Locations
Chesapeake Weight Loss Consultants, PLLC
Chesapeake, VA
My office hours
Thursday: 11am - 4:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
About
Bio
Rachel I. Chastanet, MD, FACP
Dr. Rachel Chastanet has spent much of her professional career treating the consequences of obesity, so she is delighted to be able to address the problem head-on as a weight loss doctor.
From the age of 12, Dr. Chastanet dedicated herself to becoming the best possible doctor, and graduated from the Penn State/Jefferson Medical College BS/MD program in 1987, at the age of 22. Since then she has practiced medicine with the Navy and Marine Corp, as a civilian, in hospitals, ships, clinics and tents. She taught hundreds of residents and students, and currently owns her own practice with her husband Bob, a Bariatric Surgeon.
Rachel is the mother of three sons and two dogs, teaches Sunday school and volunteers, but loves to read novels in her spare minutes.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Bariatrics
Internal Medicine
Licenses
United States: Virginia
Doctor Q&A
162 Answers
63 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Due date is estimate: Your due date using the date of conception (if you are absolutely sure of it) is December 14th. The December 10th date was probably estimated based o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Perhaps: There are a number of useful treatments for Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome such as enemas containing steroids or other anti-inflammation medicines. P... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Discuss with doctor: These are technical terms related to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of what sounds like a simple cyst. Discuss the findings with the ordering physi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
No: A distance runner needs about 1.5 grams of complete protein per kilo of ideal body weight, so about 90 grams a day for an average woman. This is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
See specialist: A colorectal specialist may try things like topical nitroglycerin to relax the muscle or even Botox or a small operation if absolutely needed. Also ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Fiber: If you are not having regular soft bowel movements, but don't feel the need to defecate, it can be that your rectum is not feeling the stretch that is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Wedge on bed: A commercial foam wedge which would only elevate her from the waist up might be better tolerated. Also, use microfiber or flannel sheets and pajamas ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Primitive diet: The idea of the Paleo diet is that we should eat what primitive man ate and this should make us healthier. Many doctors are concerned that this diet ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
40 or so: Re-evaluate the CPAP after as little as 20 lbs and certainly after 40lbs. Most people actually can completely stop the CPAP a few months after the Sl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 66-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
CPAP, medicines: You have several reasons to have fatigue and daytime sleepiness, but the most treatable is your sleep apnea. You should wear your CPAP (continuous po... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Normal: Ejaculating during sleep (sometimes called "wet dreams") is normal and healthy for young men.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Blistershield: I recommend use of a high quality powder or roll-on friction reduction product. The cheapest and fastest solution is petrolatum jelly (like Vaseline... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Second opinion: 27 years old is pretty young to have an unexplained chronic pain. Has the doctor checked out your back as a source of leg pain? How about x-rays or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Talking to others: It's normal to feel empty and lost after experiencing a miscarriage. Time and talking to others who understand your loss will be helpful. Support gr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
May have Diabetes: Your fasting blood sugar of over 100, but under 126, is in the Pre-Diabetes range. Your Maximum of 235 is likely to represent Diabetes (any random gl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
May be normal: Your notes indicate that you have already been evaluated by a urologist, so I would defer to his opinion. Sometimes there may have been damage to one... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
See Doctor: It is unusual for a woman who is still in the age group having menstural periods to have a high iron and iron saturation, and also unusual for the fer... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Not much: Any stress can increase blood glucose some, especially in diabetics, and a vaccine is a minor stressor on the body. That said, the effect is small en... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Not definitive: The latest studies may support a link between simple carbohydrates and cancer, but this is very difficult to separate from the very significant increa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Healthy living,relax: 17 is very young to handle the stressors of pregnancy and raising a baby. My advice is to delay pregnancy until you have a strong marriage and 6 mont... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
NO: Take no medications, including herbal medications, without discussing them with your doctor during pregnancy. Any substance that has an effect on the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Ignore: Lose your fat-phobia. The Low-Carb diet will fail if you try to combine it with a very low fat diet.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Ignore: Eating a traditional low fat diet caused metabolic rates to drop > 300 calories more than low-carb.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
