plenity review

Plenity Medical Weight Loss Review

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  • FDA-cleared weight loss aid
  • Works by filling your stomach space and making you feel fuller
  • Made from naturally-derived building blocks
  • 59% of those taking Plenity lost 10% or more of their body weight
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Plenity is an FDA-cleared prescription weight loss aid, and it is designed for people who are considered overweight or obese by working to make them feel full and eat less. Clinical studies show that nearly 60% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight.

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Plenity Services

Unlike many online medical weight loss programs, Plenity doesn’t take an overall approach to lifestyle habits and changes. It strictly focuses on weight loss while encouraging exercise and healthier eating. Plenity is an FDA-cleared weight loss aid that is stimulant-free, and it’s available to any adult 22 and older with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 40. 

Plenity works by filling your stomach space and making you feel fuller. You should take three capsules with 16 ounces of water 20 minutes before lunch and dinner. 

How Can I Get Plenity?

To get started with Plenity, you can visit the website and request a telehealth consultation with a licensed physician trained in weight loss management. The doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and general health to determine if you are eligible. Your primary care physician can also prescribe the capsules.

It is also now being offered through the telehealth platform Ro, a “direct-to-patient platform” that provides free online visits with physicians for a health assessment who can then provide Plenity to customers who are eligible. Payment and insurance plans may vary with this company.

Is Plenity a Medication?

Plenity is an FDA-approved weight loss aid – it’s not a medication, but you will need a prescription to get it. It’s also not an appetite suppressant or a diuretic, but instead is considered an “oral hydrogel” or “medical device”. The company says Plenity is “made from naturally-derived building blocks found in fruits, vegetables, cellulose, and citric acid.”

Plenity is designed to take up space in your stomach and make you feel fuller. It contains tiny grains of an absorbent hydrogel that swells to 100 times their size in your stomach. Your body doesn’t absorb the gel and exits your body through the colon, meaning it does not have any nutritional or caloric value and is not a food substitute. You may experience some side effects while taking Plenity, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, and/or a feeling of fullness.

Plenity can be bought through the company’s website, but it can also be given to you by your primary care doctor.

Plenity Results

In general, clinically significant weight loss is sait to be observed after about 6 months. The company that makes and develops Plenity conducted its clinical study of the weight loss aid to determine its safety and efficacy and to get FDA approval. The study had 436 adult participants who were overweight or obese, and some had type 2 diabetes, but the company did not specify how many. The study lasted 24 weeks, and participants were randomly chosen to be given Plenity or a placebo. They were also instructed to exercise and reduce their calorie intake.

The company wanted to determine if at least 35% of the participants lost at least 5% of their body weight. After six months, the company reported these results:

  • 59% of those taking Plenity lost 10% or more of their body weight or around 22 pounds
  • Of the 59% of those taking Plenity – 26% of them lost an average of 14% of their body weight or approximately 30 pounds
  • Those taking Plenity achieved more than 3% weight loss within the first eight weeks

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Another study conducted by Gelesis in a group of 894 people found that after 6 months of treatment, “about 86% of patients reported weight loss, and among treatment responders, the average weight loss was approximately 9%.” What is most striking about these studies is that most of the participants stated that they did not improve their diet or exercise habits while taking Plenity.

There is currently no restriction on how long you can use Plenity. However, the FDA “cautions that it must be used alongside diet and exercise” or “other weight loss medications.” There’s also no research yet on whether you can keep the weight off once you stop taking it or the long-term impact on overall gut health. Note that weight loss can vary widely depending on the individual. It’s also important to note that if you have a history of heartburn, ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Plenity is not a good option. Plenity is also not recommended if you’re pregnant or allergic to cellulose, citric acid, gelatin, sodium stearyl fumarate, or titanium dioxide.

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Plenity’s Customer Reviews

Customer satisfaction with Plenity seems to be a mixed bag. You will find success stories on Plenity’s website – including those who say they could continue to eat what they wanted and still lose weight.

WebMD has several reviews from Plenity users who complain of constipation issues, extreme bloating, or no weight loss at all. Some claim they gained weight while using the pills. And while it is available through your primary care doctor, some physicians won’t prescribe it because they believe there are more effective medications already on the market.

Plenity Cost

Plenity costs $98 for a four-week supply. That averages out to around $1.75 a meal. You can save up to 15% by buying a 12-week supply of Plenity for $249. Plenity ships for free directly to your home within two days. Once you receive your Plenity shipment, you’ll be given instructions on joining Plenity’s Member Experience. 

The Plenity Member Experience includes:

Your insurance may cover Plenity, but you will have to check with your provider to find out. You may also use your Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or Medical Savings Account (MSA) to help cover the costs.

Plenity Company Background

Plenity is made by Gelesis – a biotherapeutics company – founded in 2006 by Yishai Zohar. The company’s mission is to help people improve their diet, health, and life. Its first weight loss aid offering is Plenity, developed to make weight loss more accessible to overweight people, and it became available to the public by prescription in 2020.

The Bottom Line on Plenity

Plenity is an FDA-approved weight loss aid available by prescription. It’s designed to give weight loss help to a broader range of Americans who are overweight or obese. The pills make you feel fuller, and therefore you will eat less. It’s a good option for those looking for help but may not qualify for medications or medical weight loss procedures.

Content on this site is for reference and information purposes only. Do not rely solely on this content, as it is not a substitute for advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Aging.com assumes no liability for inaccuracies. Always read labels and directions before using a product or prescription.

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