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 Aiken, 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 Aiken, 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.
Tired of looking at downed trees and piles of debris?If your answer is yes, the latest news isn’t good.Based on what S.C. Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, told the Rotary Club of Aiken on Dec. 2, the reminders of Tropical Storm Helene are going to be around long past the holidays in some areas because the cleanup is “a slow process.”One reason is the large size of the trees Helene knocked down while passing to the west of Aiken County in late September....
Tired of looking at downed trees and piles of debris?
If your answer is yes, the latest news isn’t good.
Based on what S.C. Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, told the Rotary Club of Aiken on Dec. 2, the reminders of Tropical Storm Helene are going to be around long past the holidays in some areas because the cleanup is “a slow process.”
One reason is the large size of the trees Helene knocked down while passing to the west of Aiken County in late September.
They “can’t be removed without special equipment,” and “there is a limited pool of contractors who are out there who have this type of equipment,” Young said.
The contractors also need to “know what FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) requires,” according to Young.
In addition, this limited pool of contractors is spread among five states that suffered major damage from Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida.
Then Milton made landfall in the Sunshine State as a Category 3 hurricane Oct. 9, providing contractors with even more work to do in the Southeast.
“All of those factors are influencing the rate that this debris is picked up,” Young said.
In a Nov. 21 letter to state legislators, S.C. Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell wrote that debris removal “will not be a problem that will be completely solved by the end of the year.”
According to an initial estimate by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there was 2 million cubic feet of debris that had to be cleaned up in South Carolina following Helene.
Powell wrote that 1.1 million cubic feet had been removed as of Nov. 21.
“At present, we have 98 SCDOT (S.C. Department of Transportation) crews and 214 contractor units working on this issue,” Powell told legislators.
“We have been encouraged by more subcontractors with larger equipment becoming available in the last couple of weeks,” he also wrote.
During the upcoming session of the South Carolina legislature, which is scheduled to begin next year on Jan. 14, “there will probably be some type of financial package that will have to be passed to assist local governments with hurricane recovery,” said Young during his Dec. 2 speech to the Rotary Club.
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Aiken County continues to go back and forth on a burn ban.Late last month, Belvedere firefighters called on the Aiken County Council to enact an emergency burn ban after a weeks-long drought and debris piles stacked high.The council agreed, and last week, they implemented a county-wide burn ban that was supposed to be in effect until November 19.But over the weekend, emails and Facebook posts saying otherwise caused some confusion.It’s now still in effect, but we explain why some fi...
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Aiken County continues to go back and forth on a burn ban.
Late last month, Belvedere firefighters called on the Aiken County Council to enact an emergency burn ban after a weeks-long drought and debris piles stacked high.
The council agreed, and last week, they implemented a county-wide burn ban that was supposed to be in effect until November 19.
But over the weekend, emails and Facebook posts saying otherwise caused some confusion.
It’s now still in effect, but we explain why some firefighters say it’s still needed.
Belvedere firefighters received nearly 60 calls in October — all from debris-related fires.
Local group helps clean up biking trails after Helene
If you mountain bike around the CSRA, you know about SORBA — the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association.
That’s why Chief Chad Hyler asked the Aiken County Council for the emergency burn ban.
“We have neighbors who don’t want to go to sleep at night because they’re worried about people burning 24 hours a day,” said Hyler.
Aiken County Department of Emergency Management and the Aiken County government shared a Facebook post over the weekend saying the ban was lifted even though the council had not voted on it.
Gary Bunker is the Aiken County council chairman, and he says there was confusion among senior management.
Hyler and the Forestry Commission say bans are implemented based on rain, wind and other weather conditions.
“Now, we’ve got all this rain, people are wanting to burn. Some are still scared of it because stuff does dry out,” said Hyler.
But Hyler says rain, or lack of rain, isn’t necessarily their main problem.
Nonprofits work to regroup after Helene
Local non-profit organizations are left figuring out what’s next after having to cancel large fundraisers because of Hurricane Helene.
Their main issue is not being able to access resources.
He also says for many of them, this isn’t their only job.
“Most folks are working eight to five shift jobs. Without having those volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” said Hyler.
Bunker says he wasn’t aware of the Facebook posts saying the ban was lifted.
After we spoke with him and the EMS director, the post on Facebook was deleted.
Belvedere isn’t the only fire station battling this issue.
Wagener Fire Chief Tillman Rushton said: “Was riding down the road and just saw a bunch of smoke behind the house, and then when speaking to the homeowner, he let us know that he was cleaning up storm debris and burning it, and when he came back home today his whole backyard was back on fire.”
Hyler says some streets are still hard for them to get to because of the debris.
They’ve also seen nearly $50,000 worth of property damage since October, which is why he wants to make sure you know the ban is still in place.
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The founder of Prime Steakhouse is no longer at the helm of the downtown Aiken businessRandy Stamm recently sold the popular restaurant, which has been serving local diners and visitors to the city for 15 years and is still going strong at 316 Richland Ave. West.“It really boils down to something pretty simple,” said Stamm in a telephone interview. “I’m 65 years old, and there comes a time when you have to walk away. At my age, how many hours a day can I [continue to] work? I would go to work at 5 o&rsqu...
The founder of Prime Steakhouse is no longer at the helm of the downtown Aiken business
Randy Stamm recently sold the popular restaurant, which has been serving local diners and visitors to the city for 15 years and is still going strong at 316 Richland Ave. West.
“It really boils down to something pretty simple,” said Stamm in a telephone interview. “I’m 65 years old, and there comes a time when you have to walk away. At my age, how many hours a day can I [continue to] work? I would go to work at 5 o’clock in the morning, and I would get done at 8 o’clock at night. There’s a limit to what one person can do.”
Stamm began helping out at his family’s New York City steakhouses when he was a teenager. In the early 1980s, he went out on his own.
During his long career, Stamm has operated nearly 40 eateries.
“When I came to Aiken, I had no intention of opening another restaurant,” Stamm said. “I was here to take care of my mother. But I figured if I’m going to be in a small town, what’s one more? And I have had two since I’ve been here.”
In July 2009, Stamm launched Prime Steakhouse in the former home of the Sugar Magnolia Cafe.
Back then, when the business was known as Prime Steak & Lobster, Stamm described the restaurant as a “classic big-city steakhouse.”
The beef “is prime grade and has been aged at least 28 days,” he told the Aiken Standard. “All the lobster is flown in fresh daily from New England.”
Other items on the menu included creamed spinach, homemade onion rings and family-style salads.
In 2016, Stamm opened Nonna’s in Edgefield. The focus there was on Northern Italian cuisine, and baked lasagna, grilled sausage giambotta and three types of parmigiana — eggplant, chicken and veal — were among the entrees.
Nonna’s no longer is in business.
“I went out on top,” said Stamm of his decision to sell Prime Steakhouse. “Somebody made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Stamm told the Aiken Standard that the buyer was an “Aiken restaurant group.”
According to multiple sources, however, the new owners are entrepreneur Norman Dunagan and undisclosed partners.
Dunagan did not respond to requests for comment prior to the deadline for this story’s publication.
Aiken County land records show that Heritage Aiken Properties LLC purchased Prime Steakhouse’s real estate from Stamm for $850,000 on Oct. 15.
The registered agent for Heritage Aiken Properties is Aiken attorney Christopher Austin, who is Austin and Pethick law firm’s CEO and principal shareholder.
“We did this thing with a handshake back in June and we negotiated all summer long because I wanted to make sure my employees were taken care of,” Stamm said. “It was important to me that they would still have jobs in this economy.”
Stamm has been enjoying himself since he sold Prime Steakhouse.
“All the wonderful people who supported me in Aiken for 15 years, them I miss,” he said. “But to be honest with you, in the last week or so, I don’t miss it (Prime Steakhouse) at all. I don’t miss getting up at 5 o’clock every morning to go and meet trucks, you know. It’s the toughest business out there. You’ve got to be married to it.”
Stamm told the Aiken Standard that he has plans to “do something else in the restaurant business, but not owning a restaurant for right now. “It will be on my own terms and my own time,” he added.
Stamm, who has a beach house in the Beaufort area, didn’t rule out someday opening an eatery on the South Carolina coast.
For more information about Prime Steakhouse, call 803-642-4488 or visit primesteakhouseaiken.com.
It was about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday when a message came over the intercom at Blackville-Hilda High School.Students were told that, if they wanted, they could leave class and walk - quietly - down to the school's gym to help celebrate a first in the storied history of the Fighting Hawks' football program.Seated at a table in the middle of the gym, surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches, senior Jaquel Holman became the program's first early signee - and to his dream school, at that. Holman put pen to paper Wednesday m...
It was about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday when a message came over the intercom at Blackville-Hilda High School.
Students were told that, if they wanted, they could leave class and walk - quietly - down to the school's gym to help celebrate a first in the storied history of the Fighting Hawks' football program.
