Key Takeaways
- Functional medicine focuses on finding and addressing root causes, not only managing symptoms, which can benefit chronic and complex health concerns.
- The most helpful providers offer patient-centered care, thorough testing, and clear education so you understand each step of your plan.
- Peptide therapies can complement functional medicine by targeting cellular pathways involved in inflammation, metabolism, recovery, and healthy aging.
- Safety, transparency, and long-term support should guide your choice of both functional medicine provider and peptide therapy program.
- Mirror Plastic Surgery Peptides offers medically supervised, personalized peptide protocols that integrate with functional medicine care. Schedule a consultation to learn more.
Meet Your Physician Assistant: Stephanie DeSimone
Stephanie DeSimone, PA-C, provides peptide-focused care at Mirror Plastic Surgery, informed by her background in mathematics, surgical anatomy, and bodybuilding. She understands how cellular health, hormones, and metabolism connect to energy, body composition, and long-term wellness. Her approach combines functional medicine concepts with advanced peptide protocols that address inflammation, autoimmune concerns, weight management, and visible signs of aging.
What Functional Medicine Means For Your Health in Tampa and St. Pete
Functional medicine uses a patient-centered model that looks for root causes of illness. Providers review your history, genetics, lifestyle, and environment, then build a plan that aims to correct underlying imbalances instead of only easing symptoms.
This approach often suits people with chronic conditions such as autoimmune issues, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic dysfunction. It also appeals to individuals interested in performance, longevity, and healthy aging, especially when combined with targeted tools like peptide therapy.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to explore how functional medicine concepts can pair with peptide therapy for your goals.
Core Principles of Effective Functional Medicine Care
Patient-Centered Care
Strong functional medicine practices devote time to learning your story, from family history to current lifestyle. Treatment plans typically include nutrition guidance, targeted supplements when appropriate, and behavior changes that match your capacity and preferences.
Root Cause Investigation
Thorough testing helps reveal what sits beneath your symptoms. Providers may order advanced labs to assess hormones, nutrient levels, inflammation markers, gut microbiome patterns, and metabolic health. Findings then guide a focused and realistic plan.
Integrative, Evidence-Informed Approach
Many functional medicine providers use a blend of conventional tools and complementary therapies. Care may include nutrition and movement strategies, stress reduction, medications when needed, and advanced options such as IV nutrition, regenerative treatments, or peptides when appropriate and medically supervised.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to see how a structured plan with peptide support could fit your health priorities.
How to Choose a Functional Medicine Provider in Tampa and St. Pete
Credentials and Special Training
Licensed clinicians such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who complete functional medicine training, including programs from the Institute for Functional Medicine, usually bring a clearer framework and more consistent standards of care.
Experience With Your Concerns
Providers often focus on specific areas, for example hormonal health, autoimmune conditions, gut health, or weight management. Ask about their experience with cases like yours and whether they routinely work with tools you are considering, such as peptide therapies or advanced lab testing.
Philosophy of Care
Constructive relationships rely on open communication, realistic expectations, and shared decision-making. Helpful signs include unhurried visits, clear explanations, and treatment plans that balance ambition with practicality.
Testing, Treatment Options, and Costs
Many practices are cash-pay and offer expanded diagnostic testing. Clarify expected visit fees, lab costs, and ongoing support options, then compare this with the value of more customized and preventive care.
Schedule a consultation with Stephanie to review pricing, testing options, and peptide-based support.
Snapshot of Functional Medicine Providers in Tampa and St. Pete
Forum Health Tampa offers functional medicine services in the Tampa area. Contact the practice directly for details on visit structure and treatment options.
Wholistic Medical Group provides functional medicine consultations, with an initial appointment cost of about $350. Reach out to confirm current pricing and services.
Neuro St Pete offers functional medicine support in St. Petersburg. Contact the office to learn how they evaluate and manage complex conditions.
Robinson MD, Dr. Pacholec Integrative Medicine, Colin Chan, MD, and Dr. B’s Wellness Clinic also offer functional or integrative medicine in the region. Direct contact with each practice is the best way to confirm services, pricing, and areas of emphasis.
Peptide-Focused Functional Support at Mirror Plastic Surgery
Mirror Plastic Surgery uses peptide therapy to complement functional medicine strategies. Under the guidance of Stephanie DeSimone, patients receive individualized protocols that address inflammation, metabolic health, body composition, and visible aging concerns.
Care typically starts with a detailed consultation and appropriate lab work, then progresses to tailored peptide combinations and regular follow-up. This structure creates space to track benefits, monitor safety, and adjust dosing or combinations as your needs change.
How Peptide Therapies Complement Functional Medicine
Targeted Support at the Cellular Level
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can influence specific biological pathways. In a functional medicine setting, they can support efforts to improve energy, recovery, metabolic health, tissue repair, and skin quality.
