Talking to your doctor
Talking to your doctor about how to effectively manage your weight could be your first step to success.
Actively approaching your doctor about weight loss can be difficult for many people. It is important to remind yourself that your doctor is not there to judge you, and they are aware of the risks of carrying too much weight.
Remember you are not alone
In New Zealand, over 60% of adults are either overweight or obese.
If this is your first time talking to your doctor about weight loss, there are a few tips for getting the most out of your appointment.
Be upfront about your level of concern about your health, how much your everyday life is affected by your weight and how committed you are to making long-term lifestyle changes.
Your history of weight gain as well as reasons why you gain weight or have difficulty losing it.
Detail your previous attempts to lose weight; what worked, what didn’t and why.
Detail your current level of exercise per day/week, or at least be prepared to talk about it if asked.
Share any issues you have faced with food, especially around cravings and hunger.
Keep the conversation factual.
Discuss your weight loss goals – or ask your doctor to recommend some goals for you.
It is a good idea to write a list of the important topics you want to discuss to help keep the appointment on track and to make sure you cover off all of the points that are important to you
What to expect from your doctor’s visit
Your doctor will want to do a medical assessment. It is likely they will want to record your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference to help establish your health risk profile. You can also measure your waist and BMI before your appointment.
Your doctor may ask questions that are similar in context to the tips above, such as:
- Your history of weight
- What causes you to gain or lose weight
- What you have tried previously to manage your weight
They may also ask you about:
- Your medication history (as some medications can cause weight gain)
- If you’ve smoked in the past
- If you have any underlying health
- conditions that may be contributing to weight gain
Following this, your doctor should work with you to set realistic goals. These should come from an in-depth discussion of your expectations and theirs, and you should end up with an idea of your weight loss targets that are sustainable, as well as a management plan to help achieve those goals.
Whatever the management plan, your doctor will arrange regular reviews to monitor your health and progress to best help you on your journey.
Your doctor is there for you and your needs.