Frequently Asked Questions

From a medical perspective, the goal is not weight loss alone, but improving metabolic health and body composition. Excess body fat, especially visceral fat, contributes to insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal disruption, and cardiovascular risk, even when the scale doesn’t change much. Because weight and BMI don’t distinguish fat from muscle, many people discover that their healthiest, strongest weight is often higher than expected once lean muscle is preserved. While weight loss often motivates people to seek care, the long-term goal is to reduce excess fat, protect muscle and bone, and support metabolic resilience and strength over time.

GLP-1 therapy may be helpful for individuals who struggle with weight regulation, insulin resistance, or persistent hunger despite lifestyle efforts. These medications address the biological drivers of appetite and metabolism, rather than relying on willpower alone. Whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate depends on your health history, goals, and metabolic profile, and is best determined through a thoughtful, individualized medical evaluation.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, often beginning years before the final menstrual period, when estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate and symptoms can emerge. Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, after which estrogen and progesterone levels remain lower. The years that follow, known as postmenopause, are associated with ongoing symptom changes and increased importance of bone, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. Testosterone also gradually declines with age, independent of menopause, and can affect energy, muscle mass, libido, and vitality.

Perimenopause and menopause can affect many systems in the body, with 40+ recognized symptoms that vary widely between individuals. These may include hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, brain fog, weight and body composition shifts, irregular periods, vaginal or urinary symptoms, joint pain, palpitations, skin changes, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal changes. Many symptoms are hormonally influenced but often overlooked or misattributed.

No. While hormone therapy can be highly effective for some patients, care is not limited to hormones. Treatment plans may include hormonal and non-hormonal options, depending on symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and personal preferences. The goal is thoughtful, individualized care that supports comfort, function, and long-term health.

Yes. Many patients benefit from hormone therapy after a hysterectomy, even if the ovaries were preserved, because hormone levels often decline earlier after surgery. Estrogen can help manage symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disruption, and mood changes, and it supports bone and metabolic health. Progesterone may still be offered for benefits like improved sleep and overall hormonal balance. Testosterone can also be considered to support energy, muscle mass, and libido. Recommendations are individualized based on your symptoms, health goals, and the reason for your hysterectomy. Non-hormonal therapies are also available for symptom relief when hormone therapy isn’t appropriate or preferred.

Declining estrogen levels during menopause accelerate bone loss, with women losing up to 10–20% of bone mass in the years following menopause, often without symptoms. Despite this, routine bone density screening is typically recommended at age 65 unless risk factors are present. Osteoporosis-related fractures are common— about 1 in 2 women over 50 will experience one, and hip fractures carry significant risk, including increased mortality. Early assessment and prevention are critical to protect strength, mobility, and long-term independence.

A DEXA scan is a low-radiation imaging test used to assess bone density and, when available, body composition. Bone density DEXA screens for osteoporosis and fracture risk, while DEXA body composition provides detailed insight into fat mass, lean muscle, and fat distribution, information that goes beyond the scale and is especially useful for metabolic and midlife health planning.

Hormones, metabolism, and long-term health are deeply interconnected. Aafiya Wellness & Weight Loss was created to provide high-quality, prevention-focused care that also manages chronic conditions and optimizes metabolic health over time. Working with a dedicated provider allows for cohesive, personalized treatment, ongoing troubleshooting, and thoughtful adjustment of hormones, GLP-1 medications, and other therapies, supporting lasting health, strength, and vitality rather than short-term results.

All visits with Aafiya Wellness & Weight Loss are conducted virtually, no waiting rooms, no commutes, and no rushed appointments.

You’ll meet directly with Dr. Ali from the comfort and privacy of your home.

To ensure secure, seamless care, all telehealth visits, messaging, lab results, and treatment communication take place through the SigmaMD app. Patients will be asked to download the app to schedule their first visit, access their patient portal, message Dr. Ali, view lab results, and join telehealth sessions.

Most patients notice early shifts within the first 1–2 weeks, often starting with improved energy, mood, sleep, digestion, and a greater sense of calm as foundational lifestyle, blood sugar, and nervous system support are put in place. When medications are started or adjusted, progress is typically more gradual, with thoughtful titration over 2–6 months, and meaningful improvements along the way. This work is focused on lasting transformation, not quick fixes — with deeper change often unfolding over several months to a year, supported by continuity of care, evidence-based treatment, and sustainable habits designed to help you thrive long-term.

Aafiya Wellness & Weight Loss operates as a direct-care, self-pay practice, meaning insurance is not billed for visits. This model allows for longer, more personalized appointments and transparent pricing, without surprise bills or third-party interference.

My pricing reflects the time, presence, and clinical attention required to truly understand you. I don’t rely on high-volume visits, supplement sales, medication prescribing, or markups on labs as revenue streams. Anything I prescribe or order is recommended because I believe it serves your health and aligns with your goals.

Aafiya was built intentionally to limit external forces as much as possible in medical decision-making. There are no hidden incentives shaping your care, allowing recommendations to remain thoughtful, ethical, and fully centered on you.

Labs are included only when part of a selected evaluation. Routine labs are not included in the monthly membership. If additional or specialized testing is recommended at any point, Dr. Ali will review the purpose, options, and transparent pricing with you before anything is ordered. Patients can also opt to use their insurance for labs.

No. Medications and imaging are billed separately.

Prescriptions can be filled through any pharmacy using insurance or cash pay, depending on preference and coverage.

Yes. You may choose to use insurance or discounted cash-pay for medications, labs, and imaging.

Please note:
• Labs are not included in the monthly membership and are included only when part of a selected evaluation.
• Any labs or imaging ordered through Aafiya Wellness & Weight Loss are offered at transparent, discounted cash-pay pricing and are paid at the time of service through Aafiya or the imaging center.
• If you choose to use insurance instead, billing and coverage are handled directly by the lab, pharmacy, or imaging facility. Out-of-pocket costs are determined by your insurance plan and are often higher when billed through insurance.
• Medications and imaging are not included in membership fees and are billed separately by the pharmacy or imaging center

To schedule an initial evaluation, you must download the SigmaMD app. During scheduling, you will be asked to enter your credit card or bank information. You are not billed at the time of scheduling. Billing occurs after your initial evaluation, once we have completed your assessment and discussed the appropriate level of workup and care moving forward

The initial evaluation is a comprehensive visit designed to understand your health history, goals, and medical needs. The minimum level of evaluation for all patients is the Clarity tier. Following your visit, we will recommend an appropriate level of workup and care based on medical complexity and your goals. Many patients choose a more comprehensive evaluation to optimize their care. All options and pricing are clearly reviewed with you before proceeding.

After the initial evaluation, patients enroll in a monthly membership to continue care. Membership is required for ongoing management, including follow-up visits, lab review, and any prescriptions.

Patients who are actively adjusting medications require more frequent follow-up and are enrolled in the Signature membership. Patients who are stable and require less frequent visits—typically every three to six months—are enrolled in the Core membership.

Memberships are automatically billed at the beginning of each month and may be canceled at any time.

All visits are billed directly through Aafiya Wellness & Weight Loss at the time of service or on the first of the month for monthly membership.

With direct care, you’ll always know your costs upfront, no hidden fees, no surprise bills, and no prior authorization delays.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide care to patients who have Medicare or any Medicare Advantage plan. Federal Medicare regulations do not allow us to treat Medicare beneficiaries, even on a self-pay or direct-care basis. Because having Medicare coverage makes a patient ineligible for our services, we cannot establish care under any circumstances while Medicare is active