools, etc. to make them successful. Here, you meet with your doctor weekly to discuss progress, challenges and make adjustments. We deliver highly personalized care.
Of course! Weight management is only one of the things we offer at Innovative Vitality. Many of our patients are already at their ideal body weight and do not need any support with weight loss. Our overarching focus is on longevity. This means we work to prevent health issues and guide patients toward achieving their optimal health. We do this with personalized care, regular check-ins, comprehensive testing and a focus on disease prevention.
Insurance is accepted for all appointments and lab work. We charge a monthly care fee to account for the time and services that insurance will not cover. Our monthly care fee allows us to go above and beyond for your health, with:
We ask for a 12-month commitment to Innovative Vitality. This is important so we can take the time necessary to make meaningful progress toward your health goals. Patients are asked to sign an agreement for the $250/month care fee. A 30-day notice is requested for any cancellations after the 12-month period.
