Found Weight Loss Review: Is It Better Than Medication Alone?

While following a calorie-restricted diet is a fast way to lose weight, it can be harmful to your health in the long run. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll regain the weight you’ve lost, or even gain more, when you return to your normal diet. 

That’s why it’s important to follow a healthy weight loss approach consisting of a well-balanced diet, a healthy daily routine, and regular exercise. And when it comes to biological factors that can affect your weight loss journey, certain medications may do the job.

One online program that claims to check all these boxes is the Found weight loss app. The creators of this program say it allows you to lose weight that you can sustain in the long term.

After reading these claims, I decided to test this app myself to determine whether it’s worth it. So, in this review, I’ll share everything you need to know about Found, including its features and pros and cons, to help you decide if it’s a good option.

What Is Found?

As I’ve mentioned already, Found is an online weight loss program that’s designed to help users achieve sustainable weight loss. It claims to address the underlying causes of weight gain – genetic, emotional, and physical – to create a well-rounded, holistic plan for its members.

I liked the approach of this program, as it guides you to plan out and follow healthy habits around nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management. This gives you the opportunity to make lifestyle changes that lead to sustainable weight loss that can be maintained over the long term.

Another feature of Found that I liked is that it provides you with access to licensed medical professionals who can prescribe different medications, including GLP-1s. These medications are provided to help you address biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can impact your weight.

The program also has a strong online community for support and guidance throughout your weight loss journey.

⭐ Rating	3.8
📱Operating system	Android, iOS
👍 Best for	Adults over 30 BMI (or over 27 with some pre-existing medical condition)
❌ Not suitable for	Kids, pregnant/breastfeeding women, and adults with active eating disorders
🍎 Dosage form	Can vary from user to user (advised by assigned prescriber)
💰 Price	Starts from $99

How Does Found Work?

Simply put, Found works by focusing on the very biology behind weight gain. The length of this program is over 7 months, and you’ll be going through the following during this time:

Month 1: Identification

During the first month, you’ll be working closely with a personal health coach to find strategies that work the best for you. You’ll also use the Found app to set your weekly target weight and choose habits to improve your daily routines. Your coach will also help you feel motivated and stay connected to your weight loss journey.

Month 2–3: Building healthy habits

After the completion of the first month, your medication will start working to help you lose weight at the cellular level. Your coach will stay in touch with you to help you use the app properly and develop a healthy lifestyle.

According to the official website, you might lose around 5% of body weight during this time and start seeing improvements in your sleep, energy levels, and ability to exercise.

In my opinion, consistent coaching in the program is a smart decision because modern research shows it is effective for weight loss.

Month 4–6: Refining and solidifying a healthy lifestyle

You’ll continue checking in with your medical provider through the Found app to make sure the medications are still working well for you. The work on setting new goals will continue in order to refine and solidify the habits for following a healthy lifestyle.

The website mentions that you may lose around 10% of your body weight at this point, and there will be improvements in your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Here, I must mention that I was happy with my body weight and didn’t need to follow the program, but I examined everything it offered. After reviewing the educational material and the type of medication Found uses, I can confidently say it can be helpful for weight loss.

Month 7 and beyond: Sustaining weight loss

After about 7 months on the program, your focus will shift from losing weight to sustaining what you’ve already lost. You’ll be provided with important information to learn about how things like gut health, sleep, and hormones can impact your weight.

I would say that the Found program is undeniably comprehensive and can definitely work. That’s because it not only focuses on improving your lifestyle but also uses medications that are scientifically proven to have positive effects on weight loss.

What Medication Does Found Prescribe?

At the time of writing, clinicians at Found can prescribe one or more of the 12 different medications. They’re divided into two different categories, including Generics and GLP-1s.

Generics

There are 5 different medications in the Generics category.

