FAQ’s

Am I required to track or weigh my food?

• No! If tracking or weighing food is what you prefer to do, that is great too! We do individualized plans for each person. We create plans that are realistic for YOU to continue once you’ve completed your journey with us.

Do I have to spend an hour or more exercising each day?

• No! Oftentimes people feel like they need to overdo it in order to see results when in reality your body needs less than you think in order to heal. Each person is different and we will tailor moving your body to what works best for you!

Do I have to buy meal replacement shakes or products?

• No! We believe whole foods are the real fuel to keep our bodies healthy and well. We focus on education surrounding meals that consist of each macronutrient (protein, fat, and carbohydrates). This will help balance your glycemic index (stabilize glucose levels) throughout the day and help with overall weight loss, along with helping you feel full and satisfied.

Do you recommend supplements?

• After completion of your comprehensive initial visit and reviewing your labs, Alicia will interpret any deficiencies and recommend any vitamins or supplements as needed.

Do you accept insurance, HSA, FSA or other financing options?

• We are a cash based clinic and do not accept insurance. We can print a superbill for you to submit to insurance for reimbursement.
• HSA and FSA are accepted.
• Cherry: We are now offering affordable payment plans through Cherry! Applying is quick and easy—plus, it won’t impact your credit. Discover how you can take advantage of this offer before your next appointment: pay.withcherry.com/forks-wellness-and-medical-weight-loss
• Care Credit: Please visit https://carecredit.com/go/337DCT/ for additional details!

If I start on a weight loss injection, do I have to stay on it forever?

• No! Our goal at Forks Wellness is to focus on education and to create a healthy realistic lifestyle that incorporate nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification and creating healthy habits. Weight loss injections are prescribed at the lowest, most effective dose for an additional tool to reach your goals. Weaning will be initiated after you are stabilized in the maintenance phase.

Are there any contraindications for taking semaglutide?

• If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. Personal or family history of thyroid cancer (Medullary thyroid carcinoma), or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Your practitioner will do a thorough medical and physical history along with vitals and labs to assess safety prior to prescribing this weight loss tool.

How does the medical weight loss program differ from a traditional diet?

• The traditional dieting we all know often involves restriction and relies heavily on one’s own discipline because it did not consider the complex and different biological factors that regulate weight. At Forks Wellness, our medical weight loss program is a clinical intervention designed to reset your metabolic “set point.” Unlike commercial “one-size-fits-all” programs that rely solely on discipline and willpower, we treat obesity and weight gain as chronic medical conditions. Our approach is led by Alicia Mack, FNP-C, and is centered on overall health and metabolic precision. While a standard diet might focus only on calorie counting, we look at your internal vitality. We use comprehensive lab work to identify underlying concerns such as insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, or thyroid dysfunction that make losing weight through diet and exercise alone nearly impossible. The pillar of our program is the integration of medical therapies combined with lifestyle architecture. We utilize advanced medications that mimic natural hormones to optimize your health. Please know that the medication is only one piece of the puzzle. We practice a holistic approach and we pair this with metabolic testing to understand exactly how many calories your body burns at rest, nutritional guidance that prioritizes protein and muscle preservation, and ongoing clinical support.By supervising your journey, we ensure that the weight you lose is fat, not vital lean muscle mass, which is a very important matter to track. This preserves your basal metabolic rate, making it significantly easier to maintain your results long-term. We don’t just want you to lose weight; we want to optimize your health, increase your energy, and reduce your risk for chronic diseases and improve your overall quality of life. We want to be a part of your healthy and lasting results.

Am I a candidate for medical weight loss?

• Candidacy for our program is determined through science and clinical lens, focusing on both physical metrics and overall health goals. Generally, the most successful candidates are those looking for a structured, science-based partnership. If you find that you are “constantly hungry,” struggle with “food noise” (persistent thoughts about eating), or have reached a plateau that you cannot break, you are likely a candidate. During your initial assessment, we will sit with you and talk to you about your medical history. We look for contraindications such as a personal or family history of specific thyroid cancers or pancreatitis to ensure your safety. At Forks Wellness, we don’t just look at the scale, we take time to know and assess the person. If you are committed to making sustainable lifestyle changes and want a medical professional to guide the biological side of that journey, this program is perfect for you.

What happens during the initial consultation?

Your first visit to Forks Wellness is the most important step in your journey. It is a comprehensive, 360-degree evaluation of your health. We believe in the ideology that you cannot treat what you haven’t measured, so we begin with an in-depth health history & physical assessment.

• Diagnostic Lab Work: We order specific blood panels to look at your A1C (blood sugar), lipid profile, kidney and liver function, and thyroid levels. This tells us why your body might be holding onto weight.
• Goal Setting & Education: Alicia Mack, FNP-C, sits down with you to discuss your history with weight. We talk about your lifestyle, your stressors, and your ultimate goals. We take the time to explain the science behind the medications we use, ensuring you understand how they interact with your brain and gut.
• Customized Roadmap: Based on your labs and lifestyle, we build a “Success Map.” This includes your medication dosing schedule, a nutritional framework tailored to your body’s needs, and a follow-up cadence.
• The Wellness Environment: Because we are located inside Hudsun Wellness, your consultation feels like a step toward self-care rather than a  plain clinical visit. You’ll  leave your first appointment with a clear understanding of the path ahead, the data to back it up, and knowing that you have a medical partner dedicated to your success. With the Forks Wellness and Weight Loss team, you can feel safe and well-supported because we will be with you every step of the way.

