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 Wadmalaw Island, 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 Wadmalaw Island, 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.
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The grandson of a Lowcountry Gullah Geechee farmer is reflecting on his journey of leaning into leadership and what drives his passion for agriculture.CJ Dillahunt, 22, will be the next to inherit Joseph Fields Farm. Planting, harvesting and moving produce into the hands of the community was how he spent every day since he was four years old.“On school weekends and school breaks. It was just really fun to go with my grandfather up to Columbia with him in the morning, big vehicles and stacked tr...
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The grandson of a Lowcountry Gullah Geechee farmer is reflecting on his journey of leaning into leadership and what drives his passion for agriculture.
CJ Dillahunt, 22, will be the next to inherit Joseph Fields Farm. Planting, harvesting and moving produce into the hands of the community was how he spent every day since he was four years old.
“On school weekends and school breaks. It was just really fun to go with my grandfather up to Columbia with him in the morning, big vehicles and stacked trucks or whatever. There was stuff for us to bring back home,” Dillahunt said.
Dillahunt said he starts the day around 7 a.m. He acts as a foreman, overseeing employees, loading trucks, tagging produce and operating tractors.
“Most days are similar; they all have their differences. It’s not just a job or a career. It’s almost like a lifestyle,” Dillahunt said. “It’s something you can’t just flip on and off like a light switch. I take a lot of pride.”
The farm uses practices and tools that follow generations of Black farmers, creating a fixture on Johns Island in the wake of challenges within the agriculture industry.
Joseph Fields, a third-generation Gullah Geechee farmer and CJ’s grandfather, owns the 50-acre property. His wife, Helen Fields, is one of many family members at the core of the farm’s survival.
“I have been married to a farmer for 53 years, it’s a part of me. And it’s his heritage,” Helen Fields said.
Joseph will pass the baton to CJ, who will continue the legacy. In the meantime, his wife is creating ways for people of all ages to learn about the industry so it continues to thrive.
“It’s no question about it. The task isn’t easy, but it can be done,” Helen Fields said.
She began working on the farm at 13 years old alongside Joseph. Years later, they got married. She said it is her lifelong dream to open a museum on the property.
The farm allows tours and has a staffed roadside market on River Road. For those interested in learning more about Joseph Fields Farm, click here.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
JOHNS ISLAND — An undeveloped Charleston County island that belonged to a Quaker colonist's family for 220 years will soon be home to 10 new households.The 55-acre Hoopstick Island between Wadmalaw and Johns islands was first formally conveyed by an English royal land grant in July 1717 to Abraham Wright.The land was part of a larger 96-acre property that Wright passed down through his female lineage until the family sold it in 1937.More...
JOHNS ISLAND — An undeveloped Charleston County island that belonged to a Quaker colonist's family for 220 years will soon be home to 10 new households.
The 55-acre Hoopstick Island between Wadmalaw and Johns islands was first formally conveyed by an English royal land grant in July 1717 to Abraham Wright.
The land was part of a larger 96-acre property that Wright passed down through his female lineage until the family sold it in 1937.
More than 80 years and several owners later, an Atlanta-based investor and developer paid $7.5 million for the property that is zoned for a maximum of 10 estate lots — eight with deep-water access.
Reservations are now open for the first phase of sales.
SFG Hoopstick Island LLC, is an affiliate of developer Stonemont Financial Group of Atlanta, is the owner, according to Charleston County land records.
Sean McDonell, senior vice president with Stonemont Financial Group, said this is the company’s first venture into the Charleston market and was presented by a friend of the owner.
“Once we got our arms around it, it wasn’t necessarily that Charleston was never a target on our market list as much as it was the opportunity was so unique and that’s why we pursued it,” he said.
Charles McIntosh with The Cassina Group, which represented Stonemont in its 2022 purchase and is also handling the lots sales, said the previous owner of the property was looking for a private place to create a family compound. It bought Hoopstick, which is why the 10-unit development plan was already in place.
Stonemont saw no reason to change the plans, McDonnell said.
“One of the thoughts we had was you’ve got this undeveloped piece of property that dates back a long, long time," he said. "So we want to take our time and really think through what’s going to be developed here so that we preserve as much of the natural part of the island as possible. It would almost be a shame to move too quickly and make sort of uninformed decisions.”
