Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that modern Americans are much fatter than they were just a few decades ago. Take one look around a shopping center or strip mall and it seems that half the people present are struggling with obesity. Recent data from the CDC supports those observations - more than 39% of adults in the United States were considered obese from 2015-2016. That number is up from 33.7 percent in 2007-2008.
Perhaps more alarming is the fact that severe obesity is on the rise as well. The same report from the CDC tells us that nearly 8% of Americans were severely obese from 2015-2016, which is up from 5.7% in 2007-2008. When you read between the lines, those statistics mean that almost 4 in 10 adults are obese in the U.S., and almost 1 in 13 are severely obese.
Unfortunately, "fixing" obesity isn't something that can be done overnight. There is no quick fix that is also safe and non-surgical. The obesity problem in the U.S. is only getting worse as more adults and children choose the ease and convenience of fast food sugar-packed products over healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices.
Besides the challenges of being overweight, like clothes that don't fit and hurtful comments, the health risks are much more serious. Obesity can endanger your life, and those who rely on you may lose you earlier than expected. Over time, the likelihood of developing severe and life-altering health problems grows.
The good news is that a new medication called semaglutide in Seabrook, SC, is available for people struggling with obesity. This game-changing treatment approaches obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a problem that can be solved through willpower alone.
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we now ioffer semaglutide as part of our custom weight loss program. If you've been struggling with obesity and have tried other diets with little to no success, don't lose hope. With the help of our medical and nutritional providers, you can lose weight, keep it off, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
Our weight loss program with semaglutide starts with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process. During this phase, we will determine the ideal semaglutide dosage for you and provide personalized nutrition and exercise guidelines. Once we have a better understanding of your body and your weight loss goals, you'll begin receiving regular injections of semaglutide in Seabrook, SC.
It's your responsibility to incorporate lifestyle changes, specifically in your diet and exercise, to reach your weight loss goals. However, we'll be there every step of the way and conduct regular check-ins to help you stay on course. We'll also closely monitor your progress and overall health to ensure that your weight loss is safe and sustainable. The purpose of our semaglutide weight loss program is to offer a comprehensive weight loss treatment that helps you achieve natural, long-lasting results. That's the VIP Cosmetic Surgery difference.
Patients who sign up for our semaglutide weight loss program benefit from the following:
For semaglutide to have the biggest impact on your weight, you've got to make changes to your diet. When you eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that support weight loss and healthy living, you're setting yourself up for long-term weight loss. Our nutrition plans are comprehensive and customized to your needs and lifestyle. That way, when you're ready to make real changes in your life, we'll be there with a nutrition plan you can follow to make the journey easier and more sustainable.
One of the biggest reasons why people fail to achieve their weight loss goals is because they try to do it all on their own. When you sign up for VIP Cosmetic Surgery's semaglutide program, you benefit from monthly check-ins with Dr. Farr to see how your progress is going. During this meeting, you can talk to the doctor about your progress and what hurdles you're still trying to overcome. The doctor will give you advice and guidance based on his experience and - perhaps most importantly - help keep you on track so that you can lose weight and keep it off for good.
Our practitioners will provide tests to ensure that your body is healthy, hydrated, and well-fed. By checking your hydration and nutrition levels, we can help ensure you're losing weight in a healthy manner and not starving yourself. By maintaining optimal health throughout your weight loss journey, you're giving yourself the best shot at long-term weight loss.
For individuals working to lose weight and stay healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and exercise routine can be tough. Between work obligations and important tasks like picking your kids up from school, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to eat healthy foods. After all, McDonald's is on the way home, and your little ones are screaming for food.
Fortunately, many busy people find semaglutide to be a valuable tool in their weight loss journey. This FDA-approved injection, used for treating both diabetes and obesity, functions by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and promote long-term health.
In more simple terms, semaglutide imitates glucagon in the body, signaling to the brain that you're full and don't need to eat more. When you take semaglutide and try to overeat, your body sends a message that says, "That's enough." In essence, it makes you feel full, so you're less likely to binge eat, especially at night when food tends to sit in your stomach.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By minimizing glucose spikes after meals, it lowers inflammation, which is a crucial step in optimizing your overall health. Moreover, Semaglutide assists in insulin secretion by the pancreas regulates glucose levels in the body and even possesses anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling with weight loss, treatments such as semaglutide can make a substantial difference for you.
In summary, semaglutide helps you lose weight in a few different ways, including:
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, one of the most frequently asked questions our providers receive from curious weight loss patients is whether or not semaglutide is supported by clinical trials. As it turns out, many trials have been conducted measuring the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, and the results are very promising.
