loss are finally losing weight and they're losing it fast! Most patients lose 20+ pounds per month. We offer Releana® because it the only liquid HCG on the market, making it more convenient than injections, and is the only liquid HCG with a U.S. patent.
You can fight illness and disease!
Every life function is influenced by our hormones. Hormones are important chemical messengers in the body that effectively transfer signals and instructions from one set of cells to another. Hormones influence and regulate nearly every cell, organ, tissue and function of the human body.
We typically associate hormones with "teens" and "old age". The fact is, our hormones are working for, or against us, throughout our life. We begin to experience changes in our hormone levels in our 20s and 30s. We may notice symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, mood swings, loss of libido, insomnia, or weight gain. We often attempt to adjust our lifestyle to accommodate these changes, or, we mask these symptoms with the use of synthetic prescription medication.
But, years later, without proper hormonal support to the organs, we begin to experience the onset of disease - stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cognitive loss, and so much more.
With early detection and appropriate intervention, many adult illnesses can be prevented, cured, or have their downward course reversed.
Optimal health and wellness can be achieved with the proper balance of hormones, nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and proper rest. Unfortunately, your body will not optimally respond to improved nutrition and exercise habits when your hormones are out of balance.
Regaining balance is easier than you think!
Restoring an OPTIMAL supply of deficient hormones in a form that is identical to that which your body originally produced is the key to improving your overall health and fighting adult illness and disease.
Bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones made by the human body and exactly mimic the effects of the hormones that your own body creates. To fully replicate the function of the hormones originally produced by your body, the chemical structure must exactly match the original.
Medical studies indicate there are significant differences between bio-identical hormones and synthetic hormones (including animal-derived preparations). Synthetic hormones do not mimic exactly what are own bodies produce and may be responsible for toxicities that are experienced when non-bio-identical hormones are used in replacement therapy.
Many factors impact our hormonal balance. Our preventive approach would be incomplete without addressing your individual needs such as nutrition, weight management, stress, toxin exposure, metabolic factors and so much more.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". – Benjamin Franklin
Who needs bio-identical hormone therapy?
We believe that most adults should have their hormones checked by the age of 40 or earlier if they are experiencing symptoms of menopause, perimenopause or andropause (male menopause). The way to prevent illness and to optimize one's health is to take an active role in addressing health care risks before they become a problem. Getting tested when you still feel good gives you a benchmark for later comparison when the inevitable happens and your hormones begin to decline.
We offer bioidentical hormone therapy integrated with proper fitness and nutrition for women and men. This preventive medical approach helps put an end to the suffering caused by stress induced adrenal fatigue, PMS, symptoms of perimenopause, menopause and andropause.
Female Hormones
From the onset of your period through menopause and beyond, proper hormone balance affects many of the issues most important to you: sex, fertility, relationships and even your outlook on life.
So many women have found that personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapies provide the positive changes they have been searching for, and are now enjoying the benefits of their treatment plans in their daily lives.
Relief from debilitating depression, anxiety and insomnia, or loss of libido, as well as increased energy levels and optimal skin tone, are just a few of the positive benefits and changes our female patients have experienced with bioidentical hormone replacement therapies.
Male Hormones
Testosterone levels peak in most men during their early to mid-20s. Between the ages of 40 and 70, the hormone-producing cells begin to wear away, causing men to lose nearly 60 percent of peak levels. Key symptoms of testosterone deficiency include depression, fatigue, low sex drive, irritability, hair loss, thinning and wrinkling of the skin, weight gain, and weakening of bone and muscle tissue. Eventually, hormone imbalances can set the stage for the development of more serious conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, pre-diabetes and erectile dysfunction. Women are not the only ones taking an active role in managing their quality of life.
How do I get started?
The majority of our patients have researched bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and are anxious to be evaluated and tested by our Medical Director. We do understand that some patients are searching for more information before committing to bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and we offer Mini-Consultations for individuals who prefer to spend 20 minutes with Dr. Rowekamp so he may review the principles of hormones prior to beginning a treatment program. The cost of your Mini-Consultation will be deducted from the Comprehensive Initial Assessment fee if your comprehensive visit is scheduled within 30 days (we will schedule your comprehensive visit immediately following your mini-visit when time allows).
To get started, call to schedule a Comprehensive Initial Assessment, or a Mini-Consultation.
Comprehensive Initial Assessment - You will spend approximately 1 1/2 hours with Dr. Rowekamp as he discusses the principles of hormones, assesses your symptoms, reviews your detailed medical history, and answers your questions. Your visit will include a physical exam and appropriate laboratory testing will be ordered.
Your Follow-Up Visit will be scheduled when we receive your laboratory testing results (typically, within 5 - 7 days). During your 30 minute office visit, Dr. Rowekamp will discuss your lab test results and the course of treatment he prescribes especially for you.
Comprehensive Re-Evaluations - Depending upon the individual, Dr. Rowekamp will evaluate your progress 6 weeks to 12 weeks after your Comprehensive Initial Assessment, and every 3 to 12 months thereafter. When medically indicated, additional lab tests will be ordered, and a Follow-Up Visit will be scheduled to review lab results and discuss necessary changes to your personalized treatment plan.
How much does it cost?
Professional Fees
| Comprehensive Inital Assessment | $350.00 |
| "Mini" Consultation | $125.00 |
| Follow-up Visits | $145.00 |
| Comprehensive Re-evaluations | $195.00 |
Health Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, it is impossible to practice the highest standards of medical care within the structures of our health insurance system. Dr. Rowekamp is unwilling to provide inferior medical care in an attempt to conform to a health insurance company's contractual obligations to become a “participating provider”. Therefore, we do not participate with any health insurance plans, including Medicare. Dr. Rowekamp has opted out of the Medicare program.