During the three years of planning, McDonnell said his firm spent time with land planners, architects and builders, asking their ideas and experience in developing similar property — what worked and didn't or what they would have done differently.
The island will be sold in phases. The first four lots are listed, with one under contract. The asking price was $3.45 million for 20.11 acres — a mix of 4.61 acres of high ground and 15.5 acres of marsh.
The smallest of the four, with 4.03 acres of high ground and 8 acres of marshland, hit the market May 9 for $2.75 million. The other two are going for $3.2 million and $3 million and are between 6 and 8 acres.
Once developed, the island with over a mile of deep-water frontage along Bohicket Creek, will be gated, but McDonell said the plan is to keep the property as natural as possible.
The single existing causeway leading the island will be resurfaced with shell aggregate, not asphalt, he said. The enclave won’t have an amenity space, but will have a common green area for a potential garden.
Development plans also call for keeping as many trees as possible, McDonell said. Buyers can then design their houses and layouts based on the natural layout of the environment.
“There is a set of architectural guidelines for the property, but the vision is for the homes to be a Lowcountry style and blend with the surroundings,” McIntosh said.
Robertson Allen, founder of The Cassina Group, said he anticipates closing on all lots in the first part of 2026 given the demand for waterfront living and the lack of available property.
“We’re surrounded by water, but true deep-water opportunities are not a dime a dozen,” he said. “I feel like Hoopstick gives someone a unique opportunity to have a short-dock and an estate-sized piece of property very close to town.”
JOHNS ISLAND — A real estate group is hoping to repurpose a long-abandoned property once used for packing tomatoes into a commercial and industrial complex.The former DiMare packing facility, on Main Road behind the popular Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café, has been vacant for roughly 15 years.Currently owned by GHP Main LLC, the 16-acre property ...
JOHNS ISLAND — A real estate group is hoping to repurpose a long-abandoned property once used for packing tomatoes into a commercial and industrial complex.
The former DiMare packing facility, on Main Road behind the popular Stono Market & Tomato Shed Café, has been vacant for roughly 15 years.
Currently owned by GHP Main LLC, the 16-acre property with two buildings and a rusty fence could soon be sold to a Miami-based real estate firm.
The site first needs to be deemed abandoned so the buyer, Obelisk Real Estate Partners, can receive the S.C. Income Tax Credit under the state’s Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, which offers financial incentives to investors that rehabilitate empty or underutilized buildings.
Charleston County Council was to review a certificate of abandonment for the site — meaning the property has been at least 66 percent vacant for five years — at its June 5 finance committee meeting.
Merle Johnson, county economic development director, said Obelisk will be investing $21 million to rehabilitate the property and upgrade the already existing buildings to fit warehousing, storage, distribution and other commercial uses.
Johnson added the deal is an opportunity for the county to take up an abandoned building and repurpose it so it can become a functional site.
The property was a place for local farms on Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island to pack and ship their tomatoes, county planning director Joel Evans said. He added longtime residents of Johns Island had told him there was a time when the majority of the tomatoes on the East Coast came from one island or the other.
Barbara Ambrose, owner of Tomato Shed Café next door, remembers when the packing plant was in business. The café was named after the operation, she said.
“That’s why we opened the restaurant,” she said. “To feed the workers.”
Ambrose added while she’s still not sure what the specific plans for the site are, she’s happy the property is being repurposed and won’t be wasted.
But Ambrose isn’t worried about any further traffic the commercial and industrial park could bring. Running the Tomato Shed Café for more than 30 years and living further down Main Road, she said traffic gets backed up along Main Road past the restaurant every afternoon anyway, and some mornings.
“I don’t think you’re going to notice a difference,” Ambrose said. “It’s already so bad.”
Representatives of Obelisk declined to comment about the firm's plans.
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A new county park is coming to Johns Island.Lowcountry Land Trust and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission are working to restore waterway access to the public after acquiring 66 acres of land. Just over $2.6 million was part of the land purchase, as well as some being donated to the Lowcountry Land Trust.“It’s no secret that Johns Island is facing a tremendous amount of growth, and so any conservation projects like this that protect natural resources on the island and provide...
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A new county park is coming to Johns Island.
