How to Approach Weight Management Treatment: Nutrition, GLP-1s and Bariatric Surgery

Health and wellness providers fielding more questions about weight loss treatment are seeing a shift in patient and client awareness and expectations — and affordability. Today, 107 million U.S. adults meet the clinical definition of obesity.¹ And with new medications making headlines, 18% of adults report trying or currently taking a GLP-1.²

To guide these conversations effectively, providers may benefit from grounding treatment recommendations in a continuum-of-care approach, one that reflects obesity as a chronic condition requiring ongoing, evolving support and acknowledges the potential out-of-pocket costs that can influence follow-through over time.

Use a Continuum-of-Care Pathway for Weight Management Treatment

Research reinforces what many providers already see in practice: Obesity is a chronic condition that benefits from multidisciplinary care and continuous adjustment based on a patient and client’s needs and goals.³

This approach is often referred to as a continuum of care, meaning treatment is not a single intervention but an ongoing, coordinated pathway that evolves over time. This care model may contrast with patient and client expectations shaped by headlines suggesting quick or one-time solutions. As a result, providers should begin by educating patients and clients, helping set realistic goals while also building referral networks across the care continuum to support better outcomes and long-term adherence.

Services and treatments that make up this continuum may include:⁴

• Nutrition therapy. This may help patients and clients adopt sustainable dietary changes that promote a negative calorie balance.
• Behavioral health. This can help address the psychological and emotional factors that may influence weight.
• Anti-obesity medications. AOMs, including GLP-1s, may help regulate appetite and eating behaviors, though certain AOMs can exacerbate obesity-related conditions and should be carefully monitored.
• Bariatric procedures. Metabolic and bariatric surgery as well as endoscopic procedures could be effective interventions for reducing weight and improving metabolic health.
• Cosmetic treatments/services. These may help address appearance-related concerns that can accompany weight change, such as skin laxity or body contouring goals, supporting confidence as patients progress in their journey.

Together, these components highlight that no single intervention works in isolation, and that affordability can influence whether patients start and stay on a plan. Communicating how each step fits into a broader care plan and connecting patients to patient financing options like the CareCredit credit card can help patients and clients stay engaged.

Starting With Nutrition and Behavior Support

The Obesity Medicine Association identifies nutrition as an essential pillar of obesity treatment.⁴ Combined with appropriate physical activity tailored to a patient and client’s health and mobility level, it forms the foundation of care. Working with a registered dietitian or offering structured nutritional counseling can help establish realistic goals, consistent visit cadence and measurable tracking (e.g., weight, labs, behaviors).

Behavioral modification is equally important. Ongoing support from clinicians, therapists, coaches and social workers can help patients and clients build sustainable habits. Depending on the individual’s unique situation, digital tools can complement these efforts by reinforcing accountability between visits.

Adding GLP-1s and Other Weight Loss Meds

Introducing weight management medications like GLP-1s can be an important option for some patients, especially when lifestyle changes alone aren’t delivering the results patients hope for, or when patients or clients want to start medication right away. Anchoring conversations in widely accepted clinical guidance can help set realistic expectations and keep the focus on sustainable progress.

In general, guidance and research suggest:

• Approved medications are often considered when patients haven’t achieved meaningful weight loss with lifestyle interventions.
• GLP-1s tend to work best when paired with ongoing nutrition, activity and behavioral support.
• Eligibility is typically tied to BMI and the presence of comorbidities.²
• Because weight management is often chronic, some patients may need longer-term medication use; treatment choices should account for individual health factors and tolerability.

Framing AOMs as part of a stepwise, coordinated care plan rather than a stand-alone solution can help set clearer expectations and support outcomes as treatment escalates.

Making Bariatric Evaluation Referrals

Even with advancements in AOMs, metabolic bariatric surgery remains a well-established and evidence-based obesity treatment option — often recommended in conjunction with AOMs.

Updated guidelines support referrals for evaluation for patients and clients who meet established criteria, such as higher BMI and/or weight-related conditions, especially when non-surgical approaches haven’t produced adequate or lasting results.⁵

Presenting surgical options, like sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y), can be helpful when positioned as one step within the broader care pathway, particularly for patients and clients who may benefit from more intensive intervention to improve metabolic health.

Identifying Candidates for Cosmetic Surgery

For some patients, cosmetic surgery (often called body contouring) can also be beneficial after weight loss, particularly when excess skin affects comfort, mobility or quality of life. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, referring patients or clients for body contouring treatments may be appropriate for those who have reached a stable weight, are healthy and nonsmoking without conditions that could impair healing or increase surgical complications, and have realistic expectations with a commitment to maintaining results.⁶

Within the weight management continuum of care, body contouring can represent a later-stage, quality-of-life-focused step once weight has stabilized and longer-term maintenance planning is in place.

Addressing Affordability and Patient Financing Options Early

A long-term obesity care plan can raise understandable questions about cost, especially as many patients are responsible for covering out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment. Among CareCredit cardholders who received surgical services in the past 12 months, 54% reported paying out-of-pocket costs, with annual out-of-pocket spending of $1,699. Furthermore, 77% of those who received medications paid out-of-pocket costs, with average annual spending of $635.⁷

But addressing affordability alongside clinical recommendations may help patients and clients move forward with greater confidence.

More specifically, patient financing solutions, including third-party options like CareCredit, can help reduce the likelihood of delayed or skipped care. Synchrony’s Healthcare Journey Research Consumers and Providers study found that out-of-pocket expenses are a key barrier, with 53% of consumers surveyed reporting they postpone treatment due to costs. At the same time, 76% of consumers say they would pursue additional health and wellness services if they had ways to pay.⁸

By allowing patients and clients to spread expenses over time, financing can make it easier to move forward with recommended care. For providers, offering financing options may also support higher treatment acceptance and better continuity of care, particularly for multistep procedures or long-term care pathways.

Close Care Gaps Across the Weight Management Pathway

Being part of a patient and client’s weight management continuum of care can be both complex and rewarding. By anticipating where gaps may occur, whether clinical, behavioral or financial, providers can take a more proactive approach to care coordination. From assembling the right care team to addressing affordability up front, small changes in workflow and communication can help improve continuity, reduce drop-off, motivate patients and clients to stay engaged and support better long-term outcomes.

A Patient Financing Solution for Health and Wellness Providers

If you are looking for a way to connect your patients with flexible financing that empowers them to pay for the care they want and need, consider offering the CareCredit credit card as a financing solution. CareCredit allows cardholders to pay for out-of-pocket health and wellness expenses over time while helping enhance the payments process for your practice or business.

When you accept CareCredit, patients can see if they qualify with no impact to their credit score, and those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of special financing on qualifying purchases.^* Additionally, your practice or business will be paid directly within two business days.

Learn more about the CareCredit credit card as a patient financing solution or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.

Author Bio

Natalie Burg is a writer, editor and editorial project manager with 20 years of experience. She uses her expertise from a range of industries, including economic development, business, sustainability and more, to create content that educates and engages readers.

Healthcare payment and financing solution

The CareCredit health and wellness credit card helps improve the payment experience for patients and clients, and your financial performance.

Get Started