Frequently Asked Questions

Functional Medicine FAQ

Functional medicine is a personalized, systems-oriented approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the root causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. Rather than simply treating symptoms, functional medicine looks at the whole person and asks “why” illness occurs, then addresses those underlying imbalances.

At Desire To Live Now, we use advanced laboratory testing, comprehensive health assessments, and evidence-based treatments to identify and correct the root causes of metabolic dysfunction, hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, and other chronic GI health issues.

PHASE 1: DISCOVERY PHASE We start with a comprehensive functional medicine assessment to uncover the root causes of your health concerns. Our Discovery Offers include advanced lab testing, detailed analysis, and a personalized wellness roadmap with actionable next steps. This phase stands alone as complete healthcare – no additional treatment required unless you choose to continue.
PHASE 2: TREATMENT PHASE (Optional) For those who want additional support, we offer personalized 90-Day Wellness Programs with medical oversight, weekly coaching, targeted interventions, and comprehensive lifestyle protocols designed to address your specific health goals.
PHASE 3: MAINTENANCE PHASE (Optional) Ongoing membership programs provide continued support with priority scheduling, prescription management, quarterly check-ins, wellness resources, and community support to help you sustain your results long-term.

Absolutely! As a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, I prescribe medications when they’re medically appropriate and beneficial for my patients. Prescription medications can be a critical component of comprehensive treatment plans.

However, my functional medicine approach recognizes that medications aren’t always the best first-line option for chronic conditions. Research shows that over 80% of chronic illnesses can be effectively treated—and often reversed—through targeted dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications.

My philosophy is simple: food is medicine. I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations in even the most challenging cases through:

• Personalized nutrition protocols based on functional lab testing

• High-quality, targeted dietary supplements

• Evidence-based lifestyle interventions

• Strategic combination of natural therapies with medications when needed

The goal is always to address root causes while using the most effective, least invasive approaches first. Sometimes that includes medications, sometimes it doesn’t. Each treatment plan is completely individualized based on your unique health picture, lab results, and personal goals.

The bottom line: I use every tool available—from advanced functional testing to prescription medications to targeted nutrition—to help you achieve optimal health in the most effective way possible.

We only treat adults over the age of 18 for both Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine.

Basic Requirements: • Must be 18 years of age or older • Must be a Texas resident with valid Texas ID.
 
For Primary Care Services: Whether you have insurance or not, schedule a complimentary Discovery Call to determine if we’re a good fit for your healthcare needs. This allows you to understand what to expect as a patient before establishing care. If we’re aligned, we’ll begin a “new patient orientation” which includes intake forms and a complete wellness evaluation to understand your short and long-term health goals. Click here to get started Book Your Discovery Call!
 
For Functional Medicine Services:
Every transformation begins with understanding your unique situation. We start with our comprehensive Discovery process to identify the root cause of your health challenges. To get started click here
During your Discovery, we’ll evaluate your candidacy for functional medicine, assess your health, and create a personalized plan tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
Questions? Contact us at 512-643-3631.
We are credentialed with select insurance plans for basic primary care, however, our practice specializes in functional medicine and comprehensive wellness  services that insurance doesn’t cover because they go far beyond conventional healthcare.
Our patients choose to invest directly in their health transformation because they want personalized, root-cause solutions rather than the 15-minute symptom management that insurance typically covers.

Yes. There are certain types of care we cannot provide, such as ER visits, surgeries, hospital stays, specialist referrals, and diagnostic testing like mammograms, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs – insurance coverage is excellent for these services.

Medical Weight Loss FAQ

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved weekly weight loss prescription that belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which regulates appetite and blood sugar. Semaglutide binds to receptors in your brain’s appetite centers, leading to decreased appetite and reduced food intake, while also improving insulin sensitivity.

Clinical studies show impressive results: participants achieved an average total body weight loss of 14.6% over 68 weeks. Specifically, 50% of participants lost 15% of their initial body weight, and one-third lost 20% of their body weight. Many patients lose 2-4 pounds weekly, with some seeing results within the first few weeks of treatment.