Semaglutide is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are attempting to shed at least 10% of their total body weight without success with other methods. Clinical trials involving over 1,900 obese adults who were unable to lose five percent of their body weight after a year of treatment with other medications demonstrated that semaglutide increased average weight loss from 2% to 20% over a treatment period of just over one year compared to a placebo.
In a different trial involving 1,387 patients with obesity (but not type 2 diabetes), participants were randomly assigned to different doses of semaglutide: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or placebo for 104 weeks. The group that took the higher dose of semaglutide lost an average of 31 pounds, while those on the lower dose lost an average of 11 pounds.
According to the NCBI, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have shown the efficacy of semaglutide, as well. In large randomized controlled trials, patients who received 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost a mean of 6% of their weight after 12 weeks and 12% of their weight after 28 weeks.
So, what do all these statistics mean for you? If you're looking to shed some pounds, it's worth giving semaglutide injections a shot. This type of treatment isn't a miracle drug, but it can significantly boost your chances of weight loss success. That's why, at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we have incorporated semaglutide as a fresh treatment option for individuals grappling with obesity, especially those who have exhausted other remedies and are seeking something new.
As is the case with promising therapies like semaglutide, people considering the drug have a lot of questions about whether it's right for them. Keep reading to get answers to some of the most common questions relating to semaglutide.
If you're an adult dealing with obesity, excessive weight, or weight-related medical conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, semaglutide injections could be a suitable option for you. To qualify for semaglutide weight loss services at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you must meet the BMI range criteria established by the FDA. If you're unsure whether semaglutide injections are the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss practitioners today.
Our doctors and practitioners often hear from patients asking whether semaglutide is safe for long-term use. It's natural to have concerns about a medication that impacts your body. Simply put, as long as you meet the criteria, it is safe to take this weight-loss medication. Even patients with endocrine, kidney, heart, and liver conditions can safely use semaglutide. As of June 4, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration has given the green light for semaglutide injections (2.4mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and at least one weight-related condition.
Weight loss medications such as semaglutide may cause people to regain weight once the treatment is stopped. According to a clinical trial featured in Practice Update, participants regained 11.6% of their lost body weight within a year of discontinuing semaglutide medication and lifestyle intervention. Researchers suggest that this weight gain could be linked to the reversal of the cardiovascular benefits associated with semaglutide treatment, including stable blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
This data underscores the importance of continued medication and ongoing treatment for obesity as a chronic health condition to effectively manage its impact on quality of life and heart health. The key takeaway here is that due to its nature as a weight loss treatment, it's best to take regularly over time for the best results.
That length of time will vary depending on factors such as:
There's no question about it - semaglutide is making waves in the medical community. Thousands of obese men and women in the U.S. are using the treatment to get a handle on their weight and live healthy lives. With its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss, it makes sense that patients are looking for ways to get the most out of their regimen.
Keep reading to learn a few of the best tips to maximize your journey with semaglutide.
Before you start taking semaglutide or make any changes to your treatment plan, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider who prescribes semaglutide. They will evaluate your specific needs, determine the right dosage for you, and give you important instructions on how to use the medication properly. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, our weight loss practitioners work one-on-one with every patient who takes semaglutide to ensure they're staying healthy, hydrated, and committed to our semaglutide program.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels as recommended by your semaglutide provider. While semaglutide can assist in reducing blood sugar levels, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments. When you begin a weight loss program at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you can rest easy knowing we check your blood sugar levels periodically.
Regular physical activity can boost the effects of semaglutide. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week to support weight loss and overall health improvements.
It's important to understand that results may not happen right away and could take some time to become noticeable. Try to be patient as you follow your treatment plan, maintain consistency with lifestyle changes, and have confidence that positive results will come gradually.
To maximize the effectiveness of semaglutide, it's very beneficial to eat a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Always try to choose nutrient-rich options over high-calorie, high-fat foods. That way, you can achieve your weight loss objectives quicker. When you work with weight loss experts like the doctors at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you'll have access to customized nutrition plans that will help expedite your weight loss and keep off the pounds once you reach your goals.
Make sure to set up regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and talk about any concerns or questions you might have. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, follow-ups and check-ins are built into our semaglutide program, giving you one less thing to worry about as you lose weight.
Are you striving to reach a healthy weight and live a more fulfilling life? Are you eager to have a positive impact on yourself and your loved ones? Take the first step toward better health by contacting VIP Cosmetic Surgery. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners will collaborate with you to identify your weight-loss goals. Once we know more about you and your body, we'll create a custom plan and provide the cutting-edge strategies and treatments you need to see real results. If you're ready to make a meaningful change, we're ready to guide you on the path to success.
