Jacob A. Vella, MD
Weight loss specialist
Double board certified in Pain Management by the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine. Trained at SUNY Upstate; now based in Auburn, Alabama.
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Physician-led telehealth · Alabama & Georgia
Weight care that starts with your health, not a quick fix.
Balance Health MD offers medically supervised weight loss by phone for adults in Alabama and Georgia. Your plan is built with a licensed clinician around your history, goals and everyday life, with medication considered only when it's medically appropriate.
Text (334) 487-6688 · text only, no calls · Visits incl. medication from $100/month
Physician-led care Visits from home Privacy-first
Who we help
Care for adults who want a medical approach to weight
Whatever your starting point, a clinician will listen first and help you decide what's safe and realistic for you.
Starting fresh
You want a structured, medically guided plan rather than another trend.
Hit a plateau
You've made changes before and want to understand what's getting in the way.
Health-related goals
Weight is part of a bigger health picture you want to address with a clinician.
Asking about GLP-1s
You'd like an honest evaluation of whether medication is appropriate for you.
How it works
Four steps, at your pace
Text or submit the form
Text (334) 487-6688 or send the short Get started form to schedule.
Meet a clinician
A phone visit to review your history, medications and options.
Get your plan
A personalized plan: nutrition, movement, sleep and behavior, plus medication only if appropriate.
Ongoing support
Regular follow-ups to track progress, manage side effects and adjust.
Our care approach
Medicine where it helps. Habits that last.
Medical weight care works best when it's individual. Our clinicians look at the whole picture before recommending anything.
- Evaluation first. Health history, current medications, prior attempts and goals.
- Medication only when appropriate. GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide are considered case by case and are never guaranteed.
- Lifestyle foundations. Practical guidance on nutrition, activity, sleep and stress.
- Safety monitoring. Follow-ups to watch for side effects and adjust your plan.
What we won't do
- Promise a specific number of pounds or a timeline
- Prescribe without a clinician evaluation
- Pressure you into medication
- Replace your primary care or emergency care
Balance Health MD provides clinician-led care via telehealth. Prescription medications, including GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, are prescribed only when a licensed clinician determines they are medically appropriate after an individual evaluation; a prescription is never guaranteed. Individual results vary. GLP-1 medications have potential side effects and risks and are not right for everyone. Content on this site is for general information and is not medical advice.
Our physicians
Experienced Alabama physicians
Balance Health MD is led by physicians with decades of combined experience in anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Bradley Katz, MD
Weight loss specialist
Board-certified anesthesiologist with specialty training in pain management. U.S. Air Force veteran (Major) and former Chief Anesthesiologist at Maxwell Air Force Base.
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David Herrick, MD
Weight loss specialist
Founded the Center for Pain in 1997. Board certified in Anesthesiology and in Pain Management; served as the 150th president of the Alabama Medical Association (2016–2017).
Read full bio →Where we serve
Telehealth across Alabama and Georgia
You must be physically located in Alabama or Georgia during each visit.
FAQ
Common questions
Adults (18+) who are located in Alabama or Georgia at the time of their visits and want medically supervised help with weight. Eligibility is determined by a licensed clinician during an individual evaluation. Minimum-age and eligibility details are being finalized.
Not automatically. GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide are considered only when a clinician determines they are medically appropriate for you. Some people are not candidates because of their medical history, other medications, pregnancy or plans to become pregnant, or other factors. A prescription is never guaranteed.
Visits including medication start at $100/month. Your total may vary depending on the medication and dose your clinician prescribes. We will review costs with you before you commit.
No. Balance Health MD is self-pay only and does not bill insurance. Payment is by credit card. Visits including medication start at $100/month; total may vary with medication and dose.
Text (334) 487-6688 to schedule (text only; this line does not take calls). Or submit the short form on the Get started page and we'll reach out to schedule your phone visit.
Ready to talk with a clinician?
Text (334) 487-6688 to schedule. Visits including medication start at $100/month for adults in Alabama and Georgia.