A man who once promoted weight loss injections has disclosed the severe side effects he alleges left him incapacitated, as he pursues legal action against his doctor for alleged overprescription of the medication.
Brad Roberts experienced a dramatic transformation using GLP-1 weight loss medications, resulting in a significant reduction of nearly half his body weight.
These medications, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, work by simulating hormones that signal fullness to the body.
The 44-year-old managed to lose 24 pounds in just a month, and over six months, shed a total of 153 pounds.
His success led him to feature in a commercial for the drug, representing telehealth company LifeMD, his employer at that time.
In the advertisement, Roberts shared how his father’s passing drove him to seek comfort in food.
He stated: “For the first time in five years, I am standing next to my children in photos and I feel confident, I feel the difference.”
Yet, the rapid weight reduction allegedly led to unnoticed internal complications for Roberts.
He has since initiated a $35.8 million lawsuit against the doctor responsible, accusing them of prescribing overlapping medications from November 2022 to 2023 to accelerate weight loss.
Roberts and his wife Stacey are pursuing legal action against Dr. Tony Puopolo for alleged medical malpractice tied to overprescription of the drugs through his former employer.
The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Puopolo administered ‘multiple overlapping and conflicting doses of glucagon-like peptide-1 (“GLP-1”) weight-loss medication’.
Furthermore, it is claimed that medications were prescribed beyond recommended doses and included drugs lacking FDA approval.
The legal document states: “Dr. Puopolo’s combining experimental peptides and weight loss medications with GLP-1s caused debilitating injuries to Brad Roberts and significant harm to him and his family.”
Supporting documents claim Roberts is unable to communicate effectively, suffers from quadruple vision, experiences memory loss, and endures significant pain.
The lawsuit describes him spending most of his time in bed due to severe pain affecting his stomach, muscles, and joints.
It also alleges that he suffers from severe balance issues, which make walking, particularly on stairs, challenging following the deterioration of ear fatty tissue.
Another doctor who took over his care in 2023 noted the impact of weight loss on Roberts’ hearing, causing everything to sound muffled and constant tinnitus (ear ringing).
The doctor remarked: “Loud noises exacerbate the tinnitus, causing severe piercing pain, pressure, and migraine headaches. He wears wool caps over his ears to mute loud sounds.”
Roberts has undergone at least six surgeries to improve his hearing, but he reports no success.
According to the Daily Mail, psychologist Dr. Yadira Lockard, who treated Roberts from 2015, observed a decline in his mental capacity to make significant life decisions by December 2023, a year into his health journey.
Dr. Lockard noted Roberts speaking about how ‘medical ailments impacted his normal functioning, making it impossible to manage email communications and focus on any form of communication.’
Dr. Lockard added: “His teeth are constantly in pain and feel soft.
“The roof of his mouth is almost constantly burning, but at times his whole mouth feels ice cold. His tongue feels swollen, restricting him to soft foods and protein shakes.”
A representative for Dr. Puopolo stated to the Daily Mail: “As we have explained in our court filings, the allegations in the case are without merit.
“We have already filed a motion to dismiss the case as a matter of law, and we are awaiting the court’s decision on that motion.”
The doctor has been reached out to for further comment.