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The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
Bringing all things health and wellness to Tampa Bay, FL from your very own family and obesity medicine physician, Dr. Kerry Reller, MD, MS. We will discuss general medical topics, weight management, and local spots and events focusing on health, wellness, and nutrition in an interview and solo-cast format. Published weekly.
The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
E109: Dr. Catherine Toomer’s Journey from Patient to Physician Advocate
Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast! This week, I’m joined by Dr. Jenna Caporaso Kazil, a board-certified vascular and general surgeon specializing in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), venous insufficiency, arterial disease, and more. We discuss the key differences between arterial and venous disease, the warning signs to look out for, and the latest advancements in treatment. Dr. Kazil also shares practical prevention strategies, including the importance of compression therapy, exercise, and smoking cessation in maintaining vascular health. Plus, we dive into her work in breast surgery and robotic hernia repair. Tune in for expert insights on optimizing circulatory health and knowing when to seek specialized care!
Dr. Toomer is a physician entrepreneur, certified hypnotherapist, and NLP Practitioner. She founded TOTAL Weight Care InstituteTM to create comprehensive and compassionate weight health practices for both patients and practitioners to remove the shame-for-change model too often seen in wellness transformational spaces.
Dr. Toomer developed her highly successful TOTAL Wellness + Weight Loss programs based on the biopsychosocial system she used to lose over 100-pounds, reverse her insulin-dependent diabetes, and survive postpartum cardiomyopathy & depression.
When not creating courses and individualized health plans, Dr. Toomer is a keynote & TEDx speaker, host of Dr. Toomer Talks & a popular guest on numerous podcasts. She enjoys teaching complex processes in language people understand while adding tools that can be immediately implemented.
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
02:15 - Dr. Toomer’s Personal Health Journey
06:40 - Turning Pain into Passion: Building a Compassionate Weight Care Practice
11:05 - Training Physicians to Provide Kind and Effective Obesity Care
15:30 - Challenges in Obesity Medicine and the Need for Better Access
19:45 - The Controversy Around Compounded GLP-1 Medications
24:10 - How to Identify Safe and Ethical Compounded Medications
28:50 - The Role of Insurance and Access in Weight Management
33:20 - The Psychosocial Aspects of Obesity and Sustainable Health Changes
38:00 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Patients and Physicians
Connect with Dr. Toomer
Email: courage@drtoomer.com
Website: www.drtoomer.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@UCiuG3nCQbxhY-qgMZyk4JwA
Connect with Dr. Reller
Podcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
My linktree: linktr.ee/kerryrellermd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermd
Clearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...
Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...
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Dr. Kerry Reller: All right. Hi, everybody! Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Kerry Reller, and today we have a very special guest back—Dr. Catherine Toomer! Dr. Toomer, welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay podcast.
Dr. Catherine Toomer: Thank you for having me!
Dr. Kerry Reller: So we actually had you back on Episode 47, where you shared your incredible journey into how you got to where you are today. Maybe we don’t need to go through the whole story again, but could you give us a brief recap so that listeners can remember who you are and what you do?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: Sure! I’m Dr. Catherine Toomer, a family medicine and community health physician, as well as a metabolic weight care management specialist. My journey into this field came from my own personal experience—a near-death experience, actually. My environment and genetics collided, leading to significant weight gain due to stress from medical school and other factors. After I had my daughter, I went into congestive heart failure but was misdiagnosed because of my obesity. I was told I was simply deconditioned and recovering from childbirth. In reality, I was in heart failure.
In the process of trying to manage my insulin-dependent diabetes, I lost weight and ultimately survived my condition. That experience led me to create a program for myself, which I then began using with my patients. Eventually, this led to my own practice, training other physicians, and now running a virtual practice. One thing led to another, and here I am!
Dr. Kerry Reller: Wow, what a journey! I find your story so inspiring because it embodies that idea of turning your pain into your passion. You’ve learned so much from your experience, and now you’re helping not only your patients but also other doctors. That seems like a big shift since we last spoke—you’ve started teaching physicians how to do what you do. Can you tell us more about that?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: Absolutely. I launched a program to help physicians set up weight care practices that are compassionate and kind. From my own experience and time in this space, I know that patients with obesity—myself included—are often treated poorly in medical settings. I realized that, as much as I wanted to help, I could only reach so many people. In order to expand access to better care, I needed to train more physicians who approach obesity management the way we do—with empathy and understanding.