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A potential short-term rental ordinance on Seabrook Island has some residents signing a petition in hopes the town will decide not to cap the number of short-term rentals.David Sweet, a Seabrook Island resident, gathered over 500 signatures on a petition for the town not to put a cap on short-term rentals, but the town says the opinions they’ve gathered are already enough.“I’ve come to the conclusion that caps aren’t needed because ...
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A potential short-term rental ordinance on Seabrook Island has some residents signing a petition in hopes the town will decide not to cap the number of short-term rentals.
David Sweet, a Seabrook Island resident, gathered over 500 signatures on a petition for the town not to put a cap on short-term rentals, but the town says the opinions they’ve gathered are already enough.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that caps aren’t needed because the data that the town’s provided to you,” Sweet says. “...Doesn’t bare out the need for caps.”
Sweet says he’s kept his property as a short-term rental since owning it in May 2021. He says that owning comes with a large price tag because it’s mandatory to join the Seabrook Island Club for seven years when first buying property.
Since 2021, the minimum joining fee went from $3,600 to $15,000. The most expensive membership went from $33,000 to $70,000.
Sweet also started a petition to see how many other residents are against any potential cap on STRs.
“What most owners are concerned about is what’s it going to do to property values on the island?” Sweet says. “And what’s it going to do to real estate sales on the island?... Real estate sales help drive that next level of future owners and future club members.”
Darryl May, short-term rental committee chair and town councilperson, says the committee has received over 450 written public comments and about 100 in-person comments.
“No disrespect intended, but I don’t think the petition provides any additional information than what we set out to get and did get ourselves,” May says.
The purpose of this committee is to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town. This could involve limiting the number of short-term rentals, limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rentals, what fees are reasonable, etc.
Seabrook Island is home to 2,345 family homes and villas and 588 of those are short-term rentals, according to the town.
May says, so far, the committee has made mostly unanimous decisions on recommendations they plan to take to council in June. These include setting a noise ordinance at 10 p.m., banning recreational-use drones and enacting a stricter trash removal process for all Seabrook Islanders. Short-term rental owners could see a reduction in occupancy and parking.
He says in the next workshop, they will discuss how they plan to enforce these recommendations. The last two workshops will talk about whether or not they need a short-term rental cap.
“We are not going to do something that we think will deter people from coming here,” May says. “...We want to accommodate everyone but do it in a way that preserves Seabrook’s future growth.
The committee says they plan to bring all recommendations to the town council in June before they make the final call.
Click here for the full schedule of the last short-term rental committee workshops.
Read below for a breakdown of membership fees to the Seabrook Island Club from 2020-2024, or click here.
Seabrook Island Club fees breakdown by Live 5 News on Scribd
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The debate on short-term rentals continues on Seabrook Island as the special committee met with code enforcement and the property owner’s association to see how much of a burden short-term rentals are causing them.The purpose of the committee is to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town. This could involve limiting the number of...
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The debate on short-term rentals continues on Seabrook Island as the special committee met with code enforcement and the property owner’s association to see how much of a burden short-term rentals are causing them.
The purpose of the committee is to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town. This could involve limiting the number of short-term rentals, limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rentals, what fees are reasonable, etc.
Seabrook Island is home to 2,345 family homes and villas and 588 of those are short-term rentals, according to the town.
Town councilman Darryl May, who’s also the chair of the committee, said they have heard over 450 comments both written and at the public forums.
He said they show how divided the island really is over whether or not to cap the number or push any more enforcement.
“There probably should be better enforcement of our rules, nuisance-type rules, on the island,” May said. “More understandable enforcement. Things of that nature.”
Town of Seabrook Island Mayor Bruce Kleinman said one of the main takeaways for him was that people are assuming what they want is the opposite of what they think the committee will do. However, he said there’s just no way of knowing that without an outcome and people need to be patient with the process.
“The process is working,” Kleinman said. “I think people in the town need to be a little patient.”
Members of the town’s code enforcement team presented their findings over the last nine months of alleged and identified violations during Wednesday’s meeting.
They found that only 7% of the identified coming from STRs. However, town administrator Joseph Cronin says some of the nuisance violations could overlap.
“There’s probably more violations that are out there,” Cronin said. “But if it’s not reported to us, it’s not observed by us, it’s obviously not going to be reflected in our data.”
Short-term rentals have 27 out of the 378 total found violations. Out of those, just over half came from vehicles parked in a yard or landscape area. The next most were overnight occupancy exceeding the permitted amount. Three violations were found for advertising a non-permitted short-term rental unit.
