Salveo Weight Management, co-founded by Drs. Amy Articolo and Suzanne Mackey in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, offers a medical treatment program for patients who need to lose weight and whose BMI is 27 kg/m2 or greater. They aim to provide a supportive environment for their patients in their weight loss journey, focusing on medical and lifestyle interventions.
Comprehensive and Supportive Weight Loss Programs
Salveo Weight Management distinguishes itself by offering personalized programs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding that excess body weight is a complex medical disease, the practice emphasizes identifying and addressing underlying medical conditions that may contribute to weight gain or hinder weight loss efforts. Their approach extends beyond simply focusing on height and weight, or BMI, and incorporates a comprehensive evaluation of each patient's unique needs.
The Salveo Blü - Enhancement of Life
Not seeking primary care, but still aiming to optimize your health and enhance your life? Embrace the transformative power of Salveo Blü - Enhancement of Life. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Many of these diseases can be prevented or at least delayed by making healthy lifestyle changes. Lifestyle medicine is an important part of primary care because it can help people stay healthy and avoid these diseases.
One of our pillars of health is stress management, and many times this issue gets overlooked in traditional practices. In our office we created a comfortable space for our members to relax and take off their shoes, literally. Lifestyle medicine works by helping people make healthy changes in their lives. This can include eating whole plant-based foods, getting more exercise, sleeping better, engaging in positive social activities, managing stress, and quitting smoking or drinking too much alcohol. We focus on lifestyle medicine as the primary approach to healthcare. We believe that by making even some simple changes to your lifestyle, you can prevent or manage many chronic diseases.
The Team
The team includes various healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues. Dr. Mackey was awesome to talk with. The whole experience was so much better than I expected. Everyone is friendly. Dr. Mackey is the best! She helps me in every way possible to have hope I will meet my weight loss goals. I really enjoy the staff and Dr. Mackey. These women are some of the smartest and most caring doctors I have had the privilege of working with. Two fantastic physicians, they have given me my life back and have saved my life at the same time. I am forever indebted to this practice. Dr. Mackey will also treat you with compassion and understanding. It is our desire to treat you as a complete person. Some visits may focus on nutritional needs, while others may be focused on stressors that are currently in your life.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Initial Expectations and Follow-Up Visits
At your first visit, expect a comprehensive assessment, including body measurements, an abbreviated physical exam, and vital signs. The physician will review your progress and discuss any necessary additional lab tests or EKG. Follow-up visits are typically monthly, involving adjustments to medications, nutrition, exercise, or motivational tools as needed. Patients are encouraged to ask questions during these visits to ensure they are actively involved in their weight loss journey.
Body Composition Analysis with Seca
Salveo Weight Management utilizes Seca’s body composition analysis to provide patients with insights into their body composition. This analysis goes beyond traditional weight measurements, offering precise measurements of fat and muscle mass, percentage of body fat, and skeletal muscle. This information is essential for understanding the needs of your body and maintaining a proper balance between fat-free mass and fat, which is crucial for optimal health and fitness. The test is brief, non-invasive, and completed in less than 20 seconds, making it a convenient and valuable tool for tracking progress and staying motivated. Regular body composition testing is pivotal in maintaining motivation while losing weight and building muscle mass.
Medical Interventions and Medications
When appropriate, Salveo Weight Management incorporates FDA-approved medications into the weight loss plan. These may include appetite suppressants such as phentermine, phendimetrazine, and diethylpropion, as well as medications like Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion), Qsymia (topiramate and phentermine), and Wegovy (semaglutide). The use of these medications is carefully monitored by Salvéo physicians, who screen for any medical conditions that would make their use unsafe. These medications are always part of a comprehensive program, ensuring safe and long-term weight loss maintenance.
- Contrave: A combination of naltrexone and bupropion, designed to treat addictive behaviors and depression/tobacco addiction, respectively.
- Phentermine: An appetite suppressant approved by the FDA in 1959 for short-term use in conjunction with caloric restriction.
