Medical Weight Loss & Hormone Optimization
Science-Driven Pathways to Long-Term Health
At Desert Surgical & Bariatric Specialists, we recognize that obesity and metabolic dysfunction are complex, chronic medical conditions—not character flaws. True health requires looking beyond the scale to address the intricate relationship between your anatomy, your metabolism, and your endocrine (hormone) system.
Meet our Nurse Practitioner
Rachel Millard, DNP
As a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Rachel combines elite, evidence-based clinical training with a holistic, patient-centered approach to metabolic health, clinical obesity management, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
What truly sets our wellness program apart is a profound level of clinical empathy. Rachel is not just your healthcare provider; she is also a bariatric patient of Dr. Awad's.
“I know what it feels like to skip things you shouldn't and to put yourself last because you're busy working and parenting. I work with Dr. Awad because he is an exceptional surgeon and person. I had a gastric sleeve with Dr. Awad and lost over 150lbs. I then was converted to a gastric bypass after a rough pregnancy left me with reflux. I’ve been a bari patient for 12 years. Dr. Awad gives our patients a flawless surgical foundation, but my job is to help you navigate the real, messy, everyday reality of keeping balanced”.
The Two Core Pathways of Medical Wellness
1. Advanced Medical Obesity Management
For patients who do not qualify for surgery, choose a non-surgical path, or require precise clinical support to navigate weight milestones later in life, we offer structured medical weight management:
Evidence-Based Protocols: We utilize the latest advancements in obesity medicine, incorporating modern clinical guidelines to create sustainable weight reduction strategies.
Metabolic Testing & Monitoring: Comprehensive diagnostic testing to identify the deep genetic, metabolic, or environmental drivers behind weight stalls.
Comprehensive Lifestyle Integration: Working in tandem with our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to combine medical supervision with behavioral modifications and targeted nutritional therapy.
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormones act as the chemical messengers regulating your sleep, mood, energy, and—most importantly—your metabolic rate. When your endocrine system is out of balance, losing weight can feel biologically impossible:
Hormonal Optimization: Tailored treatments to correct imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid function, and cortisol.
The Weight Loss Connection: Balancing these crucial hormone levels helps eliminate stubborn weight plateaus, increases lean muscle mass retention, restores mental clarity, and naturally boosts your baseline energy.
A Personalized Approach: Every HRT protocol is determined by precise, individual laboratory panels and ongoing clinical monitoring to ensure absolute safety and efficacy.
The Desert Bariatrics Standard of Care
"Your metabolism doesn't stop evolving after a surgical procedure, and neither does our care. By blending advanced surgical precision with cutting-edge metabolic and hormone management, we ensure you have the medical tools, the clinical network, and the ongoing support needed to thrive for the rest of your life."
Client Reviews
“Rachel Millard works so very diligently to help her patients and has truly helped me over the several times since having had my surgery in Jan. of 2025!”
— L.M“Very thorough she listens attentively to the patient . She put my mind at ease with getting me help for my perimenopause.”
— N.P“Great service 👏 to the fullest, I always feel so informed when we talk and she covers all my questions each time.”
— M.M