• Metformin: Commonly used in treating individuals with type 2 and gestational diabetes. As a medical professional, I know that it can lower your blood sugar level and doesn’t cause weight gain. Additionally, one study conducted to test its effectiveness showed an average of 5.6–6.5% weight loss when taken over 6 months, compared to a 3.7% body weight gain in the untreated control group.
• Bupropion: Better known as an antidepressant, bupropion is commonly used to treat MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). However, it can also be used for weight loss. In one study, it was given to obese adults and was associated with a loss of body weight ranging from 5% to 10.1% over 24 weeks. Participants then sustained this weight loss through the entirety of the 48-week test.
• Naltrexone: Research shows that naltrexone can be helpful for weight loss in overweight individuals. While it’s generally considered safe, some people can experience certain side effects, such as nervousness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Topiramate: This medicine is commonly used to treat migraines and epilepsy, but according to a scientific study, it can also help obese people lose weight.
• Zonisamide: While other generic medications offered by Found are good for losing weight, I personally believe that zonisamide stands out as an excellent choice. This is because it complements the program well, as research shows it enhances weight loss achieved with lifestyle and diet counseling. At the same time, it can also cause some side effects, including lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and nausea.

GLP-1 medications

Found’s medical professionals can prescribe one or more of the following GLP-1 medications:

• Wegovy: It’s an injectable weight loss medication for adults with a BMI of over 27. It’s used for chronic weight management and can help you lose weight. But what I like the most about this medicine is that it’s also cardioprotective.
• Saxenda: It’s also a weight loss drug used for overweight and obese individuals. What makes it an excellent option is that it also allows you to sustain weight in the long run.

Important note: Here, I must mention that Wegovy and Saxenda are both FDA-approved weight loss drugs. The ones discussed below are also approved by the FDA but only for type 2 diabetes.

• Trulicity: Although this drug is designed for type 2 diabetes, it can also lead to weight loss.
• Rybelsus: This drug is also used for type 2 diabetes patients to help them manage their blood sugar levels. It’s the only oral GLP-1 drug Found prescribes, as all the other ones are administered through injectables. Studies have shown that patients taking this drug experience weight loss.
• Victoza: Just like the two drugs above, it’s also given to patients with type 2 diabetes. Some clinical trials show that it helps patients lose weight as well.
• Ozempic: According to research, the active ingredient in this drug, semaglutide, does work for weight loss. However, research also suggests following a healthy lifestyle to support your weight loss journey is important.
• Mounjaro: Studies show this injectable drug can help people lose up to 21% of their body weight. That’s why it’s only used for obese and overweight people.

Does Found Really Work?

As I’ve mentioned above, Found uses a comprehensive approach to weight loss, and it can definitely work. Not only does it allow you to improve your lifestyle, but it also provides you with medications, including GLP-1, to shed some pounds.

As a registered dietitian, I can tell you that a healthy lifestyle, paired with GLP-1 medications, is an effective way to lose weight. The program is designed in a way that enables you to get in shape over the course of at least 7 months to prevent weight regain.

Main Features of the Found Program

I’ve tested many online weight loss apps, and each comes with its own set of unique features. Now, I’ll explain the main features of the Found program to help you determine if it meets your personal goals.

#1 Prescription medication

Not all weight loss programs offer prescription drugs to their users. While this doesn’t mean that not offering this feature makes a program useless, including this option can make it more effective. This is especially true for those who aren’t able to sustain weight loss through dietary changes.

Doctors at Found can match you with potentially life-changing prescriptions that can give you the boost to create sustainable lifestyle changes. If you opt for Found’s Rx Path, you can expect medication delivered to your doorstep without a need for insurance.

#2 Certified doctors

Prescription weight loss medications can be very effective in helping you lose weight. However, it’s important to make sure that you get the right medication based on your needs, and it’s only possible if you’re consulting with a certified and experienced healthcare provider.

According to the official Found website, it only hires board-certified clinicians. They work with each user closely to understand their biology and medical history to provide them with the right medication for long-term weight loss.

I also liked Found’s video check-in feature, which allows you to stay in touch with your doctor to track the progress of your medication.

