An honest conversation with your doctor can help you achieve your weight goals. Being prepared by knowing your history and treatment options can help the experience feel smoother.
Conversations around weight, whether with your friends, family, or healthcare professionals, can be uncomfortable.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed before starting a weight management discussion with your doctor, but a little prep work and a lot of honesty go a long way.
Keep reading to learn about your options and how to feel more prepared ahead of your doctor’s appointment.
Some preparation before your appointment can help you feel confident starting a weight-loss conversation with your doctor — and it can help your doctor decide on the right plan.
Jared Braunstein, a board certified internal medicine doctor with Medical Offices of Manhattan, says it’s important to thoroughly examine your health history while discussing weight loss options with your doctor.
Taking notes before your appointment can keep this information top of mind.
Consider writing down details about your health history for your doctor to review, including any current or past weight-related health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or any disordered eating.
Writing down specific questions also helps ensure you leave your appointment with clear goals, whether you’re aiming for weight loss, weight maintenance, or weight gain.
Here are some examples of helpful
- How much weight is healthy for me?
- How much weight should I gain/ lose?
- How long might it take me to gain/lose that weight?
- Are there any health conditions that may be affecting my weight?
- What immediate changes can I make to my current diet to support weight change?
- How might my weight affect the way I feel right now?
- Is there a weight loss/gain plan you recommend for me?
- What type of exercise programs may be best for me?
- What are my next steps?
Braunstein also stresses the importance of sharing details about your diet and lifestyle with your doctor.
Though it may feel a bit awkward, being honest with your doctor is the best way to uncover any underlying issues that may be affecting your weight.
Withholding potentially helpful information about your diet and lifestyle from your doctor may mean missing out on your weight goals and a more health-promoting lifestyle.
Here are some important areas to address with your doctor:
- your current weight
- lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, exercise, and alcohol use (which all play a role in weight)
- eating habits and current diet
- any barriers to nutritious foods and exercise like food insecurity or physical disabilities, respectively
If you’re dealing with a particularly challenging area of your life, such as trouble at work or in a relationship, it helps to mention that to your doctor, who may be able to offer resources or refer you to a specialist who can create a custom plan that may help you with your weight goals.
If your doctor does not mention or offer resources or specialists on their own, do not hesitate to ask for them.
Seeing a specialist may make sense for your goals or might be more helpful if your primary care doctor is unable to offer enough support.
“If, for some reason, a patient cannot tolerate a medication or insurance won’t cover it, I will advise him or her to see an endocrinologist who deals with weight loss,” Braunstein says.
He points out that people can also consult with a dietitian or nutritionist for help managing weight as well.
While your doctor may mention a variety of treatment options on their own, you can always ask about specific approaches.
Here is a list of common weight treatment options you may explore with your doctor:
- dietary changes like incorporating more whole foods, eating less ultra-processed foods, or trying relatively safe diets like the Mediterranean diet, keto, etc.
exercise plans best for your abilities and goals- therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating behaviors like binge or restrictive eating
- medications for weight loss
- surgical options like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve
Keep in mind that certain approaches come with potential side effects.
Braunstein says that while weight loss pens like Wegovy and Zepbound typically help patients lose about 5 to 10 pounds per month on average, they do not work without lifestyle changes like reducing carb intake and avoiding late-night snacking.
“I also tell patients that they could experience nausea and significant appetite loss about 1 to 2 days after taking medication. As the week goes on, these effects lessen,” Braunstein says.
Surgical weight loss options come with
- infection
- bleeding
- blood clots
- leaking from the surgical site
If you’re visiting the doctor to lose weight, it’s helpful to ask about your doctor’s preferred approach. Some doctors tend to prescribe weight loss medications, while others focus on adjusting diet and lifestyle to manage a moderate weight.
Every body is different, and an approach that may work well for a friend might not be right for you.
If you feel uncomfortable with your doctor’s approach to weight change or management, seek a doctor whose approach matches your comfort level and goals.
Our emotional well-being has a large role in how we feel mentally and physically.
It’s important to call out any emotional or psychological barriers you are experiencing like anxiety or depression, which can have an effect on weight.
These mental health conditions are common, and your doctor can offer support and resources that can help.
These resources are generally only available when we ask for them directly, so it’s important to be your own advocate during healthcare appointments to find the best treatment.
Though your doctor’s office should be a safe space, that’s
This is why it’s important to find a doctor you feel comfortable with, especially if you experience fears navigating judgment or stigma around weight.
Your doctor should hold space for you to feel comfortable expressing your concerns.
If you experience anxiety about weight or talking about weight, it may help to mention this at the start of your appointment so your doctor is more mindful about how they communicate during the visit.
If the doctor does not consider your feelings during the appointment, finding a different doctor who offers more
Do not let a bad experience keep you from finding help better managing your weight.
Cost is another common concern for many people seeking help with weight loss or management.
“I usually am able to get weight loss medications approved through a patient’s insurance if the patient is overweight. Some plans have weight loss medicine exclusions, which means they won’t cover them no matter the patient’s weight,” Braunstein says.
Though many weight loss medications are expensive, there are some ways to help lower costs:
- opting for generic medications instead of name-brand medications
- checking for online coupons from certain health services platforms like GoodRx
- asking pharmacists, pharmacy administrators, or social workers for help with medication costs
A journey to your weight loss goal starts with a conversation with your doctor. Though this discussion can be intimidating, establishing an open relationship with your doctor can set you on the best course for your overall health goals.
If an approach does not work for you or your doctor is not an active, empathetic listener, it’s worth taking the time to find a doctor who can offer stronger support and solutions. Visiting a nutritionist is another helpful step to consider.
