Asking Dr for help in losing weight

flutterbyuk25

Hey all

I am contemplating asking my Dr for help with losing weight but I'm unsure what sort of help he could offer. Can anyone let me know what their experiences have been of doing this?

I need to loose around 4stone really. I have tried WeighWatchers and Slimming World in the past. WW was no good for me, SW worked well, I lost almost 2 stone (one stone I've put back on since) but after a bereavement in the summer I stopped following it. I'm also unable to get to a class on a weekly basis due to work committments. I could maybe go to 3 out of 4 a month. I guess I could do SW online but I'm wary of paying for it then not being committed enough to follow it though.

I don't really want to take any medication either, as I want to learn how to lose weight and keep it off, not just a quick fix solution.

I guess I'm just asking is it worth me asking the Dr for help, is there anything he can actually offer? Sorry if I'm rambling!

I'm 27 female and live in Wales if that makes any difference.

TIA

x

svmitche

It's always worth asking. I did so a few years back and he outlined a number of options, including referral to Hospital dietician, weight loss pills etc, but the most important think he did was to send me to get my thyroid checked. My difficulty was that no matter what diet I tried to the letter I could not seem to lose weight and it did turn out that I had an underactive thyroid which was preventing me from losing weight. Now I am on thyroid tablets I am able to lose weight (not successful though due to laziness - but the important thing is I can if I try).

Good luck with the doctor though. I would also look on the weight loss pills as a very last resort as apparently they make you lose weight by making you poop out all the fat in your food - giving you the terrible runs. Personally, I would rather be fat than constantly tied to the loo, but each to their own!!

Philippa36

Yes, its definitely worth asking - there are plenty of options out there. Ring up, book an appointment and go and have a chat with him/her.

I wouldn't recommend diet pills.

jenhug

My doctors surgery runs a "lifestyle" clinic, where the nurse goes through a food plan with you, does weigh ins etc. Maybe your docs offer the same?

bills_2

Yup worth going as they have various referals they can do to specialists.

My mum went to her GP about wanting to lose weight and they refered her to an exercise referal officer. She got a exercise plan sorted out for her and a few sessions with a gym instructor. She also got to join a big chain gym at a discounted price and didnt have the whole yearly contract to commit to either. Paid as she went but got offered a block booking thing but she prefered to pay as she went.

They can also refer you to a nutrition specialist or someone of that nature, just depends exactly what they think will benefit your lifestyle and needs.

flutterbyuk25

Thank you all for the replies.

I'm going to do it, but I'll have to wait til Jan cos I go on holiday on Thursday for 3 weeks. I'll post back once I've been and let you know how I get on

x