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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, 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.
ROCK HILL — There's plenty of places to grab a hot dog around Rock Hill. And one man has been to virtually all of them.Now there's one more. Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs opened Feb. 13 its new location at 1818 Bagwell Circle, off Celanese Road, west of Interstate 77."They serve up an all beef hot dog in its natural casings," said Nate Mallard, a real estate agent who creates ...
ROCK HILL — There's plenty of places to grab a hot dog around Rock Hill. And one man has been to virtually all of them.
Now there's one more. Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs opened Feb. 13 its new location at 1818 Bagwell Circle, off Celanese Road, west of Interstate 77.
"They serve up an all beef hot dog in its natural casings," said Nate Mallard, a real estate agent who creates hot dog review videos on Facebook. "It's a standout hot dog."
His routine is to pick up Nathan's from grocery stores and cook them at home. But he's happy to have the fast food option, plus a new place to record a review.
"I'm very excited that they'll be just four minutes away from me," Mallard said.
Most people may know of Nathan's from its Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest from Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., turning competitive-eating champions Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi into annual fixtures on ESPN.
The restaurants have expanded into 13 states. The Rock Hill opening is the fifth Nathan's restaurant in South Carolina, and there's one in Charlotte as well.
Look for burgers, cheesesteaks and milkshakes on the menu as well.
Lake Wylie Pizza and Italian
This will be the second location in York County for Lake Wylie Pizza, but it's not in Lake Wylie. Instead, the new spot opened Feb. 10 at 1075 Filbert Highway in the town of York, in the same shopping plaza as Food Lion.
KB Cakes Bakery
In downtown Clover, a new place for sweet treats held its grand opening on Feb. 14. KB Cakes is at 125 N. Main St., offering a range of cake pops, cupcakes and cheesecakes.
Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar
The Myrtle Beach-based dessert shop has expanded to Fort Mill for its 12th location.
Founded by Bo and Sherri Steele, the chain's menu features multiple desserts served in cups, between chocolate chip cookies or in the store’s signature mason jars. The company is known for locally grown produce and toppings sourced from partnerships with local bakeries and businesses.
Praters Bakery
Dessert makers are opening — and reopening — their doors throughout York County.
At Praters, they're offering Southern-influenced treats based on locally grown ingredients. The shop is located at 2210 India Hook Road, Suite 101, in Rock Hill. They previously had a location on Ebenezer Road. They reopened at the new place on Feb. 1.
The latest plans for a much-anticipated new 105-acre park in Rock Hill show sports fields, playgrounds, a food truck area, amphitheater seating and ponds with a boardwalk trail.The city applied to rezone most of the property for what’s for now called Southside Regional Park, which will span from Heckle Boulevard to Main Street. That application prompted a concept plan showing where certain features might g...
The latest plans for a much-anticipated new 105-acre park in Rock Hill show sports fields, playgrounds, a food truck area, amphitheater seating and ponds with a boardwalk trail.
The city applied to rezone most of the property for what’s for now called Southside Regional Park, which will span from Heckle Boulevard to Main Street. That application prompted a concept plan showing where certain features might go.
The city plans to add more property to the park. When complete it could be about twice the size of other landmark sport sites in the city, in Cherry Park and Manchester Meadows.
The layout and land uses aren’t final, but the plan offers the latest glimpse into city plans for the site. The project will cost an estimated $40 million. A current cost opening timeline from the city wasn’t immediately available.
The largest developed area would go just north of the American Legion Post 34 on Heckle Boulevard. A full-size baseball field would have seating for up to 600 spectators. Two youth baseball fields and an amphitheater would be beside it.
Four more fields in a clover leaf design could be used for various sports.
They each have space for a small football field, a large baseball field or up to three smaller baseball or softball fields. Each of the clover leaf fields would have seating for up to 250 spectators.
The concept plan also shows two basketball courts, pickleball courts, two playground areas, two shelters with restrooms, nine covered batting cages in two spots, grassy overflow parking or event space, ponds with a boardwalk, concession stands and nearly 700 paved parking spaces in the main area.
Across a stream, there’s another section of the park near Sidney, Florence and Morgan streets.
The plan shows two full-size football fields with seating for 800 spectators. There’s a ticket booth, turf warm-up area and concession stand.
Three more basketball courts and a community building off Florence Street sit just beside where the park will connect to a future development phase.
Though the final layout isn’t confirmed, it’s close to set, city parks and recreation director Mark Sexton said in an online update last month. “The concept is really in place,” he said. “I think our community has spoken about some of the things they want to see in that park.”
In addition to park features, the property will connect to Rock Hill’s ambitious Storyline project.
Storyline is an urban linear park that connects attractions, landmarks and gathering spots from Winthrop University to Fountain Park. It will add a large pedestrian bridge across Dave Lyle Boulevard downtown, paid for by a more than $10 million federal grant.
The city owns the Southside Regional Park properties up for rezoning. They include Arcade Park, public works space, trails and vacant property.
The city Planning Commission will review the zoning request Tuesday. Rock Hill City Council will make the final decision.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM.
The Herald
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:▪ The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.▪ The Fort Mill School District will clo...
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:
▪ The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
▪ The Fort Mill School District will close all facilities Friday. Students will move to eLearning. After-school activities, including sports, are canceled. District facilities will be closed Saturday, too. Schools are commonly used on weekends for basketball, robotics and other events.
▪ The Clover School District will use remote learning on Friday. Students won’t have live instruction but will be given assignments to complete. School staff will be available online for support. Athletic events for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
▪ The York School District will go to remote learning Friday. All athletic events are canceled for Friday and Saturday.
▪ The Lancaster County School District will close Friday and go to eLearning. All school facilities will be closed and all scheduled events at them canceled Friday through Sunday.
