The Wahzhazhe Health Center is now offering a new weight loss program for Native Americans, with the option of trying Ozempic, the popular weight loss drug that has been used to treat Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
Ozempic, a prescription injectable medication, has been recently approved for weight loss.
To receive a prescription of Ozempic, qualifying Natives with a BMI of 30 or above, must receive holistic health counseling, which includes a focus on diet, exercise and also on mental health.
“We’re not trying to give them a crutch, we’re just trying to make them healthier,” said Dr. Tony Little, who is the chief medical officer for the Osage Nation Health System.
Little noted that non-Native employees of the Osage Nation can also get Ozempic covered through their employee healthcare plans, but they will not be able to attend the ONHS weight loss program.
“They [ON employee insurance] will start covering this medication for obesity,” said Dr. Little, who noted that Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear negotiated with the Nation’s insurance provider to make sure Ozempic would be covered for all employees who need it.
Ozempic used to be focused on diabetes patients, but it’s coming to all Natives as a weight loss drug via the WZZHC because insurance providers have now approved it for weight loss, said Little.
The WZZHC decided to develop the weight loss program offering Ozempic to address “obesity throughout Indian country,” said Little.
“Obesity is a big health issue, a huge health problem for us. So many things are caused from obesity … preventing and treating obesity is going to help with cardiovascular disease, with diabetes, with overall mental health of folks,” he said.
Preventive healthcare surging in the Osage
The Osage are in the middle of a surge in preventive healthcare, from the new outdoor health complex in Downtown Pawhuska to the new Wahzhazhe Health Center opening in 2025. Little linked those Osage facilities with the new primary residential treatment (PRT) center west of town, which was recently ranked sixth in the Nation for addiction treatment by Newsweek.
The benefits of participating in the weight loss clinic – as opposed to taking Ozempic on its own – are that “if and when someone stops the medication, they will still … see meaningful weight loss,” said Little.
With the weight loss program, the WZZHC aims to treat the underlying causes of obesity, Little said.
“Mental health is a huge thing with obesity, and developing those healthy eating habits. … We’re looking at lifestyle change,” he said.
The Ozempic weight loss program, the new outdoor health complex, the award-winning PRT center and the new clinic “all spiral around each other,” explained the doctor – and the Osage people are responding.
Currently, Natives who call the WZZHC for the weight loss program are being put on a waitlist, but in a meeting this coming week, the ONHS will review extending current program hours to accommodate more patients.
The availability of dietitians, exercise counselors and behavioral healthcare professionals will not limit how many Native Americans the weight loss program can receive, said Little.
Instead, as more patients stream into the program, the clinic will add days and providers, said Little.
Appointments for the weight loss program currently extend into December.
Long-term results a priority
Ozempic is considered a long-term medication that can result in anywhere from 10 to 18 percent weight reduction, but when people stop taking the medication they often gain the weight back, according to Little.
“We’re not just looking at taking the medication as a substitute for eating,” said Little. “We want them to be healthy. We want them thinking healthy, that’s the mental health. And they need to exercise,” he said. “We need these healthy alternatives.”
Some of the reasons that Ozempic users may eventually cease the medication include nausea, diarrhea, constipation or the development of illnesses that require cessation of the drug.
Such illnesses include cancers in men, such as thyroid cancer.
“Patients cannot take this type of medication [Ozempic] if there’s any family history of Multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1) cancers or any history of thyroid cancer,” said Little.
While the mild side effects of Ozempic do include some nausea, diarrhea or constipation, these usually go away with time, Little explained.
The wraparound weight loss counseling in the WZZHC program, however, ensures that patients have a high chance of success in achieving long-term weight loss.
Ozempic is also a safer alternative to gastric bypass, said Little, speaking of a weight loss surgery that has much higher risks – even including the possibility of death.
“These medications have been around for a while, they are tried and true, they are used all over the world,” Little said. “We feel like they’re very safe and [now that] drug suppliers have ramped up [production], now Ozempic is available. Try Ozempic and the weight loss clinic first, … While the weight loss of gastric bypass is probably a little better than this medication, a lot of [people] gain the weight back over time [after surgery.] With the safety net of this program, the patient is much better off pursuing this medication.”
Patients welcome to review concerns
Native Americans interested in taking Ozempic can make an appointment to come to the WZZHC on Tuesdays or Thursdays, where they will receive a thorough intake.
Following verification that they have a BMI of 30 or above and that it is safe for them to take Ozempic, patients will receive their referrals to a dietitian, an exercise counselor and a mental healthcare professional, if needed.
Patients will then come back in to the WZZHC every 30 days to get a renewal on their meds and to continue the weight loss program.
The weight loss program began on Oct. 15, and was full, with eight spots.
As new patients approach their appointments, Little discussed the common concern of “Ozempic face,” which is a dramatic change in the appearance of their face associated with weight loss.
“When a patient has a BMI of 35 or higher … that [face change] is going to occur if they lost 35 or 40 pounds,” he said. But the change is normal, Little advised. There is no reason to fear some weight loss in the face, he said, as the appearance is no different than weight loss by diet and exercise alone.
When it comes to other weight loss concerns, Dr. Little said patients can discuss it all at the clinic, whatever their situation.
To make an appointment with the weight loss program, call (918) 287-9300 and press 4 or visit 715 Grandview Ave., Pawhuska, OK 74056 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Follow updates and see more from the WZZHC online at https://www.facebook.com/ONHSWahZhaZheHealthCenter.
CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article, it was incorrectly stated that MEN cancers are cancers in men. MEN1 cancers stands for Multiple endocrine neoplasia 1. The Osage News regrets the error.