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1 weight loss drugs help patients see health gains beyond diet, experts say
byAdam Clements & Kevin Delaney, WKRC
Fri, August 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
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GLP-1 weight loss medications are helping some patients see improvements beyond the number on the scale, including relief from symptoms tied to vascular problems and inflammation, according to a Cincinnati vascular surgeon and one of his patients. (WKRC)
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – GLP-1 weight loss medications are helping some patients see improvements beyond the number on the scale, including relief from symptoms tied to vascular problems and inflammation, according to a Cincinnati vascular surgeon and one of his patients
Jonathan Ramon, a patient at the Vein Center of Cincinnati, said he began a journey to better health after dealing with heaviness in his feet and fatigue. “My feet were heavy, you know, and very hard to move in the mornings,” Ramon said
GLP-1 weight loss medications are helping some patients see improvements beyond the number on the scale, including relief from symptoms tied to vascular problems and inflammation, according to a Cincinnati vascular surgeon and one of his patients. (WKRC, Provided)
Ramon said he was overweight at the time and often felt drained. “I was eating larger portion meals at that time. I would get tired a lot, loss of energy, and that was my biggest ordeal,” he said
A few months ago, Ramon met Dr. Andrew Hearn, a vascular surgeon at the Vein Center of Cincinnati, who treated Ramon’s varicose veins. Hearn said patients with vein problems often experience symptoms such as swelling or heaviness in the legs and can have mobility issues
Hearn said his approach can include addressing vein health, lymphatic issues and metabolism, including recommending peptides for some patients with chronic leg pain and swelling. “We’re addressing the quality or health of their veins. We’re addressing their lymphatics, but we’re also addressing their metabolism and prescribing and recommending peptides for patients that this chronic leg pain and swelling,” Hearn said
Peptides are chains of amino acids in the body, and different types are used for health and wellness. Ozempic is a GLP-1 peptide that came out in 2017 and has been widely used for weight loss. Hearn said GLP-1 medications can help curb cravings for unhealthy foods. “It helps the brain realize what’s healthy food and what is like the processed junk food. Once you’re on a GLP-1 automatically, there’s craving that is stopped on the bad foods,” he said
Hearn said getting a patient’s metabolism “in a good place” can also help vascular issues. The FDA approved another GLP-1 peptide, Zepbound, in 2023. Researchers are also studying GLP-1 medications not only for weight loss, but for treating other chronic conditions
“Now we’re finding patients with joint pain, a lot of inflammatory problems are indirectly, they’re no longer having their back pain, their knee pain is gone,” Hearn said
Ramon said he feels great since starting the medication and has been able to avoid foods he once relied on. “I’ve done away with bread and potato chips. I don’t, I was a huge fan of those. Because that was my go-to. Now, since I cut away those carbs, I think, you know, my body has definitely gone to a better route,” Ramon said
The Vein Center of Cincinnati encouraged people with leg pain or swelling, or those seeking more information on GLP-1s, to contact the clinic
