GLP-1 Weekly Injection
Dual GLP-1 + GIP
Non-Injectable Option
Fast-start Appetide control
Fast-start Appetide control
Most people who walk in here have already tried. They’ve done the diets. Counted the calories. Paid for the programs. Lost weight, gained it back, and blamed themselves for it.
Here’s what nobody told them: weight loss resistance is often a metabolic and hormonal problem, not a discipline problem. The body actively fights against fat loss through hunger hormones, blood sugar signaling, and metabolic adaptation. Trying harder with the same tools does not fix a system problem.
Medical weight loss fixes the system.
At South Beach Wellness Center, we offer provider-supervised medical weight loss programs for adults in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, and across the Tampa Bay area. Maribel Dixon, MSN, APRN FNP-C evaluates your individual health, metabolism, and history before recommending any medication. The result is a program built for your body, not a one-size protocol handed to every patient who walks through the door.
Maribel Dixon, MSN, APRN FNP-C
Medical weight loss uses FDA-approved and clinically studied medications, combined with ongoing provider supervision, to treat weight loss as what it actually is: a medical condition with medical solutions.
This is not a supplement program. Not a meal replacement plan. Not a gym membership with a nutrition handout. It is a clinical approach that combines proven medications with body composition monitoring, nutritional guidance, and regular follow-up to produce results that last.
We start with a $100 initial consultation that includes a detailed body composition measurement using our seca mBCA Alpha medical-grade scanner, a full diet and nutrition review, and a physical exam to confirm you are a good candidate for weight loss medication. From there, Maribel builds your protocol.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are the most clinically proven class of weight loss medications available today. They work by targeting the hormonal and neurological systems that control hunger, blood sugar, and digestion. Patients who have struggled for years with weight loss resistance consistently see meaningful results with GLP-1 therapy under medical supervision.
We offer both primary GLP-1 options:
Semaglutide is a once-weekly injectable medication that acts on GLP-1 receptors throughout the body.
In the brain, it reduces appetite and quiets food cravings by acting on the hypothalamus, the region that controls hunger signals. Patients often describe this as a significant reduction in “food noise,” the constant background pull toward eating that makes staying on track so difficult.
In the gut, semaglutide slows gastric emptying so food stays in the stomach longer. You feel full sooner and stay full longer between meals.
In the pancreas, it boosts insulin release in response to meals while lowering excess glucagon, which helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce the spikes that drive fat storage.
Clinical trials showed patients losing 10 to 15 percent of body weight with semaglutide. For a 200-pound patient, that is 20 to 30 pounds of meaningful, sustained fat loss.
We offer Wegovy (brand semaglutide) as well as compounded semaglutide options for patients who require dose flexibility or are managing side effects with a more gradual titration approach.
Tirzepatide is a newer once-weekly injectable that acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously. The dual mechanism gives it a stronger metabolic effect than single-agonist GLP-1 medications for many patients.
In addition to the appetite and blood sugar benefits shared with semaglutide, tirzepatide improves insulin sensitivity, positively influences lipid markers, and has shown stronger fat loss results in head-to-head comparisons. Clinical trials showed patients achieving 15 to 20 percent or more body weight reduction, making it the most effective medication in this class currently available.
We offer Zepbound (brand tirzepatide) as well as compounded tirzepatide for patients who need individualized dosing protocols.
Which medication is right for you? That decision gets made at your consultation based on your health history, weight loss goals, prior medication responses, and Maribel’s clinical assessment. We do not pre-assign medications before we know your picture.
The scale tells you how much you weigh. It does not tell you what you are losing.
This is a meaningful gap in most weight loss programs. A patient can lose muscle mass while the scale goes down and actually end up in worse metabolic health than when they started. A patient on GLP-1 therapy can plateau on the scale while visceral fat is actively decreasing. Without body composition data, you are navigating without a map.
Our clinic uses the seca mBCA Alpha, a medical-grade body composition analyzer that delivers a complete metabolic picture in 24 seconds.
The seca mBCA uses an 8-point bioelectrical impedance analysis system to measure:
✅ Skeletal muscle mass
✅ Visceral fat levels
✅ Body fat percentage
✅ Fat-free mass
✅ Water balance and distribution
✅ Phase angle (a marker of cellular health)
It is clinically validated against gold standards including whole-body MRI and the 4-compartment model. It handles patients up to 800 pounds. Your results are saved to a cloud-based report you can review at any time, and we compare them at each visit to track exactly how your body is changing.
For patients on semaglutide, tirzepatide, NOM, or phentermine, this data directly informs your protocol. If muscle mass drops, we adjust. If visceral fat is decreasing faster than the scale reflects, we show you. Many patients find this data more motivating than any other single part of the program because it shows progress the scale cannot.
