Frequently Asked Questions
Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, supported, and confident in your healthcare decisions. We encourage questions and take the time to discuss treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives so that all of your concerns are addressed to your satisfaction. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us—we're happy to help.
Why Should I Seek Medical Help for Weight Management?
Obesity is a complex chronic medical condition influenced by genetics, hormones, metabolism, medications, sleep, stress, environment, and many other factors. It is not simply a matter of willpower.
Medical weight management takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to identifying factors that may be contributing to weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Treatment may include nutrition counseling, physical activity recommendations, behavioural strategies, prescription medications, and ongoing medical support.
Seeking professional guidance can help improve health outcomes, reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improve quality of life, and provide support that goes beyond diet and exercise alone.
Do I Need a Referral to Book an Appointment?
No. A referral is not required. Patients can book directly through the clinic website.
Do You Provide Virtual Appointments?
Yes. Appointments are conducted virtually, allowing you to access care from the comfort and privacy of your home.
What Can I Expect During My First Appointment?
Your initial consultation includes a comprehensive review of your medical history, weight history, medications, lifestyle factors, symptoms, and goals. We will discuss factors that may be contributing to weight gain or difficulty losing weight and develop an individualized treatment plan.
How Long Are Appointments?
Initial consultations are approximately 45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically 20 minutes.
Will I Need Blood Work?
Most patients will require laboratory testing before or during treatment. Blood work helps identify underlying medical conditions, assess metabolic health, and ensure treatment recommendations are safe and appropriate.
Is Blood Work Covered?
Laboratory testing ordered through the clinic is covered through provincial healthcare plans.
What Is Medical Weight Management?
Medical weight management is an evidence-based approach to treating overweight and obesity as chronic medical conditions. Treatment may include nutrition counseling, physical activity recommendations, behavioural strategies, prescription medications, and ongoing medical support.
Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Medication?
Eligibility depends on your medical history, current weight, body mass index (BMI), weight-related health conditions, previous treatment attempts, and overall health. During your consultation, we will determine whether medication may be appropriate for you.
What Medications Do You Prescribe?
Treatment recommendations are individualized and may include medications such as:
Wegovy® (semaglutide)
Ozempic® (semaglutide)
Generic semaglutide
Zepbound® (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
Contrave® (naltrexone/bupropion)
Not every medication is appropriate for every patient. Recommendations are based on your health history, goals, preferences, and risk factors.
How Much Weight Can I Expect to Lose?
Results vary significantly between individuals. Average weight loss seen in clinical trials when combined with lifestyle changes includes:
Semaglutide: approximately 10–15% of body weight
Tirzepatide: approximately 15–22% of body weight
Contrave: approximately 5–10% of body weight
Many factors influence results, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, medical conditions, medication adherence, and individual response to treatment.
Are Weight Loss Medications Safe?
Like all medications, weight loss medications have potential benefits and risks. Common side effects may include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, headaches, or fatigue. Serious side effects are uncommon but can occur.
Your medical history and risk factors will be reviewed carefully to determine whether treatment is appropriate and safe for you.
Will I Lose Muscle While Losing Weight?
Some muscle loss can occur with any form of weight loss. For this reason, we strongly encourage adequate protein intake and regular resistance training to help preserve muscle mass and strength during treatment.
Our goal is not simply weight loss—it is improving body composition by reducing excess body fat while maintaining muscle mass and overall health.
Why Is Protein Important During Weight Loss?
Adequate protein intake helps preserve muscle mass, supports metabolism, improves satiety, and may help reduce hunger and cravings.
Most individuals pursuing weight loss benefit from consuming higher amounts of protein than the minimum recommended daily intake. Your individualized protein needs will depend on your age, activity level, health conditions, and weight loss goals.
Do I Need to Exercise While Taking Weight Loss Medication?
Yes. Physical activity remains an important part of long-term health and weight management.
In particular, resistance training (strength training) is strongly recommended to help preserve muscle mass during weight loss. Combining medication with regular physical activity and strength training typically produces the best outcomes.
Do I Need to Follow a Special Diet?
There is no single "perfect" diet. Our focus is on sustainable, evidence-based nutrition strategies that support long-term success.
Recommendations may include:
Increasing protein intake
Consuming more fibre
Eating more vegetables and fruit
Reducing highly processed foods
Improving meal quality and consistency
Building sustainable habits rather than following restrictive diets
Will Medication Do All the Work?
No. Weight loss medications are tools that can help reduce hunger, cravings, and food noise, but they work best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits and ongoing support.
Successful long-term weight management involves nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and behavioural change in addition to medication when appropriate.
How Long Will I Need to Stay on Medication?
Obesity is considered a chronic medical condition. Many patients require long-term treatment to maintain results.
Just as medications for high blood pressure or diabetes are often continued long term, weight management medications may need to be continued to maintain the benefits achieved.
The duration of treatment is individualized and will be discussed during your care.
What Happens If I Stop Taking Medication?
Many people experience some degree of weight regain after stopping weight management medications. This occurs because the biological processes that regulate hunger, fullness, and body weight often return once medication is discontinued.
Ongoing healthy lifestyle habits remain important regardless of whether medication is continued.
Will My Insurance Cover Weight Loss Medication?
Coverage varies significantly between insurance plans. Some plans provide partial or full coverage for certain medications, while others do not.
We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to verify your coverage and any prior authorization requirements.
Can I Use My Health Spending Account (HSA)?
Many patients are able to use their employer-sponsored Health Spending Account (HSA) to cover clinic fees. We recommend confirming coverage details with your benefits provider.
Do You Prescribe Medication at the First Appointment?
Possibly. If sufficient information is available and no additional testing is required, treatment may be initiated during the initial consultation.
In some cases, additional investigations may be needed before treatment can safely begin.
How Often Are Follow-Up Appointments?
Follow-up appointments are typically recommended every few weeks during medication initiation and dose adjustments, then periodically thereafter for ongoing monitoring and support.
Why Are Follow-Up Appointments Important?
Weight management medications require ongoing monitoring for safety, side effects, effectiveness, and dose adjustments.
Follow-up appointments also provide support, accountability, and an opportunity to address challenges, review progress, and make adjustments to your treatment plan.
Please note that prescriptions may not be renewed if recommended follow-up appointments, laboratory testing, or monitoring requirements are not completed.
What If Medication Isn't Right for Me?
Not everyone is a candidate for weight loss medication, and not everyone wants to use medication.
We will discuss all appropriate treatment options and develop a plan that aligns with your medical history, preferences, and goals.
Is Weight Management Only About the Number on the Scale?
No. While weight loss may be one goal, our focus is on improving overall health and quality of life.
Success may include:
Improved blood pressure
Better blood sugar control
Reduced cardiovascular risk
Improved sleep
Increased mobility and energy
Better mental well-being
Improved metabolic health
Enhanced quality of life
Even modest weight loss can lead to meaningful health benefits.
What If I've Tried Everything Before?
Many of our patients have spent years trying various diets, exercise programs, and weight loss strategies without achieving lasting results.
Weight management is complex, and difficulties losing weight are not a reflection of a lack of effort or willpower. A comprehensive medical assessment can help identify factors that may be making weight loss more challenging and determine which treatment options may be most appropriate for you.