It’s a comprehensive course with coaching, and I’ve identified key aspects of care that are particularly beneficial for patients. One major issue is accessibility to treatment. Many physicians want to help but don’t know how to navigate the system. Another important factor is financial sustainability—physicians need to be able to provide care without being restricted by the constraints of insurance-based models. So I developed a vertical that helps both doctors and patients, ensuring people get access to safe, affordable medications.
Dr. Kerry Reller: That’s incredible, and it’s so needed. We know that one in three patients has obesity, but there aren’t enough doctors trained in treating it properly. Your work not only helps manage weight but also does so in a way that’s kind and comprehensive. It’s not just ‘eat less, exercise more’—your biopsychosocial approach really ties it all together. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve seen in this space?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: One of the biggest issues is that weight loss and obesity management are often exploited. As someone who has lost over 100 pounds, I know firsthand how desperate people can feel. There’s so much self-blame and fear, and unfortunately, that makes people vulnerable to predatory marketing tactics. Many companies and individuals take advantage by overpricing medications or promoting treatments that don’t actually work.
Access to effective, safe medications is another major challenge. Branded GLP-1 medications, for example, are extremely expensive, often not covered by insurance, and difficult to obtain due to shortages. For many patients, their only option is compounded medications, which initially made me skeptical. I was firmly against compounded GLP-1s because of concerns about quality and regulation. But I spent time vetting options, and I found a pharmacy that met FDA standards, had ethical pricing, and genuinely cared about patient outcomes. That’s when I realized it was possible to provide an alternative for those struggling to afford or access treatment.
Dr. Kerry Reller: That’s such an important point. The diet industry preys on people’s vulnerabilities, and in the past, we haven’t had anything as effective as GLP-1 medications. Now that we do, it’s crucial that they’re used properly and not just seen as another ‘quick fix.’
Dr. Catherine Toomer: Exactly. Medications like GLP-1s are just one tool in a broader approach to metabolic health. They target biology, but we still have to address the psychological and social factors that impact weight. The environment we eat in, shop in, and live in matters. It’s not about being thin—it’s about being healthy. Body acceptance is important, as long as it’s balanced with overall well-being.
Dr. Kerry Reller: That’s a great perspective. You also touched on the controversy surrounding compounded medications. What are the key risks people should be aware of when considering compounded GLP-1s?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: The main risk is that compounded medications aren’t regulated in the same way as branded medications. The FDA allows compounding when there’s a shortage, but these medications can vary significantly between pharmacies. Some compounding pharmacies operate ethically, but others cut costs by using lower-quality ingredients. Patients often don’t know what they’re getting.
To ensure safety, look for 503B-designated pharmacies, which are FDA-monitored facilities that follow strict guidelines. Pay attention to dosing—if the doses don’t align with the standard FDA-approved sequence, that’s a red flag. Also, be wary of pharmacies that mix additional substances into medications, like vitamins or thyroid hormones, to bypass regulations.
Dr. Kerry Reller: That’s really helpful advice. It’s concerning how easy it is for people to get subpar medications, especially with the rise of online weight loss services. How can patients ensure they’re getting safe treatment?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: The best approach is to work with a reputable prescriber—someone who is experienced in obesity medicine, follows FDA guidelines, and monitors patients closely. Many patients turn to online platforms out of desperation, but without proper oversight, they may receive unsafe products or incorrect dosages.
My goal is to create an accessible, ethical way for patients to get the treatment they need while being properly monitored. I also advocate for broader systemic changes, like improving insurance coverage for obesity treatment and expanding access to safe, affordable medications.
Dr. Kerry Reller: That’s fantastic. Before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts or advice for listeners?
Dr. Catherine Toomer: My biggest advice is to focus on health over weight. If you’re struggling, seek out a provider who will listen to you, respect you, and offer personalized care. And for physicians out there—there is a way to provide compassionate, effective weight care while also maintaining a sustainable practice.
Dr. Kerry Reller: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Dr. Toomer. It’s always a pleasure speaking with you!
Dr. Catherine Toomer: Thank you for having me!
Dr. Kerry Reller: That wraps up today’s episode of Get Healthy Tampa Bay! If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe and leave us a review. See you next time!