#3 Personal coaches

Having a personal coach to check in with is great for accountability. It also keeps you motivated and provides you with an opportunity to get answers to any questions you might have regarding your unique weight loss journey. 

I found my coach to be friendly and attentive as she listened carefully to everything I had to say, which immediately made me feel connected. Coaches are available to all Found members at any time and are responsible for tailoring each member’s unique weight loss program.

#4 Mobile app

Found also offers a mobile app where members can do everything from tracking their progress to connecting with the online community. The stored information about logged eating and exercise routines is also what coaches look at to create a personalized program for their members.

In my opinion, one of the best features of the app is that it’s compatible with Apple Health and Google Fit, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your health and fitness data from these platforms.

However, I must say that it’s not the most user-friendly and intuitive mobile app I’ve used. It can be a bit difficult to navigate through the app, especially for people who aren’t tech-savvy. It’s something that I also found in many online reviews of other users.

#5 Community

Found has an active online community, and you become a part of that after paying for your subscription. Here, you can find thousands of other people sharing their thoughts, achievements, recipes, and roadblocks.

I found the community to be highly supportive and responsive. So, whether you’re in search of an accountability partner or simply need an extra dose of encouragement, this online platform can be the place to turn.

A Word From Our MD

What I Liked

I believe it’s important to understand the benefits of a product you plan to use. It’s the best way to figure out if it’s worth your time and money.

So, let me explain everything I liked about the Found weight loss program.

#1 Addresses underlying issues

One of the first things I noticed about Found is that it aims to address the underlying issues that impact your weight. I liked this approach because everyone has a unique body and is affected by biological, psychological, and environmental factors differently.

Found’s coaches and clinicians partner with each user to understand their biology and medical history and create a unique weight loss strategy for them.

It also allows Found clinicians to prescribe the right medication based on their needs and fitness goals. This approach can help you make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life.

#2 Holistic approach to weight loss

Although diet and exercise play a significant role in your ability to shed some pounds, I can tell you that they’re not the only factors affecting your weight.

For example, not getting enough sleep has been clinically proven to decrease weight loss by up to 55%. This means that having less than 6–8 hours of sleep a night can significantly impact the body’s fat-burning potential.

Having a personal health coach to finesse different lifestyle factors can make all the difference in finally hitting your goal weight.

#3 Sustainable weight loss

Throughout my professional career, I’ve encountered many individuals who have experienced the frustrating cycle of regaining even more weight than they initially lost. It usually happens because of the strategy that people use to get in shape.

Modern research shows that the faster you lose weight through a calorie-restricted diet, the higher the chances of gaining it back once you get back to your regular eating habits.

Found doesn’t use this approach, as it guides you to make lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet, sleep cycle, and exercise routine, and provides GLP-1 medications to help you achieve sustainable weight loss.

#4 Focus on emotional well-being

Your body goes through many changes when you lose weight, and it can affect your mental health negatively. Along with providing you with a comprehensive strategy to lose weight, the Found weight loss program also focuses on your mental and emotional well-being.

The platform’s 1:1 coaching delivers the support you need to minimize the risks of anxiety and stress. I believe that all online weight loss programs should offer this feature because maintaining your mental and emotional health is just as essential as achieving physical transformations.

#5 Support and accountability

It’s not always easy finding friends or family who will support your healthy lifestyle goals, especially if they’re not interested in changing how they live. 

The Found program offers wellness tips and tricks, pairs you with a personal coach and online community to celebrate your wins, and holds you accountable when you feel like quitting.

What I Didn’t Like

While Found offers many benefits, it also comes with its own drawbacks, and understanding them is equally important.

Here’s what I didn’t like about this weight loss program.

#1 Potential side effects

Although all the medications Found offers are scientifically proven to offer benefits for weight loss, some of them can lead to certain side effects, as discussed above. Although these side effects are rare and most people don’t experience them, they can still occur.

So, if you experience any negative impact of these medications on your body, I would recommend you stop taking them immediately and seek medical attention right away.

