Intake and treatment protocol at Go Leaner

The programme starts with a comprehensive medical questionnaire that you complete securely online. We ask about: height and weight (for BMI), medical history, current medication, allergies, previous weight loss (yo-yo history), eating pattern, alcohol and tobacco use, and any wish to become pregnant.

Important: this is a genuine medical questionnaire, not a marketing check. Your answers determine whether GLP-1 is safe and suitable for you. Keep your answers honest and complete — otherwise medical risks arise later.

At the end you immediately receive a first indication: green (probably suitable), orange (requires further consultation), red (not suitable — e.g. with certain contraindications such as MEN2, a personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or pregnancy).

Within 1-3 working days of your questionnaire we schedule a consultation with one of our BIG-registered doctors. That consultation can take place by phone or in person at our locations in Amstelveen or Aalsmeer. You decide what works for you.

During the consultation we discuss your answers in detail, the doctor answers all your questions and asks additional ones. Topics: target weight, realistic expectations, possible side effects, dosage, and what to do if something does not feel right.

Important: the doctor decides on the basis of the conversation and your questionnaire whether GLP-1 is prescribed. It is not an automatic right — if in doubt, we first request additional blood tests or consult your GP.

At the start we measure: HbA1c (average glucose), fasting glucose, thyroid function (TSH), kidney and liver values, lipid profile, vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin. For women before menopause also hCG (pregnancy test).

Goal: detect early any deficiencies or underlying causes that could block your weight loss or that are affected by GLP-1. Our partner Lab+Arts facilitates the blood-draw appointment — possible at our locations or at a collection point near you.

We schedule follow-up measurements every 3 months to spot effects and any deficiencies in time. This is one of the biggest differences from clinics that only prescribe without monitoring.

After approval, the doctor sends the prescription digitally to our regular Dutch partner pharmacy. They deliver the medication (Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro — depending on what the doctor has prescribed) discreetly to your home, or you collect it yourself.

You receive a guide with video instructions on how to inject the pen, where (abdomen, thigh or upper arm) and when (every week on the same day). The starting dose is always low (semaglutide 0.25 mg, tirzepatide 2.5 mg) to limit side effects.

Practical: store the pen as instructed (fridge for storage, room temperature while in use), always use a new needle for each injection. Reusing needles causes pain and increases the risk of infection.

For the first 4 weeks you are on the starting dose. Goal: let the body adjust, ease side effects (nausea, fatigue). After 4 weeks the doctor evaluates whether stepping up is responsible.

Every 4 weeks you step up gradually according to protocol: semaglutide 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg, or tirzepatide 2.5 → 5 → 7.5 → 10 → 15 mg. Not everyone goes up to the maximum dose — the doctor determines what works for you based on effect and side effects.

During this period you have interim contact with your coach (about nutrition, exercise, motivation) and with the doctor (for questions, side effects or dose adjustment).

After the titration phase your programme focuses on lasting results. Every 3 months we hold an evaluation consultation: how is it going, how much weight have you lost, which side effects do you experience, which adjustments are needed?

In this phase your lifestyle coach works on: protein intake (crucial for preserving muscle), strength training (2-3× per week), sleep quality, stress management, and handling social eating occasions. Goal: build anchors that keep working after you stop the medication.

Important: GLP-1 is not lifelong medication for most people. We build towards independent weight management. Stopping is a planned process — not sudden, and always with a coaching safety net.