Florida Surgery & Weight Loss | Dr. Sergey Terushkin, MD, FACS
Key Takeaways
Turn on the news or scroll through TikTok, and you will see it: Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound™) are being hailed as the “end of obesity.”
And in many ways, they are. These medications are delivering weight loss results we previously only saw with surgery. But this popularity has created a dangerous side effect: trivialization.
Because these drugs are so effective, many people treat them like a stronger version of a vitamin. You can buy them from online tele-health startups, aesthetic spas, and even “gym buddies.”
This is a mistake. These are complex biological agents that fundamentally change how your body processes energy, digests food, and signals the brain. Starting them without a trusted, experienced medical partner is like driving a sports car at 100 mph without wearing a seatbelt.
Here is why seeing a specialist like a Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeon is non-negotiable for your safety and success.
If you buy a vial online, you are often left to figure out the side effects on your own. The data shows that side effects are a reality for nearly half of users.
Common Gastrointestinal Effects:
The Medical Advantage: When you experience these symptoms alone, you might quit. When you are under Dr. Terushkin’s care, we manage them.
Beyond a tummy ache, these medications carry rare but serious risks that an online questionnaire might miss.
The “Red Flag” Screen: We screen for personal and family histories of Medullary Thyroid Cancer and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)—absolute contraindications that “pill mills” often overlook.
One of the biggest reasons to see a doctor is to understand that these drugs are metabolic therapy, not just diet shots. When managed correctly, the benefits extend to your entire organ system.
Cardiovascular Protection: Studies show Semaglutide can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 20% in high-risk populations. We monitor your blood pressure to ensure you are reaping these rewards.
Kidney & Brain Health: Emerging research suggests these drugs may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and even offer neuroprotective benefits.
Addiction Control: Many of our patients report a reduction in “food noise” and cravings for substances like alcohol and nicotine. This is likely linked to the drug’s effect on the brain’s reward centers. A doctor can help you leverage this effect to break bad habits permanently.
The most ignored risk of GLP-1 medications is Sarcopenia (muscle loss). When you crush your appetite, you stop eating everything—including the protein your muscles need to survive.
The Danger: If you lose 20 lbs, and 8 lbs of that is muscle, you have actually slowed down your metabolism. As soon as you stop the drug, you will regain the weight as fat, ending up with a higher body fat percentage than when you started.
The Medical Fix: We don’t just hand you a pen. We provide:
Do you want to be on this medication forever? Most online clinics want you to be, because that keeps the subscription revenue flowing.
Our goal is different. We view these medications as tools, not crutches. From Day 1, we are working on your Exit Strategy—building the nutritional habits and metabolic flexibility that will allow you to eventually taper off the medication and maintain your new weight.
Medical Disclaimer
Educational Purposes Only: The information on this page is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as Dr. Sergey Terushkin, MD, FACS, regarding any medical condition or procedure. Individual results, recovery times, and treatment outcomes may vary. In case of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Real people, REAL RESULTS! Check out a few of the many people that we have helped reach their ideal weight goals over the years.
