Physician-Guided Weight Loss, No Subscription, No Gimmicks

If you have tried dieting, apps, meal plans, or online weight loss programs and found yourself back where you started, you are not alone. And you are not a failure. Weight is a medical issue, and it responds to medical treatment.

Dr. Gougian holds the Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine credential, which means she has completed specialized training in how weight actually works in the body, not just what the scale says. She prescribes weight loss medication when it is appropriate, adjusts it when it is not working, and follows up with you over time. That is different from a website that sends you a prescription after a short questionnaire.

No judgment here. No lecture. You don't have to come in with a documented history of failed diets or a specific number on the scale. If weight is affecting your health or your life, that is reason enough to come in.

1. 1

   Before you come

   Book online or call 301-200-0960. If you have recent lab work or a list of current medications, bring those along. It helps Dr. Gougian start the conversation with more context.

2. 2

   The visit

   Plan on about 45 minutes. Dr. Gougian will go through your medical history, talk through your options, and explain the medications she thinks are worth considering for your situation. If you have questions about safety, side effects, or what to expect, this is the time to ask them. She is not in a rush.

3. 3

   After the visit

   If a medication is appropriate, Dr. Gougian will write the prescription that day. If your insurance requires prior authorization, her office handles that process. Follow-up visits are $150 and are where the real work happens: adjusting doses, checking in on how you are feeling, and making sure the plan is actually working.

4. 4

   What if I want to stop the medication?

   That is always your choice. Dr. Gougian will talk honestly with you about what to expect if you stop, including what the research says about weight regain, and help you make a plan that makes sense for your situation.

Dr. Gougian prescribes the medications you have probably already heard about, and some you may not have. She will explain how each one works and which is most likely to fit your health history, your insurance situation, and your goals.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have gotten a lot of attention, and a lot of mixed coverage in the news. Some of what you have read is accurate. Some of it is not. Dr. Gougian will walk you through the actual evidence, address any concerns you have, and help you decide whether one of these medications makes sense for you. They are not right for everyone. But for many patients, they work in ways that diet and exercise alone have not.

Older medications like phentermine and Qsymia are also still effective options for the right patient. They are less expensive and do not require injections. Dr. Gougian does not have a preferred medication she steers everyone toward. She has a preferred approach: figure out what fits you.

Services like Ro, Noom, and Calibrate have made weight loss medication more visible. They have also introduced a subscription model that charges you monthly whether you are getting value or not. Some patients pay $100 to $200 per month just to maintain access to a prescriber they rarely speak with.

At Pandora Family Medicine, there is no subscription. As Dr. Gougian puts it: "Out of pocket is good too. We charge only $200 per visit to establish care, and only $150 per visit after that." You pay for the visits you have. Nothing more.

Weight loss medication is not only for patients with a very high BMI. Dr. Gougian sees patients across a wide range of situations: people who have been managing weight for years, people who are newly concerned about their health, and people who just want a physician-guided approach rather than guessing on their own.

You do not need to meet a specific number on a scale to come in. If weight is something you want to address with a doctor who will take it seriously, this is the right place to start.