Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at nicole@advancedpracticesolutions.co if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What types of services does Nicole Ray, FNP-C Advanced Practice Solutions offer?

Nicole Ray, FNP-C Advanced Practice Solutions offers personalized weight loss treatment with oral of injectable GLP-1 medications, in conjunction with diet and lifestyle changes

NP Ray also offers primary care services to a small patient panel but we are currenlty not accepting new primary care patients. If you have an urgent medical need such as an infection or prescription refill we do offer urgent care telehealth visits after hours and on weekends.

How do I get an appointment

Because we are a small private practice, we do not have an answering service to take your calls. We ask that you call or text NP Ray directly at 207-212-9868 to request an appointment. You can also email for more information and to request an appointment at nicole@advancedpracticesolutions.co. We try to return all calls and messages within 24hrs. If need is urgent, text is the best way to reach NP Ray

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment at Nicole Ray, FNP-C Advanced Practice Solutions?

We do not require a referral

Do you take insurance

Sorry we do not accept insurance at this time. We are happy to provide a receipt so that patients may try to get reimbursement from their insurance companies.

What is a GLP-1 and how does it help with weight loss?

These are medications that works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Examples of GLP-1s are semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. (You may know them by their brand names such as Ozempic, wegovy, victoza and mounjaro). Semaglutide is the most commonly prescribed medication for weight loss. Wegovy (semaglutide) is the only FDA approved medication for weight loss.

Semaglutide can help you leave weight because it:

Reduces appetite:.Semaglutide stimulates GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which signals to the body that it is full. This reduces hunger and calorie intake.
Slows gastric emptying:.Semaglutide slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, making individuals feel full for longer.
Increases insulin sensitivity:.Semaglutide improves the body's response to insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces fat storage.
Boosts metabolism:.Studies have shown that semaglutide can increase the body's metabolic rate, meaning it burns more calories at rest.

What is semorelin and how does it help with weight loss?

Sermorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, is sometimes used to support weight loss efforts. It works by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce more growth hormone, which can influence metabolism, muscle mass, and fat burning. While it's not a direct weight loss drug like semaglutide, it can be a useful tool within a broader weight management strategy

Weight loss benefits :Increased GH levels can lead to a few positive effects on weight loss:

Increased metabolism: GH is involved in metabolic processes, potentially helping the body burn more calories.
Muscle building: GH plays a role in muscle growth, which can increase resting metabolism and contribute to fat loss.
Fat burning: GH can promote the breakdown of stored fat.

How do we receive medications?

We have partnered with a 503B and 503A compounding pharmacy. We order the medications and have them shipped directly to you. They arrive via overnight refrigerated shipping. Remember the cost of the medication is included in the monthly fee so there is no additional billing to receive the medication.

What type of oral medications can be used for weight loss?

There are oral versions of GLP-1s. These are typically more expensive.
Naltrexone and bupropion (combo drug brand name Contrave): Bupropionis a popular antidepressant medication. Of all antidepressants, Wellbutrin is most likely to cause weight loss as a side effect. By boosting levels of certain brain chemicals, Wellbutrin may have appetite suppressant effects. For some, a modest amount of weight loss may occur. Naltrexone is a μ-opioid receptor antagonist commonly used for treatment of opioid addiction and alcohol dependence [12]. Naltrexone can reduce food consumption through the blockage of β-endorphin action at the μ-opioid receptor as well as preventing autoinhibition of pro-opiomelanocortin neurons
Metformin: a medication primarily used for type 2 diabetes, is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, particularly in individuals with obesity or prediabetes. While it can lead to modest weight loss, it's not as effective as some other weight loss medications and shouldn't be considered a replacement for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise
Topiramate: exact mechanisms unknown but suppresses appetite and alters taste in some individual. Also seems to impact the reward mechanism sought for with food which can reduce cravings.

Will you be my PCP?

At this time we are not accepting any more patient's for primary care services. We can help with urgent needs such as medication refills when you are between providers or sick visits. However these are currently only being offered via telehealth unless you are already an established primary care patient with the practice.

Question

Who May eligible for GLP-1 treatment through our clinic?

Adults with BMI of 27 WITHOUT the following conditions:

type 1 diabetes
a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid cancer, specifically thyroid C-cell tumors such as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

GLP-1 Weight Management Treatment by Nicole Ray, FNP-C

Frequently Asked Questions

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