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Medical Weight Loss in Winchester, TN

Physician-supervised GLP-1 weight loss programs — personalized, effective, and grounded in real medicine.

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At Winchester Primary Care, medical weight loss isn’t a program you order online or manage through an app. It’s a physician-supervised clinical program led by Dr. James Chiu — a primary care physician who understands your full health picture and can prescribe, monitor, and adjust your treatment in real time. Our GLP-1 program uses custom-compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide formulations to deliver the proven benefits of GLP-1 therapy with the flexibility, affordability, and personalization that only a physician-run practice can provide.
Dr. Chiu consulting with a medical weight loss patient at Winchester Primary Care

What Is GLP-1 Medical Weight Loss?

GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists) are a class of medications originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes that have since become the most clinically significant advance in weight loss medicine in decades. Drugs like semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro® and Zepbound®) work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves insulin sensitivity — resulting in meaningful, sustained weight loss for most patients who use them appropriately.

At Winchester Primary Care, we prescribe custom-compounded GLP-1 formulations — meaning the medication is prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy to your specific dose and formulation. This approach offers several important advantages:

  • Significantly lower cost than brand-name GLP-1 medications
  • Dose flexibility to adjust your treatment as your body responds
  • Availability independent of brand-name drug shortages
  • Direct physician oversight of your dosing protocol from day one

This is not a telehealth prescription mill. Every patient in our weight loss program is seen and managed by Dr. Chiu personally — with regular follow-up visits, lab monitoring, and adjustments based on how you’re actually responding.

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How Does the Program Work?

The program begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Chiu. He reviews your health history, current medications, metabolic labs, and weight loss goals to determine whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate for you and which formulation is the best starting point. Baseline labs are drawn in-house, with results back the next day.

Once you begin treatment, GLP-1 medications are self-administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection — a quick, simple process Dr. Chiu will walk you through at your first visit. Doses are started low and increased gradually on a structured titration schedule to minimize side effects and allow your body to adjust. You’ll be seen for regular follow-up visits to assess your progress, review labs, manage any side effects, and adjust your dose as needed.

Dr. Chiu integrates weight loss management with your broader primary care — so if you’re also managing diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol, your weight loss treatment is coordinated with your overall care plan rather than treated in isolation.

Most patients begin to see meaningful weight loss within the first 4–8 weeks, with continued progress over the following months as doses are optimized.

Medical weight loss patient at Winchester Primary Care in Winchester, TN

Who Is a Good Candidate?

GLP-1 medical weight loss may be right for you if you:

Have a BMI of 27 or higher, with or without weight-related health conditions

Have tried diet and exercise without achieving sustainable results

Are managing Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance

Have hypertension, high cholesterol, or other conditions worsened by excess weight

Want a medically supervised approach — not an online subscription service

Are looking for a long-term strategy, not a crash diet or quick fix

GLP-1 therapy is not appropriate for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or for those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. During your consultation, Dr. Chiu will conduct a thorough medical review to confirm that GLP-1 therapy is safe and appropriate for you.

What Sets Our Program Apart

There’s no shortage of GLP-1 programs out there — but most of them are subscription services, telehealth platforms, or weight loss clinics staffed by nurse practitioners. Winchester Primary Care offers something meaningfully different.

Treated by a physician, not a platform

Dr. Chiu personally evaluates every patient, reviews your labs, and manages your medication — not an algorithm or a remote NP who has never met you.

Integrated with your primary care

Your weight loss program doesn’t exist in a silo. Dr. Chiu coordinates it with your diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, and other conditions for a cohesive, whole-patient approach.

Custom-compounded formulations

We use licensed compounding pharmacies to provide flexible, affordable GLP-1 formulations — so cost and drug shortages don’t stand between you and effective treatment.

In-house labs with next-day results

Baseline and follow-up labs are drawn right in the office. Dr. Chiu reviews results quickly and adjusts your program in real time — no waiting a week to hear back.

Small practice, personal attention

Our lean team means your calls get answered, your questions get addressed, and nothing falls through the cracks. You’re a patient here, not a subscriber.

Long-term support, not just a prescription

Sustainable weight loss requires ongoing management. Dr. Chiu works with you for as long as it takes — adjusting doses, addressing plateaus, and supporting your broader health goals along the way.
Patient celebrating weight loss results at Winchester Primary Care in Winchester, TN

Why Choose Winchester Primary Care for Medical Weight Loss?

GLP-1 medications are powerful, clinically proven tools — but they’re not a substitute for medical care. They need to be prescribed thoughtfully, dosed correctly, monitored regularly, and integrated with your overall health picture. That’s exactly what Dr. Chiu does. As a primary care physician who manages diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic disease every day, he brings a depth of clinical context to weight loss treatment that a weight loss clinic simply cannot replicate. When you lose weight here, your whole health improves — and Dr. Chiu is tracking all of it.
Meet Dr. Chiu

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a compounded GLP-1, and is it safe?
Compounded GLP-1 medications contain the same active ingredient as brand-name drugs like Ozempic® or Wegovy® but are prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy rather than a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. When prescribed and monitored by a physician, compounded GLP-1 formulations are a safe and effective alternative — and considerably more affordable. Dr. Chiu only works with reputable, licensed compounding pharmacies and monitors every patient’s response closely.
How much weight can I expect to lose?
Clinical trials of semaglutide and tirzepatide have shown average weight loss of 15–22% of body weight over 68–72 weeks in appropriate candidates. Individual results vary based on starting weight, adherence, diet, activity level, and how well your body responds to the medication. Dr. Chiu will give you a realistic expectation range based on your specific profile at your consultation.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal — nausea, mild vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea — and are most pronounced during the dose titration phase. These symptoms typically resolve as your body adjusts. Starting at a low dose and increasing gradually, as Dr. Chiu’s protocol does, significantly minimizes their severity. Serious side effects are rare but are monitored through regular follow-up visits.
Do I have to stay on GLP-1 medication forever?
Not necessarily, though weight regain is common if the medication is discontinued without sustained lifestyle changes in place. Dr. Chiu works with patients on a long-term strategy that includes nutrition guidance and, when appropriate, a gradual tapering plan. The goal is durable weight loss — not indefinite medication dependence.
How often will I need to come in for appointments?
Follow-up visits are typically monthly during the active phase of the program, particularly while doses are being adjusted. Once you reach a stable maintenance dose and your weight loss is progressing well, visits may become less frequent. Labs are monitored periodically throughout your program.
Can I participate in the program if I’m already a primary care patient of Dr. Chiu’s?
Absolutely — and in many ways it’s ideal. Dr. Chiu already knows your health history, your current medications, and your chronic conditions, which means your weight loss program can be integrated seamlessly into your existing care without redundant workup or unnecessary delays.

Schedule Your Weight Loss Consultation

If you’ve struggled to lose weight on your own — or you’ve lost it before and gained it back — GLP-1 therapy with physician oversight may be the missing piece. Contact Winchester Primary Care to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chiu. We’ll review your health history, run baseline labs, and determine whether our medical weight loss program is the right fit for you and your goals.

Request a Consultation