Can my doctor help me lose weight?

Key Takeaways

• Your doctor can provide personalised support to help you lose weight effectively and safely.
• Eligible patients may access specialised weight loss programmes like Oviva, proven to deliver results.
• The treatment offered may depend on your BMI and any weight-related health problems.

What can my GP do to help me lose weight?

When you approach your GP for weight loss support, they may offer a range of options tailored to your needs. Depending on your situation, these could include medical tests, lifestyle guidance, mental health support, or referrals to specialist services. Here are some of the ways your GP can assist you:

Test you for underlying conditions 

If you are really struggling to lose weight despite making lifestyle adjustments, there may be a medical reason behind it. Conditions like hyperthyroidism, PCOS, diabetes, and Cushing’s syndrome can make it more difficult to lose weight. 

When going to see your doctor for help with weight loss, they can test you for any underlying conditions so you can get the right treatment and better understand the weight loss journey that is right for you. 

For example, your doctor might order a blood test that measures your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and can detect whether you have a thyroid disorder.

Your doctor may also recommend an HbA1c test. This test measures your average blood glucose levels over the last two months and can help determine whether you are at risk for pre-diabetes.

Mental health support

If you are on a weight loss journey, it could be helpful to explore any underlying emotional or psychological factors that may be making your weight management journey difficult. The link between mental health and weight management is clear, so if you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone and your doctor is there to help you. 

Your doctor can help by referring you to the NHS’s mental health support. Through this, you can receive counselling such as talking therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 

This clear link is why our weight management service includes access to psychologists who can support your mental health journey and help you build healthy habits as you manage your weight. 

Weight loss medication

While your GP may be unable to directly prescribe weight loss medication such as Wegovy (semaglutide), if you’re eligible, they can refer you to a specialist weight management service where a clinician can prescribe NHS-funded weight loss injections.

Eligibility criteria includes location, a BMI over 30 (27.5 for people from ethnic minority backgrounds) and at least one weight-related health condition.

Take the eligibility survey

Surgery

Bariatric surgery refers to a range of weight loss procedures that alter your digestive system to help you lose weight. These surgeries include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding. 

Bariatric surgery is BMI-dependent and often considered after all other weight loss options have been explored, as it involves significant changes to your body and lifestyle.

Your GP can assess whether you meet the necessary criteria, typically based on your BMI and other health factors. If you are eligible, your GP will refer you to a specialist team who will guide you through the process. 

Before surgery can be approved, you will generally be required to demonstrate your commitment to long-term lifestyle changes, including a period of weight loss, to ensure you’re physically and mentally prepared for the procedure. Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix but a significant decision requiring careful consideration and a long-term commitment to change.

How to talk to your doctor about weight loss 

Sometimes, the first step is the hardest. Maybe you’re worried that your doctor will judge you or blame you for something that isn’t your fault. You might have had bad experiences with medical professionals and fear the same thing happening again.

However, your quality of life and happiness are essential, and healthcare professionals are there to support you. Therefore, to access the care you need or be considered for weight loss medication, you’ll need to speak to a professional. Remember that they are here to help you. 

• It may help if you write down any questions or concerns in advance so you can address them during your appointment. 
• Make a list of things you’ve done to lose weight, how long you tried them, and what happened, and consider why they haven’t worked so you can let your doctor know. 
• You could also mention when you started to gain weight, as there may have been a trigger that points to some underlying psychological reason. 
• Let your doctor know how your weight is affecting your life and how motivated you are to make changes.

Knowing what you’re eligible for on the NHS

The NHS has four tiers of weight management help. Eligibility depends on your BMI and other factors.

Tier 1 is open to everyone over the age of 18 and targeted at people with a BMI of 25 and above. It consists of lifestyle advice and support and is primarily focused on self-care.

Tier 2 is for people with a BMI of 35 or more or those with a BMI of 30 and relevant co-morbidities (such as Type 2 diabetes). It introduces counselling, dedicated exercise programmes, and the help of a dietitian.

Tier 3, available for people with a BMI of 40 or more or 35 with co-morbidities, is a multidisciplinary approach. It involves weight loss management programmes that tackle the issue holistically through weight loss medication, diet support, counselling and more.

Tier 4 is for patients with a BMI of 40 or more or 35 with some co-morbidities. It offers serious interventions such as bariatric surgery.

• Sources

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/treatment/

  Adult weight management

  https://www.patients-association.org.uk/getting-a-second-opinion