Weight Loss Treatment Overview

Who is Eligible for This Treatment?

There are a variety of eligibility factors that your healthcare practitioners will assess. However at minimum, Canadians living with obesity who have a BMI over 30 OR with a BMI 27-30 who have a medical comorbidity like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Patients must either reside in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, or British Columbia and be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Patients are required to be in Canada while receiving care.

What Weight Loss Medication Do You Prescribe?

Our healthcare practitioners currently prescribe a variety of injectable and pill based medications.

How Does the Program Work? 

The Felix program has been carefully designed with guidance from weight management specialists to be sustainable and easy to follow. The treatments we offer are medically backed and prescribed by healthcare practitioners who are weight loss informed and there to support you along the way. If approved for treatment, your first prescription will last 12-13 weeks (depending on your treatment), or approximately 3 months. 

When starting treatment, you’ll typically begin with the lowest dose and gradually increase over the next 3 months until your first renewal. Before your first renewal visit, you will need to complete some basic lab work. Learn more about lab testing in this blog.

How Much Does the Program Cost? 

We charge an initial program fee of $99. This covers:

1. Your initial virtual visit with your Felix healthcare practitioner.
2. Access to Felix’s Weight Management course, our holistic online resource that helps you make lasting, sustainable lifestyle changes.
3. Some essential supplies you may need for your prescribed treatment.

You will have a follow-up visit with your healthcare practitioner between weeks 10 to 13 of your treatment to monitor your progress and make any adjustments to your treatment to make sure it is working for you. These follow-up visits cost $40 each. Once you achieve a steady-state, your visit schedule may be based on your healthcare practitioner’s guidance.

Treatment  costs for the program are separate and will vary depending on your personalized plan  and private insurance coverage. Without insurance, the treatment  costs vary from $315 per fill  to approximately $630 in some cases.

Before speaking with your healthcare practitioner about your treatment, ensure that you speak with your insurance provider to confirm if you have insurance coverage for your treatment. If you have insurance coverage, our Felix Pharmacy partner can submit the insurance claim directly on your behalf.

How much is covered by insurance? Will Felix help fill out my insurance forms to help cover it?

Most private insurance plans do not cover treatments for weight loss. Patients with private drug plans may be eligible for coverage, depending on the insurance provider and specific plan. Before speaking with your healthcare practitioner about your treatment, ensure you contact your insurance provider for more information regarding your coverage. 

If your insurance provider requires special authorization in order to provide coverage, your prescribing practitioner may be able to complete this form. If the required information is limited to your care through Felix (ie. does not require information regarding past treatments received externally), and if your practitioner deems it appropriate to do so, they can complete this for a fee. 

To learn more about insurance form completion at Felix, please contact our support team at hello@felixforyou.ca!  

We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during your online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for, before shipping your treatment.‍

What Results Should I Expect from the Program? 

Results may look different for each individual based on their unique situation. It depends on what your goals are and what you are considering results. It is best to discuss any potential results with your Felix healthcare practitioner.

How Long Do I Need to Stay on My Treatment Plan? 

Decisions regarding the length of your weight management plan is a decision best made with your healthcare practitioner in consideration of several factors, including your lifestyle, and how well you respond to the treatment.

In general, if your body is responding well for weight management, you likely need to stay on a treatment plan long-term.

If I am Taking an Injectable Medication, Can I Use the Click Method to Administer My Dose?

There are charts circulating for how to use the 'click method' for dosing with the medication pen but remember clicks can vary depending on the pen being used.

Felix does not use the ‘click method’ for dosing due to its variability. This method is also not supported by the medication’s manufacturer. You can chat with your Felix healthcare practitioner if you have any questions about dosing.

If My Treatment is Medication-Based, What Happens if I Stop Taking It ?

If you have been prescribed treatment but are concerned that it is not beneficial for your condition, it’s essential to discuss any changes with your Felix healthcare practitioner before stopping the medication.

Abruptly ceasing medication use could cause sudden shifts in your blood sugar levels, if you are diabetic as well. Studies have shown that ceasing treatment typically results in patients regaining some or all of the weight that was lost, suggesting that ongoing treatment is required for long-term weight maintenance and management.

If my treatment is medication-based, how will I know when to increase or decrease the dose?

Your treatment package includes a schedule to guide your dose increases. That being said, this is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Everyone’s experience with their treatment is different, including their steady-state dose. Reaching a steady-state dose means that you’ve been taking the same dose for several months, and it’s providing stable and adequate results. This also means that the dose that’s right for you may not be the same for someone else.

It is crucial to only take this medication as outlined in your medication dosing schedule and treatment guide. If you have any questions regarding your treatment plan, please reach out to your healthcare practitioner.

‍What Non-Medication Based Treatments are Available for Weight Management?

Weight loss medications are a great way to assist in your weight loss journey, but like all medications, they aren’t for everyone. 

Some people may not be able to take these types of medications due to contraindications, or they’re already taking other medications that could negatively interact with weight loss meds.

Thankfully, there are lots of other ways that you can assist yourself on your weight loss journey, through non-medication based treatments.

Therapeutic Interventions

Both behavioural and psychological interventions can be beneficial for people that are feeling stuck on their weight management journey. It can help address any mental health issues that may be holding you back or making it hard for you to properly focus on your goals.

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They can also teach you how to do things like manage ‘food noise’ (i.e., intrusive thoughts about food, or cravings that feel impossible to ignore), as well as teach you tools like planning meals to make it easier to make healthy dietary choices.

Lifestyle Adjustments

While the ‘move more, eat less’ movement has been proven to be an outdated philosophy on weight loss, since many people are impacted by genetic and biological factors outside the control of these elements, diet and exercise are a vital part of your holistic health and weight management journey.

Eating a regular diet, including adequate protein and fiber, as well as avoiding certain types of unhealthy foods (i.e., alcohol, sugary foods, heavy processed or fatty foods, etc.), can make a noticeable difference in assisting with your weight management strategies.

The Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines recommends performing at least 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise, at least a few times a week, is a great way to encourage a healthy body weight, while also promoting stronger muscles, and better overall health as we get older. It is also important to include strength training as part of your physical activity plan to maintain muscle mass. 

SIDE NOTE: It’s important to note that if your practitioner feels like you would benefit from having an in-person assessment prior to determining your treatment plan, they will let you know and they will suggest that you see your primary care practitioner for in-person care instead of virtual care.

Your Felix healthcare practitioner will be there every step of the way to help guide you through your weight loss journey and ensure your overall health and well-being. Still have questions we didn’t cover? Feel free to reach out to hello@felixforyou.ca.