JourneyLite Clinical Team
Our nurse practitioners.
Meet the providers who guide medical weight loss treatment, help you prepare for bariatric surgery, and support your recovery and long-term follow-up.
Board-certified Nurse Practitioner
Melissa Peters
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Columbus · Dayton
Melissa supports patients from their initial treatment decision through long-term bariatric follow-up. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
More about Melissa
Melissa Peters is a board-certified nurse practitioner with six years of experience in bariatric medicine. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
Melissa is dedicated to helping patients achieve healthier lives through comprehensive weight management and bariatric care. She partners with patients throughout every stage of their journey—from the initial decision to pursue treatment through long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery.
She recognizes obesity as a complex, chronic disease and believes successful treatment extends beyond the number on the scale. Her approach focuses on improving overall health, preventing and managing obesity-related conditions, and helping patients develop sustainable habits that support lifelong success.
Known for her compassionate and supportive approach, Melissa takes time to listen to each patient’s goals, challenges, and concerns. She strives to provide individualized, evidence-based care in a judgment-free environment where patients feel respected, encouraged, and empowered.
Melissa finds it especially rewarding to celebrate meaningful milestones with her patients, including improved health conditions, greater confidence, and progress toward personal goals. She considers it a privilege to be part of each patient’s journey toward better health and improved quality of life.
Board-certified Nurse Practitioner
Heather Meucci
RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Cincinnati · Northern Kentucky · Indianapolis
Heather provides pre-op, post-op, and medical weight loss care. With more than a decade of nursing experience—and her own experience as a weight loss patient—she brings a personal understanding to her work.
More about Heather
Heather Meucci is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in bariatric medicine. With more than a decade of nursing experience, she provides comprehensive care across the full spectrum of weight management.
Heather specializes in preoperative and postoperative surgical weight-loss care, as well as nonsurgical medical weight-loss programs. She travels to multiple JourneyLite offices and is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and judgment-free space for every patient.
Her holistic approach recognizes both the physical and emotional aspects of weight management. Heather teaches patients that progress can be measured in many ways and that improvements in health, mobility, confidence, and daily life can be just as meaningful as changes on the scale.
As a weight-loss patient herself, Heather understands many of the obstacles patients face. Her personal experience helps her approach each patient with compassion, empathy, and a genuine appreciation for the challenges and victories that make up a weight-loss journey.
Heather grew up in a small farming community in northern Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University in 2011 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2019.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends. One of her favorite reminders is that life is not a dress rehearsal—you have one life to live, so live it with no regrets.
Board-certified Nurse Practitioner
Jennifer Patel
RN, MSN, FNP-BC
Cincinnati · Dayton
Jennifer specializes in bariatric medicine and medical weight management. As a medical weight loss patient herself, she understands the daily changes and ongoing support involved in treatment.
More about Jennifer
Jennifer Patel is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in bariatric medicine and medical weight management. She provides comprehensive care across the full spectrum of weight health.
Jennifer specializes in preoperative and postoperative surgical weight-loss support, as well as nonsurgical medical weight-loss programs. She is passionate about partnering with patients to pursue better health and sustainable lifestyle change.
With a career rooted in compassionate care—and as a medical weight-loss patient herself—Jennifer understands that successful weight management goes beyond numbers on a scale.
Her holistic, patient-centered approach includes nutritional support, attention to mental well-being, and continuous, judgment-free encouragement.
Jennifer grew up in a small town in northern Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Science from Bowling Green State University in 2002.
She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Kentucky University in 2005 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2013.
Outside of the clinic, Jennifer enjoys spending quality time with her family, hiking, and traveling.
Clinical care
Support throughout treatment.
Medical weight loss
Health-history review, medication management when appropriate, progress monitoring, and adjustments to your treatment plan.
Preparing for surgery
Education, medication review, and coordination of testing and specialist evaluations with your surgical team.
Recovery & follow-up
Monitoring recovery, symptoms, hydration, nutrition, medications, and weight-related health conditions after surgery.