Ideal candidates include:
  • Adults aged 18 and older with a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)
  • Adults with a BMI of 27-29 (overweight) who have weight-related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
  • Those struggling with traditional diet and exercise approaches
  • People looking for a medical-based weight loss solution
Semaglutide is not recommended for:
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Individuals with a BMI below 29 without weight-related health conditions
  • Those with a history of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or severe kidney disease
  • People with severe gastrointestinal disorders
Common side effects include:
  • Nausea: Take with food or split doses into smaller, more frequent injections
  • Vomiting: Stay hydrated and avoid heavy or greasy foods
  • Diarrhea: Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids
  • Low blood sugar: Monitor levels regularly and have fast-acting carbohydrates available
Rare but serious: Pancreatitis – seek immediate medical attention for severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever.

Semaglutide is administered once weekly via injection, on the same day each week. You can inject at any time of day, with or without meals. Rotate injection sites each week and always use proper sterile technique. If you miss a dose, you can take it up to 5 days late. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

Treatment duration varies based on individual needs and goals, typically ranging from several months to a year or longer. The medication has been shown to sustain weight loss over extended periods, with participants maintaining results for up to 68 weeks in clinical studies.

While Semaglutide can be effective on its own, best results are achieved when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. We provide comprehensive dietary guidance and exercise recommendations to maximize your weight loss results.

Tirzepatide is another FDA-approved weight loss medication that works similarly to Semaglutide but with dual action. While Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Tirzepatide is both a GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor agonist, which may provide enhanced weight loss results for some patients.
Key differences:
  • Dual mechanism: Targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors for potentially greater appetite suppression and metabolic benefits
  • Weight loss results: Clinical studies show Tirzepatide may produce slightly higher average weight loss compared to Semaglutide
  • Administration: Also given as a weekly injection
  • Side effects: Similar profile to Semaglutide (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Which medication is right for you? During your Discovery phase, we’ll evaluate your health history, current medications, specific goals, and metabolic profile to determine whether Semaglutide or Tirzepatide would be the better choice for your unique situation. Some patients respond better to one medication over the other, which is why our personalized approach is so important.
Both medications work best when combined with our comprehensive 3-Phase Metabolic Reset & Weight Loss program, addressing the root causes of weight gain alongside the medication support.
Our medical weight loss program follows our proven 3-Phase Metabolic Reset & Weight Loss Approach – the same systematic method we use for all our wellness transformations:
Phase 1: Discovery – We start with comprehensive functional medicine assessments to uncover the root causes blocking your weight loss. Through strategic lab testing and detailed health analysis, we identify your unique metabolic blocks, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances.
Phase 2: Treatment – Based on your Discovery results, we create a personalized 90-120 day program combining Semaglutide with targeted interventions including prescription management, premium supplements, personalized nutrition protocols, and weekly wellness coaching support.
Phase 3: Maintenance – We transition you to our ongoing membership program for continued support, prescription management, quarterly check-ins, and educational resources to ensure your weight loss results last for life.
What sets us apart:
  • We don’t just prescribe medication – we address the root causes of weight gain
  • Comprehensive medical oversight with regular monitoring and adjustments
  • Integration with our 5 Pillars of Health (Detoxification, Nutrition, Movement, Hormones, Mentorship)
  • Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes alongside medication
  • Unlimited virtual consultations and personalized support throughout your journey
This isn’t just about losing weight – it’s about resetting your metabolism and creating lasting health transformation.
Every transformation begins with understanding your unique situation. Even for medical weight loss, we start with our comprehensive Discovery process to identify what’s been blocking your weight loss success. To get started click here
During your Discovery, we’ll evaluate your candidacy for medical weight loss, assess your metabolic health, and create a personalized weight loss plan tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
Questions? Contact us at 512-643-3631.