Monthly price comparisons are misleading. A $149 first month and a $179 flat rate produce wildly different 12-month totals. We modeled every major pricing structure over a full year of treatment — here are the numbers you need to make a real decision.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. All projections based on verified May 2026 pricing and standard semaglutide dose escalation.
Assumptions for This Model
- Starting weight: 220 lbs (BMI ~32)
- Medication: Compounded semaglutide (injectable)
- Dose schedule: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1.0mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg over months 1-5, then 2.4mg maintenance
- Duration: 12 months continuous treatment
- Includes: All bundled costs (consult, medication, shipping, supplies) where applicable
12-Month Cost Projection: Side by Side
| Provider / Model | Mo 1 | Mo 2-4 | Mo 5-12 | 12-Mo Total | Avg/Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Weight Loss | $130 | $130 | $130 | $1,560 | $130 |
| Yucca (6-mo plan) | $146 | $146 | $146 | $1,752 | $146 |
| Gala (flat rate) | $179 | $179 | $179 | $2,148 | $179 |
| Embody (intro) | $149 | $299 | $299 | $3,438 | $287 |
| SHED (dose-dep.) | $297 | $297 | $399 | $4,683 | $390 |
| Brand Wegovy (list) | $1,349 | $1,349 | $1,349 | $16,188 | $1,349 |
| Brand (w/ insurance) | ~$50 | ~$50 | ~$50 | ~$600 | $50 |
Notice how the cheapest first month (Embody at $149) produces the 4th most expensive 12-month total ($3,438). And Gala at $179/month — which isn't the cheapest monthly — costs $1,290 less per year than the $149-start program. First-month price and 12-month cost tell completely different stories.
Cost Per Pound Lost (12-Month Model)
Using 14.9% average weight loss from STEP 1 trial data (33 lbs for our 220 lb model patient):
| Provider | 12-Mo Total | Expected Loss | Cost/Pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand (insured, $50 copay) | $600 | 33 lbs | $18/lb |
| Oak Weight Loss | $1,560 | 33 lbs | $47/lb |
| Yucca | $1,752 | 33 lbs | $53/lb |
| Gala | $2,148 | 33 lbs | $65/lb |
| Embody | $3,438 | 33 lbs | $104/lb |
| SHED | $4,683 | 33 lbs | $142/lb |
| Brand (list price) | $16,188 | 33 lbs | $491/lb |
Three Scenarios, Three Recommendations
Scenario 1: Budget-First (Lowest Total Cost)
Scenario 2: Balance of Cost + Flexibility
Scenario 3: Test Before Committing
What This Model Doesn't Include
- Lab work: $0–$300 depending on provider requirements
- Supplementary medications: Anti-nausea, B12, etc. — $0–$60/month if added
- HSA/FSA tax savings: Could reduce effective cost by 25-40% (see our HSA/FSA guide)
- Cost of NOT treating obesity: Obesity-related healthcare costs average $1,861/year more than normal-weight individuals — treatment may pay for itself in reduced medical expenses
- 12-month range: $1,560 (Oak flat) to $16,188 (brand list) — a 10x spread
- Cheapest first month ≠ cheapest year: Embody ($149 start) costs $1,290 more/year than Gala ($179 flat)
- Best insured value: ~$600/year at $50 copay — always check insurance first
- Best cash-pay value: flat-rate providers at $130-$179/mo deliver $47-$65 per pound lost
- HSA/FSA can reduce effective cost by 25-40% on top of any pricing model
- Factor in the cost of NOT treating: obesity-related healthcare costs $1,861+/year
Projections based on verified May 2026 pricing and clinical trial weight loss averages. Individual results vary. All compounded medications are not FDA-approved. This is not medical or financial advice.