Wegovy vs. Zepbound vs. Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: what's actually different
Two molecules, four brand names. How the GLP-1 medications compare on results, side effects, and cost, and why the label on the box matters less than you might think.
Health & wellness, written the way a good doctor explains things.
Notes From the Practice.
We write about the topics our patients ask about most: weight loss medications, immigration medical exams, aesthetics, and everyday preventive care. No filler, no scare tactics. Just clear information you can actually use.
Weight Loss & GLP-1 Medications
Plain explanations of the medications you've been hearing about, what they actually do, and what they cost when you're paying out of pocket versus going through a telehealth subscription.
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Metformin for weight loss: who it helps and who it doesn't
An inexpensive diabetes medication that sometimes helps with weight. When it makes sense to consider it, and when it's probably not the right fit.
Weight loss without a subscription: what you're actually paying for
How telehealth memberships price weight loss treatment, and what a visit with a physician at a direct-pay practice actually costs by comparison.
Immigration Medical Exams
What happens at the I-693 exam, explained by a Civil Surgeon who has completed thousands of them. In English and Spanish.
What to expect at your immigration medical exam
Step by step, from what to bring to when you'll receive your sealed I-693 envelope. No surprises.
I-693 vaccines: what's required, and what immunity testing can replace
The USCIS vaccine list explained, and how a blood test can confirm existing immunity so you're not repeating shots you don't need.
Aesthetics & Skincare
Honest notes on treatments Dr. Gougian uses herself. Not a med-spa pitch. Just what works, what to expect, and what it costs.
Botox vs. Jeuveau: an honest comparison
Two very similar treatments, a small price difference, and a physician's perspective on how to choose between them, including which one might make more sense if Botox has stopped working as well for you.
How to start tretinoin without wrecking your skin
Go slow, moisturize, and expect a rough few weeks. A doctor's guide to the most evidence-backed topical in skincare.
Family Medicine & Preventive Care
The everyday questions that come up between visits, answered the way your doctor would answer them.
The vaccines adults actually need
Tdap, shingles, pneumonia, flu, COVID: what's recommended at each age, and what you may be able to skip based on your history.
What a metabolic health assessment can tell you
Blood sugar, cholesterol, liver enzymes, blood pressure, and waist circumference, read together instead of in isolation. What the numbers mean and when to act on them.
About the Blog
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Questions a Post Can't Answer?
Bring them to a visit. You'll see the same doctor every time, and there's enough time to actually talk through what's on your mind. Call us at 301-200-0960 or stop by 6300 Baltimore Ave, University Park, MD.