In a couple years: Believe it or not, a woman can get pregnant from sex even DURING her period! Timing sexual intercourse to avoid the fertile time period (you can go t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Need to see Doctor: The most common cause for pancreatitis in someone who does not drink alcohol is gall stones. Gall stones and/or the inflammation left over from the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Get an ultrasound: Severe pain lasting more than a few seconds, or recurring repeatedly should always be further investigated by a physician. These might be something b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Gallstone?: This would be a great question to talk about in a video consult, so we can get some more information. My best guess would be that you passed a gall s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Possible: The size and firmness of the lymph node are concerning for cancer, but some infections, such as tuberculosis, can present similarly. The pathologist ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Check for low iron: Your platelet count by itself is not worrisome, but elevated platelets with an elevated RDW (the spread of Red Cell sizes) is often an indicator of ir... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
BP is OK: Those numbers are perfectly fine and normal for a young person. Continue the prescribed medication and follow up with the cardiologist regularly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Not enough info: "Water on the Brain" might be used to describe Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, which is diagnosed with a brain scan and can cause problems such as fall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Probably not: Sciatica does not cause any locally visible changes since the actual source of the leg pain is from a pinching of the nerve at the level of the back o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Discuss with doctor: CT scans and MRIs done for one purpose often find other things accidentally, and these "incidental findings" are rarely important. 6mm is pretty smal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Morning-after pills: Your chances during your fertile period in your mid twenties is about 25% and your chances outside of that period is about 5% per encounter. If it is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Not pregnant: It is very unlikely that you could be pregnant with the Nexplanon implant in place (and not expired). If you are still very concerned, do a home preg... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Ibuprofen: In clinical studies, 800mg of Ibuprofen (such as Motrin) was as effective as Codeine for kidney stone pain. Oxycodone and other narcotic prescription... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
See doctor: You might have a problem with your spinal cord or the roots that come off it. You need to get seen by a health care provider as soon as convenient. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Time for date night: The fertility test checks your level of LH, which rises 24-36 hours before you ovulate. It is working correctly if it went from low fertility to peak... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Not really better: "Sleepy" over-the counter medicine contains a sedating antihistamine, so it may be slightly more effective at drying up runny nose and might make it a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Likely virus: Your sinuses should not be congested from gastroesophageal reflux ("heartburn"), although that can cause scratchy throat. You might have an early vir... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Lower Carbs: Fat and Protein are required by the body for fullness, and to keep your body from trying to "hibernate." Carbohydrates are actually not required by t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Moderate: Gastrointestinal symptoms are fairly common with Xifaxan (rifaximin), and fatigue is such a common symptom that it is likely to be seen with any medic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Lower carbs: Get rid if all sugars, and simple carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, white rice, and potatoes. Minimize eating processed and packaged foods as wel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Yes: Antibiotics of the cephalosporin class are generally considered safe during pregnancy if prescribed. However, most burns do not require antibiotic tr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Someday: Foveal hypoplasia consists of more than just the foveal/retinal problem, but it is entirely possible that someday transplants or implants or even stem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Normal: When the blood from the menstrual period stays in the vagina for a while, it can settle out and form clots with different colors and can look a lot li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Probably not: A pregnancy test can be falsely negative very early in a pregnancy, but the modern ones are very good about detecting pregnancy by the time a period i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
It's ok: Heat, such as in a hot tub or sauna, over 104 degrees has been associated with miscarriage, but cold should not have any effect on the baby as long as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
It's ok: Any woman can occasionally have an anovulatory (infertile) cycle with bleeding at an unexpected time. This is more common in younger women and with a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Rachel Chastanetanswered
Bariatrics 36 years experience
Eat protein: Your BMI indicates you are underweight. However, this may be ok for your genetics ("normal" BMI is lower for people of Asian or Indian ethnicity than... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
5
Recommendations
225
Thank you notes
Aug 22, 2014
Dr. Chastanet is a good humored, knowledgeable, and caring physician. Bariatrics covers an area important to many of the HealthTap community.
HealthTap member
Jul 31, 2021
I need help I've paid for services I've not received I simply need a refill on my Zanaflex prescription
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Chastanet is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you Dr. Rachel! I have already cut down on fats in my diet and also reducing the carbs. Simultaneously, I am planning on starting aerobics
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Scarring is what I should have said, thank you for your help! The itching is annoying to live with. Thank you again!!!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! i am really emmbarassed to go see a doctor but this could affect my health so i will go
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, PA
Graduated 1987MD
Residency
EVMS
Completed 2000
Residency
EVMS
Completed 2000
Awards
Best of Chesapeake- Gold medal winner for Weight Loss Practice 2014
Top Doctor, First Place, Norfolk Region - Summer
2014
Top Bariatrician , First Place, Virginia - Summer
2014
Affiliations
American College of Phyiscians
American Society of Bariatric Physicians
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less
