MedExpress vs Second Nature

Jump to: At-a-glance comparison | Core approach differences | Support and professional guidance | Cost vs value analysis | Customer experience reality | Safety and ethical considerations | Long-term success factors | Who should choose each option | Take home message

Second Nature offers a comprehensive weight-loss programme with habit-change support alongside medication, while MedExpress provides medication-only access at a lower price point.

The primary difference lies in approach and the level of support. Second Nature combines weight-loss medication with daily access to registered dietitians, psychology-based habit formation, and peer support groups.

MedExpress functions primarily as a medication delivery service with a basic prescription offering.

Research shows that medication-only approaches typically lead to weight regain after treatment is stopped, while comprehensive programmes addressing underlying habits show better long-term results.

For those wondering about cost versus value, MedExpress appears cheaper initially (£99-£200 a month for medication only), but Second Nature’s higher price point (£149-249 a month for Wegovy) includes the complete programme, daily support from registered dietitians or nutritionists, and evidence-based tools for maintaining results.

At-a-glance comparison

Feature	Second Nature	MedExpress
Core approach	Medication + habit formation programme with psychology-based support	Medication delivery with basic prescription oversight
Monthly cost	£149-249 and £50 off the first month for our Wegovy programme (all-inclusive)	£99-£200 (medication only)
Professional support	Daily access to registered dietitians/nutritionists	Basic prescriber check-ins only
NHS partnership	NHS-commissioned since 2017, supports 250,000+ patients	No NHS partnerships
Peer support	Group-based programme with others on similar journeys	None
Customer satisfaction	4.6/5 on Trustpilot (7,700+ reviews)	4.4/5 on Trustpilot (34,000+ reviews, recent decline)
Maintenance programme	Comprehensive transition support	Basic (BMI >23.5 only)
Recent regulatory issues	None	A BBC investigation (June 2025) exposed safety regulation concerns

Core approach differences

MedExpress positions itself as a medication provider with a straightforward approach: complete an online consultation, receive medication via delivery, and manage your weight loss journey independently.

The process focuses on providing access to weight-loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, at competitive prices, with minimal ongoing support or guidance beyond basic prescriber check-ins.

In contrast, Second Nature operates as a complete behaviour change programme that includes medication.

The approach is built on psychological principles that address the underlying habits and behaviours driving weight gain.

While MedExpress leaves you largely on your own to figure out how to navigate life on weight-loss medications, Second Nature’s programme includes daily access to UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists who specialise in supporting members on weight-loss injections.

This difference becomes particularly important when managing side effects, navigating social situations, or preparing for life after medication; all critical factors in long-term success.

Support and professional guidance

When taking medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy, having proper support can significantly impact your experience and results.

MedExpress support limitations

MedExpress provides basic medical support through:

• Initial eligibility assessment by GMC-registered doctors
• Prescription review and approval
• Basic safety monitoring and side effect guidance

However, they don’t offer:

• Daily access to nutritionists/dietitians
• Structured behavioural change programme
• Psychology-based coaching
• Peer support groups
• Digital habit-tracking tools
• Comprehensive maintenance programme

This limited support means you’re mainly on your own to figure out how to eat, manage side effects, and build habits that last beyond medication.

Second Nature’s comprehensive support

Second Nature provides access to registered dietitians and nutritionists who specialise in supporting people on weight-loss medications.

These qualified professionals are available five days a week via both group and private chat.

A key element missing from medication-only approaches is peer support. Second Nature places you in a small group with others on similar journeys, creating a supportive community where you can share experiences and strategies.

This combination of professional and peer support becomes particularly valuable when:

• Managing nausea and other side effects
• Navigating restaurant meals and social events
• Planning for post-medication life
• Staying motivated through plateaus

Cost vs value analysis

At first glance, MedExpress appears significantly cheaper:

MedExpress pricing:

• Wegovy: £99.99-£199.99/month depending on dose
• Mounjaro: £149.99-£199.99/month
• Note: Price increases expected from September 2025 for Mounjaro

Second Nature pricing:

• Wegovy: £149-£249 a month (£50 off first month)
• Mounjaro: Pricing to be confirmed by October 2025
• Includes medication, delivery, app access, coach support, and group programme

However, when considering value rather than just price, the equation changes substantially:

Total cost of change perspective

Medication-only approach:

• Lower initial cost
• Higher risk of weight regain after stopping (research shows 11% weight regain within one year)
• Potential cost of additional weight-loss attempts
• No skill development for long-term maintenance

Comprehensive programme approach:

• Higher initial investment
• Lower risk of weight regain (Second Nature’s preliminary data shows only 3.2% weight regain at five months after stopping the medication)
• Skill development for lifetime weight management
• NHS-validated approach with published outcome data

When calculated as cost-per-kilogram-lost-and-maintained, comprehensive programmes often provide better long-term value despite higher upfront costs.