The team said if they discover a short-term rental has three violations, which they either admitted to or were found guilty in court, they can be suspended. Only then can the town revoke its short-term rental license.
“We felt like that was a little too lenient,” Cronin said. “...A couple incidences where we thought it may be more appropriate to be able to take more dramatic action earlier.”
He said there’s another idea.
“Three violations could be immediate revocation,” Cronin said.
May say he’s heard the argument that STRs lead to people wanting to move full-time to the island. But both he and Kleinman also understand that nuisances, like trash and noise, can be a big deterrent.
The committee has several more meetings before they take their recommendations to the town council which gives the final approval. The goal is to wrap this up by the end of June.
“Even if it isn’t what each Seabrooker hoped for, it will at least be a result that they perceive was reached in a fair way,” Kleinman said.
For the full list of code enforcement violations over the past nine months, read below.
STR Committee Information - 03-20-2023 by Live 5 News on Scribd
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A first-time special committee on short-term rentals is hearing Seabrook Island residents’ concerns and hopes for the island’s future.The Seabrook Island Town Council established a Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals on Jan. 4 with the members being appointed on Jan. 23.The committee’s purpose is to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town. This could involve limiting the number of short-term rentals, limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rentals,...
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A first-time special committee on short-term rentals is hearing Seabrook Island residents’ concerns and hopes for the island’s future.
The Seabrook Island Town Council established a Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals on Jan. 4 with the members being appointed on Jan. 23.
The committee’s purpose is to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town. This could involve limiting the number of short-term rentals, limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rentals, what fees are reasonable, etc.
Seabrook Island is home to 2,345 family homes and villas and 588 of those are short-term rentals, according to the town.
With about 25% of the island being taken up by short-term rentals, some residents say there are issues that need to be addressed.
“Agitating alligators,” Seabrook Island resident John Lagna said during Wednesday’s first public forum. “Secondly, speeding. Thirdly, ignoring stop signs... Lastly, ignoring amenity rules.”
However, not everyone agrees.
“There are a number of factors that have entered into it, but short-term rentals seem to be an easy target,” resident Debra Hardick said.
The committee says they are referencing data from peak COVID-19 times from when the number of renters significantly increased.
Resident Paul McLaughlin says the growth of the island has impacted the overall sense of community.
“If you don’t know who your neighbors are, it’s just not a very good feeling,” McLaughlin said.
The committee is made up of a town councilman, homeowners and even short-term rental owners who have been on the island for around a decade or more. They say the town has previously had an Ad Hoc Committee to address this topic, which was allowed to be done privately, but they want this one to be public to increase transparency.
Darryl May is the only town councilman on the short-term rental committee while the other seven are residents.
“So, the goal of this committee is to develop a set of proposals for the town council to pass an ordinance,” May said.
During the public forum, some shared ideas for what that ordinance may or may not look like.
“I think we should allow renters,” resident Ann Laporte said. “I think we should allow a minimum of three nights. No more than that.”
Resident Bill Boissonalt has another idea, adding that the town shouldn’t still be referencing data from peak COVID in 2020.
“I just don’t believe that we need any new regulations regarding the overnight stay, the capped rentals, based on history,” Boissonalt said.
As far as what the committee thinks the ordinance could look like, May says he doesn’t want to jump the gun.
“I won’t hazard to guess because we’re just starting out this process and we want to have a very open mind,” May said. “But we do anticipate getting an ordinance by about June.”
There are still three more public hearings over the next two weeks and the committee encourages Seabrook Island residents and those who rent on the island to speak.
Click here to read more about past short-term rental data and sign up for public comment.
Read below for the details on the next three public forums:
Public Forum #2
Public Forum #3
Public Forum #4
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Thanks to its charming historic downtown, antebellum homes, and idyllic waterfront vistas, it's no surprise that Charleston is a popular location for TV shows and movies to film. But one of the most iconic films to use Charleston as its backdrop is undoubtedly The Notebook. While Nicholas Sparks originally set t...
Thanks to its charming historic downtown, antebellum homes, and idyllic waterfront vistas, it's no surprise that Charleston is a popular location for TV shows and movies to film. But one of the most iconic films to use Charleston as its backdrop is undoubtedly The Notebook. While Nicholas Sparks originally set the book in New Bern, North Carolina, the movie places Noah and Allie in Seabrook, South Carolina, a small town about an hour south of Charleston. Most of the movie was filmed in Charleston, however, with Mount Pleasant's Old Village and parts of King Street serving as downtown Seabrook and several private and public homes in the area setting the historically accurate backdrop.
