Your Questions, Answered

Defiance Health is a medical wellness clinic specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy, medical weight loss, peptide therapy, medical aesthetics, and comprehensive lab testing. We have two locations — Centennial (near Denver Tech Center) and Alamosa (serving the San Luis Valley) — plus telehealth across Colorado, Arizona, California, and Washington.

No. You can book directly with us — no referral needed. Your first visit is a consultation where we'll review your health history, discuss your goals, and recommend a personalized plan.

Bring a photo ID, a list of current medications and supplements, any recent lab work (if available), and your health insurance card (for HSA/FSA reference, not billing). We'll handle the rest.

Our clinical team is led by Jessica Lara, PA-C (Clinical Director & Co-Founder) and Randi Asbell, APRN, FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner). Both are board-certified with specialized training in hormone optimization, weight loss, and aesthetics. Meet the full team.

Yes. After your initial in-person consultation and lab work, many follow-up visits can be done via telehealth. We're licensed for telehealth in Colorado, Arizona, California, and Washington. Learn more about telehealth.

BHRT uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body naturally produces — estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources and customized to your individual lab results. Read more about BHRT.

Common signs of hormonal imbalance include fatigue, weight gain (especially around the midsection), brain fog, mood changes, low libido, hair thinning, poor sleep, and muscle loss. We run comprehensive lab panels to determine your exact hormone levels before recommending any treatment. Learn about our lab testing.

Research supports the safety of bioidentical hormones when prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider. Bioidentical hormones have a different safety profile than the synthetic hormones used in the Women's Health Initiative study. We monitor your labs regularly and adjust dosing based on your body's response.

We offer injections and creams as our primary delivery methods. Each has different benefits in terms of dosing flexibility, convenience, and absorption. Your provider will recommend the best option based on your labs, lifestyle, and goals.

Most patients notice improvements in energy and sleep within the first 2–4 weeks. Mood, libido, and body composition changes typically develop over 6–12 weeks as your hormones reach optimal levels. Full optimization can take 3–6 months with ongoing adjustments.

Yes. Hormonal imbalances affect both men and women, though the symptoms and treatments differ. We customize therapy for each patient based on their individual labs and symptoms. Learn about our full hormone therapy program, or see our TRT and menopause pages specifically.

We prescribe semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro/Zepbound). Both are FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists that work by regulating appetite and blood sugar. Your provider recommends which is best based on your health profile. See our full medical weight loss page.

Clinical studies show average weight loss of 15–17% of body weight with semaglutide and 20–25% with tirzepatide over 12–18 months. Individual results vary based on starting weight, medication compliance, lifestyle changes, and whether hormonal issues are also addressed.

The most common side effects are nausea, constipation, and occasional GI discomfort — especially during the first few weeks as your body adjusts. We start at low doses and titrate gradually to minimize side effects. Most patients find them manageable and temporary. Read our full side effects guide.

Yes, and it's one of our most effective approaches. Hormonal imbalances — low thyroid, low testosterone, estrogen imbalance, elevated cortisol — can make weight loss significantly harder. Addressing both simultaneously often produces better, more sustainable results.

Our goal isn't lifelong medication — it's using the tools available to reset your body's set point and build sustainable habits. We create a maintenance plan that may include a lower dose or tapering off medication, continued nutritional support, and ongoing monitoring to prevent regain.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids — signaling molecules your body uses for everything from tissue repair to immune function. At Defiance Health, we prescribe peptide protocols based on comprehensive bloodwork and source exclusively from licensed 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies. This is fundamentally different from the "research chemicals" sold online. Read our full peptide therapy page.

When prescribed by a licensed provider and sourced from a licensed compounding pharmacy, peptides are remarkably safe. The key factors are sourcing, dosing, and ongoing monitoring — all of which we handle as a medical practice. Peptides from licensed providers and peptides sold online as "research chemicals" are fundamentally different products. Read our full guide on peptide safety.

The FDA is reviewing certain peptides in July 2026 to determine which can continue to be safely compounded by licensed pharmacies. This is actually positive for patients — clearer regulation means better safety standards. We only prescribe peptides currently approved for compounding by licensed pharmacies, and adjust protocols as the regulatory landscape evolves.

We offer dermal fillers and neuromodulators, EMFACE (radiofrequency + muscle stimulation for facial lifting), EXION RF microneedling, Forever Bare BBL laser hair removal, BBL Hero IPL photofacials, MOXI laser skin resurfacing, Emsculpt NEO body contouring, ZO Skin Health medical skincare, and Emfemme/Emsella pelvic health treatments. View all aesthetic services.

EMFACE is a non-invasive facial treatment that combines radiofrequency energy with HIFES (High-Intensity Focused Electrical Stimulation) to simultaneously tighten skin and tone facial muscles. It lifts the brow, smooths forehead lines, and improves facial structure — all without needles, toxins, or downtime. Learn more about EMFACE.

Technically, Forever Bare BBL uses BroadBand Light (not a traditional laser), but the result is the same — permanent hair reduction. The BBL technology delivers multiple low-fluence pulses with sapphire cooling, making it more comfortable and safe for all skin tones. Most patients see 80–90% permanent reduction in 4–6 sessions. Learn more.

Results typically last 6–18 months depending on the type of filler, treatment area, and your individual metabolism. Our providers use only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers and focus on natural-looking results — never overdone. See our injectables page.

Most of our aesthetic treatments have zero to minimal downtime. EMFACE, laser hair removal, and Emsculpt NEO have no downtime at all. Dermal fillers may cause mild swelling for 24–48 hours. RF microneedling typically involves 1–2 days of redness. MOXI laser is only 1–3 days. Your provider will discuss what to expect before any treatment.

Defiance Health is a cash-pay practice. We do not bill insurance directly. This allows us to spend more time with each patient, avoid prior authorization delays, and offer transparent pricing. We provide itemized receipts you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Yes — hormone therapy, medical weight loss, lab testing, and many of our other services are HSA and FSA eligible. You can pay with your HSA/FSA debit card at the time of service, or pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement.

Yes. We accept CareCredit and Cherry financing, both of which offer monthly payment plans with flexible terms. We also accept cash, card, and check. See our full pricing and payment page.

Consultation pricing varies by service. During your consultation, we review your health history, discuss your goals, and recommend a personalized plan — with no obligation to start treatment at your first visit. See our pricing page for specifics.

Insurance-based practices are often limited in the time they can spend with patients and the treatments they can offer. As a cash-pay practice, we can provide longer appointments, personalized protocols, and access to treatments that insurance often doesn't cover — all without prior authorization delays or surprise bills.

We have two Colorado locations: Centennial at 7354 S Alton Way, Suite 102 (near Denver Tech Center, off I-25 and Dry Creek) and Alamosa at 315 Edison Ave, Suite B (serving the San Luis Valley). Both are open Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM. See location details.

No. Your initial consultation and lab work are done in person, but many follow-up visits can be done via telehealth. This is especially convenient for patients in the San Luis Valley or those who travel frequently. Learn about our telehealth services.

Yes. If you split time between the Denver metro area and the San Luis Valley, you can schedule at either location. Your records and treatment history are accessible at both offices.

You can book online through our website at any time, or call us directly at (719) 480-2400. Our team is available Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM.