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 Folly Beach, 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 Folly Beach, 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.
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep, a Halloween celebration, returns for its third year at Folly Beach this year.The annual beach sweep events kicks off Halloween early on Oct. 27. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes while they pick up litter along one of the six stations. The family-friendly event will provide Halloween temporary tattoos, slap wristbands, and stickers. ...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep, a Halloween celebration, returns for its third year at Folly Beach this year.
The annual beach sweep events kicks off Halloween early on Oct. 27. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes while they pick up litter along one of the six stations. The family-friendly event will provide Halloween temporary tattoos, slap wristbands, and stickers.
Vanessa Oltmann, founder of Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep, said why she organizes this event around the holiday.
“I decided we need to have fun, so what wouldn’t be better than to do a costume sweep, a spectacular – spooktacular for everyone,” Oltmann said.
The turnout for the event has been impactful to the coastal community by keeping areas within the beach clean.
“We’ve had over 300 volunteers over the past two years and we’ve collected close to 2300 pieces of debris,” Oltmann said.
Toby the Turtle and the City of Folly Beach host the sweep, while they continue to have a partnership with the South Carolina Aquarium.
“The aquarium provides all the supplies and the necessary equipment for us to be able to collect data” Oltmann said. “Which is very important in this world for us to know what kind of debris is in the ocean or on the earth, because everything that’s out there on the ground ends up in the ocean. And we want to protect wildlife, domestic life, marine life, and human life so that all affects us.”
Surrounding the beach sweep, one of the major concerns is plastics. Oltmann said anything that ends up in the ocean or in our waterways, eventually ends up in our bodily systems.
“This data actually helps us to be able to go to the city or any politicians to say look, we have an issue. What can we do to resolve the problem, the founder said. “This is why the sweeps are so important, they make the public aware of what’s here.”
The beach sweep is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the costume contest to follow at 4 p.m. along with treats at the participating restaurants. For those who wish to participate, must sign up to receive a wristband and free parking.
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach residents came out to an informational drop-in session Thursday night to review the city’s Safety Action Plan and had the opportunity to provide feedback on the study.The goal is to come up with a plan of potential opportunities to enhance safety on Folly Beach roads for pedestrians and drivers.The city started developing the Safety Action Plan earlier this year and since then they have been collecting and analyzing data based on crashes that happened in the city between 2017 and 202...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach residents came out to an informational drop-in session Thursday night to review the city’s Safety Action Plan and had the opportunity to provide feedback on the study.
The goal is to come up with a plan of potential opportunities to enhance safety on Folly Beach roads for pedestrians and drivers.
The city started developing the Safety Action Plan earlier this year and since then they have been collecting and analyzing data based on crashes that happened in the city between 2017 and 2023. The study goes into more detail about where the crashes occurred, how severe they were, what kind of crash it was whether it be vehicular, pedestrian or bicyclist, as well as when it happened.
The transportation planner for Kimley-Horn who is helping conduct this study, Laura Kelly, said that they have looked at various areas to help improve roadway conditions.
“SCDOT has a traffic-calming program that we would consider partnering with and doing speed cushions along the island in low speed and low volume areas,” Kelly said. “Indian Avenue and Center Street as kind of like a mobility project, so we did sketch a roundabout here as a potential opportunity, but we definitely wanted to engage the public at this point and hear from them what they’d like to see.”
Along with improving mobility, additional bicyclist and pedestrian safety measures are a key part of this plan. Some potential ideas include a multi-use path, pedestrian refuge spaces, which are safe designated areas for pedestrians to cross the street, as well as additional lighting.
“Looking at pedestrian and bicyclist crashes things are pretty spread out throughout, so we’re of course taking a focus on Center Street where there are the highest traffic volumes, but we’re also looking at both ends of the island and then also the causeway,” Kelly said.
Residents and community members who went to the meeting mentioned concerns of bicyclist and pedestrian safety along various parts of the city, especially Ashley Avenue and Center Street.
“Coming to Folly is such a fantastic place to walk around and bike around, but we do have a history of crashes and being able to mitigate those and reduce them and hopefully get rid of all injuries and fatalities over time would be great,” Folly Beach resident Kyle James said.
He said that he heard similar comments from other residents who came out to the meeting as well.
“Talking with residents who have been here even longer than me. Getting kind of the history and what they want their city to feel like over time and how it’s shifted and that the need for more biking and pedestrian infrastructure has grown and it’s kind of come to the forefront,” James said.
After Thursday’s meeting, Kelly said that they will take the feedback that they got, put together a final list of potential projects and submit a grant application for them in the spring to the United States Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Program.
If that grant is awarded Kelly said the city could then begin putting some of those projects under contract.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach has been working on developing a plan in hopes of reducing car accidents and creating safer roads for pedestrians and drivers.In April, the City approved a contract to develop this Safety Action Plan and leaders have been working on taking th...
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach has been working on developing a plan in hopes of reducing car accidents and creating safer roads for pedestrians and drivers.
In April, the City approved a contract to develop this Safety Action Plan and leaders have been working on taking the necessary steps to create the most beneficial plan possible ever since.
Some steps they are taking to develop this plan include meeting with community members and stakeholders to get a sense of what improvements should be prioritized. They are also gathering data and audits about the roads, speed limits, and incident locations in the city.
