Dr. Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic vs Second Nature

Jump to: Key differences | NHS partnership & clinical evidence | Service approach | Support & reliability | Cost comparison | Take home message

When choosing between Dr. Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic and Second Nature for medication-supported weight loss, the most important difference is service reliability and clinical credibility.

Second Nature has been delivering NHS-commissioned weight-loss services since 2017, with over six years of published clinical outcomes and established operational excellence.

Dr. Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic launched in 2023 as a budget-focused medication provider, offering competitive pricing but experiencing significant operational challenges, with 27% of customers leaving 1-star reviews on Trustpilot.

Both programmes offer weight-loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy, but Second Nature’s comprehensive support structure and proven track record provide greater confidence for patients seeking reliable, clinically-validated weight loss support.

The most significant differences are service reliability, clinical evidence, support structure, and operational maturity, with Dr. Frank’s focusing primarily on affordable medication access while facing substantial customer satisfaction challenges.

Key differences between Dr. Frank’s and Second Nature

Feature	Second Nature	Dr. Frank’s
UK Experience	10+ years operating, NHS-commissioned since 2017	Launched in 2023
NHS Partnership	Used by over half of UK Health Boards	No NHS partnerships
Clinical Evidence	Multiple peer-reviewed publications, 7+ years UK data	No published programme-specific clinical data
Service Reliability	Established operational excellence	27% of customers give 1-star reviews
Support Structure	Comprehensive habit-change programme with dietitians	Basic medication provision with nurse support
Trustpilot Rating	4.6/5 from 7,600 reviews	3.7/5 from 1,631 reviews (27% are 1-star)
Programme Focus	Comprehensive weight loss with medication support	Primarily medication provision

NHS partnership & clinical evidence

Second Nature’s established clinical foundation

Second Nature’s relationship with the NHS demonstrates proven effectiveness and reliability within the UK healthcare system. Since 2017, the NHS has commissioned us to deliver weight loss and type 2 diabetes programmes across the UK.

This partnership means over half of all UK NHS Health and Care boards use our services, providing extensive real-world evidence of our effectiveness and operational reliability.

Our published clinical results show participants lost an average of 5.9kg at 12 weeks, with 62.5% achieving at least 5% weight loss by 3 months. For our medication-supported programme, participants lost an average of 6.5kg after 12 weeks.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently announced that Wegovy would be available via digital weight management services provided by Second Nature and three other companies supporting the NHS.

Dr. Frank’s medication-focused approach

Dr. Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic operates as a private medication provider without NHS partnerships or published clinical research specific to their programme.

While they reference medication trial data showing potential for up to 20% weight loss in their patients, there are no independent studies evaluating Dr. Frank’s specific approach or long-term outcomes.

The service launched in 2023 with a focus on affordable medication access, but customer feedback reveals significant operational challenges with over one in four customers (27%) leaving 1-star reviews citing delivery failures, customer service problems, and medication safety concerns.

Service approach

The programmes take fundamentally different approaches to medication-supported weight loss.

Second Nature’s comprehensive programme

Our programme is built on behavioural science developed through years of NHS collaboration, providing flexible dosing tailored to individual response alongside comprehensive habit formation.

The approach includes:

• Personalised dosing adjustments based on individual progress and tolerance
• UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists available five days a week
• Comprehensive app with food journals, recipes, and progress tracking
• Small group community support
• Both medication-supported and non-medication options
• Focus on post-medication planning and sustainable habits

We emphasise that medication is one tool within a comprehensive approach to sustainable weight loss, preparing members for long-term success even after medication use ends.

Dr. Frank’s medication-first model

Dr. Frank’s positions itself primarily as a medication provider with basic support services:

• Medication access from £129 monthly (starting doses)
• Monthly video calls with specialist nurses (£20 additional fee)
• Basic wellbeing questionnaires for progress monitoring
• Flexible dosing based on nurse assessment
• Standard medication protocols with personalised adjustments

Their approach focuses on making medication accessible at competitive prices, with support services available as add-ons rather than integrated components.

Support & reliability concerns

The stark difference in customer satisfaction reveals significant reliability issues that potential patients should consider carefully.

