Stela - Expert Weight Loss Telehealth Clinic

Treatment

Wegovy

Wegovy is a prescription medication used for treatment of overweight and obesity. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which belongs to the class of drugs called GLP1 receptor agonists. Wegovy works by reducing your hunger signals and helping you to feel fuller for longer, complementing your current lifestyle changes. It is delivered by a once weekly subcutaneous injection.

How Effective is Wegovy?

Clinical trials show an average weight loss of 15% from baseline. However, individual results may vary. Your actual weight loss could be less or more depending on your lifestyle changes and clinical situation. The majority of patients can experience clinically significant weight loss with Wegovy 2.4mg.

~1 in 3

patients achieve >20% weight loss

~1 in 2

patients achieve >15% weight loss

~7 in 10

patients achieve >10% weight loss

15% weight loss has many health benefits, including improvement in cardiovascular risk, resolution of type two diabetes, improved blood pressure etc.

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33567185.

Is Wegovy Safe?

Yes. Wegovy is safe for patients who meet the indications for treatment. Benefits of obesity treatment greatly outweighs the risks for most people. Many established clinical trials demonstrate the safety profile of semaglutide.

The SELECT trial was published in November 2023 demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide 2.4mg. Close to 8800 patients received the active medication semaglutide for nearly three years. Compared to placebo, patients on semaglutide had no increased risk of cancer, kidney failure, pancreatitis and importantly, eye disorders.

Our clinical team will be able to answer your questions regarding risk throughout your journey. We will let you know if Wegovy is right for you.

Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232.

Wegovy FAQs

Wegovy is indicated for patients with BMI >30kg/m2 or patients with BMI >27kg/m2 with at least one weight related medical condition.
However, some patients with BMI <27kg/m2 may also benefit from Wegovy depending on their clinical situation.
All patients with 'Clinical Obesity' will benefit from obesity management medications.

Semaglutide, known by the brand name Wegovy, is part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist family of medications.
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that is made in your gut after you eat. One of its intended effects is to activate the 'fullness signal' in your brain. It is one of the natural signals that control your appetite.
When you take semaglutide, it helps to turn up these signals and helps you to feel more full, and feel less hungry. It also slows down your stomach emptying, making you feel fuller for longer.

Wegovy is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week.
It comes in a pre-filled pen. You can inject it into your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
It's important to rotate injection sites each week to avoid irritation, even if you use the same body area.

Wegovy and Ozempic are different brands for the same product, Semaglutide. Ozempic is Semaglutide 1.0mg licensed for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is Semaglutide 2.4mg licensed for obesity.

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal side effects - nausea, change in bowel habit, and dehydration. With careful monitoring, these side effects can be managed in most cases.
Rarer side effects can include renal impairment, especially with inadequate patient follow-up.
Acute pancreatitis has been observed with the group of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like semaglutide. However the incidence of acute pancreatitis with treatment is quite rare with 0.2 events over 100 person-years in the STEP1 trial.
For patients with Type 2 Diabetes on insulin/sulfonylurea medications, careful monitoring of blood sugar levels is required to avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia (low sugar levels).
Semaglutide is associated with gallstones, though any significant weight loss, even from dietary changes alone, increases the risk of gallstone-related events.
When taking semaglutide, you must let your anaesthetist or endoscopist know if you are using this medication, as it may affect fasting status and risk of aspiration during the procedure.
Semaglutide should also be avoided in pregnancy and breast-feeding mothers.
You should not use Wegovy if you or your family have a history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Allergic reactions can happen at the injection site. Generalised allergic reactions may also rarely happen.
The full datasheet can be viewed on Medsafe →.

Treatment starts at a low dose (0.25mg once weekly) which is gradually increased every 4 weeks to the maximum dose of 2.4mg once weekly.
This may take several months, or longer, depending on side effect profile. This gradual increase helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the risk of side effects.

Pricing

Our Services & Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing for every step of your journey. Begin with a consultation to create your personalised plan.

Step 1

Initial Consultation

Your first step is a comprehensive 30-60minute assessment with our expert team.

Nurse Consultation $150
Doctor Consultation $250
Dietitian Consultation $200
Wegovy (medication only) $480/pen

Consultation fees are paid upfront. Wegovy price includes delivery. After your assessment, you will receive a secure link to order medication if prescribed.

Start Assessment

Step 2

Ongoing Care

Continue your journey with follow-up support from our clinical team.

Nurse Follow-up $90
Doctor Follow-up $150
Dietitian Follow-up $125
Wegovy (medication only) $480/pen

Follow-up appointments are necessary every month at least for the first 3 months.

Step 3

Membership

A membership option is available after 3 months of treatment.

Payment plan: From $80-140 per week
Medications included + delivery
Unlimited FREE nurse follow-up appointments
Discounting doctor and dietitian appointments

Pricing FAQ

This is mainly due to lower-dose Wegovy being cheaper than it is in New Zealand.
Later treatment phases show comparable pricing between the two countries.

Our pricing involves monthly payments for medication and comprehensive support.
Please note that consultation fees are non-refundable.
You may be eligible for a medication refund if your payment has been processed but the medication hasn't been dispatched yet.

Click counting is when you reduce the dose by reducing the number of 'clicks' on the pre-filled pen to make the medication last longer.
Wegovy has a shelf-life of 6 weeks once opened. Using it beyond this time increases the risk of infection, makes the medication less stable and potentially less effective, and can result in incorrect or inconsistent dosing.
Once you're fully aware of the risks, we can talk about ways to lessen any potential harm from click counting and look at your choices.