#2 No free trial

Since Found doesn’t offer a free trial, you need to pay for the program even if you just want to test its effectiveness. Not only that, but Found doesn’t offer refunds for members who have been with them for less than 3 months.

It means that if you don’t like the program or it didn’t work for you, you won’t be able to get your money back.

#3 Can be expensive

Many weight loss apps cost as little as $9.99, and though these probably don’t offer the number of features that Found does, they are also a fraction of the cost.

The Found subscription starts at $99 per month and recommends committing at least 7 months to their program, an investment of around $700. Even though investing in your health is never a bad idea, this price range might not be within many people’s budgets. 

What Do Online Reviews Say About Found?

I consider reading online reviews one of the most important parts of testing and examining a product. That’s because it allows you to find out what other users have to say to build realistic expectations and decide if you should spend your time, energy, and money on something.

Here’s what I found about the Found weight loss app.

I agree with Jim, as the Found’s team was responsive and understanding in my case as well. The way the platform’s doctors and coaches approach you allows you to connect with them quickly.

The most important point in this review is that the user is experiencing steady results. It’s the primary goal of this platform, as it aims to help users lose weight slowly to sustain it in the long run. I also agree with this user’s other comment, as the app is indeed not easy to use.

This user also found the Found app to be helpful. They also share the same positive thoughts about the platform’s team. The only downside they’ve mentioned is the cost of the program, which is undoubtedly high.

How Much Does Found Cost?

Currently, the program offers two different subscription models: Wellness Path and RX Path.

Wellness Path: $99/month

Wellness Path is designed for people who don’t want to consume any medicines for weight loss. It’s the most basic membership of the platform that provides you with an opportunity to work one-on-one with a personal health coach, track your progress in the app, and find support within Found’s online community.

RX Path: $149/month

RX Path, on the other hand, uses holistic wellness methods in combination with prescription medication to address underlying biological factors affecting their weight. What I liked the most about this membership is that it includes regular video check-ins with a doctor to prevent unwanted side effects.

Found vs. Alternatives

Found is a popular online weight loss app, but it’s not the only option available out there. I’ve selected some of the best weight loss programs you can use if you don’t want to opt for Found for any reason.

FAQs

How I Tested Found

When evaluating a product, it’s important to have clear criteria that you can use to assess it overall. Here’s a list of factors that I used to test the Found weight loss app.

Quality 8/10

Found is an excellent program that uses a comprehensive approach to helping people lose weight. Everything from their board-certified clinicians and medications to educational material is well-produced. The only complaint I have in terms of quality is that the Found mobile app is a bit tricky to use.

Effectiveness 8/10

Found focuses on helping people make lifestyle changes to lose weight consistently. It also uses GLP-1 medications, which have been shown by scientific research to have a positive impact on weight loss.

So overall, it’s an effective program, but the results can vary from person to person. Additionally, it’s also possible to experience side effects after using the medications that the platform offers.

Price 6/10

With their most basic package costing $99, this weight loss program is on the higher end of the price range. That being said, the option to meet with personal coaches who created tailored plans for members is highly valuable.

Still, I can’t call it an affordable option because sparing $99 (or even more) every month for a weight loss program is not something many people can do.

Brand reputation 8/10

Found was established in 2019, making it a relatively new company. It means it’s still in the ongoing process of establishing its brand reputation, which is a natural evolution for any new venture. But I must say that despite this relatively brief timeframe, Found has successfully cultivated a loyal following.

The Final Verdict: Is Found Worth It?

I would say that Found can be a great option if you want to achieve sustainable weight loss and budget is not a big concern for you. While it’s a lengthy program, it enables you to make lifestyle changes to minimize the risk of regaining weight after ending your weight loss journey.

It uses GPL-1 medications, which are safe for most people but can lead to side effects. So, you should also keep this in mind before committing to the program. Lastly, make sure that you talk to your healthcare provider in advance to make the right decision, depending on your needs and medical history.