Many people try diet after diet and still cannot keep the weight off. The problem is often not effort. When your metabolism works against you, willpower alone rarely wins. That is why medically supervised treatment exists, and it is exactly what we offer at M.F. Family Health NP P.C. in Staten Island.
Our program is built around your body, not a generic plan. Dr. Marina Fest, DNP-C, evaluates your metabolism first and then builds a treatment plan that fits your specific situation. You get clinical support at every step, not just a prescription and a follow-up appointment months later.
What Our Tirzepatide Program Includes
Tirzepatide, offered here as Zepbound, is not something we hand over without context. We start with a full metabolic evaluation so we understand what is actually happening in your body. From there, we build a plan using step-up dosing, which means we begin at a lower dose and increase gradually based on how you respond.
This program combines medication with nutraceutical support. Depending on what your body needs, that may include options like Nutrafol, Ashwagandha, Collagen, Saw Palmetto, or Curcumin. These additions are not filler. Each one supports a specific part of your health during active weight management.
Step Up Dosing and Why It Matters
Starting at a lower dose gives your body time to adjust before we increase the amount. This approach supports tolerability throughout the program. It also gives us useful information about how your body is responding, which helps us make better decisions as your treatment moves forward.
Patients who jump straight to high doses often run into problems that could have been avoided. Our step-up protocol is intentional. It keeps the process manageable and gives us room to adjust based on what we observe, not just what a standard schedule says.
Nutraceutical Support During Treatment
Weight loss affects more than the number on a scale. Your body goes through real changes during this process, and certain nutraceuticals help support those changes. Nutrafol supports hair and tissue health. Ashwagandha helps manage stress responses that can slow progress. Collagen, Saw Palmetto, and Curcumin each serve a different role depending on your needs.
We do not use the same combination for every patient. What you receive depends on your evaluation and your goals. This is one of the ways our supervised program delivers something a self-directed diet simply cannot. Your support plan is built for you, not for a general population.
When Functional Testing Adds Value
Some patients carry weight that does not respond well because something deeper is driving it. Hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, and adrenal patterns can all affect how your body handles metabolism. Through our functional medicine care, we offer hormone, gut, thyroid, and adrenal testing for patients where root cause evaluation makes sense.
If your weight challenges connect to something going on below the surface, we can bring that layer of care into your program. This is one of the advantages of working with a practice that covers both medical weight loss and functional medicine under the same roof.
Ongoing Monitoring Throughout Your Program
We stay involved from your first appointment through the full course of your treatment. If something is not working the way we expected, we adjust. That ongoing clinical relationship is what makes a supervised program different from going it alone. You are not left guessing when progress slows.
Dr. Marina Fest, DNP-C, brings experience across cardiology, nephrology, dialysis, and rehabilitation. She graduated from NYU and Pace University. That background shapes how she approaches complex health concerns, including the metabolic side of long-term weight management.
Ready to Start? Here Is How to Reach Us
If you are ready to work with a clinician who takes your health seriously, we would love to talk through your options. Our team at M.F. Family Health NP P.C. is here to help you understand whether this program is the right fit for where you are right now.
We serve patients in Staten Island and offer telehealth for patients in New York and Florida. Booking is simple and takes just a few minutes online. You can also call or email us directly, and one of our team members will get back to you quickly.
Book your appointment: drmarinafestdnp.com/book-now Call us: (718) 285-4440 Email: drmarinafest@gmail.com Address: 2627 Hylan Blvd D2, Staten Island, NY 10306 Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9 AM to 4 PM | Thu: 11 AM to 7 PM
FAQs
What is step-up dosing with Tirzepatide?
We start at a lower dose and increase gradually based on your response. This approach supports tolerability and gives us room to adjust as your treatment moves forward.
What nutraceuticals are included in the program?
Options include Nutrafol, Ashwagandha, Collagen, Saw Palmetto, and Curcumin. What you receive depends on your individual evaluation and specific health needs.
Is telehealth available for this program?
Yes. We offer telehealth for patients in New York and Florida. Not every visit requires you to come into our Staten Island office.
How is this different from a self-directed diet?
We begin with a metabolic evaluation, build a personalized plan, and monitor your progress throughout. That level of ongoing clinical involvement is not possible on your own.