Yes, we can discuss other medications besides Wegovy. Please note, a doctor's consultation will be required for these.
Bariatric surgery may also be a more cost-effective option for many patients, and this will be discussed in-depth during your consultation.

Our Team

Meet Our Expert Team

Dedicated professionals committed to your success

Dr Chaey Leem

Founder, Medical Director, Obesity Doctor

SCOPE Certified Obesity Specialist

Chaey is a kind, compassionate doctor with a deep passion for overweight and obesity management. He founded Medical Weight Solutions, an in-person obesity specialist clinic in Auckland, bringing many years of experience in all aspects of obesity care to Stela. Chaey is SCOPE-certified, an international recognition of his expertise in obesity medicine, and currently serves as a bariatric doctor at North Shore Hospital. He has particular expertise in medications used to treat obesity and in caring for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

Chaey takes a comprehensive approach, discussing all facets of obesity management, from meal replacement programs to medications and bariatric surgery. He truly believes in holistic obesity care, providing a warm, non-judgmental approach to his patients. Driven by a desire to make a difference, Chaey designed the Stela Clinic program to provide accessible obesity care to patients across New Zealand. Through Stela, he hopes to combat the longstanding weight stigma that many patients have experienced throughout their lives.

Heather

Your Dedicated Partner in Weight Loss

Registered Nurse 8+ Years Experience

At Stela Clinic, we believe in truly personalised and compassionate care, and Heather embodies this philosophy perfectly. As one of our primary nurses for consultations and follow-ups, Heather brings a wealth of experience, genuine passion, and a patient-centered approach to every interaction. With over eight years of dedicated nursing experience, Heather has a great understanding of patient needs. Her passion for helping individuals achieve their health goals, particularly in obesity management, is evident in her background, including working as a registered nurse for one of the first medical obesity clinics in New Zealand.

Heather approaches her patients with a kind, caring, and patient-centered focus. She'll provide the individualised support and guidance you need, ensuring your journey with Stela Clinic is a seamless and empowering process. Outside of her dedication to patient care, Heather is a proud mother of two children and enjoys spending quality time with them. She's excited to be your dedicated partner at Stela Clinic, ensuring your weight loss programme and follow-up care are tailored to your needs, compassionate, and ultimately, successful.

Victoria

Your Dietitian

Registered Dietitian Masters (First Class)

Victoria is a New Zealand Registered Dietitian with a Master of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland. She began her career at Waikato Hospital in 2018, working in chronic disease management, where she developed a strong passion for prevention-focused care. She brings extensive experience in bariatric and renal nutrition from her time at both Waikato and Middlemore Hospitals, where she also supported Dietetic student training with both The University of Auckland and Massey University as a Clinical Coordinator. Now in private practice, Victoria works within a multidisciplinary team specialising in weight management and bariatric care.

Victoria supports clients using obesity management medications with practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies tailored to their individual needs. From managing side effects to building balanced, sustainable eating habits, she helps clients rediscover enjoyment in food while working toward their health goals. Her approach to a client's weight management is compassionate and realistic, focused on building long-term habits that enhance overall health and wellbeing.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our services

Stela leads you to a proven, medical approach to managing your weight.
We move beyond simply dieting by offering evidence-based treatments for obesity, designed by an experienced obesity specialist.
We have a multi-disciplinary team available that can provide a personalised treatment plan.

Lifestyle changes form the basis of all our treatment plans. Educational videos, nursing/medical support will be provided to foster change in yourself.
For patients who are struggling with their diet, expert dietitian support is available for those in need.
We currently have Wegovy available. Other medications and bariatric surgery may also be discussed. Please book a consultation with our doctor if considering these options.

Current indications for obesity management medications include patients of BMI >27 kg/m2 with obesity-related complications, or BMI of >30 kg/m2.
However, after considering many individual factors, treatment may also be appropriate for patients with a lower BMI.
We recommend a consultation with our team for further assessment if this applies to you.

We provide treatment from age 12.
There is no formal upper age limit but we take extreme caution in the over 75 group.
The younger and older cohort of patients MUST have a thorough consultation with our medical team before starting treatment.

No. While you are not required to inform your GP, we strongly recommend that you do. The final decision is yours.

Once your assessment is complete and payment is processed, our partner pharmacy will promptly deliver your medications right to your doorstep.

Here's how we're different: We won't give you false hope.
As published trial data shows, if treatment is stopped, weight regain is highly likely.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing medical condition, and it requires long-term treatment.

Yes. There are well over a dozen major trials related to semaglutide alone.
Semaglutide is approved by the FDA for long-term treatment of obesity.
Study data demonstrates an excellent safety profile for many years. The SELECT trial showed that it even reduced cardiovascular outcomes by 20% for those who had already suffered a heart attack or stroke.

It's completely normal for individuals to respond differently to obesity management medications. If a treatment isn't working as expected, it's not because you haven't tried hard enough. Blood pressure medications produce varying results across different individuals. Obesity treatment is the same. It should be viewed no differently.
Studies show roughly 15% of a patient population may lose less than 5% of their initial body weight or not lose any weight at all. If you're currently on a lower dose of a GLP-1 medication, it's important to give yourself some time. Often, the higher dose steps can lead to a much more significant effect on appetite and weight loss. When you do not respond to treatment, other treatment modalities should be discussed with a Stela doctor.

Yes. As part of your care package, initial consultation blood tests and ongoing follow-up blood tests may be required.

Still have questions?

New Zealand's First Telehealth Weight Loss Clinic

The Steps

Online Assessment

Personalised Consultation

Treatment at Your Door

Follow-Up with Our Team

Stela's approach to sustainable weight loss

Why Choose Stela?

How much could you lose?