BALANCING OUR BODIES

While Fairhope’s esteemed Dr. James Koehler is widely known and revered for his cosmetic surgical skills, we were thrilled to learn that he’s now offering hormone therapies. A conversation among many, we applaud this move as many people do not know where to turn when experiencing the symptoms of hormone disruption. Working in tandem with Mary Emma Pitman, CRNP, we’re excited to share their winning approach, offerings, and solutions. The biggest take away? Approach matters.

By Hayley Hill Photos Layla Lambert, l-egantportraits.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com

Joining the highly skilled and nationally acclaimed Dr. James Koehler in his cosmetic surgery and aesthetics practice, Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery, was an easy decision for Fairhope’s Mary Emma Pitman. “I’m always striving for more and looking for my next challenge, which led me down the path to become a nurse practitioner. I want to make a difference in the world and what better way to do that than empowering men and women to feel their best and promote longevity,” she tells us. 

Committed to changing lives, Dr. Koehler knows all too well that his patients need to feel their best to also look their best. A problem solver, he recently expanded his practice to provide hormone treatments with Mary Emma’s assistance to maximize patient outcomes. “It started when we noticed that so many surgical patients would benefit from them. Signs such as excess visceral fat, changing body shapes, or simply losing enthusiasm for life can be directly attributed to hormone imbalances,” she tells us. And while Dr. Koehler works magic in the operating room, Mary Emma works her magic in the treatment rooms building a customized wellness plan for each individual patient and their specific needs.

Digging in, Mary Emma reveals the specific treatments. “To start, our approach is extensive. We thoroughly review a patient’s medical history, symptoms, and concerns. After the initial evaluation, we perform an in-depth lab work panel to verify which treatments the patient will benefit from the most. We look at so many components of one’s health, such as metabolic factors, vitamin levels, precursor hormones, and more. We use hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, thyroid, and more. We offer these treatments in all forms including pellets, injections, creams, capsules, and more, and tailor those on an individualized basis. Additionally, we discuss all our findings with each patient and suggest supplements, lifestyle changes, and diet and exercise recommendations to ensure the most positive outcome.”

Dr. Koehler and Mary Emma are excited to offer Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). “The goal of BHRT is to replenish the hormones that occur naturally in each person’s body and to increase them to a level necessary to maintain youthful health, vigor, and brain function. It’s important to understand the difference in hormones. Bioidentical hormones are created to be the exact chemical makeup of hormones naturally produced by the body. Hormones that are not bioidentical, typically termed “synthetic,” are chemically altered versions of what our bodies naturally produce. Synthetic hormones can be patented (A.K.A. profitable) and bioidentical hormones cannot. This is why pharmaceutical companies do not push bioidentical hormones. Several negative side effects can occur from synthetic hormones, and it’s never made sense to replace hormones that are not identical to the body. In fact, research has shown that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be protective against heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and more,” she explains.

Over the past several years working as an RN for Dr. Koehler, the discussion of hormones has been a popular topic. “To make these plans a reality, we attended a very extensive evidence-based program which is outside the realm of traditional medicine. It’s not widely taught in medical or nursing school, so BHRT providers typically do the majority of their own education and studying of published research. Dr. Koehler oversees all our hormone patients and I see them when they come into the office for treatments,” she adds.

Validating our feelings, Mary Emma says, “Hormone treatment can be a very emotional time. Patients often divulge a large portion of their personal life in BHRT treatment consultations as so many women have struggled for so long without answers and have even been brushed off or told what they’re experiencing is “normal.” I always ask several health questions because quite often patients have symptoms they don’t realize are related to their hormones. One of most popular is sleep irregularities. Additionally, many women face marital or relationship problems that are directly related to hormone issues such as mood swings and low libido. Clearly, hormones affect so many lives! All information is helpful and can aid in successful treatments that provide an improved mental and physical state that’s able to manage personal circumstances.” The fact that Mary Emma and Dr. Koehler look at the whole person, not only making changes in hormones, but in activity, diet, lifestyle, and more, sets this program apart.

A BHRT enthusiast, Mary Emma continues, “There is a misconception that women should wait until menopause before starting hormone treatment. That is not the case. Women can begin treatment as soon as they start to have symptoms or have had a hysterectomy. Even young girls suffering with PCOS can receive treatment.  Also, many are not aware that testosterone is a female hormone, too. Produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and other cells, it’s vital for physical and emotional health and one of the most important hormones in the fight against skin thinning and wrinkles. It also helps to enhance sex drive, strengthen bones, increase energy and our overall zest for life, and relieve menopausal symptoms. Additionally, hormones are very important to the overall health and wellness of men, and help to improve many factors, with one of the strongest being vitality.  Testosterone in men has been proven to help reduce obesity, increase lean body mass, raise good cholesterol (HDL), and prevent cognitive and physical decline.”

In terms of BHRT feedback and side effects, Mary Emma shares, “The most common response I hear is that it’s life changing, and they finally feel like they can take back control of their lives. Patients experience weight loss and improvements in sleep, hair growth, relationships, energy levels, exercise motivation, libido, and even improvement with incontinence issues after starting BHRT.  The negatives are rare and range from sleepiness at first with progesterone to nipple tenderness and minor swelling in the first few weeks.”

Enjoying time on the boat with her husband, Clay Pitman, as well as friends and family, Mary Emma has found her place and passion at Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery. Having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Alabama, and then a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner degree from The University of South Alabama, she concludes, “After working at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, I began at Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery as I was intrigued by the work of my stepfather, Dr. William Staggers who owned the practice prior to Dr. Koehler. Aesthetics is one of the only places in healthcare where people are happy to see us. Whether it’s cosmetic surgery, a skin treatment, or balancing hormones, we are helping people to not only look better, but to feel better, too!” 

Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery

7541 Cipriano Court, Fairhope, AL 36532

251.929.7850

EasternShoreCosmeticSurgery.com