The Substance of Weight-Loss Medicine

by Carly Murray | May 29, 2025

Living in America while trying to lose weight can feel like an unwinnable battle. Fast-food and junk-food companies’ advertising is subliminally and effectively ingrained in our heads from early childhood, while simultaneously, beauty and entertainment companies—with the help of photo editing—present an unrealistic standard of physicality.

Injectable weight loss medications began trending in Hollywood within the past few years, the results were stunning—but initially still unattainable to the average, working class individual. Now that these medications have been further expanded, their potential has challenged major food companies, because they have proven to successfully suppress appetites during use. However, many were designed as a medical necessity, so they may not be for everyone.

South Jersey Magazine spoke with local medical professionals for their analyses of weight-loss medications, the varied options and their development.

How have weight loss medications evolved from their initial discovery?

“Weight loss medications have progressed from early stimulants like amphetamines (1930s) to appetite suppressants (phentermine, fen-phen) and fat blockers (orlistat, 1999). Safety concerns led to the rise of hormonal treatments, notably GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic), which regulate appetite and digestion. More recently, tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound, 2022), a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, has demonstrated even greater efficacy. Future treatments focus on multi-hormone, gut microbiome and gene-based therapies for personalized weight management.”

“This evolution has led to safer, more effective and sustainable weight loss solutions. Early stimulants, though effective, carried risks like addiction and cardiovascular complications. The shift to hormonal therapies has allowed for targeted, long-lasting weight loss with fewer systemic side effects. These newer treatments address the underlying biology of obesity, improving metabolic health, diabetes risk and cardiovascular outcomes. Future advancements in multi-hormone and gene-based therapies promise even greater personalization, making weight management more accessible and medically sound.”

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—Travis J. Laverne, MHS, PA-C, Medical Director / Director of Clinical Services, The Garden Medical Spa

Are there any common misconceptions that you hear often?

“I think there was at first a really negative spin to these medications, that they're new and they have all of these side effects. I think, for the most part, the side effects are not as great as the risk of chronic disease with obesity. Overall, the side effects are usually bearable and fairly mild in comparison to staying overweight for the rest of your life.”

“Years ago, we had some medications that helped a little bit, and there were a lot of side effects for some of the medications that weren't really worth their use, but the new invention of the GLP-1s, have really revolutionized the whole industry. These medications are just game changers. …These medications that we're now prescribing have really made a huge difference in people's lives who are overweight.”
—Dr. Julia Spears, M.D., Metropolitan Plastic Surgery & Medspa

How are your patients’ weight loss plans customized?

“We look at the person's behavior, we have them fill out a questionnaire, and we go over that food questionnaire and ask them: What do you need? And most people say, ‘I just need the cravings to go away.’ From their perspective, it's what people call the ‘food noise,’ they just don't want to be hungry all the time. …This is where a drug—like semaglutide or tirzepatide, Ozempic, Wegovy—comes into play, because they actually do help your brain adjust to that noise. The centers of your brain that are responsible for dopamine production, for habitual and hedonic behavior—it really does help attenuate that noise down to a functional level.”
—Robert Fortino, D.O., Dr. Robert Fortino

Are they safe? Is there any real difference between the generic and name brands?

“The newer GLP medications seem to not only be safe, but beneficial with long-term use. There have been studies demonstrating reduction in strokes, heart attacks, and fatty liver disease. The oldest related GLP medications are now 20 years old and have been found to be safe over time. Studies are ongoing with some of the newer agents.”

“Strictly speaking, these newer GLP medications, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound, are not yet generic. Compounding pharmacies use the generic names for these medications because they cannot use the brand names. I always tell patients to stick with the brand names. The ingredients in a compounded medication are not known, and can be variable. Safety is also a concern with compounded medications.”
—Dr. Louis Balsama, bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine physician, Virtua Health

Resources

Garden Medical Spa
Voorhees, Washington Township & Collingswood
(856) 446-3454
TheGardenMedSpaNJ.com

Metropolitan Plastic Surgery & Medspa
Marlton
(856) 345-2240
MetropolitanPlastics.com

Robert Fortino, D.O.
Turnersville
(856) 318-4100
DrFortino.com

Virtua Health
Serving South Jersey
(888) VIRTUA-3
Virtua.org

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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 21, Issue 12 (March 2025)

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Author: Carly Murray

The Substance of Weight-Loss Medicine

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