With the holidays upon us, we all know the temptation to splurge is in high season. Is there any way around those extra pounds, feeling better about ourselves, or even improving our health and wellness this time of year? Do we really need to wait to get on a better track?

The answer is no. Many men and women are discovering that doctor-supervised programs focus on better and more comprehensive plans for overall health, not just weight loss. There are even programs that can help improve recovery time for perfectly healthy people after workouts, or before and after surgery.

MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay, located in Fairhope, can help customize a healthcare regimen just for you. I first met Tracy at Southwood Kitchen in Daphne. Tracy and her husband, Jeremiah Matthews, opened the popular restaurant in 2017. Southwood Kitchen is also where Tracy was approached by Dr. Mary Wells, a local OBGYN physician, to consider helping her and fellow general surgeon, Dr. Dusty Smith, to open a medical spa clinic. 

Tracy, who had an extensive career in the medical industry, grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois, before attending Shelton State in Tuscaloosa on a softball scholarship, where she played 2nd base. After graduation, she moved to Birmingham, where she worked in a pulmonary medical office, then went into medical sales before moving to Fairhope in 2004.

With her medical sales background, Tracy helped open the OBGYN office for Dr. Jennifer Grace at Thomas Hospital. Later, she managed a plastic surgery and med spa clinic in Mobile. After Jeremiah convinced her to come help manage Southwood Kitchen, she met Dr. Dusty Smith.

I visited with Tracy and Sarah Graham to learn more about the services they offer at MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay. Sarah, one of three aesthetic technicians at MD Aesthetics, is a native of Fairhope and earned her degree in marketing with a focus on medical sales from UAB. Returning to Fairhope after college, she commuted to Mobile, where she worked at a med spa and weight loss clinic for 10 years. She was happy to accept a position at MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay and be back in her hometown two years ago.

As we started our discussion about MD Aesthetics, and what differentiates it from the many med spa and weight loss clinics in the Scenic 98 Coastal area, we talked about a comprehensive approach to better health. In addition to the self-help options available online, I mentioned that I am scheduled to have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and I was not looking forward to the lengthy recovery.

“Oh! We have programs that can help with recovery before and after surgery,” says Sarah. She begins to explain that emerging research shows peptide therapy can not only reduce the time necessary for recovery but also add to overall health, wellness, and energy. The weight loss program, which includes tirzepatide and semaglutide, and the peptide therapy program are supervised by Drs. Wells and Smith. 

“We start with a consultation to determine what your overall goal is to achieve health and wellness, whether that be weight loss, added energy, recovery, aesthetics, or all of those combined. Both my in-laws are doing the Peptide Therapy program, one with ankle surgery, and one with a recent hip replacement, with great results,” says Sarah. Good to know!

Tracy tells me, “I was diagnosed with Lupus years ago, and my physician is amazed by the healthy results.” He told me, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it.” She says she has adjusted her therapy according to her Lupus status and says she feels great. “My fatigue is gone. We monitor and adjust my plan based on results. One size does not fit all.”

Whether it’s weight loss you seek, or perhaps easing the effects of Father Time, the program is specifically designed and monitored for each patient. “This is modern healthcare. We have the patient’s best interest at heart. Plans are modified based on results and health. Many of the programs we prescribe help prevent future issues.”

I asked, with all the options available for weight loss, how is MD Aesthetics better? “Sometimes weight loss is achieved in an unhealthy way,” says Sarah. “You can lose weight and not look or feel healthy. Our approach is to provide a plan that helps you lose weight and feel good at the same time. We can monitor and adjust doses as needed based on how each patient feels. Many people achieve the desired weight loss and then go on a healthy maintenance program.”

In addition to the weight loss program and the peptide therapy program, MD Aesthetics provides a full array of aesthetic services such as skin care, laser technology, and micro needling. “We help people feel better about themselves while becoming healthier. We are physician-driven with proven medical treatments that enhance your overall well-being,” says Tracy.

“We are a small business in the community that is women-empowered, yet we serve women, men, and teenagers with procedures including Botox, improved hair growth, hair removal, weight loss, and even extreme cases of acne. Basically skin care, health, and wellness,” says Sarah.

MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay offers health, beauty, and wellness programs with personalized monitoring of progress.. Located on the first floor of The Flats on Bancroft Street in Fairhope, they are open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Look for their Happy Hour from 2 to 4 pm on Fridays. “We always have specials going on throughout the year,” says Tracy.

Sarah, Jody, and Ciara, MDA’s aesthetic technicians, are always on hand, and Drs. Wells and Smith are available twice a week to do injectables. Whether it’s 60 to 70 pounds you need to lose, or 10 to 15 pounds just to feel better about yourself, MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay is there to offer medically-proven programs to improve your health. 

This is healthcare. With Thanksgiving around the corner, and the holiday season soon to be in full swing, MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay is a good place to know!