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 Abbeville, 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 Abbeville, 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.
Abbeville now owns 13 South Carolina high school football championships. Thursday, the Panthers beat Cross 58-20 for the Class A state championship at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.Head coach Jamie Nickle has guided the school to nine of its thirteen state titles.Waleetka is the 2024 Oklahoma Class B Division II state champ after beating Seling 54-12 Thursday in Edmond. It’s the school’s first state championship since 2004....
Abbeville now owns 13 South Carolina high school football championships. Thursday, the Panthers beat Cross 58-20 for the Class A state championship at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.
Head coach Jamie Nickle has guided the school to nine of its thirteen state titles.
Waleetka is the 2024 Oklahoma Class B Division II state champ after beating Seling 54-12 Thursday in Edmond. It’s the school’s first state championship since 2004.
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.
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Sterlington sits atop of Louisiana’s Non-Select Division III classification. Thursday night, the the Panthers beat top-seed St. James 35-28 for the state’s state championship at Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints.
After a 2-3 start this season, Sterlington averaged 47.6 points per game in its 5-0 postseason run. The Panthers finish the year 11-4. The state championship is the first for the school since 2001.
St. James finishes the year 10-3.
This week’s South Carolina High School League football state championship games are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.Listed times are for game kickoffs; TV broadcasts begin on the hour or half-hour▪ Class 2A: Barnwell (13-1) vs. Clinton (11-2), 2:06 p.m. ThursdayAbout Barnwell: The Warhorses are making their first championship appearance since making back-to-back trips in 2018-19. Barnwell’s last state championship came in 1988. Bar...
This week’s South Carolina High School League football state championship games are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
Listed times are for game kickoffs; TV broadcasts begin on the hour or half-hour
▪ Class 2A: Barnwell (13-1) vs. Clinton (11-2), 2:06 p.m. Thursday
About Barnwell: The Warhorses are making their first championship appearance since making back-to-back trips in 2018-19. Barnwell’s last state championship came in 1988. Barnwell QB Cameron Austin, the Class 2A Lower State Offensive Player of the Year, has thrown for 2,058 yards and 35 total touchdowns. Running back Nehemiah Brown rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown in last week’s Lower State championship game against Manning. Logan Sturkie leads the team in sacks with six and Damajahi Devoe has a team-high four interceptions. Barnwell’s lone loss this year came against Class 4A South Aiken.
About Clinton: The Red Devils are in their first championship game since winning it all in 2009. Clinton has won eight state championships, tied for seventh-most all-time in state history. Head coach Cory Fountain won two state championships as a head coach at Lamar and has four straight 10-win seasons with the Red Devils. Offensive lineman Tre Aiken has several Power 4 offers, including South Carolina. Running back Javen Cook has rushed for a team-high 1,740 yards and 21 touchdowns. Brett Young leads the team with 104 tackles. Clinton’s base offense is the shotgun flexbone and averages 340.1 yards per game rushing.
Prediction: Clinton
▪ Class A: Cross (12-2) vs. Abbeville (12-1), 7:36 p.m. Thursday
About Cross: The Trojans have won a school-record 12 games and are appearing in their second state championship in school history, winning it all in 2012. Cross has outscored its opponents, 564-95, and allowed just 33 points during its 10-game winning streak. Linebacker Karmello Jones was named the Class A Lower State Defensive Player of the Year and has 69 tackles (17 for loss) and two interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 1,881 yards and 31 touchdowns. Sophomore QB Tyler Harris has thrown for 1,427 yards and 17 touchdowns. Linebacker William Grant leads the team with 87 tackles and seven sacks.
About Abbeville: The Panthers are making their 17th state championship appearance and going for their 13th title, which would move them into second place all-time in state history, and be their seventh in the last 10 years. Head coach Jamie Nickles is tied with Dutch Fork’s Tom Knotts with eight state titles in South Carolina. The Panthers’ lone loss came against Batesburg-Leesville on Sept. 6. Abbeville’s Demarcus Leach, a South Carolina signee, is the Class A Upper State Defensive Player of the Year and also is the team’s quarterback. Leach has 26 tackles on defense and has thrown for 996 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 917 yards and 17 scores. Abbeville is averaging 50.1 points a game.