Customer experience reality

While both services receive positive reviews overall, recent customer experiences show significant differences.

MedExpress service issues

Recent Trustpilot reviews for MedExpress (4.4/5 stars across 34,000+ reviews) show declining service quality with key problems including:

• Severe order processing delays – customers waiting 2-3+ weeks for medication
• Poor customer service – automated responses, long phone waits, unanswered emails
• Prioritising new customers over existing ones during supply shortages
• Lack of communication about delays or order status

Reddit discussions also mention mixed experiences, with increasing complaints about delays, as some customers report switching to competitors due to service issues.

Second Nature’s consistent service

Second Nature maintains a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating across 7,600+ reviews, with consistent positive feedback about:

• Responsive support from health coaches
• Reliable medication delivery
• Clear communication
• Effective app functionality
• Supportive group environments

Safety and ethical considerations

Recent regulatory concerns highlight important differences in the approach to patient safety.

In June 2025, a BBC investigation exposed MedExpress for “bypassing safety regulations,” allowing undercover reporters to obtain weight loss medications by falsifying health information without proper medical verification. Key concerns included:

• Inadequate verification of patient eligibility
• Failure to conduct proper medical consultations
• Potential safety risks for patients

In contrast, Second Nature’s NHS partnerships and six-year history of delivering NHS-commissioned services demonstrate a commitment to high clinical standards and ethical practice.

The NHS typically conducts rigorous due diligence before partnering with healthcare providers, including:

• Clinical governance review
• Data security assessment
• Evidence-based practice evaluation
• Safety protocol verification

These standards provide additional reassurance about the quality and safety of the service you’ll receive.

Long-term success factors

The ultimate measure of any weight management programme lies in sustainable results, not just initial weight loss.

The post-medication transition

Research consistently shows that without addressing underlying habits and behaviours, weight regain after stopping medication is common.

Studies of GLP-1 medications show an average weight regain of 11-14% within a year of stopping medication.

Research on weight regain after stopping weight-loss medications suggests that it’s essential to develop healthy habits while taking the medication to ensure long-term success.

Second Nature’s approach to sustainable results

Second Nature’s programme is explicitly designed with post-medication life in mind:

• Focus on sustainable habit formation from your first day
• Personalised transition plans for maintaining results after medication
• Ongoing access to support resources even after completing the programme
• Community support from others at similar stages

Preliminary data from Second Nature suggest that participants who develop sustainable habits while on medication maintain significantly better weight control after stopping, with only 3.2% weight regain at five months.

Who should choose each option?

Consider Second Nature if you:

• Want comprehensive support alongside medication
• Value daily access to registered dietitians/nutritionists
• Are concerned about maintaining results after medication
• Appreciate group support and accountability
• Have tried medication-only approaches before without lasting success
• Value the reassurance of NHS-validated programmes

Consider MedExpress if you:

• Are primarily focused on medication access at a lower cost
• Feel confident managing your weight loss journey independently
• Have strong self-motivation and existing nutrition knowledge
• Are comfortable navigating potential service delays
• Plan to stay on medication long-term rather than transitioning off
• Are willing to accept some uncertainty around regulation and verification

Take home message

While MedExpress offers more affordable medication access, Second Nature provides a comprehensive weight loss solution that combines medication with professional support, a peer community, and habit-change strategies necessary for lasting results.

The price difference reflects substantial added value: daily access to registered dietitians, an evidence-based behaviour change programme, and strategies for maintaining weight loss beyond medication.

Recent service issues and regulatory concerns with MedExpress underscore the importance of selecting a trusted provider with robust clinical governance and established NHS partnerships.

The right choice depends on your priorities: if access to the lowest-cost medication is your main concern, MedExpress may be enough.

If you want comprehensive support and lasting results, Second Nature’s approach offers greater long-term value despite the higher initial investment.