NOM therapy is a compounded combination of three ingredients that work together to address weight loss from a different angle than GLP-1 medications.
Naltrexone reduces cravings and supports improved metabolic function. At low doses it has shown benefit in appetite regulation and food reward pathways.
Oxytocin helps stabilize mood and reduce emotional eating, one of the most underaddressed drivers of weight gain and regain.
Methylcobalamin (B12) supports energy production and overall vitality, addressing the fatigue that often accompanies caloric reduction and metabolic change.
NOM therapy is a strong option for patients who have experienced side effects on GLP-1 medications, patients who want to address emotional eating alongside physical hunger, or patients who prefer a non-injectable approach. It is also used in combination with GLP-1 therapy in some protocols.
Phentermine is an FDA-approved prescription appetite suppressant approved for short-term use. It works by stimulating the central nervous system to reduce hunger and increase energy, giving patients the early momentum they need to establish new habits and see initial results.
Our phentermine program includes provider supervision, ongoing progress monitoring, and guidance on nutrition and lifestyle to support results beyond the medication window. It is available for adults in Wesley Chapel, Lutz, and the surrounding area.
Phentermine is not appropriate for every patient. Contraindications include cardiovascular conditions, certain medications, and specific health histories. Maribel reviews all of this at your consultation before prescribing.
Medical weight loss at South Beach Wellness Center is appropriate for adults dealing with:
A medically supervised, medication-assisted approach to weight management for patients who have not achieved results with diet and exercise alone.
GLP-1 medications were originally developed for diabetes management. Weight loss in patients with Type 2 diabetes consistently improves blood sugar control, often reducing medication needs.
Our programs target the core markers of metabolic syndrome simultaneously, including blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and body composition.
Weight loss reduces strain on the cardiovascular system. GLP-1 medications have also shown direct cardiovascular benefits in clinical trials independent of weight loss alone.
Both are frequently improved with meaningful weight reduction and are monitored throughout your program.
Patients come to us from Zephyrhills, Trinity, Odessa, and Dade City because they want a provider who actually monitors their progress, not just a prescription with a monthly refill.
Your first visit is the $100 consultation. It includes your seca mBCA body composition scan, a full diet and nutrition review, and a physical exam. Maribel reviews your health history, your prior weight loss attempts, and your current medications before making any recommendations.
If you are a good candidate for medication, your protocol is prescribed at that visit or shortly after. Follow-up visits monitor your labs, body composition, side effects, and results. Protocols are adjusted based on what your data shows, not on a fixed schedule.
We offer both in-person and telehealth visits for weight loss patients throughout Florida.
How do GLP-1 medications help with weight loss?
GLP-1 receptor agonists work through three main pathways. They reduce appetite and food cravings by acting on the brain’s hunger centers. They slow digestion so you feel full longer after eating. And they improve blood sugar regulation, which reduces the hormonal signals that drive fat storage. The combined effect is a meaningful reduction in how much you eat and how efficiently your body processes what you consume.
What makes tirzepatide different from semaglutide?
Tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, while semaglutide activates GLP-1 only. The dual action gives tirzepatide a stronger effect on insulin sensitivity and metabolic function in addition to appetite reduction. Clinical data shows greater average weight loss with tirzepatide than with semaglutide, though individual results vary and the right choice depends on your specific health picture.
Are GLP-1 medications right for everyone?
Not everyone is a candidate. These medications are typically recommended for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition. They are not appropriate for patients with certain personal or family histories of thyroid conditions, pancreatitis, or specific gastrointestinal disorders. Your consultation includes a full health review to confirm candidacy before any medication is recommended.
What results can I expect with semaglutide or tirzepatide?
Clinical trials showed average weight loss of 10 to 15 percent of body weight with semaglutide and 15 to 20 percent or more with tirzepatide. Individual results depend on adherence, starting weight, metabolic health, lifestyle factors, and how long you remain on the medication. Most patients begin seeing meaningful results within the first 8 to 12 weeks.
What are the potential side effects?
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal: nausea, mild constipation, and reduced appetite. These are most pronounced during the early dose titration phase and typically improve as the body adjusts. We start at low doses and increase gradually to minimize side effects. Patients who cannot tolerate standard doses may be good candidates for compounded formulations that allow slower titration.
How much does medical weight loss cost at South Beach Wellness Center?
The initial consultation is $100 and includes your body composition scan, nutrition review, and physical exam. Medication costs vary depending on the protocol prescribed and whether brand or compounded options are used. Maribel will review pricing with you at your consultation so you have a clear picture before you commit to anything.
Schedule your $100 medical weight loss consultation with Maribel Dixon, MSN, APRN FNP-C at South Beach Wellness Center. We serve patients in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Zephyrhills, Trinity, and throughout Florida via telehealth.
