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Weight Management Specialist

Health First Primary Care Our Services Weight Management
Health First Primary Care - - Primary Care

Health First Primary Care

Primary Care Practice & Internal Medicine located in  Tampa, FL

Carrying extra weight takes an enormous toll on virtually all of the organs and systems in your body. Professional weight management can help, and it’s one of many services available from Gisela Vargas, MD, and the team at Health First Primary Care serving Tampa, Florida, and the surrounding communities. If you’re ready to chart a new course toward a healthier weight, call the office, or book an appointment online today.

Weight Management Q & A

What are some health risks associated with being overweight or obese?

When you are significantly overweight, your body is placed under a great deal of pressure. This is true for your bones, joints, and muscles, and also at a cellular level. Some of the known health risks of being overweight or obese include:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Sleep apnea
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Pregnancy complications


This is far from a comprehensive list. Virtually every organ and system in your body is compromised when you gain a significant amount of weight.  

Why is it so hard to lose weight and keep it off?

There is a multitude of reasons why so many Americans struggle to maintain a healthy weight. One primary issue lies in our food supply. Fast food is cheap, convenient, and available on virtually every corner.

Grocery store aisles are filled with highly processed options with confusing marketing messages. An astounding volume of research and money goes into creating chemically manipulated food designed to be as addictive as possible. 

The American lifestyle has also changed a great deal. More and more children and adults spend hours in front of various screens throughout the day, leaving little time for exercise or cooking nutritious meals. High levels of stress and poor sleep quality further exacerbate the problem. 

How is medically supervised weight management different?

At Health First Primary Care you have access to a team of professionals who can guide and support you through your weight loss journey. That process begins with a comprehensive health evaluation to gain a deeper understanding of your specific needs and challenges. 

You’ll receive nutrition counseling to help improve your approach to food. This is not a setting in which fad diets or extreme weight loss programs are touted. Real change requires a series of many smaller improvements. This approach empowers you to shift toward a healthier weight and a more active lifestyle. 

There are many tools that can help you lose weight. On-site lab services ensure your health team can track how well your body responds to care. Your practitioner will discuss the options best suited for your needs and will adjust your treatment plan as you move forward. 

Begin the process today with a quick phone call or a visit to the online booking page.

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