Weight is a medical problem with medical causes, not a willpower problem. A GP-led weight management program starts with a proper assessment of your health, your history and what has already been tried, and continues with structured reviews rather than a single appointment and a leaflet.
The program
- An initial long consultation to go through your history, your previous attempts and your goals
- Blood tests and an examination to check for the medical contributors – thyroid, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver, sleep apnoea, hormones and medicines that cause weight gain
- A body composition (InBody) scan to measure muscle and fat rather than just weight, repeated so you can see what is changing
- An agreed plan, with structured reviews every six weeks
- All suitable treatment options discussed with you at the consultation, with your doctor managing and reviewing whatever is decided
- Referral to a dietitian, exercise physiologist or psychologist where that helps
- Management of the conditions that travel with weight – diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, joint pain and sleep apnoea
What to expect
Book a long appointment for the first visit and say what it is about. Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, and any recent blood test results. The first appointment is about understanding the whole picture; the plan is set at the end of it or at the following visit, and reviewed every six weeks after that so it can be adjusted rather than abandoned.
What is right for one person is wrong for another, and the options depend on your health, your history and your preferences. Your doctor will go through all of them with you.
The doctors
Weight management is provided by the doctors who work from Health Nexus, including:
- Dr Miyulasi Attanayake – chronic disease, metabolic health
- Dr John Esho – internal medicine, chronic disease
- Dr Asim Razak – chronic disease, cardiovascular risk
- Dr Arsalan (Sam) Mahmud – preventive health, chronic disease
Fees and Medicare
Health Nexus Launceston is a mixed-billing practice. Children aged 12 and under are bulk billed whenever the practice is open, including evenings and weekends. Pension card holders over 65 and DVA Gold Card holders are bulk billed on weekdays between 8am and 5pm. Everyone else pays the consultation fee with the Medicare rebate claimed on the spot. The current fees are on the fees and bulk billing page.
The practice is open 8am–8pm Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm Saturday and 9am–5pm Sunday, every day of the year, and on every public holiday at the standard hours for that day.
Common questions
What happens at the first appointment?
A long consultation: your history, what you have already tried, an examination, blood tests to look for medical contributors, and a body composition scan. The plan follows from what that shows.
How often will I be seen?
The program runs on six-weekly reviews, so the plan is adjusted as things change.
Is it covered by Medicare?
Consultations are billed as usual and attract the Medicare rebate – see the fees page. The InBody scan has its own fee. Allied health visits under a care plan attract a Medicare rebate for eligible patients.
Do I need a referral?
No. Book a long GP appointment directly.
What about treatment options?
Your doctor will discuss all of the options that suit your situation with you during the consultation, and manage and review whatever you decide on together.