If you're a fan of The Notebook, taking a tour of the film locations in and around Charleston is a fun way to experience the romantic story in a new way—and maybe see parts of one of our favorite Southern cities you haven't seen before. Here are 7 Charleston landmarks you'll recognize from the movie:
The setting for Noah and Allie's first date—followed by lying down and dancing in the middle of the street—is the American Theater, a 1940s movie theater on King Street in downtown Charleston. The theater is now a private event space and no longer shows movies, but you can have a custom message written on the marquee for your own sweetheart.
Scenes of the exterior of Allie's family's summer house were filmed at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. The plantation, which has been a working farm for more than 300 years, is open to the public for tours of its home, grounds, and the cabins of its enslaved laborers. You'll recognize it instantly upon turning onto the mossy oak-lined driveway and seeing the iron gate in front of the house that Noah rams his truck into.
However, the interiors of the Hamiltons' summer home—a.k.a. the site of most of the fights Allie has with her parents—were actually filmed in the Williams Mansion, formerly known as the Calhoun Mansion, a grand and gilded circa-1876 private mansion near the battery in Charleston.
In the movie, Allie leaves South Carolina behind to attend Sarah Lawrence College in New York. However, those scenes were in fact filmed on the College of Charleston's picturesque downtown campus, which is too beautiful not to wander through if you never have.
After years apart, Noah goes into town (actually meant to be Charleston this time) and spots Allie on the street. He follows her until she walks into a restaurant where she is greeted by her fiancé Lon, setting off Noah's obsession with renovating the old house and winning Allie back. The restaurant Allie and Lon are dining in is High Cotton, an actual restaurant serving classic Lowcountry fare in an upscale space that isn't much different from what you see in the movie.
Right next door to the American Theater on King Street is the historic William Aiken House, where Allie is trying on her wedding dress when she sees the picture in the paper of Noah standing in front of the house he fixed up. The bright yellow house was built in 1810 and epitomizes the best of Charleston architecture. Unsurprisingly, the home is now primarily used for events and is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the city.
Noah and Allie's eventual reunion begins with Noah taking Allie out in a rowboat to see the hundreds of geese on the lake behind his house. The beautiful scenery was also filmed near Charleston, at Cypress Gardens in the town of Moncks Corner. You can take a tour of the swamp in your own rowboat, but you won't witness the great migration of geese—they were trained and brought in especially for the movie.
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Seabrook Island neighbors are petitioning their leaders to cap the number of short-term rentals, stating there is overcrowding due to what they called over-tourism, but the mayor said the town has no plans to do so.Seabrook Island homeowner Ted Flerlage says over 700 of his neighbors want to cap the number of short-term rentals on the island.“What we’re trying to do is cap, not end the process of short-term rentals, cap at roughly the present numbers, evaluate what happens after that,&...
SEABROOK ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Seabrook Island neighbors are petitioning their leaders to cap the number of short-term rentals, stating there is overcrowding due to what they called over-tourism, but the mayor said the town has no plans to do so.
Seabrook Island homeowner Ted Flerlage says over 700 of his neighbors want to cap the number of short-term rentals on the island.
“What we’re trying to do is cap, not end the process of short-term rentals, cap at roughly the present numbers, evaluate what happens after that,” Flerlage said, “and then, determine whether or not we should lower the number of short-term rentals.”
As of June 19, there are 484 of these properties on the island, which residents said has led to overcrowding on the island’s streets and amenities.
Mayor John Gregg said for this year, data gathered over the past few months suggest otherwise.
“We’re not going to be looking at imposing limitations on the number of short-term rental units,” Gregg said.
Coastal Getaways owner Nancy Buck said more people are starting to call the island home, and good rentals are full for around 40% of the year.
She says all of her clients are property owners who rent to help offset the costs of the amenities, taxes and insurance.
“We’ve also gone from 35% permanent residents to 60% residents in the last two years,” Buck said. “Twenty-five percent of the properties have turned over since 2019.”
Buck also adds the majority of the amenities are mostly used by members and not rental guests.
However, the homeowners want the town’s government to hear them out.
“I’d like him to reconsider,” Flerlage said. “I’d like him to look at the reality and listen to the people who are property owners here, the residents on the island. You know, 700 people is a big number.”
“Let’s wait and see how this year goes,” Buck said. “They instituted the short-term rental ordinance couple of years ago, or actually, last year, so let’s give it a full year to see how it goes.”
Both Buck and the homeowners said they want to work out their differences over the next several months to come up with a solution that works for everyone.
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