Prediction: Abbeville
▪ Class 5A Division I: Summerville (13-0) vs. Dutch Fork (12-0), 2:06 p.m. Friday
About Summerville: It’s the Green Wave’s first championship appearance since 2007. They’re looking for their first title since 1998, which was their last unbeaten season. Summerville has won 12 state championships, tied with Abbeville for second-most in state history. Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings, a Dartmouth signee, has thrown for 2,329 yards and has 44 total touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jayven Williams has rushed for 1,877 yards and 24 touchdowns. They are 0-7 all-time against Dutch Fork, with six of the losses coming in the playoffs.
About Dutch Fork: The Silver Foxes are making their 12th state championship appearance, all under Tom Knotts and all coming since 2012. Dutch Fork is going for its third-straight state title and ninth in school history. The Silver Foxes’ eight titles are tied for seventh-most in state history. Knotts is making his 23rd state championship appearance as head coach, with the other 11 coming in North Carolina. Dutch Fork’s defense has a school-record six shutouts and has a chance to give up the fewest points in a season in school history. The Silver Foxes have allowed 73 points all year. The school record is 94 from the 10-game, COVID-shortened season in 2020. Dutch Fork is allowing 197.8 yards a game and has a pair of Division I signees in linebacker Josh Smith (South Carolina) and defensive back Elgin Sessions (Georgia Tech). Smith leads the team with 91 tackles and tied for team lead in sacks with nine. Daniel Williams leads the team with 26 tackles for loss and is tied with nine sacks. As a team, Dutch Fork has 36 sacks. Running back Maurice Anderson has rushed for 1,032 yards and 19 touchdowns. QB Ethan Offing has thrown for 2,722 yards, rushed for 429 with 30 total touchdowns. Boykin Bickley leads the team with 53 catches for 1,011 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Dutch Fork
▪ Class 4A: South Florence (11-3) vs. Westside (13-0), 7:36 p.m. Friday
About South Florence: The Bruins are making their third-straight championship appearance, winning it all in 2022 and losing to Westside last season. South Florence has won 10 or more games in three straight seasons, the longest stretch in school history. The Bruins rallied from a 20-0 deficit to defeat North Augusta, 27-20, last week in the state semifinals. QB Messiah Jackson has thrown for 1,933 yards and 36 total touchdowns. Running back Tre Leonard has rushed for 1,287 yards and 15 scores. Receiver Jayden Sellers, a South Carolina signee, has 1,737 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. Defensive end Amare Adams, a Clemson signee, leads South Florence with five sacks. Junior Willie Kennedy leads the team with 108 tackles.
About Westside: The Rams are the defending state champions and won their first title since 1969 last year with a win over South Florence. Westside has a 27-game winning streak dating back to last year. The Rams have scored 40 points or more in 11 of their 13 games this season. Quarterback Cutter Woods, a South Carolina signee, has thrown for 3,048 yards and 37 touchdowns. Woods is a finalist for the state’s Mr. Football award. Chamarryus Bomar leads the team with 45 catches for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. Running back Sharode Richardson has rushed for 1,111 yards and 18 scores. Bomar and Richardson are tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
Prediction: Westside
▪ Class 3A: Oceanside Collegiate (10-3) vs. Belton-Honea Path (10-3), 12:06 p.m Saturday
About Oceanside Collegiate: The Landsharks are making their third-straight championship appearance, with the last two coming in Class 2A. John Patterson is the interim coach and took over after Chad Wilkes resigned in August. Two of Oceanside’s three losses came against Irmo and Dutch Fork, which are playing for state titles this weekend. Sophomore quarterback Aiden Manavian has thrown for over 3,181 yards and 38 touchdowns, including five last week in the state semifinal against Loris. Will Virgilio and Peyton Shaw both have 10 TD catches. Virgilio leads the team with 65 catches for 1,030 yards and 10 scores.
