What is Mt. Burdell Health?

Mt. Burdell Health is a new specialty clinic in Novato, focused on helping patients manage overall health, with focus areas that include weight, sleep and pain. The Trailblazer program (weight management) is enrolling in Fall 2025, for a January 2026 start.

What is the Trailblazer Program?

The Trailblazer program is Mt. Burdell Health’s signature weight management intervention, designed for women. This comprehensive approach to personalized healthcare blends the science of metabolism with the art of emotional and physical healing. Mt. Burdell Health is led by Dr. Sara Modlin-Tucker, a family and obesity medicine specialist and Novato resident. She designed the Trailblazer program in collaboration with experts in behavioral medicine, fitness and nutrition. The program is rooted in evidence-based medicine and proven strategies for sustainable behavior change.

Are medications required as part of the program?

No. Program members collaborate with their team to design a treatment plan that works for them, which may or may not include medication.

What medications are available for weight management?

There are a number of different medications that may aid in weight management.

The following is not a complete list:

GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 Agonists (Semaglutide/Tirzepetide)

These medications act as incretin hormones-messengers in your gut that help your brain, stomach, and pancreas communicate about food and energy.

Contrave® (Bupropion/Naltrexone)

Works on the brain’s reward and hunger centers, help reduce emotional eating and cravings, may boost energy and motivation. Can also be helpful for depression and ADHD symptoms.

Qsymia® (Phentermine/Topiramate)

Combines appetite suppression with improved fullness, can help with portion control and steady energy levels.

Metformin

Improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility, supports blood sugar balance and may reduce carb cravings.

What results can I expect?

GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications lead to gradual, meaningful weight loss over time.
 They work best when combined with lifestyle changes such as balanced nutrition, regular movement and stress management.

What does the research show about results?

GLP-1 research shows that these medications tend to lead to significantly more weight loss than study control conditions. These are average numbers from the studies that have been performed on these pharmaceuticals, but they do not occur for all bodies.

Wegovy® (semaglutide)

  • Average weight loss:

    • 15% of body weight at full dose (2.4 mg)

      Zepbound® (tirzepatide)

  • Average weight loss:

    • 16% of body weight at 5 mg

    • 19.5% of body weight at 10 mg

    • 21% of body weight at 15 mg

What side effects should I know about?

Common Digestive (GI) Side Effects

Most side effects are mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Common symptoms:

  • Nausea

  • Constipation or diarrhea

  • Bloating or gas

  • Heartburn

  • “Sulfur” or excessive burps

Other Possible Side Effects

While most people tolerate GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications well, a few additional effects can occur. Most are mild and improve over time.

Common or Occasionally Reported

  • Injection site irritation or rash – often mild; can respond to a topical cream or antihistamine

  • Temporary hair thinning – related to rapid weight loss, not the medication itself; hair typically regrows with time

  • Fatigue or dizziness – may occur if blood pressure or other medications need adjustment; tell your prescriber

  • Vitamin deficiencies – possible if eating less variety; consider a daily multivitamin or lab monitoring

    Medication-Specific Considerations

  • Reduced birth control pill effectiveness (tirzepatide only):

    • Use backup contraception (such as condoms) for 4 weeks after starting or increasing your dose,

    • or consider switching to a non-oral method (IUD, implant, or vaginal ring).

Mood and Mental Health

Rarely, people may experience changes in mood or emotional state.
Always reach out to your healthcare provider if you notice increased anxiety, sadness, or irritability - your care plan can be adjusted for safety and comfort.

Thyroid Cancer Risk (Rare)

All GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning about a potential increased risk of medullary thyroid cancer.

  • This warning comes from rat studies — not human data. In humans, this risk appears to be extremely low.

  • For most people living with obesity, these medications may actually lower overall cancer risk, since excess weight increases the risk of cancers like colon, breast, endometrial, and kidney cancers.

  • Do not take GLP-1 medications if you or a family member have:

    • A history of medullary thyroid cancer, or

    • A rare genetic condition called MEN2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2).

Do you prescribe compounded medications?

We follow the guidance of the Obesity Medicine Association, which recommends against using compounded GLP-1 medications due to concerns about quality, safety, and consistency. To ensure the highest standard of care, we only prescribe FDA-approved medications sourced from reputable pharmacies.

Do you take health insurance?

We are a direct-pay practice and do not accept health insurance. This allows us to provide personalized, unhurried care without the restrictions of insurance-based models.

At this time, we are unable to see Medicare patients, as federal regulations prohibit cash-based care arrangements with individuals who have Medicare coverage.

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