Seated at a table in the middle of the gym, surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches, senior Jaquel Holman became the program's first early signee - and to his dream school, at that. Holman put pen to paper Wednesday morning, then was honored in front of the school and community for signing to play football at the University of South Carolina.
"First, I want to thank God and my family and Blackville as a community staying behind me for a wonderful two years of being here playing football," he said. "I'm just blessed, at the end of the day. I put in the hard work, and I'm going to my dream school."
Holman, who returned home to Blackville-Hilda - his grandfather was a three-term mayor of Blackville - after his sophomore season at South Aiken, wasted little time earning statewide attention at both running back and linebacker. He was a two-time Region Player of the Year and as a senior was selected to both the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the Border Bowl.
In two years, he rushed for 3,138 yards and 42 touchdowns on just 306 carries, an average of 10.3 yards per attempt. He also caught two touchdowns and made 177 total tackles in three seasons with 24 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions with a return for a touchdown, six forced fumbles and one recovery.
He was a Class A All-State selection last year, and head coach Kevin Jones expects Holman to make it back-to-back once this year's teams are released. As a senior, he ran the ball 153 times for 1,610 yards with 26 touchdowns, helping the Fighting Hawks to a 9-3 record and second-place finish in Region 3-A.
"I can't say enough good things about not only Jaquel but his family, Jones said. "Coming back over here, we had just come off a season where we didn't have a very good win-loss record (2-8 in 2022), trying to kind of change some things and get the program headed in the right direction. He stepped in. From the first time that he was on campus until now, he's a kid that's never missed a practice. He never misses workouts. He just does things the right way. On top of being uber-talented when it comes to having size and speed and being a great football player, he's just a really, really good kid. We're incredibly proud of him."
Holman will graduate and enroll early at South Carolina, which he chose over offers from schools like North Carolina State, Pitt and The Citadel. Already a Gamecock fan, Holman didn't need Shane Beamer and his staff to push him too hard toward Columbia.
"Even way before the offer when they were talking to me, it always felt like home," said Holman, who committed June 8 and intends to study sports management. "I love Coach Beamer and his staff, and I can't wait to get there and work."
Holman joins a South Carolina program is currently one of the hottest in the country, winners of six straight to reach No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings. He said he likes that the Gamecocks have a true quarterback in LaNorris Sellers who's a captain of the team, and with so many other young contributors he feels the future is bright.
Jones advised Holman to take everything in during the recruiting process in order to figure out what was going to be the best fit for him, then lay out the game plan for going through the process of how he as a player can get himself in the best position as early as possible to be successful.
So far, so good.
"He's just a kid that's going to go in there and work hard," Jones said. "His teammates are going to love him. The coaches already love him. That's one thing I can say since he was recruited - I've talked more to Shane Beamer and Clayton White and Torrian Gray than I have in my whole career. They're high on him, and I think he's going to prove to be a worthwhile investment for the program."
Jones praised Holman for his humility, which he attributed in large part to Holman's family. Jones said it would be easy to just list all of Holman's flashy numbers and accomplishments, yet what he likes to bring up first is Holman's perfect attendance at practice and workouts and the way he tossed the ball to the referee after each of those 45 total touchdowns - no showboating or dancing, unless it was to join in on the cheerleaders' choreography while rooting on his teammates in the second half with a comfortable lead.
Or how Holman, who has a closet's worth of cleats, gloves, sweatbands and whatever else given to him by schools recruiting him, chose to stick with the program's principles and match his teammates' jerseys and cleats.
He'll head to Columbia with fresh legs - he had more games with single-digit carries (five) than games with 20 or more (two) the last two seasons. The Gamecocks officially listed him as an athlete on their list of signees, though Jones recalls hearing more than one friendly argument between their coaches about whether he'd play on defense or offense.
"Right now, they like me at nickel back," Holman said. "But, then again, they don't have a lot of running backs coming up. One of them just hit the portal, and then they're losing Raheim (Sanders) and (Juju McDowell). They're losing running backs, so I'm not sure. I could be used some on the offensive side of the ball, but I'm not really sure yet."
As such, he'll just stay ready and willing to contribute in any way. That's the mindset he carried back home to Blackville-Hilda, and it's one that's carried him to the Southeastern Conference.
"It's great. It's great. Like I said, I'm blessed," he said. "People said when I came down here, 'You're not going to get enough exposure down there. The school is too small.' But it's like my mama always told me, 'You go out there and shock the world.' That's what I did, and it's not over yet."
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