Illuminate Wellness
Your outward appearance is directly affected by how your body is functioning inside. At Illuminate Plastic Surgery, we recognize that aging or physical changes to your face or body should be addressed holistically and not with just a scalpel or laser. To this end, we have teamed up with wellness physician, Dr. Luciano Del Toro and Health and Nutrition Coach Alexandra McCormick to offer our innovative Illuminate Wellness Program. Patients of the Program will receive care that is above and beyond what average medical insurance covers and provides by offering in-depth health assessments, hormone balancing, personalized health coaching and weight management.
This executive wellness program, ideal for our busy Silicon Valley clientele, is for people who want to look and feel their very best.
Dr. Del Toro’s executive wellness program gives adult patients access to the following:
- Comprehensive physical exams
- Bloodwork
- EKG
- Medication Reconciliation
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy
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- Supplements and Nutraceuticals
- Estrogen
- Testosterone
- Thyroid
- IV infusion therapy for correction of vitamin deficiencies
- 24/7 access to Dr. Del Toro via telephone or email
In addition to the wellness program with Dr. Del Toro, many patients enjoy working with our health and wellness coach, Alexandra McCormick. Alex works with patients weekly to develop healthier food and lifestyle choices. Her goal is to coach you on habits that support a lifelong transformation. She believes that healthy living is more about what’s added to your life, not just what is subtracted from the scale. Alex teaches clients about the ins and outs of healthy grocery shopping, meal prepping and even performs pantry overhauls in your home.
Learn more about Alex here.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you are regularly experiencing fatigue, high stress, low sex drive and uncontrollable weight gain, you may be suffering from hormonal imbalance. At Illuminate Wellness we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy managed by our triple board certified primary care physician, Dr. Luciano Del Toro. This process begins with an in-depth health assessment and physical exam by Dr. Del Toro, including blood work. With this information, the doctor will then determine whether you are a candidate for bioidentical hormone treatment.
What is bioidentical hormone therapy?
Hormones control most of our basic bodily functions. They serve as an internal communication system between cells throughout the human body. Hormones coordinate everything from digestion and growth to appetite, immune function, mood and libido.
When our hormones are out of balance (even slightly) it can have significant negative impact on our health and well-being. Often, when people’s hormones drop or become unbalanced, they turn to hormone replacement therapies to ease symptoms. The goal of bioidentical hormone treatment is to address many physical and mental symptoms including weight gain, fatigue, depression and heart disease.
Why do you recommend bioidentical hormone pellets?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be administered in oral, topical and pellet forms. Pellets have many advantages over the other modalities – most notably, consistent release of the product prevents hormone spiking or steep declines. Pellet insertions are quick and painless.
Who benefits from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, decreased sexual performance or depression and anxiety, you may have a hormone imbalance.
Am I a candidate for bioidentical hormone pelleting?
While many people can benefit from bioidentical hormone pelleting, not everyone is a candidate. This is up for Dr. Del Toro to determine. Dr. Del Toro is a triple board certified physician. Your health is his number one concern. Before initiating bioidentical hormone therapy, Dr. Del Toro will perform a complete physician exam including laboratory work and an EKG. He also requires that his female patients have had a PAP smear and mammogram within one year.
Once he has determined that you are a good candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement he will arrange for your treatment.
What are the pellets made of?
Pellets are made from wild yams a soy. Both yams and soy contain the highest concentration of hormones of any substance.
What if I’m allergic to yams or soy?
You can still receive hormone pellets!
Why are bioidentical hormones better than synthetic hormones?
Unlike synthetic, bioidentical hormones are plant-derived and match human hormones identically. In turn, they are more effective and less likely to cause side effects than synthetic hormones. There is really no comparison.
How often is pellet insertion necessary?
Every patient is unique, however most men and women benefit from treatment 2-3 times a year. If you are physically active, you are under a lot of stress or the climate is extremely hot your treatment may not last as long.
Is the therapy FDA approved?
Contents in the pellets are FDA approved and regulated, the process of making pellets is regulated by the State Pharmacy Board and the distribution is regulated by the DEA and respective state pharmacy boards. The PROCEDURE of placing pellets is not an FDA approved procedure.
Do I have blood work done before each treatment?
No, only initially and 4-8 weeks later to determine appropriate dosing. You may have it done again if there are significant changes.
Are there any side effects?
Most side effects are temporary and typically only occur following the first dose. There are no serious side effects.
Does it matter if I’m on birth control?
No, Dr. Del Toro can determine what your hormone needs are even if you’re on birth control.
What if I am already on synthetic creams or patches?
This is an easy transition. Dr. Del Toro will be able to determine your needs.
What if I’ve had breast cancer?
Breast cancer survivors and/or those who have a family history of breast cancer may still be candidate, however, this is to be determined by Dr. Del Toro.
Why Illuminate Wellness?
At Illuminate, your health and wellbeing are our primary focus. Dr. Del Toro is a triple board certified medical doctor. His goal with every patient is to practice safely and compassionately.