How is Healthy You Endocrinology and Weight Loss different from a traditional endocrinology practice?

Healthy You operates on a Direct Care model without the constraints of insurance billing. This allows Dr. Borensztein to take on a smaller patient panel, offering same-week appointments, longer visits (60–90 minutes for new patients), transparent pricing, and direct access to the doctor between visits. There are no surprise bills — all costs are listed upfront and HSA/FSA payments are accepted.

Does Healthy You accept Medicare or Medicaid?

Healthy You accepts select Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans on a limited basis. Medicaid is not accepted. Medicare and Medicaid patients cannot enroll in the membership program. Please call the office at 856-559-7616 for current availability.

How quickly can a new patient get an appointment?

New patients can typically be seen within the same week, often the same day or the next day. Patients are encouraged to gather their health records before their appointment to make the most of their visit.

Can I be reimbursed by my insurance for visits at Healthy You?

If your insurance plan includes out-of-network coverage, you may be able to submit a superbill (which the practice will provide) for reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed. HSA and FSA funds can also be used to pay for visits. Contact your insurance company to confirm your out-of-network benefits.

Can I still use my insurance for labs, imaging, and prescriptions?

Yes, in most cases you can use your insurance for labs, imaging, and prescriptions ordered by Dr. Borensztein. In rare instances, insurance may deny payment for testing ordered by an out-of-network provider. If you are concerned, it is best to check with your insurance company directly.

What is included in the Healthy You membership?

The Weight Loss and Endocrine Memberships include unlimited in-person and telemedicine visits, direct text access to Dr. Borensztein, prior authorization support, letters and forms, and communication with other medical offices. Weight Loss members also receive monthly body composition analysis and access to a members-only site with recipes, workouts, and blog posts. Memberships start at $125/month for Endocrine and $200/month for Weight Loss.

What ages does Healthy You treat?

Healthy You typically sees patients age 16 and older. For patients under 18, it is recommended to call the office first at 856-559-7616 to confirm that the appropriate care can be provided.

What conditions does Dr. Borensztein treat?

Dr. Borensztein treats the full spectrum of endocrine conditions including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, thyroid nodules, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, PCOS, menopause and perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), adrenal disorders (Cushing's syndrome, adrenal insufficiency), pituitary disorders, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy, Zepbound, and Ozempic.

Does Healthy You offer telemedicine appointments?

Yes. Telemedicine visits are available for established patients located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. New patient first visits are required to be in person at the Collingswood, NJ office.

Where is Healthy You Endocrinology located?

Healthy You Endocrinology and Weight Loss is located at 900 Haddon Avenue, Suite 409, Collingswood, NJ 08108 — just outside of Philadelphia. There is onsite parking and the PATCO station is nearby. Call 856-559-7616 or email info@healthyyouendo.com.

The GLP-1 Pill Is Here — But Is "Easier" Always Better?

Jul 10

Written By Alejandra Borensztein

For years, the most common question I heard about weight-loss medication was some version of: "Do I really have to give myself a shot?" For a lot of people, the needle was the sticking point — the thing that kept them from starting a treatment that could genuinely change their health.

So the arrival of oral GLP-1 medications feels like a milestone, and in many ways it is. We now have two pills approved for weight loss: oral semaglutide (the Wegovy pill), approved in late 2025, and orforglipron (Foundayo), approved in April 2026. No needles. Just a tablet.

But here's the honest, unglamorous truth I share with my patients: a pill sounds easier than a shot, and it isn't always. Let me walk you through the real trade-offs, because the goal is never the most convenient-sounding option — it's the one that actually fits your life and gets you results.

The appeal of a pill

The upside is real and worth celebrating. An oral option removes the biggest psychological barrier to starting treatment for many people. There are no injections to learn, no needles to store, and nothing to keep in the refrigerator. For someone who has been putting off effective care for months or years because of needle anxiety, that alone can be the difference between starting and not starting. And more options in the toolbox is always a good thing — it means we can match the medication to the person, rather than forcing everyone down the same path.

The fine print nobody mentions in the ads

Here's where "easier" gets complicated — specifically with the Wegovy pill.

Oral semaglutide is a peptide, and peptides are fragile in the stomach. To get enough of the medication absorbed, the pill comes with strict timing rules:

Take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Swallow it whole with no more than 4 ounces (about half a cup) of plain water — water only, not coffee or juice.
Then wait at least 30 minutes before you eat, drink anything else, or take any other oral medication.

That last point matters more than people realize. If you take a morning thyroid pill, a blood pressure medication, or a supplement, all of that now has to be scheduled around your GLP-1. For my thyroid patients especially, this takes real planning, because absorption of other medications can be affected. Skip the fast, use too much water, or eat too soon, and you may not absorb enough of the dose to get the benefit.

I'll also be candid about what I'm seeing in my own practice: with the daily oral form, I've noticed a tendency toward higher rates of side effects — the familiar GLP-1 nausea, digestive upset, and related symptoms — compared with what many patients experience on the weekly injections. Everyone is different, and side effects usually settle with time and careful dose adjustment, but it's part of the honest conversation.

So is it easier than a once-weekly shot you take on a full stomach whenever is convenient? For some people, genuinely not.

Where Foundayo changes the equation

This is what makes orforglipron (Foundayo) so interesting. It's a small-molecule drug rather than a peptide, which means it doesn't need that fragile absorption window. You can take it any time of day, with or without food, and without water restrictions. No morning fast, no 30-minute timer, no rearranging your other medications around it. For a busy life, that flexibility is a meaningful advantage.

The trade-off is efficacy. In its clinical trials, Foundayo produced average weight loss of roughly 11–12% at the highest dose over 72 weeks. That's a real, clinically meaningful result — but it's milder than what we see with the injectable GLP-1s and dual agonists, which can reach substantially higher numbers. So you're often trading some potency for a lot of convenience.

The bigger picture

None of this is a knock on the pills. It's the opposite. What excites me is that we finally have a genuine menu:

A weekly injection for people who want maximum weight loss and don't mind the shot.
Oral semaglutide for people who want a pill and can commit to the morning routine.
Foundayo for people who prioritize flexibility and a simpler daily habit, and are comfortable with somewhat more modest results.

The best medication has never been the one with the flashiest headline. It's the one you'll actually take, that fits your schedule, that your body tolerates, and that moves you toward your health goals. That's a decision worth making with a physician who knows your full picture — your other medications, your thyroid, your history — not a one-size-fits-all prescription from a pop-up ad.

Having this many good choices is a genuine win. My job is to help you pick the right one.

Dr. Alejandra Borensztein is a triple board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine and menopause specialist at Healthy You Endocrinology & Weight Loss in Collingswood, NJ, serving patients across South Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you're weighing your options for weight-loss treatment, book a consultation to talk through what fits your life and your health.

📞 [Call us] | 💬 [Send a message] | 🗓️ [Book an appointment]

Healthy You Endocrinology & Weight Loss | Dr. Alejandra Borensztein, MD, DABOM, MSCP
900 Haddon Ave, Suite 409, Collingswood, NJ 08108 | 856-559-7616 | healthyyouendo.com

oral glp1glp1 pillwegovy pillfoundayoweight loss pill

Alejandra Borensztein