CLAIM: ‘Miracle’ weight loss drug leaves man deaf, near-blind, and with memory loss
In this DML Report…
Brad Roberts, a 44-year-old from South Carolina, is suing Dr. Tony Puopolo for medical malpractice after losing 150 pounds on Ozempic between November 2022 and 2023. Initially prescribed the drug through telehealth provider LifeMD, where he also worked and appeared in a commercial touting its benefits, Roberts lost 24 pounds in the first month—far exceeding the recommended 1-2 pounds per week. Court records show Puopolo allegedly over-prescribed a mix of approved and unapproved weight-loss drugs, causing Roberts to drop 3.5 pounds weekly at his peak. Now, he claims severe joint, muscle, and stomach pain, spending up to 18 hours a day bedridden, alongside hearing loss from deteriorating ear tissue, requiring six unsuccessful surgeries.
Roberts and his wife Stacey are seeking $35.8 million in damages, alleging Puopolo’s reckless prescribing wrecked his health. Once a high-flying COO, Roberts says he’s lost his mind, memory, sight, speech, and hearing, with mobility so impaired he struggles to walk or climb stairs. His psychologist, Dr. Yadira Lockard, who’s treated him since 2015, states in court documents he lacks the mental capacity for major life decisions. The lawsuit claims these devastating effects emerged after rapid weight loss, spotlighting risks tied to Ozempic, also linked to a rare eye condition causing vision loss.
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Before Ozempic, Roberts was obese, turning to food after his father’s death, as he explained in the LifeMD ad. The drug initially boosted his confidence, shedding weight he’d resigned himself to carrying. But the lawsuit paints a grim turn: his health collapsed as the pounds melted away. Ozempic and similar drugs like Wegovy work by mimicking a hormone to suppress appetite, aiding weight loss. Roberts’ case, filed by March 21, underscores dangers of aggressive dosing, with his family arguing the doctor prioritized speed over safety, leaving him a shell of his former self.