A woman fidgeted nervously in front of me, her eyes wide and voice quiet. “I came across this video on TikTok,” she remarked. “Now I’m uncertain about trying it.” “It” referred to semaglutide—one of the most revolutionary medications we’ve encountered for weight loss and metabolic health in years. However, her apprehension wasn’t unusual. Similar to many patients I see, she arrived feeling optimistic but reluctant—caught between her wish to achieve health and the clamor of social media, sensational headlines, and judgmental murmurs.
What was missing from the video she viewed? The patient I had consulted the week prior who, after commencing tirzepatide, reduced her A1C from 8.2 to 5.9. The man who could at last discontinue his blood pressure medications for the first time in ten years. The woman who entered my office in tears—thankful not just for her weight loss, but for being able to engage with her grandkids without knee pain or fatigue.
In my aesthetics and wellness practice, I work at the crossroads of confidence and clinical care. I assist individuals who have tried everything. They seek not vanity but control—over their bodies, their biology, and the burdens of shame they’ve long carried. Nevertheless, I’ve realized that a vital part of my role is not merely prescribing—it’s unlearning. It’s pushing back against the fear-mongering reels, the misleading headlines, and the notion that taking medication equates to failure.
Because here’s the reality: Every FDA-approved medication has gone through years of testing and thorough scrutiny. No drug is entirely devoid of risk—semaglutide included. Yet, the same can be said for ibuprofen or birth control pills. Still, we don’t shame individuals for taking Motrin for a headache. We don’t question why they didn’t simply attempt yoga before starting blood pressure medications.
So why do we regard obesity—a chronic, relapsing, and complicated metabolic condition—so differently?
The answer is rooted in decades of stigma, misinformation, and a cultural fixation on willpower. It also stems from the silence of the clinical community. We’ve permitted influencers and celebrities to steer the dialogue about GLP-1s, while many clinicians remain on the sidelines, either doubtful or reluctant to engage.
The risk of allowing influencers to dictate the narrative surrounding medical treatment extends far beyond semaglutide. We’ve witnessed similar dynamics with vaccines, supplements, hormone therapy, and mental health medications—where personal accounts often outweigh scientific evidence, and popularity serves as a stand-in for credibility. When individuals without scientific expertise become the loudest voices in healthcare discussions, misinformation spreads more swiftly than truth. Even more concerning, it undermines trust in licensed providers who adhere to ethics, data, and decades of peer-reviewed research. Patients deserve more than TikTok science.
But now is not the time to be silent. Now is the moment to educate, to guide, and to assist patients in distinguishing fact from fear.
Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide aren’t miraculous. They necessitate support, follow-up, and lifestyle modifications. Yet, they are not scams. For numerous patients, they represent the first instrument that finally makes sustainable health seem attainable.
When I contemplate the future of medicine, I reflect on trust. We must restore it. This requires showing up—in exam rooms, indeed, but also in comment sections. It involves sharing our stories. And it necessitates creating space for patients to experience hope without embarrassment.
Because in the battle against obesity, misinformation may be the most persistent issue we have to address.
Sarah White is a nurse practitioner, small business owner, and premedical student residing in Virginia. With a background in clinical practice and caregiving, she offers a distinct perspective at the crossroads of medicine, family life, and community service. She volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps and is preparing to apply to medical school in 2026.
Sarah is also the founder of two expanding ventures: [Wrinkle Relaxer](https://www.instagram.com/wrinklerelaxer/?hl=en), where she specializes in aesthetic treatments, and [Bardot Boutique Aesthetics](https://www.instagram.com/bardotboutiqueaesthetics/?hl=en), a space dedicated to curated beauty and wellness services.