▪ The Chester County School District will go to remote learning Friday, and school district facilities will be closed Friday through Sunday. Students will be given work for Friday to complete, but won’t have online classes.
▪ York Prep will go to a half-day schedule on Friday. Kindergarten through fourth grade will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Friday, with older grades dismissed at noon. All after-school activities Friday are canceled.
▪ Legion Collegiate Academy postponed all of Friday’s basketball games. Saturday’s girls game will be played in February.
▪ Riverwalk Academy will have an early release day Friday. Kindergarten through fifth grade will finish school at 11:05 a.m. Older grades will finish at 11:30 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service listed a winter storm watch for Rock Hill.
The forecast showed a chance of snow before 2 p.m. Friday, and an 80% chance of precipitation afterward with a mix of snow, sleet and ice. Freezing rain and sleet would continue Friday night with a 100% chance of precipitation after 7 p.m. The forecast low is 29 degrees.
January 09, 2025 11:46 AM
Saturday would have a chance of sleet before 7 a.m. and morning fog, with a 30% chance of precipitation on a mostly sunny day. The expected high temperature is 42 degrees. A low of 19 degrees on Saturday night would be followed by several days of high temperatures in the low 40s and lows in the low 20s.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill Schools Superintendent is stepping down just four years after taking the job.Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe spoke with that superintendent one-on-one about his decision.Tommy Schmolze took the job back in 2021, coming in after a superintendent who quit one week into that school year.ALSO READ: Rock Hill Schools nam...
ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill Schools Superintendent is stepping down just four years after taking the job.
Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe spoke with that superintendent one-on-one about his decision.
Tommy Schmolze took the job back in 2021, coming in after a superintendent who quit one week into that school year.
After 32 years in education, Schmolze decided to step down at the end of the week.
“I have decided to announce that I’ll be retiring effective January 31st,” said Schmolze. “I knew this time would come; what I was hoping was to finish out the year, but I understand leadership transition.”
Including interim superintendents, there will now have been four leaders of this school district in four years.
The school board voted 6 to 1 to accept his resignation. Board Trustee Jennifer Hutchinson was the lone vote against it.
“I did not necessarily agree with the manner in which things were handled. I really care about Dr. Schmooze; I appreciate his leadership,” said Hutchinson.
Schmolze said he wasn’t fired or forced out; rather, he and the school board have been discussing the best way to transition to new leadership.
However, he admits leaving in the middle of the school year could be disruptive.
“I think it could, if not done right; we’ve done a really good job of preparing our leadership team for this moment,” Schmolze elaborated.
But Schmolze’s surprise announcement was not an eyebrow-raising moment. '
Board Trustee James Burns’ request for a district audit comes after Channel 9 revealed last month that the district was cutting several high-level positions to get more money in the classroom.
“I come to you tonight to ask for your help with an independent analysis of the Rock Hill Schools budget,” Burns said. “I, like many of you here, am ready to turn the page on some programs and positions that overlap, creating confusion and, most of all, time-consuming training.”
Channel 9 asked Schmolze if Burn’s request was related to his earlier-than-expected retirement. He said, as far as his future plans, this would be his last time working for a school district.
“Not interconnected at all,” Schmolze explained. “What I’ll be looking at doing is how to coach principals, how to coach superintendents, and how to coach leaders in public ed to keep the focus on the kids.”
Doctor John Jones, who is currently the deputy superintendent, will be taking over as interim superintendent while the school board conducts a national search for Schmolze’s replacement.
As for a districtwide audit, all of the board members voted in favor of it.
VIDEO: ‘Had to be made’: Rock Hill Schools says job cuts will get more money into classrooms
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Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Frida...
Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.
York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Friday afternoon and has issued a winter storm warning that lasts through Saturday morning.
The Rock Hill area — from Lake Wylie east to Indian Land and Fort Mill — could see about an inch of snow and .3 inches of ice, the NWS said. That ice amount could cause roads to freeze and trees and power lines to be knocked down, officials said.
“Snow and ice accumulations will make many roads treacherous and impassable,” the weather service said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
The official winter storm warning — upgraded from a watch — is issued when “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent,” according to the NWS web site.
[As of 12:10PM 1/9] A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, but any decisions to upgrade to Warnings/Advisories will be done by 4:00PM as we evaluate new model guidance and trends. pic.twitter.com/GI2vNhUIkv
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 9, 2025
Area schools have already decided to close or have remote classes Friday and have canceled extra-curricular activities.
Emergency officials have issued a travel advisory urging people to stay off the roads from Friday until icy conditions abate.
“Travel is probably going to be our biggest issue,” said York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes. “Overnight Friday into Saturday, it really has a chance to get dangerous.”
Temperatures Saturday even as skies clear are not expected to rise much over 40 degrees, with lows Saturday night around or below 20 degrees. That means areas that remain wet could refreeze Saturday night into Sunday, said Darren Player, Lancaster County emergency management director.
Officials said even if main roads such as I-77, U.S. 21 and U.S. 521 are clear, secondary roads can be hazardous because they receive less traffic and direct sunlight after a storm passes.
Freezing rain on trees and power lines can cause widespread problems, officials said.
“The weight of the snow and ice on tree limbs and power lines could produce numerous outages,” the weather service said.
If there are power outages, people can check online maps that are updated freqquently by Duke Energy, York Electric Cooperative, and the city of Rock Hill Utilities.
For problems or information, York County officials suggest using these numbers:
▪ Duke Energy 800-769-3766.
▪ York Electric Cooperative 866-374-1234
▪ Rock Hill Utilities 803-329-5500
▪ Comporium 888-403-2667
▪ York County Natural Gas 866-201-1001
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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