What is Alma TED, and does it involve needles?

• Hair loss can be an emotional and frustrating experience, often driving patients toward desperation and eventually undergoing painful surgeries or invasive injections. At Forks Wellness, we have invested in Alma TED (Transepidermal Delivery), a breakthrough technology that is changing the landscape of hair restoration. The most common question we hear is, “Does it hurt?” The answer is a resounding no. Alma TED is completely non-invasive. Unlike Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which requires drawing blood and dozens of painful scalp injections, TED involves absolutely no needles, no blood, and no downtime. This technology works through the production of Acoustic Sound Waves and Air Pressure. Through using a specialized handpiece, the TED system creates temporary “micro-channels” in the skin using those ultrasonic vibrations. Simultaneously, it uses air pressure to drive a potent, pharmaceutical-grade Growth Factor Formula deep into the dermis where the hair follicles reside.This process, known as sonophoresis, allows for much deeper penetration of active ingredients than topical serums could ever achieve. The treatment is totally comfortable, and most patients describe it as a warm, vibrating sensation on the scalp. It is an ideal solution for those suffering from thinning hair, male/female pattern baldness, or shedding due to stress or hormonal changes.

How many treatments will I need to see results?

• Hair growth is a biological process that takes time. However, the Alma TED protocol is designed to accelerate and optimize that cycle. While every patient’s scalp health is unique, our standard clinical recommendation is a series of three treatments, spaced approximately 30 days apart.

Here is what you can typically during the process:

• After the 1st Treatment: Many patients report a significant “reduction in shedding.” You may notice less hair in the shower drain or on your hairbrush within the first few weeks. This is a sign that the follicles are being nourished and “anchored.”
• After the 2nd Treatment: Patients often notice “new growth”. Fine baby hair (vellus hairs) will begin to appear in thinning areas. The hair shaft itself may begin to feel thicker and more resilient.
• After the 3rd Treatment: This is where optimal density and scalp coverage become more visible and noticeable. The scalp environment is typically much healthier, and the dormant follicles have been stimulated back into the anagen (growth) phase.
• For patients with more advanced thinning, a fourth session may be recommended. Following the initial series, many patients opt to do a “maintenance” session every 6 to 12 months to keep the follicles active and healthy. Because the treatment is quick (about 20–30 minutes) and requires no recovery time, it is easily integrated into a standard wellness routine.

Are your laser treatments painful?

• The “pain” associated with lasers is often the biggest drawback for patients seeking skin rejuvenation or hair removal. However, laser technology has evolved significantly. At Forks Wellness, we utilize Alma Laser technology, which is world-renowned for its “In-Motion” delivery system and advanced cooling systems.
• In the past, laser technology delivered energy in one large “blast,” which caused a stinging or snapping sensation. Our modern Alma systems deliver energy in smaller, rapid pulses. This allows the heat to build up gradually in the target while the surrounding skin remains protected.
• For Laser Hair Removal: Common feedback on the laser’s sensation is the feeling as a “warm stone massage” or a light “pinprick.” Our system features a “ChillTip” that constantly cools the skin upon contact, neutralizing the heat of the laser.
• For Tattoo Removal or Skin Resurfacing: While the laser itself is more comfortable than older models, these treatments are more intensive because they target deeper layers of the dermis. We prioritize your experience. For these procedures, we offer topical numbing creams applied 30 minutes prior to the session to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable throughout the process.
• Our goal is to provide clinical-grade results without the clinical-grade discomfort. We always perform a “patch test” during your first session to ensure the settings are perfectly calibrated to your comfort level and skin type.

How do I prepare for a laser hair removal session?

• Proper preparation is the key to both safety and efficacy when it comes to laser treatments. Because the laser is looking for pigment (color) in the hair follicle, there are a few “golden rules” to follow before you arrive at our Grand Forks clinic:
• Shave the Area: Please arrive with the treatment area cleanly shaved (ideally 12–24 hours before your appointment). We want the laser’s energy to travel all the way down the hair shaft into the bulb underground, rather than wasting energy burning the hair above the skin’s surface.
• Avoid Plucking or Waxing: Do not wax, pluck, or use depilatory creams for at least 4 weeks prior to your session. These methods remove the hair “root,” which is exactly what the laser needs to target to stop future growth.
• No Sun or Tanning: This is critical. Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning lotions for at least 2 weeks before and after treatment. A tan increases the melanin in your skin, which can confuse the laser and lead to potential burns or skin discoloration. The laser works most safely and effectively when there is a high contrast between the skin color and the hair color.
• Clean Skin: Arrive with skin free of lotions, deodorants, perfumes, or makeup in the treatment area. These substances can act as a barrier or cause an adverse reaction with the laser energy.
• By following these steps, you ensure that each session is as effective as possible, moving you closer to your goal of a permanently smooth skin with fewer treatments.