Patient-centered, results-oriented, health-focused. A lifestyle change built around you.
Our Approach to Semaglutides
Our goal is to educate our patients and provide resources for long-term weight management with lifestyle modifications. This program is headed by our Nurse Practitioner, Angie Johnston, certified in weight management. She will partner with our in-house dietary resource, Leslie Bonci, who will meet with patients to discuss their current eating habits, and tools for managing nutrition throughout their semaglutide journey.
About Our Program
Angie Johnston, NP, will see patients for the initial consultation and review of lab work. She will be doing the follow-up appointments and injection administration appointments at our Monroeville office. Our program is designed to help patients achieve long-term results using the resources and tools we have built into the program. Our collaborative team members will be available to work alongside you to support and sustain those results. This program is designed to last six months.
Here are the Requirements:
- Patients must have a BMI >27 or BMI 24-27 with comorbidities to be a candidate.
- An initial consultation will include the following:
- Our Nurse Practitioner will review the patient’s medical history and conduct a physical examination.
- The patients’ vital signs, height, and weight.
- Our NP will write a script for lab work to test for pregnancy, pre-albumin, CBC, CMP, and Lipase.
- We will take benchmark body measurements of the waist, arms, chest, and thighs to track progress throughout the program.
- Following week’s appointment: (30 minutes)
- Lab interpretation
- Administer the patient’s first set of injections if the patient qualifies for the program.
- Weekly appointments: (15-30 minutes)
- Our NP will administer patients’ semaglutide injections.
- Patients will be seen in the office each week, but once the patient is established and the program functional, the patient may be eligible to request alternative types of visits.
Hear From the Program Directors
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can go on this program?
Patients must have a BMI >27 or a BMI of 24-27 with co-morbidity conditions such as elevated B/P, cardiac issues, type 2 diabetics, elevated cholesterol, or menopausal factors.
What makes this program different?
This program is managed by a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Angie Johnston, who has direct MD supervision with Dr. Antimarino. The patient will have an initial consultation with the dietician. We have referral lines to physical therapists, behavioral therapists, and personal trainers to help you modify your eating and lifestyle habits and work towards your personal success with our program.
Why do I need to be seen each week?
At the beginning of the program, each patient will be seen once a week. The effects of the medication must be closely monitored so each patient can maximize their results. All medication can have complications, so weekly monitoring can help minimize any complications, and also, document each patient’s progress. Once the patient has established themselves in the program, the timeline for office visits can be re-visited.
What are the qualifications of the provider?
Angie Johnston is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with additional certifications for using Semaglutides for weight management. She is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Obesity Medicine Association.
Do I need to stay in this program for the rest of my life?
Unlike many programs, our program is a 6-month process. We feel that this time frame is essential to establish long-lasting lifestyle changes so that long-term use of the medication will no longer be needed.
What does it mean to have a collaboration with other providers?
We have established direct referral patterns to other specialists who can assist our patients in overcoming many of the barriers that may be keeping them from reaching a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Does my insurance cover the cost of the program?
The initial and monthly fees are not covered by your health insurance. Referrals to other specialists may be covered but not guaranteed.
How much does the program cost?
The initial fee is $200 and will include a detailed consultation with Angie for a physical exam that will consist of vitals, body measurements, and blood work. The initial fee also includes a 1-hour evaluation with Leslie Bonci, our in-house nutrition expert. The monthly fee will be $500 and will include continued weekly assessments with Angie, Semaglutide injections, and measurements. Ongoing sessions with Leslie Bonci will be available for a nominal cost. Referrals to other providers may be covered by your health insurance.
If I have a problem with the medication, who would I contact?
Angie will be the primary contact, followed by Dr. Antimarino.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are rare but can include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. These side effects are mostly associated with the dosage of the medication and can be treated with changes in the dose.
If I am not a good candidate for semaglutides, is there something else I can do?
If you are not a good candidate, you will still have access to Leslie Bonci for nutritional guidance, as well as the other specialists who can help develop a treatment plan specific to you.
When will I see the results?
In most cases, results begin after 1-2 weeks.
Do I have to change my diet or start to exercise?
Changing your diet and becoming more active are the key components to establishing a healthy long-term lifestyle. This program aims to provide the necessary tools so that any person can lose excess weight and change their current habits to establish sustainable healthy choices in food and exercise.
Meet the Team
Angie Johnston, MSN, FNP-C
Angie’s expansive nursing career has spanned 24 years, encompassing the ICU, CCU, ER, OR, PACU, aesthetics, and oncology. A Nationally Board- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner for the past ten years, she attended Waynesburg University before obtaining her MSN, and FNP from Carlow University in 2014.
She is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Obesity Medicine Association and Certified in Weight Loss and Functional Medicine. Along with experience in aesthetics, family medicine, and urgent care, Angie is highly proficient in the mental health field, with a specific focus on Affective Disorders (PTSD, Postpartum, Anxiety/Depression).
Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to empowering her patients to achieve their goals. She looks forward to continuing that mindset of positivity in the aesthetics industry and is pleased to be a part of the Bellissimo team. Her easily relatable nature, equally as important as her knowledge, allows Angie to recognize her patients’ true desires and help them reach a level of personal success that no longer needs to be out of reach.
Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, FAND
Leslie J. Bonci is a registered dietitian, board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and is the owner of Active Eating Advice– be fit, fed, fearless, a nutrition consulting company and co-founder of Performance365, a sports nutrition consulting company. She was the sports nutrition consultant for the 2020, 2023, and 2024 Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Her company, Performance 365, provides sports nutrition services for universities, industry, and professional sports teams. She runs a private nutrition counseling practice specializing in performance nutrition, weight management and body composition optimization, disordered eating, and digestive disorders.
She is the author of Sport Nutrition for Coaches and the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion, and co-author of Run Your Butt Off, Walk Your Butt Off, the Active Calorie Diet and Bike Your Butt Off. She has authored numerous chapters for sports medicine and sports nutrition manuals. Leslie is also a blogger for US News & World Report and participates in many podcasts as well as providing nutrition expertise for television, radio and print interviews.
Leslie is an adjunct instructor in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, also teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Pittsburgh and in the Athletic Training program at Duquesne University. Leslie received her undergraduate degree in Biopsychology from Vassar College, her Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her dietetic internship at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Leslie was the Director of Sports Nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine for 16 years. She is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker presenting on topics such as nutrition misinformation, the Combatting Misinformation, the Winning Plate, and the Fuels of Engagement. She focuses on client-centered care with an emphasis on listening, meeting clients where they are, and realistic recommendations over idealistic expectations. She is a 2021 recipient of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award.
A Focus on Long-Term Success
An essential part of our process that differs from other practices is our focus on creating sustainable weight loss and a comprehensive plan for continued success. We are creating partnerships in our community of caregivers to establish optimum care surrounding each patient and their specific needs. Semaglutides are a great tool for managing a patient’s weight loss, but during this time, we will also be addressing the patient’s general health and wellness to include their ability to exercise, general nutrition, activity levels, mental health, and any other health concerns should they arise. Our collaborative team is available for referral-based care to make sure each patient knows they can achieve success.
Request to Join Our Program
We are now accepting patients! If you’re interested in a lifestyle change and utilizing semaglutides for weight loss through a physician-monitored program, reach out to schedule your initial consultation.