Mirror Plastic Surgery’s Approach
Stephanie uses her clinical background to match peptide options with lab findings and symptoms. The clinic sources peptides from suppliers that perform rigorous batch testing, which helps support consistency, purity, and accurate dosing in a market that is not fully regulated.
Common Goals Addressed With Peptides
- The Glow Stack, which includes GHK-CU, BPC-157, and TB500, supports collagen production, repair, and systemic inflammation control.
- GLP-3R compounds can assist with appetite regulation and metabolic health as part of weight management plans.
- NAD-related peptides may support mitochondrial function and energy production, which connects to cognitive and physical performance.
- KPV can support gut lining health and reduce localized inflammation in the digestive tract.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to discuss which peptide approaches, if any, may fit your functional medicine plan.
Functional Medicine, Traditional Care, and Mirror Plastic Surgery Peptides
| Feature | Traditional Medicine | Functional Medicine | Mirror Plastic Surgery Peptides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Symptom Management | Root Cause Identification | Cellular Support |
| Treatment Approach | Pharmaceuticals, Surgery | Lifestyle, Supplements, Labs | Personalized Peptide Protocols |
| Patient Interaction | Brief, Reactive Visits | Extended Consultations | Ongoing Check-ins and Support |
| Primary Goal | Disease Treatment | Holistic Prevention | Wellness and Optimization |
Peptide therapy at Mirror Plastic Surgery does not replace functional medicine. It adds another layer of support that aims to influence specific pathways involved in repair, inflammation, metabolism, and aging while the broader plan addresses lifestyle and systemic imbalances.
Key Considerations When Exploring Functional Medicine and Peptides
Safety, clarity, and realistic expectations are central to a constructive experience. Helpful providers typically:
- Perform thorough assessments and order appropriate labs before starting treatment.
- Explain potential benefits, known risks, and timelines in plain language.
- Adjust plans based on your response rather than using a fixed protocol for everyone.
- Monitor peptide use closely, including sourcing, dosing, and possible interactions.
Common Misconceptions and Challenges
Many people assume functional medicine rejects conventional care, yet high-quality providers often work alongside primary care and specialists. They may support medication use while also addressing nutrition, sleep, stress, and environment to reduce long-term burden of disease.
Unregulated supplements and peptides purchased online create another challenge. Products without medical oversight or third-party testing may contain inaccurate doses or unwanted ingredients, which can limit benefit or increase risk. Medically supervised peptide therapy aims to reduce these concerns through careful sourcing and monitoring.
Timelines can also feel longer than expected. Chronic conditions usually develop over years, so sustainable improvement often requires months of consistent effort rather than quick fixes.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to access guided, supervised peptide use within a broader wellness plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Medicine and Peptides in Tampa and St. Pete
What conditions do functional medicine doctors treat in Tampa and St. Pete?
Local functional medicine providers often see patients with chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, hormonal and thyroid concerns, digestive issues, metabolic syndrome, fatigue, mood concerns, and age-related changes. Many also work with people who feel generally well but want more energy, clearer thinking, or better performance.
How long does it take to see results with functional medicine?
Some individuals notice changes within weeks, especially after nutrition shifts, sleep improvements, or targeted therapies such as peptides. More comprehensive change often takes three to six months, with complex cases progressing over six to twelve months or longer.
Is functional medicine covered by insurance in Florida?
Most functional medicine visits are out-of-pocket because longer consultations and broader treatment scopes fall outside many insurance models. Certain labs may be partially covered, and Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts sometimes help with costs.
What does peptide therapy typically cost?
Monthly peptide costs in the Tampa Bay area commonly range from about $200 to $600, depending on the number and type of peptides used. These fees are usually separate from consultation and lab costs.
What are the main risks of unsupervised peptide use?
Potential issues include products with uncertain purity, incorrect dosing, unrecognized medical contraindications, and missed side effects. Lack of lab monitoring can also make it difficult to track whether a peptide is helping or creating problems.
How does Mirror Plastic Surgery support safety with peptides?
Mirror Plastic Surgery reviews medical history, orders appropriate labs, and sources peptides from suppliers that use strict testing standards. Stephanie remains available for questions, provides clear instructions, and adjusts protocols based on your progress and lab data.
Conclusion: Next Steps for Your 2026 Functional Medicine Journey
Functional medicine offers a structured way to explore root causes of health concerns while building a plan tailored to your goals. In the Tampa and St. Pete area, many providers now combine this perspective with advanced therapies, including medically supervised peptide programs that support repair, metabolism, and healthy aging.
Book an appointment with Stephanie to start a personalized plan that integrates functional medicine principles with peptide therapy where appropriate.
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery:
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Instagram: @mirrorplasticsurgery, @dr.akashplasticsurgery, @perfectlyplastics
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
*Disclaimer: Peptide therapy is intended for wellness and optimization purposes and is not prescribed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease unless specifically stated. Many peptides are not FDA-approved and may be used off-label. Some have limited long-term safety data, with a potential for unknown risks, complications, or desensitization with prolonged use.
