Hi, I’m Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende, double board-certified physician and founder of Dr. Sende Wellness in Miami.
Let’s face it – starting a weight loss journey brings up a lot of questions. I hear them every day in my clinic! At our Miami clinic, we focus on providing evidence-based GLP-1 weight loss programs with personalized medical supervision. We are Miami’s top weight loss clinic specializing in GLP-1 medications like Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. I wanted to take some time to answer the questions I’m asked most frequently about our approach to medical weight loss.
Let’s Talk About Our GLP-1 Weight Loss Program
“Dr. Sende, what exactly are these GLP-1 medications, and how do they work?”
Great question! GLP-1 medications are pretty remarkable. They mimic a hormone that your body already produces naturally – one that helps control your appetite and blood sugar.
When you take a GLP-1 medication, a few amazing things happen:
- Your stomach empties more slowly, so you feel satisfied longer after meals
- Your brain receives fewer “I’m hungry!” signals
- Your blood sugar levels stay more balanced
- Many patients tell me their cravings for sweets and high-calorie foods diminish significantly
What I love about these medications is that they work with your body’s own systems. Unlike old-school diet pills that just rev up your metabolism with stimulants, GLP-1s address the actual biological factors that make weight loss so challenging for many people.
“How can weekly GLP-1 injections help me lose weight when diet pills didn’t?”
GLP-1 injections as part of our medical weight loss program work by mimicking a hormone your body naturally produces that regulates appetite and glucose metabolism. When administered, GLP-1 prescriptions provide several beneficial effects. They delay gastric emptying, creating a prolonged sense of satiety after meals. They reduce appetite signals in the brain’s hunger centers. They help stabilize blood glucose levels.
Think about traditional diet pills for a moment—they mainly just suppress your appetite with stimulants, essentially putting a temporary mute button on your hunger signals. GLP-1 weight loss programs are being tout all over the place primarily since they take a unique approach to weight management that wasn’t available in recent years.
Before GLP-1s, I’ve seen countless patients struggle with weight loss despite their best efforts. These medications address what’s actually happening beneath the surface—the biological factors that have made sustainable weight loss so difficult. Rather than simply masking hunger signals like older medications, GLP-1s work alongside your body’s natural processes to help restore balance.
I’ve had friends tell me it’s like someone finally “fixed the broken thermostat” regulating their appetite and metabolism – something that none of the diet pills they had before was able to do for them. The medical evidence is compelling, but what’s most rewarding for me is seeing patients experience not just weight loss, but a fundamentally different relationship with food—often for the first time in their adult lives.
“What makes Dr Sende Wellness weight loss clinic different from other medical weight loss programs I’ve tried?”
I hear this one a lot and the answer in short is – we take a whole patient-centered approach to weight loss!
First, it’s all about medical expertise. I personally develop and oversee every treatment plan. My double board certification and specialization in weight management means your health is in qualified hands.
Second, we don’t just hand you a prescription and wish you luck. We pair Semaglutide or Tirzepatide with FREE, personalized nutrition guidance and continuous medical monitoring. It’s a complete package.
Third, no cookie-cutter approaches here! Your body, your history, and your goals are unique. We customize everything based on your specific situation.
And finally, we’re with you for the journey. The Dr Sende Wellness team provides consistent support to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and make adjustments along the way. You’re never going it alone.
“Am I a good candidate for this type of program?”
I wish I could give a simple yes or no, but the honest answer is: it depends on your individual situation. That said, you’re likely a good candidate if:
- Your BMI is 30 or higher, or if it’s 27+ with related conditions
- You’ve tried diet and exercise but struggled to see lasting results
- You don’t have medical conditions that would make GLP-1 medications unsafe for you
- You want to live healthier and make better decisions with how and when you eat
Simply schedule your complimentary initial assessment to determine eligibility and get all your questions answered before your weight loss appointment.
Your Questions About Treatment
“Be honest, Doc – what kind of results can I actually expect?”
I love this direct question! Studies consistently show that patients on GLP-1 medications who also make lifestyle modifications typically lose about 10-15% of their body weight within the first year of treatment. That’s huge when other weight loss programs have seen you lose 5 pounds and gain 10 back.
Keep in mind, this amount of weight loss is quite significant to a doctor. Some patients reported their blood pressure normalized, sleep apnea improved, and joint pain diminished with this level of weight reduction.
My patients typically notice:
- They’re less hungry and have fewer cravings pretty quickly, often within weeks
- The weight comes off steadily rather than drastically fluctuating
- Health issues like high blood pressure often improve
- They have more energy and find it easier to move
Everyone’s different though! The weight you’ll lose and how quickly it happens depends on so many factors unique to you. Your starting weight matters, of course. So does how consistently you take your medication and follow our nutrition recommendations. Your physical activity plays a big role too.
Then there are things we can’t control as much—your hormonal balance, metabolic rate, and yes, the genetics you inherited from your family. Some patients see dramatic results in the first few months, while others have a more gradual journey.
What I tell everyone in my practice is this: try not to compare your progress to someone else’s. Weight loss requires a personal approach.
“How long will I need to keep doing these GLP-1 shots?”
I always say there’s really no one-size-fits-all answer here. For some patients, 6-12 months works well. Others benefit from longer treatment. Just like we discussed above, weight loss treatments need to be personalized and treatment duration will depend on your body, your goals, and how your body responds to treatment. Oftentimes smaller, precisely calibrated doses of GLP-1 medications—what we call microdosing—can be an effective approach for maintaining weight loss.
At Dr Sende Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach. We’ll work together to determine the right timeline for you, including whether to eventually transition off the medication or even whether to continue with them for a longer-term.
“What about side effects? Will I feel awful?”
Most of my patients handle these medications surprisingly well, especially because we start with lower doses and increase gradually. The most common side effects include:
- Some mild nausea (this typically improves as your body adjusts)
- Changes in digestion
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Sometimes headaches
The good news? Serious side effects are rare. And we’ll monitor you closely, advise you on a microdosing approach, and adjust your dosage to find the sweet spot where you get results with minimal discomfort.
“Can’t I just get this medication online? Do I really need medical supervision?”
I get why this question comes up – we’re all busy and looking for convenience, but I’ve seen patients come to me after getting GLP-1 medications from questionable sources, and some have experienced serious complications. The reality is that counterfeit or improperly manufactured medications are out there. When you get your treatment from a board-certified physician like myself, your medication comes from legitimate, regulated pharmacies that meet strict quality and safety standards.
Your health isn’t the place to cut corners.
Medical supervision isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
- Safety comes first – proper screening ensures the medication is right for you, and monitoring catches any issues early.
- We will need to fine-tune your treatment for optimal results. Maybe your dosage needs adjustment, or perhaps complementary approaches would enhance your progress.
- Weight management isn’t just about medication you take. My team provides complimentary guidance on nutrition, exercise, and behavioral changes that work synergistically with the medication.
- Many people with weight concerns have other health conditions that need careful attention during weight loss.
My Commitment to Your Success
Here’s my promise to you: at Dr. Sende Wellness, we’re all in on supporting your weight loss journey. Our GLP-1 program offers a science-backed approach to sustainable weight loss with the medical expertise and personal attention you deserve.
Ready to define your relationship with weight? Schedule your appointment at our Miami clinic or via Telemedicine today and let’s take that first step together.
Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende is double board-certified and specializes in medical weight management at Dr. Sende Wellness in Miami, Florida.
