Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert Rubin, MD. Last reviewed August 2026.
Dr. Robert Rubin offers physician-supervised compounded semaglutide weight loss programs at two locations in Florida:
Semaglutide in Naples Semaglutide in Tampa
Telemedicine appointments are available for patients across Florida, including the Tampa Bay Area, South Palm Beach, and North Broward.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — a class of medication originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes by stimulating insulin release and regulating blood glucose levels. It proved so effective at producing weight loss that it subsequently received FDA approval for obesity treatment as well. Research studies have demonstrated that semaglutide can result in weight loss of up to 15–20% of starting body weight.
Semaglutide works by delaying gastric emptying — slowing the digestive process so that food remains in the stomach longer, producing a sustained feeling of fullness after eating. It also regulates appetite signaling in the brain, reducing hunger between meals. The result is meaningful, sustained weight reduction without extreme caloric restriction or invasive procedures.
Dr. Rubin uses compounded semaglutide rather than brand-name drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Compounded semaglutide delivers the same clinical effect at a significantly lower cost and without the supply chain disruptions that have affected brand-name GLP-1 medications. It also carries an important additional advantage: compounded medications can be formulated to your physician's precise specifications, allowing for dosing adjustments that brand-name products don't permit. Patients receive weekly subcutaneous injections calibrated to their individual response and treatment goals.
Semaglutide is an effective tool, but Dr. Rubin treats it as one component of a broader medical weight loss program — not a standalone prescription. Before recommending any medication, he identifies what is actually driving the weight gain. That distinction matters because semaglutide alone won't resolve a thyroid condition, correct a hormone imbalance, or eliminate a medication side effect contributing to the problem.
The evaluation typically surfaces questions like:
Understanding the answer is what allows the program to produce lasting results rather than temporary ones.
Dr. Rubin's semaglutide weight loss program begins with a functional medicine evaluation that covers:
Based on your evaluation results, the program may incorporate any of the following alongside semaglutide:
No two plans are the same. Dr. Rubin builds each program around the individual patient's biology, history, and goals.
Clinical studies have shown average weight loss of 15–20% of starting body weight with sustained semaglutide treatment. Individual results vary based on starting weight, dose, duration, and how the program is combined with dietary and lifestyle changes.
Compounded semaglutide is administered via subcutaneous injection, typically once per week. Dr. Rubin will walk you through the administration process and adjust the dose over time based on your response.
Most patients begin to notice appetite changes and early weight loss within the first two to four weeks. More significant changes in body weight and composition typically become apparent over three to six months of consistent treatment.
Compounded semaglutide used under physician supervision carries the same clinical profile as its brand-name equivalents. As with all GLP-1 medications, candidacy is assessed individually. Dr. Rubin reviews your full medical history and current medications before recommending semaglutide to ensure it is appropriate for your situation.
They are not typically used together, as both are GLP-1 receptor agonists. Depending on your evaluation, Dr. Rubin may recommend tirzepatide as an alternative — it targets an additional hormone pathway (GIP) and may produce stronger results for certain patients.
Yes. Telemedicine consultations are available for patients anywhere in Florida, including the Tampa Bay Area, South Palm Beach, North Broward, and beyond.
Dr. Rubin is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Medicine and an Advanced Fellow in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He spent the first 25 years of his career in internal and geriatric medicine, earning recognition from Castle Connolly Medical as one of the "Top Doctors" in South Florida for four consecutive years.
After completing a fellowship in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, he transitioned fully to functional medicine to better address the unmet needs of patients with chronic and complex conditions. Over the past 15 years, he has built a practice grounded in evidence-based care that takes the time conventional medicine rarely allows.
Free consultations are available at both clinics and via telemedicine for patients anywhere in Florida.
Naples
840 111th Avenue North, Suite 5, Naples, FL 34108
(239) 977-9220
Semaglutide Weight Loss in Naples →
South Tampa
405 N. Reo St., Suite 162, Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 499-1440
Semaglutide Weight Loss in South Tampa →
