Weight Loss Programs + GLP-1 Therapies at The Lee Clinic
The Lee Clinic has been a leader in integrative and personalized medicine in Northern Virginia for over 40 years. Founded by Dr. William Lee, MD and now led by Dr. Megan Lee, DO, we take a root-cause approach to weight management — recognizing that for many patients, weight is not simply a matter of willpower or calories. Hormones, metabolism, and brain chemistry all play a role.
Why Weight Management Is So Hard
If you feel like you are doing everything right and still not seeing results, you are likely not wrong. Weight is a complex clinical problem — influenced by insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, sleep, stress, environment and genetics. For many people, diet and exercise alone are not enough to overcome the underlying physiology driving weight gain. That is not a personal failing. It is a biology problem, and it deserves a clinical solution.
The Ideal Protein Program
The Lee Clinic is an approved medical Ideal Protein location, which means we can treat patients with complex medical histories that non-medical Ideal Protein clinics cannot.
The Ideal Protein protocol is a ketogenic, phased dietary program designed to promote fat loss while specifically protecting lean muscle mass. It works by shifting the body into a fat-burning state while providing structured, high-quality protein at every meal — making it one of the most effective dietary approaches for preserving the muscle you have worked hard to build.
We support patients through the full protocol from start to finish, and we go beyond the scale. We educate on sleep, exercise, macronutrient balance, stress management and long-term maintenance strategies — because the goal is not just to lose weight, it is to keep it off and build habits that last. Products are available through our online store or for pickup at our Winchester location.
GLP-1 Medications: Semaglutide + Tirzepatide
GLP-1 receptor agonists — including semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) — represent a meaningful advance in weight management medicine. These medications mimic a naturally occurring gut hormone that regulates blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite, and quiets the constant mental preoccupation with food — what many patients describe as "food noise" — that makes sustained dietary change so difficult.
Beyond weight loss, GLP-1 medications can help reduce visceral fat, lower systemic inflammation, improve blood sugar control, and support cardiovascular and metabolic health. We offer both injectable and oral options of both medications.
Doing it right matters. GLP-1 medications are powerful, but how they are used makes an enormous difference in outcomes and tolerability. At The Lee Clinic, our approach is intentional:
Starting low and going slow — we begin at the lowest effective dose and titrate gradually, only if needed. This dramatically reduces the nausea, fatigue, and side effects that cause so many patients to stop treatment prematurely. There is no benefit to rushing the dose up, and every reason to take your time if weight loss is occuring.
Prioritizing protein — one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of GLP-1 therapy is maintaining adequate protein intake. When appetite is suppressed, eating enough protein requires real intention and planning. Patients who do not hit their protein targets risk losing muscle alongside fat, which undermines long-term metabolic health and makes weight regain more likely when medication is eventually reduced. This is where the Ideal Protein program is a natural complement — its structured meal replacements make hitting daily protein goals straightforward even when appetite is low.
Strength training — we emphasize resistance exercise as a non-negotiable part of any GLP-1 program. Building and preserving muscle protects your metabolism, supports bone density, and ensures that the weight you lose is predominantly fat. This is especially important for midlife patients, for whom muscle loss is already a concern independent of medication.
GLP-1s + Menopause: A Particularly Important Connection
For women in perimenopause and menopause, weight management takes on an additional layer of complexity. Declining estrogen and progesterone disrupt insulin sensitivity, shift fat storage toward the abdomen, slow metabolism, and increase inflammation — meaning the body is actively working against weight loss efforts in ways that have nothing to do with effort or discipline.
GLP-1 medications are equally effective in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women — menopause does not diminish their impact. What does amplify their impact is combining them with hormone replacement therapy. A 2026 study published in The Lancet found that postmenopausal women on hormone therapy alongside tirzepatide lost approximately 35% more weight than women on tirzepatide alone. Hormone therapy improves sleep, mood, energy, and insulin sensitivity — all of which support better outcomes with GLP-1 medications.
At The Lee Clinic, we are one of the few practices in the region managing both hormone therapy and GLP-1 medications under one roof — which means your treatment plan does not need to be split between providers, and the two can be optimized together.
Ready to find out which approach is right for you? Fill out the form below or call us at 540-542-1700.