Your First 90 Days of Functional Medicine: What Actually Happens
The first 90 days of functional medicine follow a clear path: a free discovery call, a deep look at your health history, testing only if it makes sense for you, and a personalized plan that we adjust as your body responds. Nobody gets the same plan, and nobody is rushed into anything.
I'm Justin, a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner at Executive Functional Healing, an online functional medicine practice based in Fort Worth, Texas. I wrote this page because it's hard to say yes to something when you don't know what it involves. Here's exactly what working together looks like, including what I can't promise.
The goal isn't to chase symptoms one at a time. It's to find the root cause of why they're happening.
What Is Functional Medicine, and How Is It Different?
Functional medicine is a root-cause approach to health. Instead of only managing symptoms like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, or hormone swings, it looks at what's driving them: your gut, hormones, stress, sleep, nutrition, and daily habits, and how they affect each other.
That's why a functional medicine plan looks different from a quick appointment and a prescription. It takes more time to listen, and it's built around you.
Week 1: Your Free Discovery Call and Health History Review
Week 1 starts with a free 15-minute discovery call. You tell me what's going on, I listen, and we decide together whether working with me makes sense. There's no pressure and nothing to commit to on that call.
If we move forward, the rest of the first week is about your story: your symptoms, your health history, your daily habits, and what you've already tried. Patterns show up here, and they tell me where to look first.
Weeks 2 to 4: Is Functional Medicine Testing Right for You?
Testing is a possible next step, not an automatic one. Some people start their plan right away. Others do better with a test or two first. It depends completely on what you're dealing with.
Why There Is No Standard Test Package
I don't hand everyone the same set of tests. Different symptoms call for different tests, and some people need only one or none at all. I only recommend a test when the results will actually change your plan.
If a test makes sense for you, I'll explain why, what it can show, and what it would change before you decide anything.
Tests I May Recommend, Depending on Your Situation
These are examples, not a checklist. You might need one of them, something different, or nothing at all.
A GI-MAP stool test looks at gut bacteria, yeast, and digestion markers. It can be helpful when symptoms like bloating, constipation, or food reactions keep coming back.
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A DUTCH test looks at hormones and how your body handles stress. It can be helpful when energy, mood, sleep, or cycles feel off.
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A SIBO breath test checks for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. It can be helpful when bloating shows up soon after eating.
Months 2 to 3: Following Your Personalized Plan
This is where the real work happens. You follow a plan built around your history and, if we tested, your results. We pay close attention to how your body responds, and the plan doesn't stay frozen. We adjust it as we learn more.
The "Feeling Worse Before Better" Stage
Some people go through a stretch where they feel a little off before things improve. It can be discouraging if nobody warned you, so I tell you up front. It doesn't happen to everyone, and we talk through it if it does.
How We Adjust Your Plan as We Learn More
Your body gives us feedback, and I use it. If something is working, we build on it. If something isn't, we change it. That's the difference between a plan built around you and a generic protocol.
What Can You Honestly Expect From the First 90 Days?
You can expect a clear plan, a practitioner who explains what we're doing and why, and honest updates on what's working. Some people notice changes in the first few weeks, and for others it takes longer.
I can't promise a specific result or a specific timeline. Everyone's body is different, and anyone who guarantees otherwise isn't being straight with you. What I can promise is that I'll tell you the truth, including when something isn't working.
Who Is This For?
This is for people who are tired of guessing and want to understand why they feel the way they do. It's a good fit if you deal with ongoing bloating, constipation, fatigue, brain fog, sugar cravings, hormone-related symptoms, or gut problems like Candida overgrowth or SIBO that keep coming back.
If you've been told your results are "normal" but you still don't feel normal, a root-cause approach may be what's been missing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the First 90 Days
What happens in the first 90 days of functional medicine?
You start with a free discovery call, then a detailed review of your health history. Next comes testing only if it makes sense for you, followed by a personalized plan that we adjust over the next couple of months as your body responds.
How long does functional medicine take to work?
It varies from person to person. Some people notice changes in the first few weeks, and others need longer. I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing as we go.
Do I have to do testing to work with you?
No. Testing is a possible recommendation, not a requirement. Whether it makes sense depends on your situation, and we talk about it before anything is ordered.
Will I need the GI-MAP, DUTCH, and SIBO breath test?
Not automatically. Those are examples of tests I sometimes recommend, depending on what someone is going through. Some people need one, some need a different test entirely, and some don't need any.
How is functional medicine different from a regular appointment?
Regular appointments are often short and focused on managing symptoms. Functional medicine takes more time to find the root cause, looking at your gut, hormones, stress, sleep, and habits together and building a plan around what's driving your symptoms.
Is functional medicine available online?
Yes. Executive Functional Healing is an online practice based in Fort Worth, Texas, so we can work together from wherever is most comfortable for you.
Is the discovery call really free?
Yes. The discovery call is a free 15-minute conversation with no obligation. It's a chance for you to tell me what's going on and for us to see whether working together makes sense.
Ready to Talk? Book Your Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
If you're ready to stop guessing and find out what's really going on, let's talk. The call is free, short, and there's no obligation.
If you ever have severe abdominal pain, blood in your stool, chest pain, or any other true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.