Second Nature’s proven reliability

We provide consistent, professional support through UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists who specialise in medication-supported weight loss.

Our established operational systems ensure reliable medication delivery, responsive customer service, and consistent support quality.

The programme includes comprehensive side effect management, habit formation guidance, and preparation for sustainable weight maintenance.

Our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 7,483 reviews demonstrates consistent quality at scale, with the vast majority of customers having positive experiences.

Dr. Frank’s significant operational challenges

Dr. Frank’s customer satisfaction data reveals concerning patterns that raise serious questions about service reliability:

Critical statistics:

• 3.7/5 overall rating from 1,631 Trustpilot reviews
• 27% of customers leave 1-star reviews – indicating over 1 in 4 customers have seriously negative experiences
• Only 68% give 5-star reviews, compared to industry standards

Common complaints from the 27% of dissatisfied customers include:

• Temperature-sensitive medications arriving warm due to inadequate cold chain management
• Unresponsive customer service with non-functioning phone lines
• Delayed or failed deliveries of critical medications
• Incorrect dosages sent without proper verification
• Difficulty obtaining refunds for failed orders

This 27% 1-star review rate is exceptionally high for a healthcare service and suggests systematic operational problems that could impact medication safety and treatment effectiveness.

Cost comparison

Understanding total investment and service reliability helps determine the best value for your needs.

Second Nature pricing:

• Medication programme: £229-£299 monthly (increases with higher doses)
• Includes all medication, comprehensive app, registered dietitian/nutritionist support, group coaching, and educational content
• £100 discount on first month
• Established delivery and customer service systems
• 4.8/5 customer satisfaction with reliable service delivery

Dr. Frank’s pricing:

• Medication: From £129 monthly (starting doses)
• Nurse support: Additional £20 monthly for video calls
• Basic wellbeing monitoring included
• Variable pricing based on dose progression
• 27% of customers report 1-star experiences despite lower pricing

Value considerations:

While Dr. Frank’s offers lower upfront medication costs, the 27% rate of 1-star reviews suggests significant risks that could outweigh potential savings.

Failed deliveries, medication safety concerns, and customer service issues could disrupt treatment and require sourcing medications elsewhere at additional cost.

Second Nature’s higher price reflects comprehensive support, proven operational reliability, and consistent positive customer experiences.

Patient satisfaction comparison:

• Second Nature: 4.6/5 from 7,600 reviews with consistent positive experiences
• Dr. Frank’s: 3.7/5 from 1,631 reviews with 27% giving 1-star ratings

The 27% 1-star review rate at Dr. Frank’s indicates that more than 1 in 4 customers experience serious problems with their service, while Second Nature maintains consistently high satisfaction across a much larger customer base.

Take home message

Weight-loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy can be transformative when provided through reliable services with proper support systems. However, medication effectiveness depends heavily on consistent access and proper handling.

Choose Second Nature if you value:

• Proven service reliability with consistent positive customer experiences
• NHS-validated approaches with published clinical outcomes
• Comprehensive support from registered UK dietitians
• Operational excellence with proper medication handling and delivery
• Peace of mind that only 1 in 100+ customers experiences serious problems
• Integrated habit-change programme for sustainable results

Consider the risks with Dr. Frank’s:

• 27% of customers report 1-star experiences – that’s more than 1 in 4 customers
• Lower medication costs may be offset by service failures and treatment disruptions
• Reports of temperature-sensitive medications arriving compromised
• Customer service challenges that could delay or prevent access to medications
• No comprehensive support system for sustainable weight loss

Critical consideration:

For a healthcare service, a 27% rate of 1-star reviews represents a significant quality problem. When dealing with prescription medications that require consistent access and proper handling, service reliability becomes a safety issue, not just a convenience factor.

The potential cost savings with Dr. Frank’s must be weighed against the substantial risk of service failures that could disrupt your treatment, compromise medication effectiveness, or require emergency sourcing from alternative providers.

For most people seeking medication-supported weight loss, Second Nature’s established reliability, comprehensive support, and proven clinical outcomes provide far greater confidence and value despite higher upfront costs.

Remember that successful weight loss requires consistent medication access, proper support, and sustainable habit formation; all areas where service reliability is essential for long-term success.