We know that joining The Slimming Clinic for the first time can be a big step.
So, the apprehension of not knowing what to expect at your initial video weight loss consultation can be a little daunting.
We want to take away any worry you might be feeling and put your mind at rest by detailing exactly what happens at your first appointment!
Remember, our specialist weight loss doctors are friendly, understanding, professional and their main aim is that they want to help you achieve your goal of losing weight!
What will happen at my initial video weight loss consultation?
Before your Initial Weight Loss Consultation, you will be sent a pre-consultation form to complete. It only takes a few minutes, but it gives your weight loss doctor a chance to get to know you and your health and lifestyle better.
When the time comes to have your initial video weight loss consultation, you will receive a live invite to join a Zoom meeting with our weight loss doctor.
Following that, you will meet one of our weight loss doctors on the Zoom meeting. They will start off by getting to know you, including any major struggles you might be facing in terms of your weight.
The doctor will also ask you about your medical history and any other medication you may already be on. They will note down your weight, height, BMI and blood pressure reading too, so please have these measurements to hand.
This helps them to assess your suitability for our prescription weight loss medication, Diethylpropion, Phentermine or Saxenda, and if you are suitable, they will give you more information about the medication recommended to help your weight loss journey and any side effects to look out for.
Once you have discussed possible medications, your medical weight loss doctor will go into more detail about your individual weight loss programme and how the medication will be monitored.
As well as this, they will recommend diet and lifestyle changes to ensure you get the most out of your time at The Slimming Clinic.
At the end of your weight loss consultation, they will pass you over to a member of our Patient Support Team who will go through a bit more detail about our weight loss programmes with you.
What will the doctor be checking during my consultation?
During the consultation, your weight loss doctor will be looking for any reasons that would deem you unsuitable for treatment, such as medications that cannot be taken alongside appetite suppressants or any health-related issues.
They will also measure your height and starting weight to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and take down your blood pressure reading.
How long is my consultation?
Your initial video consultation with The Slimming Clinic doctor is approximately 50 minutes.
This time includes your time with the weight loss doctor and your time with our Patient Support team member who will spend time discussing the prices and savings you can make on your weight loss programme!
What will the doctor want to discuss with me at my initial video weight loss consultation?
The most important part of the weight loss consultation with your doctor is to build trust, whilst ensuring you are treated with respect and dignity.
Your weight loss specialist doctor will ask you about your weight struggles in the past and your reasons for joining The Slimming Clinic.
They will also be interested to find out about any weight loss diets or methods you have previously tried and how you found them, as well as any activity you are currently partaking in.
This will help your doctor to build a bigger picture about you and enable them to build a treatment plan that is completely tailored to your needs.
Following this conversation, the doctor will discuss what being a patient at The Slimming Clinic entails, what the treatment plans are and the prescription medication options are available to you individually.
What are the requirements for my initial video consultation?
The requirements for your initial video consultation are:
- Be in a location where you can be stationary for the duration of your video consultation (approximately 50 minutes)
- Have access to you email – as that is how the zoom link will be sent at the start of your appointment.
- Have your blood pressure machine and a set of weighing scales available as the doctor will need to see your weight and blood pressure ready via the zoom link.
- Have access to a computer/tablet/smart phone with a camera and video capabilities.
- You will need to ‘allow’ Zoom to access your camera.
- Your photo ID to show the weight loss doctor.
- It’s also helpful if you have to hand an up-to-date prescription of any medication you currently take, as well as any medical notes or doctor letters that may be relevant. However, this is not essential at your appointment.
What happens in future weight loss consultations?
Following your initial weight loss consultation, we will invite you for regular appointments with your weight loss doctor or practitioner to discuss your progress.
These follow up appointments are crucial to your weight loss journey, as they allow us to track your progress and make amendments to your programme where necessary.
Alongside a discussion about your progress, your doctor will take down your up-to-date weight and take any other measurements as necessary. They will discuss the changes you’ve implemented to your lifestyle and how they have worked for you.
Our weight loss doctors can help with any questions you have about the medication and dispense your next prescription of your appetite suppressants.