- Qsymia: A combination of topiramate (an antiseizure medication) and phentermine, associated with improvements in weight-related comorbidities.
- Wegovy: An injectable glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist similar to Ozempic, enhancing satiety and reducing portion size/calories.
Bariatric Medicine Expertise
Salveo Weight Management is led by bariatricians, physicians who have received additional training in the non-surgical treatment of obesity under the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). These specialists are uniquely equipped to address the needs of individuals seeking treatment for excess body weight. They offer individualized treatment plans, identify common roadblocks in the weight loss journey, and provide comprehensive nutritional education, exercise guidance, lifestyle changes, and behavioral interventions.
Understanding Bariatrics
Bariatrics is the field of medicine focused on the disease of obesity and the science and medicine related to weight loss. While weight loss surgery can be a useful intervention for some patients, Salveo Weight Management emphasizes the importance of continued care with a physician who understands bariatric medicine, regardless of whether a patient undergoes surgery.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
The Role of BMI
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of healthy weight. While BMI has advantages in its simplicity and reproducibility, it does not account for fat mass versus lean mass or the distribution of body fat. Salveo Weight Management considers these factors through body composition analysis and measurements to provide a more comprehensive assessment.
Physician Qualifications and Expertise
The American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) oversees the education and testing of physicians who seek board certification in bariatric medicine. Board-certified doctors must complete ongoing medical education and retest every 10 years to maintain their certification. Dr. Mackey maintains her board certifications in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Obesity Medicine, staying current with the latest research through conferences and continuing medical education.
Recommendations from Health Organizations
Leading health organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), recommend physician treatment for patients with medical conditions or those needing to lose more than 15 pounds. Treatment should include reduced-calorie diets, increased physical activity, and intensive behavioral therapy, with the potential use of weight loss medications. The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also support referral to an Obesity Specialist when appropriate.
Health Risks of Excess Weight
Treating obesity is crucial due to the significant health risks associated with excess weight, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, sleep apnea, kidney disease, fatty liver, asthma, arthritis, gallstones, gout, depression, infertility, and various cancers. These health problems lead to financial burdens due to medical care, prescriptions, and lost productivity.
Addressing the Complexity of Weight Gain
Weight gain is a complex issue influenced by genetic, environmental, political, and financial components. Organizations like the ABOM, OMA, OAC, AMA, ADA, and AHA are actively researching and advocating for improved treatment options.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Limitations of BMI
BMI, while a simple measure, has limitations as it does not account for fat mass versus lean mass or the distribution of body fat. Salveo Weight Management uses body measurements to evaluate fat distribution, considering that an android (apple) shape, with more fat around the waist, is less healthy than a gynoid (pear) shape.
Patient Experiences and Testimonials
Patients consistently praise Salveo Weight Management for its supportive and effective approach. Reviews highlight the caring and knowledgeable staff, particularly Dr. Mackey, who is described as compassionate and understanding. Patients appreciate the personalized attention and the positive impact the program has had on their health and well-being.
- Maddy E.: “Always a pleasant experience and any issue I’ve had has always been addressed immediately.”
- Jennifer I.: “These women are some of the smartest and most caring doctors I have had the privilege of working with.”
- Carolyn M.B.: “Two fantastic physicians, they have given me my life back and have saved my life at the same time. I am forever indebted to this practice.”
- Patient: Dr. Mackey and her team have been wonderful from my first visit almost two years ago. I will continue to be a patient of theirs as long as their office is open! Everyone is kind, welcoming, and…
- Patient: I can't say enough wonderful things about Salveo Weight Management! These amazing physicians, Drs. Articolo & Mackey, truly changed my life! It's been almost 3 years since I first walked into…
SMS Terms & Privacy
Salveo Weight Management uses SMS alerts to communicate appointment information. By opting in, patients agree to receive these alerts, with message frequency varying. Message and data rates may apply. Patients can opt out at any time by replying STOP.