Their hope is to collect all this information, create the Safety Action Plan based on it and then implement those plans.
The city has gathered crash statistics and data regarding pedestrians in the area so they can look at what improvements are needed as part of this comprehensive plan. Thursday evening the city is hosting a public meeting to present this data to the community and gather feedback on what safety improvements they would like to see.
The city is looking to narrow down the necessary projects and problem areas. For example, there have been several pedestrian incidents near Center Street, so that may be a project area they choose to prioritize.
Katie Zimmerman is the executive director of Charleston Moves, an organization that works toward building a safer and more accessible community for pedestrians and cyclists.
She says she anticipates this plan will take a year to complete before they can take action, but she shared how important this process is for community members to express their feedback.
“The best thing from the community is just to continue to participate in the process and make sure folks are letting the planners know what they’ve experienced, and also what their ideas are for safety improvements and where,” Zimmerman says. “You know, most of us are not engineers, but we certainly have experienced the situation in the community, not just Folly Beach, but throughout the county. It’s pretty dangerous for those of us who are biking and walking.”
Zimmerman says that pedestrian safety is a major issue across not just the Lowcountry, but throughout South Carolina.
Many other cities and municipalities have chosen to also develop Safety Action Plans and Zimmerman hopes those can help bring more of these changes to the Lowcountry and encourage a connected, safe environment for pedestrians.
Zimmerman says that, to bring these plans to fruition, the council must implement certain policies aimed at eliminating pedestrian fatalities and develop the plan so they can qualify for federal funding for the actual installation of these projects. Those also help them to better leverage future project plans.
One of these policies is a “Target Zero Plan,” which would set a goal to get the number of traffic fatalities down to zero by a certain year.
Zimmerman says pedestrians, and human beings in general, need to be the top priority.
“Everywhere pedestrians should be No. 1 in transportation planning,” she says. “Human beings are the most vulnerable, especially when they’re not in a car and obviously cars are now being built to be safer for people in the cars and not as safe for people who are outside of the cars, so we have a situation on our hands. South Carolina is a dangerous place for vulnerable road users.”
To Zimmerman, intersections, bridges and paths should be designed so well that it is safe enough for an 8-year-old to cross it, and she hopes that is what comes of the Safety Action Plan.
Thursday evening, the City of Folly Beach will be hosting its last scheduled informational drop-in session to gather community feedback on the development of the Safety Action Plan.
The meeting will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will take place at the Folly Beach Community Center located at 55 Center Street. The meeting is open for anyone to come and provide their input.
More information on the meeting as well as some of the crash data that will be presented can be found here.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Updated: Sep. 11, 2024 at 1:52 AM PDTFOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach’s City Council heard the first- and last- reading of an ordinance that would have required more safety measures to be added to golf carts Tuesday evening.The proposal went to a vote but failed 4-2.Riding on or driving a golf cart on Folly Beach is a large part of the culture that both locals and residents enjoy.“Golf carts aren’t going to go anywhere on Folly; they are part of the culture,” Folly Beach Council membe...
Updated: Sep. 11, 2024 at 1:52 AM PDT
FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Folly Beach’s City Council heard the first- and last- reading of an ordinance that would have required more safety measures to be added to golf carts Tuesday evening.
The proposal went to a vote but failed 4-2.
Riding on or driving a golf cart on Folly Beach is a large part of the culture that both locals and residents enjoy.
“Golf carts aren’t going to go anywhere on Folly; they are part of the culture,” Folly Beach Council member Chris Bizzell says. “I think anything we can do to make it safer is a good move.”
The proposed ordinance would have require all golf carts and low-speed vehicles operated in the city to have a rear-mounted reflective triangle installed.
This ordinance proposal comes after multiple safety conversations have been had on the island following a deadly crash in April 2023 when a vehicle rear-ended a golf cart, killing a bride on her wedding night.
Before the meeting, council members shared why they were for or against the ordinance being passed.
One council member against the ordinance, D.J. Rich, says he thinks it would entice more people to drive golf carts during the evening hours.
“They’re not designed to be driven at night,” Rich says. “We should not encourage them to be driven at night because that’s going to cause more accidents.”
South Carolina law states golf carts may only be operated during daylight hours.
“We have laws on the books to say they’re not supposed to be driven at night and force the current regulations,” Rich adds. “Let’s get them off the streets; let’s not look for more ways to put them out there in danger.”
On the other side of the argument, Bizzell says Folly Beach City Council should do anything they can to make the roads safer for the community and visitors.
“If you look at statistics, most accidents occur between 4:00 and 8:00. This reflector might give people a little bit more visibility when they’re going down our roads, and again, make it a lot safer,” Bizzell says.
The price of purchasing a reflective triangle varies but on average costs between $15 to $30. For an average owner, that may not be too expensive but for those who own a golf cart business or multiple, the cost could have add up.
The owner of Folly Beach Golf Cart Rentals, David Chandler, is in support of the ordinance, saying he would do anything to keep the public safer.
“It’s such a risky business in general, I want to do anything I can to keep people safe,” Chandler says. “And if $15 for a little orange triangle will do it, I’ll be more than happy.”
“I want people to see the orange triangle and immediately slow down. For them to know that there’s families, little kids, people in the carts that need to stay safe and to either slow down, go around them or anything to keep people safe,” Chandler adds.
The Folly Beach City Council met inside council chambers Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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