Fella Review: Is It The Best Weight Loss Solution For Men?

Losing weight can seem like one of the hardest things in the world. Even when you follow a plan, exercise more, and eat less, achieving the weight loss you want can still be challenging. And unfortunately, many of the people who manage to lose weight only put it back on again.

Issues around weight loss can feel particularly challenging for men. Much of the diet and weight loss information has traditionally been aimed at women. Fitness programs targeting men can seem too extreme – with images of sculpted six packs or little to no body fat.

Thanks to the rise of direct-to-consumer companies, a much more comprehensive range of online weight loss programs are available. These weight loss services go way beyond simply offering advice on what to eat and what exercises to incorporate.

It is now widely acknowledged that successful weight loss comes from understanding more about our bodies, sleep patterns, family history, and emotional well-being.

There has been an increase in prescription weight loss treatments supervised by doctors, which start with a detailed metabolic assessment. Where appropriate, you’ll be prescribed FDA-approved medication, supported by 1:1 video coaching and lifestyle plans to help you achieve long-term and sustained weight loss.

Two of the most popular services are offered by Found and Calibrate.

One of the leading online weight loss programs explicitly aimed at men is Fella, a telehealth platform offering FDA-approved weight loss medications.

TLDR: Cutting to the chase

• Fella is an online weight loss program for men that provides you with the assessments, support, and medicine required to maintain your weight loss and live a healthy lifestyle.
• Their costs are lower than competitors, and they offer a 6-month money-back guarantee.
• While their monthly price does not include mediation, they work closely with your insurance to keep the costs under $30.

In this article, we’ll review Fella in-depth, looking at what medicines they prescribe and to whom, whether it’s safe to use them for weight reduction, what treatment costs, and more.

Fella Health: What does it offer for weight loss?

Fella was founded because men have often been overlooked in conversations about weight loss. The options available to men have generally been either fad diets or whatever workouts are in Men’s Health magazine at the time, often ignoring ordinary men who want to lose weight simply to live a better life.

Fella supports men’s weight loss through its Health Repair System, backed by science and managed by in-house medical and coaching teams. The first thing they do is conduct a thorough health assessment – looking at your blood tests, family history, and other factors.

The health assessment is followed by a 30-minute face-to-face consultation with a dedicated clinician. If they think medication could work for you, they can prescribe a range of FDA-approved weight loss drugs. After that, you’ll have a 1:1 video session with a personal health coach every two weeks. They’ll encourage you to make lifestyle changes that will work alongside the drugs.

Fella’s values are ‘taking the shame and blame out of the weight loss game‘ with a mission ‘to help men live longer, happier, more purposeful lives’. On average, Fella Health members lose 5% of their body weight by the third month and 10% by month 6.

Why choose Fella’s medication program?

What you eat and how much exercise you take will always play a significant role in successful weight loss. However, it’s not the whole story. Research shows that genetics and environmental variables can make it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for certain people to lose weight. Those folks need outside help if they are to lose weight.

Some people seek medical help and then elect to have surgery, but a far less intrusive option is now available from the comfort of your home.

For many overweight and obese adults, a prescription is the way to go. Despite this, only around 3% of eligible Americans use weight-loss drugs – most have never heard of them.

This is what Fella offers, alongside regular sessions with a coach. One of the best things about Fella is that they have a 6-month money-back guarantee if you don’t lose at least 5% of your body weight.

Fella also has an app that offers daily encouragement, the option to chat with your coach by text, a tracker to see how far you’ve come, and a calendar so you can manage your appointment with the coaching and medical teams.

Fella’s metabolic assessment and personal coaching are all readily displayed for you in their app.

What medications does Fella prescribe for weight loss?

Fella’s big thing is pairing FDA-approved medicine with 1:1 health coaching. 

Not everyone responds the same way to any given drug, which is why Fella prescribes both GLP-1s and Non-GLP-1s. The doctor will work with you to find your best option and review the benefits.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medicines are designed to help you feel fuller for longer by slowing down how quickly your body empties the stomach. They replicate the natural GLP-1 hormones in your body.

The GLP-1 medications offered by Fella include:

• Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic): A long-lasting GLP-1 taken once a week as an injection. Semaglutide lowers your appetite and therefore leads to weight loss. It was developed to treat type 2 diabetes and works by increasing insulin production, helping the body break down blood sugar. 

• Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza): A shorter-acting medication taken daily as an injection. Also developed for diabetics, Liraglutide works by increasing the body’s production of insulin. This helps to slow down digestion.

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Injected once a week, activates both the GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors, making it highly effective. GLP-1s help you feel full and tell your body to empty your stomach more slowly. GIP reduces the accumulation of fat. 

The non-GLP-1 medications offered by Fella include:

• Phentermine / Topiramate (Qysimia): A pill that helps to reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller when you eat (known as ‘early satiety’). Clinical trials showed that people on the recommended dose lost over 5 percent of their body weight.

• Naltrexone / Bupropion (Contrave): A weight loss medicine that comes in a tablet form and reduces food cravings.

• Metformin: Usually taken by mouth as a tablet. It was developed as a diabetes medicine and helps the insulin you produce to work more effectively and the body to produce and absorb less sugar.

Fella Health’s prescription weight loss coach

When weight-loss medications are successful, they result in an average weight loss of roughly 5% over six to twelve months. And while it’s possible to get weight-loss drugs from other clinicians, the American medical system isn’t exactly built up for individualized medicine, and it’s unrealistic to expect you will lose weight just by taking meds without any other lifestyle changes. 

The best chance of success comes when you also eat sensibly, exercise, and stay in contact with a professional who can monitor your progress and adjust your regimen. This is where Fella Health comes in with bi-weekly personal 1:1 coaching sessions over video or text.

Who is eligible for Fella Health’s program?

You must be between 18 and 64 with a BMI of 25 and above. You also need to be covered by a commercial or employer health insurance plan.

You’ll start taking medication in the first month, as agreed with your Fella doctor. You’ll also meet your coach, who creates a customized plan with weekly check-ins.

In months 2-3, you’ll start seeing the positive effects of the medication while remaining in contact with your coach.

In months 4-6, you’ll be sufficiently comfortable with your new habits to enjoy special occasions. You’ll see changes to your body and improvements to your mood. 

Fella claims the average members lose 5% of their body weight by month three and 10% by month 6. They offer a 6-month money-back guarantee if you don’t lose at least 5% of your weight.

Fella Health: Pros & cons

Comparing Online Weight Loss programs: Fella Health vs Found vs Calibrate