Obesity Medicine

Physician-Led Obesity Medicine | Health Improvement Institute | NJ, NY, PA, CA

Lose Weight Safely. Keep It Off.
Feel Like Yourself Again.

Physician-led obesity medicine for adults who want real answers, personalized treatment, and sustainable results.

I’ve spent 13 years treating strokes, heart attacks, and organ failure in hospitals. Now I help you decrease your risk significantly.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Clarity Call

Meet Dr. Verma

Dr. Varun Verma

I’m Varun Verma, M.D. — board-certified in Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine, with 13 years of experience treating metabolic disease, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes across major academic health systems including Jefferson Health, Cooper University Hospital, Mount Sinai, UCSF, and Harvard-Brigham & Women’s.

After over a decade in hospital medicine, I noticed the same pattern: people didn’t get sick overnight — the warning signs were present for years.

Now I work upstream. I help adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s lose weight sustainably and prevent the metabolic diseases I used to treat in the ICU.

You receive direct care from a physician — no assistants, no bots, no shortcuts.

Why Focus on Obesity

Obesity is not a cosmetic issue. Fat cells (adipocytes) release inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, disrupt hormones, impair insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, and increase risk of certain cancers.

Early intervention through sustainable weight loss prevents diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and long-term complications.

You may already have early warning signs:

  • Weight creeping up despite efforts
  • Energy dropping throughout the day
  • Labs trending worse and your doctor keeps saying “we’ll just watch it”
  • Snacking and cravings feel harder to control
  • Alcohol intake has increased over the years

These are early signs of metabolic dysfunction — and they’re often reversible with the right strategy and physician supervision.

What Makes This Different

This isn’t another rushed visit or med spa shortcut. It’s physician-led obesity medicine with real continuity.

Extended visits where we actually talk

60-minute comprehensive initial consultation, followed by 30-minute monthly check-ins — not 10-minute conveyor belt appointments.

A physician who knows your history

Monthly continuity means I’m not meeting you fresh every time. I know your story, your labs, and your trajectory.

Direct access when questions come up

Email me directly for non-emergent questions about medications, side effects, or plan adjustments. No portals, no middlemen.

Evidence-based treatment

GLP-1 medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide) when medically appropriate, personalized nutrition plans, movement strategies — not fad diets or unproven supplements.

How We Work Together

Initial Visit

$249
One-time comprehensive evaluation
  • 60-minute physician consultation
  • Complete weight and metabolic history review
  • Current medications and lab review
  • Personalized nutrition plan: protein targets (~100g/day), fiber maximization, strategies to reduce processed food and minimize alcohol
  • Movement plan: Zone 2 cardio 30 minutes, 5 days/week
  • Medication evaluation including GLP-1s (semaglutide, tirzepatide)
  • Clear next steps and follow-up schedule

Ongoing Care

$199
Per month
  • Monthly 30-minute physician follow-up visits
  • Medication management and dose titration
  • Lab ordering and review
  • Direct access to your physician during business hours for non-emergent questions
  • Monthly accountability email check-in
  • Progress tracking and plan optimization

Labs and medications billed separately by respective vendors.

What We’ll Work On Together

Sustainable Nutrition

Targeting ~100g protein/day and maximizing fiber intake

Strategies to reduce processed food and minimize alcohol

Personalized to your lifestyle, preferences, and goals

Movement Strategy

Zone 2 cardio: 30 minutes, 5 days per week

Sustainable exercise that fits your schedule

Focus on consistency over intensity

Medication Management

FDA-approved medications when medically appropriate

Careful dose titration and side effect monitoring

Strategic use to support sustainable lifestyle changes

Medications We Prescribe

As a board-certified obesity medicine physician, I prescribe FDA-approved anti-obesity medications when medically appropriate. All medications include physician oversight, dose titration, and safety monitoring.

GLP-1 Agonists (First-Line)

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) — highly effective injectable medications for sustainable weight loss and metabolic improvement.

Contrave (Naltrexone + Bupropion)

Oral medication targeting appetite and cravings, used when GLP-1s are not appropriate or not covered by insurance.

Qsymia (Phentermine + Topiramate)

Oral combination medication for appetite suppression and metabolic support, used as second-line therapy when indicated.

Medication Costs: FDA-approved GLP-1 injections typically cost ~$199-$499/month through manufacturer savings programs. If your insurance covers these medications for a specific indication your cost will be much less. Contrave or Qsymia typically cost ~$99/month.

What We Treat

We specialize in obesity and related metabolic conditions that increase risk for long-term complications.

Obesity

Medical weight loss with evidence-based strategies, GLP-1 medications when appropriate, and sustainable lifestyle changes for adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidities.

Metabolic Syndrome

Comprehensive treatment for the cluster of conditions (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, abnormal cholesterol) that increase disease risk.

Pre-Diabetes

Early intervention to reverse elevated blood sugar (A1c 5.7-6.4%) and prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes through weight loss and metabolic optimization.

Weight Regain After Prior Success

Physician-supervised treatment for adults who have lost weight previously but experienced regain — addressing metabolic adaptation and hormonal factors.

Who This Is For

Our Typical Patients

We provide care for adults ages 18+ who are committed to sustainable weight loss and metabolic health improvement.

Adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s

Who have noticed weight creeping up, energy declining, or labs trending in the wrong direction — and want to address it before it becomes a major health crisis.

People with 10-50 lbs to lose

Who want physician-led care, not med spa shortcuts or unsupervised online prescriptions.

Those with metabolic risk factors

Including pre-diabetes (A1c 5.7-6.4%), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, PCOS, or family history of diabetes or heart disease.

Patients who feel dismissed by traditional healthcare

Rushed 10-minute appointments, being told to “just eat less and exercise more,” or doctors who keep saying “we’ll watch it” while problems worsen.

Availability & Logistics

Telehealth: We see patients via secure video visits in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and California. We also have select evenings (5–8 p.m.) + select weekends by appointment to accommodate your schedule for busy working professionals.

In-Person: In-person consultations available in Cherry Hill, New Jersey by appointment.

Ages: Adults 18 and older.

What This Practice Is — and Isn’t

This is:

Physician-led obesity and metabolic medicine with personalized care, direct access, and evidence-based treatment focused on sustainable weight loss and disease prevention.

This is not:

Primary care, urgent care, or emergency care. You should maintain a primary care physician for annual exams, screenings, vaccines, and urgent needs.

Insurance:

Our practice does not accept insurance, and we cannot see Medicare beneficiaries at this time.

Ready to Get Started?

Book a free 15-minute clarity call to discuss your goals and whether this practice is the right fit for you.

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