About Belton-Honea Path: The Bears are making their second championship appearance, winning it all in 2004. BHP’s only loss came against defending 4A champion Westside. Belton-Honea Path rallied from a 16-7 halftime deficit to defeat Mountain View Prep, 30-22, in last week’s state semifinals. Running back Marquise Henderson, a Clemson signee, has rushed for 1,934 yards and has 2,502 all-purpose yards to go along with 31 touchdowns. Henderson is a Mr. Football finalist and has 6,392 rushing yards and 98 career TDs. Justin Lathon leads BHP with 10 sacks and Kelsey Miles has four interceptions. QB Noah Thomas has thrown for 1,791 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tajeh Watson-Martin leads the team with 41 catches for 883 yards and 13 scores.
Prediction: Oceanside Collegiate
▪ Class 5A Division II: Irmo (12-1) vs. Northwestern (13-0), 6:06 p.m. Saturday
About Irmo: The Yellow Jackets are making their seventh championship appearance and first since 2006. Irmo won the 1980 title, its lone one in school history. The title game appearance is the second for Irmo coach Aaron Brand, who led Vance (NC) to championship in 2018. Irmo’s lone loss came against Dutch Fork in the regular-season finale. Quarterback AJ Brand, a Virginia Tech signee, was named S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year last week. Brand has thrown for 2,449 yards, rushed for 1,861 yards with 53 total touchdowns. Junior Donovan Murph leads the team with 88 catches for 1,205 yards and nine touchdowns. Murph is reclassifying into the Class of 2025 and will announce a college commitment in January. Sophomore Maleek Miler has 1,649 all-purpose yards and 13 scores. Sophomore Jaiden Bryant leads the team with 92 tackles and 18.5 sacks. Senior Matthew Blocker leads the team with four interceptions.
About Northwestern: The Trojans are making their 11th championship appearance and second in the last three years. Northwestern has won five championships, with the last coming in 2015 under Keith Richardson, who is now an assistant coach at Clemson. Northwestern is averaging 50.4 points per game. Quarterback Finley Polk, a Gardner-Webb signee and Shrine Bowl selection, has thrown for 3,284 yards and has 56 total touchdowns. Polk was the 5A Division II Upper State Offensive Player of the Year. Jayden Nichols has 68 catches for 957 yards and 10 TDs. Kameron Vance has 61 receptions for 962 yards and 14 touchdowns. Zymier Gordon-Miles has rushed for 1,198 yards and 16 touchdowns. Mason Grier has a team-high 20 tackles for loss. Jonathan Spurgeon leads the Trojans with four interceptions.
Prediction: Irmo
▪ Last Week’s Predictions: 9-3
▪ This Season: 283-53
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at gofan.co. No tickets will not be sold on site at the championship games. The stadium will be cleared after each game. Fans must have a ticket for each game, and no re-entry is allowed.
Gates will open for fans no earlier than one hour prior to the posted game time. Home fans will enter through Gate 1. Visiting fans will enter through Gates 1 and 2 and walk across behind the end zone. Lower State champions are the home teams.
Parking lots open 1.5 hours prior to the first game time of the day. It is $10 per car and parking passes are available through Gofan.co. Vehicles with trailers, pull behind grills and RVs will cost $50. Tailgating is allowed when lots are open.
All six games will be carried on Sinclair Broadcasting stations across South Carolina. Affiliates are WMYA (My40 Asheville-Greenville), WACH Fox digital channel (57.2/1250/Columbia), WCIV (MyTV Charleston) and WWMB (CW21, Florence/Myrtle Beach).
The Dutch Fork-Summerville game will be carried on WACH Fox’s main channel in Columbia area.
All six games also will be streamed on www.nfhsnetwork.com. A subscription ($11.99) is required but is good for all of the games and monthly subscription.
The Abbeville-Cross game will be on and streamed on radio station 92.1 WZLA FM
The Irmo-Northwestern game will be on and streamed on radio station WRHI 100.1 FM and the WRHI mobile app
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 9:56 AM.
The State
Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
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