FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does an anti-aging program cost?
How much do medications and supplements cost?
What can I expect from anti-aging treatment?
What type of weight loss program will I be on?
How often do I have to come to the office?
How much does the weight loss program cost?
Can I keep my primary care physician?
What is my first step if I want to start one of Dr. Heim’s programs?
Q: How much does an anti-aging program cost?
A: Initial office visit is $225.00. At this visit you will receive an anti-aging focused medical history and physical exam, body composition and metabolic rate testing, and blood pressure screening. You will also recieve comprehensive counseling on proper exercise and diet to maximize your health and longevity as well as reccomendations for nutritional supplements for your unique needs. Follow up visits generally are required every 3 – 6 months and the fee is $125.00.
Q: How much do medications and supplements cost?
A: Medications and supplements depend on the individual program a patient is on and can range anywhere from 75.00- 150.00 per month for basic hormone replacement and supplements. Anti-aging therapy is individualized and a patients needs can change over time, as your body becomes healthier and more balanced your treatment needs may change.
Q: What can I expect from anti-aging treatment?
A: Effects of treatment are different for everyone but when patients make anti-aging lifestyle changes and their hormones are in balance, they typically experience more energy and vitality, better sexual function and improved sex drive, less depression and anxiety, better quality of sleep, improved sense of well being, reduction or elimination of hormone deficiency symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, better focus and concentration. You may see increased fitness levels and better exercise tolerance which can lead to increased muscle mass and decreased body fat. Hair and skin tend to look and feel better. In short, you will begin to feel like you did 10 or 15 years ago.
Q: What type of weight loss program will I be on?
A: As a board certified bariatrician, Dr. Heim will create a program that is tailored to your needs. Your Program may include meal replacement supplements, weight loss medications, and nutritional supplements. You will be counseled on the proper exercise to maximize your weight loss and minimize loss of muscle which will result in decreasing metabolism. Generally most patients go through an initial week of dieting designed to detox the body and prepare it for the dietary phase which can last anywhere from 4 – 12 weeks or longer depending on how much weight you need to lose. Diets usually consist of a combination of meal replacement supplements and regular food. Following the diet phase you will gradually return to eating a regular healthy diet designed to maintain your weight loss and maximize your health.
Q: How often do I have to come to the office?
A: After the initial 2 – 3 weeks patients are seen every 2 – 4 weeks for office visits but are encouraged to come in weekly (at no charge) to weigh in on the body composition scale so that we can track your weight on the weeks you are not being seen by the doctor. Office visits are generally more frequent in the beginning of the program to ensure you are making good progress and not having any medical complications.
Q: How much does the weight loss program cost?
A: Initial visit is $225 and includes Bariatric focused medical history and physical, EKG if needed, body composition and metabolic rate testing, blood pressure screening, and diet and exercise counseling. Follow up visits are $50.00 and include brief physical exam, body composition testing and diet and exercise counseling as needed. Full meal replacement program costs $45.00 per week. As you progress through the program, you will use less supplements and costs decrease accordingly. Dr. Heim may recommend over the counter vitamin supplements as well.
A: You may get any needed blood work through the preferred lab of your insurance carrier and the lab will bill your insurance company or through our office at a special discounted fee that we have negotiated with a local lab.
Lab fees for basic weight loss program through our office are $50.00 and includes full thyroid panel, cholesterol panel, a complete blood count (CBC), and Complete Metabolic Profile (CMP). A complete hormone panel for Anti-aging programs are around $175.00 which includes the weight loss panel plus appropriate hormone levels. If you have had blood work completed in the past 6-12 months we may not need to repeat those tests which will reduce the cost of any blood work done through our office.
Q: Can I keep my primary care physician?
A: We encourage you to continue regular follow up with your primary care physician and keep them informed of any changes in your health status. Our programs are designed to drastically improve your health and your need for prescription medication may be reduced or in some cases eliminated. Dr. Heim may make adjustments or discontinue any current medications if medically appropriate and will always recommend that you keep your personal physician informed of these changes. Dr. Heim also provides full survice primary care services if desired.
Q: What is my first step if I want to start one of Dr. Heim’s programs?
A: If you would like to start one of Dr. Heim’s program you can go to our forms section and download the appropriate questionnaire. Fill out the questionnaire and email or fax it to us and let us know you would like to get started. Dr. Heim will review your answers and order the appropriate lab-work. When the lab-work is completed you will be contacted to schedule your initial consultation and you can start treatment that same day. You can also contact our office to request a questionnaire and we will gladly email it to you. Dr. Heim also offers a complimentary 15 minute consultation if you would like to discuss any of his programs before starting. Call to schedule yours today!