Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs

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About our Practice

  • At Elite Wellness Internal Medicine you will be under the care of a board certified Internal Medicine physician with additional training from the Weill Cornell and Columbia university in treating weight related conditions. What you will not find at our clinic: unproven therapies for weight loss such as hCG injections, hormone pellets, naltrexone pellets, or expensive supplements.

  • Direct care allows us to offer our services directly to patients without the interference of big insurance companies. By eliminating complicated insurance billing, we can provide our patients with more personalized care- all at a flat, transparent fee.

    • Initial Consultations $250

    • Follow up visit $200

    • Package pricing available upon request

  • We are out of network for most insurance plans. However, for those seeking a truly personalized healthcare experience, we offer our exclusive Wellness Concierge Membership Program at an affordable price.

  • Zelle Elite Wellness Internal Medicine drgallothys@elitewellnesspb.com Major credit cards through Healow Pay and the patient portal.

About your visit

  • Each plan is individualized based on a comprehensive initial consultation.

    There are 5 parts to what we do:

    • Identify and treat underlying medical causes of weight

    • Utilize medications to help with weight loss

    • Nutritional planning

    • Exercise recommendations

    • Work on changing behaviors

  • Schedule through online portal, call or text 561-203-5282, or email: drgallothys@elitewellnesspb.com.

  • Patients will have to complete intake forms and be screened prior to their first appointment.

  • After the initial consultation and review of laboratory data, every 1-3 months is standard with phone check ins throughout the month.

    We have discovered that regardless of what plan we help you pick, the biggest predictor of success is sticking with the follow-up. Some patients will need to be seen more often.

    Once you are in maintenance, we recommend being seen every 12 weeks. It is often harder to keep weight off than to lose it, and following up long-term is key.

  • Call your insurance company and ask about coverage for anti-obesity medications. Some plans have exclusions (where they will not cover), some require a diagnosis of diabetes, some require a prior authorization and records of the patient trying lifestyle modifications for a period of time (usually 3-6 months). Please see our handout to use as a guide.

about weight loss

  • Weight management care is an individualized plan developed to support weight loss and improve weight related conditions through evidenced based medical care that includes nutrition planning, movement and often, medications.

  • Weight loss medication is not necessary for everyone. The medications work with lifestyle modifications. The FDA has approved medications for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 30 or 27 with one weight-related medical condition. The BMI is not the only tool we use however. We look at body fat %, waist circumference, and others. If you have a normal BMI but have outside records documenting a prior diagnosis of obesity we can treat you. We will evaluate you individually and discuss all of your options.

  • From a medical standpoint, a 5-10% weight loss often has the most impact on your health. We recognize people feel their health is optimal at a variety of different weights. Often focusing more on how you feel, what your blood sugar or blood pressure is, or your relationship with food is more important than what the scale says. Some of our patients don’t even look at the scale, depending on their goals.

  • We offer a variety of eating plans in our clinic. We will help you choose the best option based on your health needs, food preferences, and previous experiences. Most plans work- it is sticking with them that is the challenge, so we encourage you to pick something that will work long-term. We will help you pick a plan that makes sense for YOU!

    There is no best diet- most eating plans can work, we will help you choose the best for your body and your life and coach you how to do it! We can always change your plan if it turns out it is not the best fit for you. But whatever you choose it is important to approach nutrition as a long-term solution.

  • The current FDA approved medications for weight management are phentermine, Contrave, Saxenda, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Vyvanse to name a few.

    A comprehensive intake will include discussing which, if any of these medications are the best option for you. If medications work and do not cause side effects, they are generally used long-term.

  • Some GLP medications are available to patients without insurance coverage, please discuss with your doctor if that’s right for you.

    Use this tool to help you get the information you need from your insurance company.