Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Weight Loss and Health Questions
What Is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a “whole person” approach to medicine—treating the entire person rather than just the symptoms. With a focus on preventive health care, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don’t just fight illness, but help prevent it, too.
How do I know if I’m overweight or obese?
The most common way is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). BMI is a quick and simple way to help identify people who are overweight or obese. It allows you to compare your weight to what is considered “normal” for an adult with your same height. Dr. Fortino will determine your BMI on your first medical evaluation.
How does a low carb diet prevent or reverse Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is fundamentally a condition of chronic insulin resistance caused by long-term elevated blood sugar. By adopting a physician-supervised, low-carbohydrate nutrition plan, you dramatically reduce blood sugar spikes and lower your baseline insulin levels.
When insulin drops:
- Your body switches from fat storage mode to fat-burning mode.
- Cells regain their insulin sensitivity, allowing glucose to be processed correctly.
- Inflammation decreases, reducing the physiological burden on your pancreas and cardiovascular system.
Through custom medical protocols—combining real-food low-carb nutrition, advanced metabolic testing, and physician oversight—we have successfully helped many patients reduce their reliance on diabetes medications, lower their A1C, and achieve long-term remission of Type 2 diabetes.
What form does phentermine weight loss medication come in?
Phentermine appetite suppressant medication is available in several forms to suit individual needs and preferences, including:
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Tablet
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Capsule
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Long-acting capsule (extended release)
Before starting phentermine, it’s essential to have a thorough consultation with a qualified phentermine weight loss doctor. This medication is not suitable for everyone, and a licensed medical professional will evaluate your overall health, medical history, and weight loss goals to determine if phentermine is appropriate and safe for you.
Using phentermine under proper medical supervision ensures the best results while minimizing potential risks.
What is Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Most people in the U.S. get enough vitamin B12. However, with age, it can become harder to absorb this vitamin. You can also develop a Vitamin B12 deficiency if you have had weight loss surgery or another operation that removed part of your stomach, or if you drink heavily.
You may also be more likely to develop Vitamin B12 deficiency if you have:
- Atrophic Gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned.
- Pernicious Anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb Vitamin B12
- Immune System disorders, such as Graves’ Disease or Lupus.
- Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Chrohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite.
Keep in mind that your body does not make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods like dairy, beef, chicken, fish or from supplements like our Vitamin B12 Booster Shots (link to Vitamin B12 shots). Vitamin B-12 is added to some foods like dry cereals. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is also available as an oral supplement like Dr. Fortino’s Boost Lipotropic Oral Drops. (hyper link to boost oral drops) This is especially important for vegetarians, older adults, individuals with pernicious anemia, individuals with gastrointestinal disorders or individuals who have had gastrointestinal surgery.
Some common signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include
- Fatigue or Feeling Weak
- Depression or Irritability
- Lethargy
- Decreased Cognitive Function, issues with memory or understanding
- Constipation
- Heart Palpitations
- Headache
- Feeling Faint
- Difficulty Maintaining Balance
- Paraesthesia (pins and needles)
- Mouth Ulcers
- Vision Changes
- Sore, Swollen Tongue, may be pale yellow or very red
Vitamin B-12 shots are injections that can be prescribed to treat a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A deficiency in this essential nutrient can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from fatigue to permanent neurological changes. Anyone who is displaying any of the signs and symptoms of a B-12 deficiency or pernicious anemia should consult their doctor immediately.
Vitamin Booster Shots, The Perfect Pick Me Up.
Are You Ready to Take the Shot?
Is Dr. Fortino a Board-Certified Weight Loss Doctor?
Dr. Fortino is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician with more than 30 years of medical experience and an active member of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). While “weight loss doctor” is a commonly used term, his practice focuses on physician-supervised medical weight loss, metabolic health, lifestyle medicine, and long-term weight management.
Is L-Lysine good for my skin and bone density?
L-lysine, or simply lysine, is one of the building blocks of protein and is essential for maintaining a healthy body and keeping systems functioning at an optimal level. Lysine helps the body repair itself, and deficiency can lead to fatigue, hair loss, muscle soreness, and a decreased immune system. Increasing one’s lysine consumption through diet or supplements can help improve the symptoms of severe chronic conditions. Lysine may help treat cold sores, shingles, and acne.
Studies show that Lysine helps build collagen in the skin. Collagen is the structure responsible for your skin’s elasticity and firmness. Collagen is an essential compound responsible for building cartilage, bones, and connective tissue. Lysine helps in the formation of cartilage and collagen, while also preventing the breakdown and excretion of collagen during digestion. Calcium and collagen function in conjunction with each other to prevent bone loss. In a diet low in lysine, the formation of calcium and collagen slows. This is one reason why many people with lysine deficiencies have fragile bones.
What are you waiting for? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
I’m ready to take shot.
What injections or shots can help boost energy and metabolism?
If you are struggling with daily fatigue, workout exhaustion, or a sluggish metabolism, physician-supervised Super B12, MIC lipotropic, and Taurine injections provide clean cellular energy without the jitters of caffeine. Bioactive Methylcobalamin (B12) restores oxygen delivery to eliminate brain fog, while MIC shots (Methionine, Inositol, Choline) accelerate fat burn by clearing toxins from the liver. Adding essential amino acids like Taurine and L-Carnitine enhances muscle endurance, supports heart health, and reduces exercise recovery time. Together, these targeted metabolic boosters optimize fat loss and restore daily vitality during your medical weight loss program.
Now more than ever, you need to keep your body healthy and strong.Dr. Fortino’s Metabolic Booster Shots, Concentrated Dose of Vitamins and Amino Acids, The Perfect Pick Me Up.What are you waiting for? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! I’m Ready to Take the Shot!
What are probiotics good for?
Probiotic literally means ‘for life’. Probiotics are living micro-organisms that, when ingested in sufficient numbers, benefit the health of the whole body. Once in our intestines, these natural and friendly bacteria help balance our gut microflora and support our immune system. Probiotics can support health in different ways, such as helping your immune system function properly, aiding in digestion, keeping harmful microorganisms in check, producing vitamins, aiding in nutrient absorption, delaying the development of allergies in children, and treatment and prevention of vaginal and urinary infections in women just to name a few.
If You’re Looking for a Natural Way to Support Weight Loss and Maintain a Healthy Balanced Gut,
Belly Buster Probiotic Supplement is Safe, Effective, and Convenient. Like most of Dr. Fortino’s medical weight loss products and supplements
Belly Buster Daily Probiotic Supplement works as an independent supplement or in conjunction with our medical weight loss programs.
Are my blood test and results private and confidential?
Yes, lab results will only be provided to you and the ordering physician.
Where are Dr. Fortino’s offices located?
Dr. Fortino’s weight loss centers are easily accessible to patients throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey, Dr. Fortino’s clinics welcome you for in-person medical care. Our physical offices are prominently located in South Philadelphia along iconic South Broad Street and in South Jersey on Johnson Road behind the Whitman Diner in Blackwood, right off Route 168 and the Atlantic City Expressway.
For over twenty years, Dr. Fortino has earned his reputation as the Philadelphia area’s Premier Diet Doctor. His Philadelphia and South Jersey weight loss offices have become the “go to destination” for people seeking safe and effective medically supervised weight loss treatments. It’s easy to get started. or call our Philadelphia weight loss clinic @ 215.336.8000 or call our New Jersey weight loss clinic @ 856.318.4100.
As an alternative to FDA-approved branded products, where appropriate, a provider may prescribe a compounded drug, which is prepared by a state-licensed sterile compounding pharmacy partner. Although compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law, they are not FDA-approved and do not undergo safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review.
