Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM

Sandra Rodriguez, MD, ABOM Dr. Sandra Rodríguez, MD, ABOM
Board certified
✨ Gastro doctor
✨ expert on digestive & liver health
✨ Obesity Medicine
📍 Miami & Homestead
📲 786-500-4644

03/12/2026

🔬 Many people are curious about what a colonoscopy room looks like and what equipment is used during the procedure. In this video, I show the endoscopy room where colonoscopies are performed and explain the main tools we use to examine the colon.

🩺 The most important instrument is the colonoscope, a long and flexible tube that allows doctors to see the inside of the colon. Even though it may look large at first, it’s actually quite thin.

🔧 If a polyp is found growing on the wall of the colon, it can often be removed during the procedure using special tools such as biopsy forceps or a snare.

03/10/2026

⭐ A successful colonoscopy starts with proper bowel prep. If the colon is not completely clean, small polyps can be missed and the procedure may even need to be repeated. Following the preparation instructions carefully is essential for an accurate exam and better detection of abnormalities.

✍️ The most effective method is a split dose bowel prep. Take half of the preparation the evening before the procedure and the second half about 4 to 6 hours before the exam. Staying well hydrated with clear liquids such as water, clear broth, electrolyte drinks, tea without milk, or apple juice helps improve the quality of the preparation.

🌐 By the end of the bowel prep your stool should be clear or pale yellow liquid, similar to urine in color. This indicates that the colon is properly cleaned and ready for the procedure, allowing better visualization and a safer, more effective colonoscopy.

03/06/2026

🧬 GLP 1 weight loss without body composition analysis can put your results at risk. If you are only looking at the number on the scale, you have no idea whether you are losing fat or losing muscle mass. The scale only shows total weight, not what that weight is made of.

🏋️ Muscle loss during GLP 1 treatment can slow your metabolism and leave you weaker than before. Without strength training and proper protein intake, your body may break down muscle instead of targeting fat. That can make you end up in a worse place than where you started.

⚖️ A body composition scale, even a basic bioelectrical impedance scale, gives guidance beyond just weight. Combined with exercise and proper dietary recommendations, it helps ensure your GLP 1 journey focuses on fat loss, not just smaller numbers on the scale.

03/04/2026

🧬 Colon cancer is the leading causes of cancer death in people under 50 in the United States. Many people still believe it only affects older adults, but lifestyle, genetics, and delayed screening are changing that reality.

⚠️ Understanding the myths, early warning signs, and prevention strategies can make a huge difference. Small habits and early screening can dramatically reduce the risk and improve outcomes.

02/26/2026

💪 Whey protein isolate or plant based protein isolate: which is better for muscle gain? When a plant based protein isolate matches whey protein in total protein content and essential amino acids, muscle building results are equivalent. You do not need animal protein powder to build muscle if the amino acid profile and protein dose are comparable.

🥛 Whey protein comes from milk and contains lactose. Around 70% of people worldwide have some degree of lactose intolerance, which can lead to bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort. If you experience these symptoms, a plant based protein isolate may be easier to tolerate while still supporting hypertrophy.

🌱 Environmental impact also matters. Animal based protein supplements generally have a higher environmental footprint compared to plant based options. Your choice can consider muscle growth, digestive comfort, and sustainability.

02/19/2026

🧬 Visceral fat still high even after weight loss? If your visceral fat is above 10%, your body may not be metabolically healthy yet, even if you look thin and everyone is telling you to stop. Real health is about body composition and metabolic parameters, not the number on the scale.

⚖️ Weight loss is not a cosmetic goal. It is about reducing visceral fat, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering inflammation, and reaching metabolically healthy markers. Looking skinny does not automatically mean your metabolism is balanced.

🔥 Treatment should only stop when metabolic health markers are within a healthy range. Forget outside opinions and focus on what your body composition and lab results are showing.

02/17/2026

🧠 These two terms sound almost identical… but medically, they are very different conditions.

🩺 Diverticulosis means small pouches (diverticula) have formed in the lining of the colon. It’s extremely common, especially as we age.

🔥 Diverticulitis, on the other hand, happens when one or more of those pouches become inflamed or infected.

📌 In simple terms:
Diverticulosis = structural finding
Diverticulitis = active inflammation

💚 Prevention makes all the difference.

02/05/2026

🍞 Gluten is not inherently bad for your gut. For most people, it’s digested normally and doesn’t cause inflammation or damage.

🧬 There are important exceptions. In celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction and must be strictly avoided. Wheat allergy is another clear reason to eliminate it.

🌿 Some people experience symptoms with gluten despite normal tests. This is called non celiac gluten sensitivity and in many cases the issue may actually be FODMAPs, not gluten itself. Whole grains can support gut health, so unnecessary restriction isn’t always helpful.

02/04/2026

🫘 Beans cause gas because they’re rich in fiber and fermentable carbs that aren’t fully digested in the small intestine. When they reach the colon, gut bacteria ferment them and produce gas.

🧠 This process is normal and beneficial. Fermentation is how fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria and supports long term gut health. Gas doesn’t mean damage, it means activity.

🌿 If you’re not used to eating fiber, large portions can overwhelm the gut and increase bloating. Starting small, choosing well cooked or soaked beans and increasing gradually allows the microbiome to adapt. Persistent symptoms suggest sensitivity, not that beans are bad.

01/29/2026

🫃 Normal tests don’t mean your bloating is imagined. It means the cause hasn’t been identified yet. Imaging and labs rule out danger, not discomfort.

🧠 Gut sensitivity, food timing, stress levels and motility all influence bloating and don’t always show up on standard tests.

🌿 Functional doesn’t mean fake. It means the gut is reacting differently and needs a different approach to treatment. Your symptoms are real.

01/27/2026

🧠 IBS flares do not always have a clear trigger. Having symptoms does not mean you ate the wrong thing, handled stress poorly or made a mistake.

🌫️ Sometimes there is no food to blame, no stressor to point to and no clear explanation. That unpredictability is part of the condition itself.

✨ Normalizing this matters. Validation reduces shame, anxiety and symptom spirals. IBS is not a personal failure.

01/22/2026

🧠 Magnesium is everywhere right now, linked to sleep, mood, muscle and nerve function, but not all forms act the same in the gut or get absorbed equally.

🧬 Forms like magnesium glycinate, malate and taurate are better absorbed and gentler on digestion, making them more suitable for sleep, muscle recovery and nervous system support.

🚽 Citrate, oxide and hydroxide are less absorbed and tend to pull water into the intestines, which is why they’re often used for constipation. Start low and let your gut guide the dose.

Address

925 N. E. 30th Terrace Suite 204
Homestead, FL
33033

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17865004644

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