Many health insurance plans offer "out of network" benefit reimbursement and we will provide you with the necessary paperwork to file a claim. If you need assistance obtaining information about your out of network benefit coverage, we will be happy to assist you. Many of our patients are pleasantly surprised at the amount they are reimbursed for our services.
Do you have a Health Savings Account? Coverage varies per carrier, but many of our services may be covered under your plan.
Laboratory Testing Fees
Depending upon the individual patient, we may use a combination of blood (serum), saliva, and/or urine testing; different types of samples give us different types of results.
We understand that some insurance companies participate only with their “preferred” labs and some carriers limit their participation to one single lab. Unfortunately, we have not found a single laboratory that performs every lab test available to physicians treating their patient. For our patients' convenience, we use Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and Genova Diagnostics, when possible and applicable for health insurance coverage purposes. As laboratory testing varies per patient, we will discuss laboratory fees on an individual basis with our patients who belong to an HMO, do not have “out of network” benefits, or do not have health insurance coverage.
Meet our Medical Director
Dr. Rowekamp is a Diplomate of The American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. He is an active member of The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
During Dr. Rowekamp's 20 year career practicing preventive, occupational, environmental and aerospace medicine, he became dissatisfied with the traditional medical approach of treating disease and symptoms rather than preventing disease. He left his previous specialty to seek advanced training in anti-aging, regenerative, and functional medicine.
Dr. Rowekamp's medical practice is dedicated to diagnosing, treating and preventing the medical problems associated with aging utilizing "cutting-edge" technologies to develop comprehensive, individualized health maintenance programs for his patients. At Life Balance Medical Center, we use the most advanced laboratory testing methods, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, nutraceuticals and lifestyle adjustments to treat female menopause, male andropause, thyroid dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety, insomnia, chronic stress, sexual dysfunction, obesity, and weight gain or loss.
Medical Director
Diplomate, American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine
Office Assistant
Graduate of the American Academy of Canine Medicine
WHAT IS HCG?
HCG (the active ingredient in Releana®) is an all-natural hormone produced by pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy. It exists in both males and females, but in pregnant females this hormone breaks down the mother’s fat storage and provides nutrition to the fetus when the mother is not able to provide adequate nutrition (i.e. starvation, mother is very sick, etc.). Research suggests this increased metabolism and fat burning activity also occurs in non-pregnant people, both male and female, when taking Releana® HCG and following the Releana® Medical Weight Loss Plan.
While you may find other HCG products on the internet, Releana® HCG is a prescription medication and cannot be sold on the internet - it must be prescribed by a physician. Releana® is the only liquid HCG product with a U.S. Patent (#7,605,122.)
HOW DOES RELEANA® HCG WORK?
The HCG in Releana® will reset the hypothalamus gland, helping trigger the body to burn stored fat for fuel.
There are different types of fat, some that you need as cushioning your organs or providing energy reserves, and some you don’t. The HCG in Releana® helps burn excess fat tissue that you don’t need.This type of unwanted fat is unhealthy and almost impossible to lose. Simply lowering your caloric intake won’t allow you to access these fat stores. They can only be mobilized in times of starvation and pregnancy.
In times of starvation, your body holds onto fat stores for emergency fuel. Releana® HCG bypasses this process so that when on a very low calorie diet, your body releases excess fat tissue for fuel instead of holding onto it. You'll lose abnormal fat deposits such as: potbelly, hips, thighs, and double chin first. As the Releana® HCG metabolizes your stored body fat, about 2,000 calories per day are released into the bloodstream, giving you a feeling of energy and vitality. This is the opposite what of you would normally feel on a low calorie diet.
Although the Releana® HCG diet has attracted a lot of attention lately, it isn’t a new concept. Dr. A.T.W. Simeons published a report in 1954 outlining the benefits of HCG as a diet aid. He found that patients taking HCG could drastically reduce their calorie intake without experiencing hunger, headaches or weakness. He also found that in addition to losing weight, it helped patients reshape their bodies even if they did not engage in exercise while on the program. People weren't just losing weight on the program; they were losing a particular kind of fat, the unhealthy kind that accumulates around the belly, hips and thighs. Dr. Simeon’s research found no harmful side effects of the HCG diet. In fact quite the opposite, that it provided improvement for patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Call us to schedule an appointment. Your first visit with the physician will last approximately 1 hour. During this visit, Dr. Rowekamp will review your medical history, order laboratory testing, weigh you and determine your body fat composition. If medically indicated for an individual, he may require you to have an EKG. He will explain the three phases of the plan:
- The Diet Phase
- The Maintenance Phase (a three week period when you stop taking the Releana® HCG and begin adding foods back into your diet)
- Lifetime Maintenance Phase
You will be given a handbook with all of the information needed to be successful during the three phases of the plan. And, you will receive a 4 week supply of the Releana® HCG.
HOW MUCH DOES THE DIET PLAN COST? *
The cost of the initial visit is $425.00. This includes the office visit, laboratory testing, the program information, your “before photo” and a 4 week supply of the Releana® HCG. (If medically indicated, the EKG is an additional fee). While many of our patients are able to achieve their goal weight in the first four weeks, others need to continue their weight loss. Additional visits with the physician including an additional 4 week supply of the Releana® HCG are $285.00.
The Releana® HCG Diet Medical Weight Loss Plan is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare. Dr. Rowekamp has opted-out of the Medicare program.
* All fees associated with the Releana® Medical Weight Loss Plan are effective July 17, 2010.
We are proudly servicing the following areas:
Bethesda, Darnestown, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Frederick, Olney, Poolesville, North
Potomac, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Kentlands, Lakelands, Maryland, McClean, Montgomery County,
Montgomery Village, North Bethesda, Quince Orchard, Rockville, Shady Grove, Travilah, Rio, and beyond!