Office & virtual visits
Virtual appointments when clinically appropriate, with in-person care when an examination or hands-on assessment is needed.
Working with your care team
Our nurse practitioners work alongside JourneyLite’s surgeons and clinical staff and registered dietitians to coordinate your care.
Common questions
About nurse practitioner care.
What does a nurse practitioner do in JourneyLite’s medical weight-loss program?
A JourneyLite nurse practitioner evaluates your medical history, weight history, medications, obesity-related conditions, previous treatment efforts, and personal goals. Your provider then develops an individualized treatment plan that may include nutrition and activity recommendations, laboratory monitoring, and prescription weight-loss medication when medically appropriate.
Can JourneyLite’s nurse practitioners prescribe weight-loss medications?
Yes. As licensed advanced practice providers, our nurse practitioners may prescribe appropriate weight-loss medications after reviewing your health history, current medications, contraindications, treatment goals, and applicable prescribing requirements.
How do nurse practitioners help prepare patients for bariatric surgery?
Our nurse practitioners provide preoperative education, review your medical and surgical history, reconcile medications, evaluate obesity-related conditions, and help coordinate required laboratory work, testing, and specialist evaluations. They also help confirm that required medical clearances and preoperative steps have been completed. Concerns that could affect surgical safety are reviewed with the bariatric surgeon and appropriate medical specialists.
Does a nurse practitioner provide the final clearance for bariatric surgery?
JourneyLite nurse practitioners assess preoperative readiness and verify that required evaluations have been addressed. Some patients also need clearance or recommendations from a primary-care physician, cardiologist, pulmonologist, or another specialist. The operating surgeon and surgical team make the final determination about proceeding with surgery.
What do nurse practitioners monitor after weight-loss surgery?
Postoperative follow-up may include assessment of pain, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bowel function, hydration, food tolerance, protein intake, vitamin use, incision healing, medications, activity, and weight-loss progress. The nurse practitioner also monitors for symptoms that may require additional testing, treatment, or prompt evaluation by the bariatric surgeon.
Can postoperative appointments be completed virtually?
Many postoperative appointments can be completed through a secure virtual visit when the patient is recovering as expected and an in-person examination is not required. An in-person visit may be recommended when the provider needs to examine an incision, obtain measurements, evaluate concerning symptoms, or perform another hands-on assessment.
What symptoms should be reported after bariatric surgery?
Patients should follow the postoperative instructions provided by their surgeon and contact the JourneyLite clinical team about concerning or worsening symptoms. Examples may include persistent vomiting, inability to drink, signs of dehydration, worsening abdominal pain, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate, leg swelling, bleeding, or changes at an incision. Severe, rapidly worsening, or potentially life-threatening symptoms require immediate emergency evaluation rather than waiting for a routine virtual appointment.
Do nurse practitioners continue to see patients long after bariatric surgery?
Yes. Bariatric surgery is a powerful treatment, but obesity requires long-term care. Ongoing visits can help monitor weight trends, nutrition, vitamin use, obesity-related conditions, medication needs, reflux, weight-loss stalls, and weight regain.
Will I also see a surgeon and registered dietitian?
Yes. JourneyLite uses a team-based approach. Surgical patients are evaluated and treated by a bariatric surgeon, while registered dietitians provide specialized nutrition education and support. Nurse practitioners help connect these parts of the treatment plan and provide medical monitoring before and after surgery.
What makes JourneyLite’s nurse practitioner team different?
Our nurse practitioners focus specifically on bariatric medicine and medical weight management. They understand the clinical, nutritional, and emotional challenges that can accompany obesity treatment. Patients receive individualized, evidence-based care in a respectful environment, with access to an experienced team of bariatric surgeons, registered dietitians, nurses, and support staff.
Individual treatment recommendations, appointment eligibility, and virtual-visit availability depend on the patient’s medical needs, location, and applicable clinical or regulatory requirements. This page is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice or emergency care.