Key Takeaways
- You meet a physician, not a prescription mill. Board-licensed Family Medicine MDs lead every consultation.
- Labs come before any medication. Your physician screens your health before prescribing.
- The initial visit is a focused 20 minutes built around your history and goals.
- You leave with a personalized plan and ongoing monitoring.
Scheduling your first weight loss consultation in Las Cruces is a big step. Whether you have been researching GLP-1 medications, heard about semaglutide or tirzepatide from a friend, or simply know it is time for a change, walking into a clinic for the first time can feel uncertain. Here is exactly what happens at Fountain of Youth LC, so there are no surprises.
How do you schedule your visit?
You can book online through our ClinicSense portal or call us at (575) 805-9166 and choose a consultation. The initial visit runs about 20 minutes and is designed to understand your history and goals before any treatment begins.
Pricing for the consultation and any program is reviewed with you up front, so you know what to expect before you commit to anything.
Who will you meet with?
At Fountain of Youth, you meet with a licensed Family Medicine physician, not a nurse practitioner or an online provider. Dr. Joanna Rachelson and Dr. Laura Leija-Urrea are board-licensed MDs who focus on medical weight loss and hormone therapy.
This is not a five-minute prescription mill. Your physician reviews your health history, listens to your goals, and learns what you have tried before, what worked, what did not, and what is different now.
This is not a five-minute prescription mill. Your physician wants to understand your history before recommending anything.
What lab work is involved?
Before prescribing any medication, our physicians order comprehensive lab work. That typically includes metabolic markers, thyroid function, and hormone levels, the indicators that affect both your safety and your results.
Screening first is what makes the program physician-led rather than one-size-fits-all. It also helps catch issues that could be driving weight gain in the first place.
What does your personalized plan look like?
After your labs, your physician builds a plan around your health and goals. For many patients that includes a GLP-1 medication such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, paired with nutrition guidance and a realistic timeline.
Want the bigger picture first? Read our medical weight loss guide, semaglutide vs tirzepatide comparison.
How do you get started and stay on track?
Once your plan is set, you begin under physician supervision with scheduled check-ins. Regular monitoring lets your provider adjust dosing, manage side effects, and keep your progress steady and safe.
Ongoing support
Medical weight loss is not a one-and-done prescription. Follow-up visits and monitoring are built into the program so your plan adapts as you progress.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the first weight loss consultation?
The initial visit is about 20 minutes, focused on your health history, goals, and whether a medical program is a fit. Lab work is ordered before any medication is prescribed.
Do I need a referral to start?
No referral is needed. You can book a consultation directly online or by phone, and your physician handles the medical evaluation from there.
Will I get a prescription at the first visit?
Not automatically. Our physicians order lab work and review your health before prescribing any GLP-1 medication, because these treatments are not appropriate for everyone.
Who will I see at Fountain of Youth?
You meet with a board-licensed Family Medicine physician, Dr. Joanna Rachelson or Dr. Laura Leija-Urrea, not a nurse practitioner or online-only provider.
Joanna Rachelson, MD
Board-licensed Family Medicine physician at Fountain of Youth LC in Las Cruces, NM, where she and Dr. Laura Leija-Urrea, MD, lead physician-supervised medical weight loss, hormone therapy, and IV wellness care. Meet the team.
Ready to take the first step?
Book your consultation with our Las Cruces physicians and get a plan built around your labs and goals.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Results vary by individual and are not guaranteed. Before starting any new treatment, medication, diet, or supplement, consult a licensed healthcare provider. GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription treatments that require a physician evaluation, are not appropriate for everyone, and can carry side effects. Individual results vary.