Lowcountry Land Trust and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission are working to restore waterway access to the public after acquiring 66 acres of land. Just over $2.6 million was part of the land purchase, as well as some being donated to the Lowcountry Land Trust.
“It’s no secret that Johns Island is facing a tremendous amount of growth, and so any conservation projects like this that protect natural resources on the island and provide access to the public to enjoy these properties is a big success,” Charleston County Greenbelt Program Deputy Director Chris Dubuque said.
Right now, the area about three miles north of the Angel Oak is mostly woods, but once it’s converted to a county park, it will allow waterway access as well as opportunities to walk, hike and participate in paddle sports.
The project, involving the land around Simmons Creek, aims to restore the community’s historic access to the water while preserving the area’s natural beauty and ecological health. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will manage the property once turned into a county park. The project will also protect the surrounding forests and fields and preserve water quality.
The goal is to keep the area as natural as possible while allowing everyone in the community to enjoy it.
“With the exception of any minimal improvements to make it accessible to the public, what type of improvements would that be? Well, it would probably be parking improvements one day, maybe a restroom, maybe an improved dock to provide access to the waterway. Accessibility is the main concern for our agency, so making sure the trails are accessible for people of all abilities,” Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission Senior Planner Matt Moldenhauer said.
Several organizations were crucial in making it all come together. The Lowcountry Land Trust and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission worked together to develop the project, and the Charleston County Greenbelt Department and State Conservation Bank, along with generous donors, worked to fund it.
With this project, the Angel Oak Preserve, and the recent acquisitions of Main Road Park and Grayson Oaks, the goal is to build a vibrant network of conserved lands honoring the island’s unique character and enhancing the community’s connection to nature.
“Sometimes that means trying to do land protection projects that are side by side, but there is also the ability to do things that are in the vicinity of each other where animals for instance might be able to use multiple of these properties to meet their lifecycle needs,” Lowcountry Land Trust Chief Conservation Officer David Ray said.
Dubuque said it’s a long process, and the application indicated more than five years before it would be open to the public. The county will be taking public input as it goes about designing the park in the future.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A decades-old plan for a Johns Island neighborhood and golf course gets the green light from Charleston County leaders.A plan called the Orange Hill Planned Development project is the works to add a 120-home neighborhood and a golf course is set for about 933 acres of land along Rivers and Bohicket Roads on Johns Island. Project developers, Kiawah Resort Associates LP, are working to use just over 720 acres of that land for the development called ‘Real Property’, ...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A decades-old plan for a Johns Island neighborhood and golf course gets the green light from Charleston County leaders.
A plan called the Orange Hill Planned Development project is the works to add a 120-home neighborhood and a golf course is set for about 933 acres of land along Rivers and Bohicket Roads on Johns Island. Project developers, Kiawah Resort Associates LP, are working to use just over 720 acres of that land for the development called ‘Real Property’, according to plans. The over 200 acres remaining will be under a conservancy tract.
Kiawah Resort Associates LP partner and project applicant, Jordan Phillips, says the project benefits the area as a solution to golf course demands.
“The project will really help alleviate compaction on golf courses and provide additional residential housing units,” Phillips says.
Current proposed plans are a change from an 180-home idea that developers presented to the Charleston County Council in 2005. District 8 Councilmember Joe Boykin says development with original plans would impact Charleston County’s Urban Growth Boundary.
“I think in the end, it was far better than the by-right development plan they already had,” Boykin says. “If this had been done a long time ago, this area would have been out of the Urban Growth Boundary and probably not have been supported, but it predates that.”
Charleston County Council approved to move forward on the development in a first reading on Tuesday. Boykin calls the plan a “win-win” for the area as developers included support efforts towards affordable housing in the area.
The Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization Department, which focuses on housing and communities, will get $1 million in property funds. Those funds will come from the project over the course of five years. Developers say another $500,000 will go towards the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity.
Boykin says the housing contributions are a chance to keep money on the island.
“We have a real problem with workers going to Kiawah to support that, well, one of Charleston County’s largest employers,” Boykin says. “They can’t afford to live on Johns Island, so they come from far off, which causes more congestion on our roadways. So this is a win-win all the way around.”
A second reading of the plan by council leaders will take place on July 22. A public hearing will also take place.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Call Now: 843-705-1515
