What Happens at a First Weight Loss Consultation with Dr Chong?

It's Normal to Feel Nervous

Many patients who come to see Dr Chong for the first time have spent years — sometimes decades — struggling with their weight. They've tried diets, programs, apps, and advice from well-meaning friends, often without lasting success.

The first appointment is not an assessment of your willpower or discipline. It's a medical consultation. Dr Chong's job is to understand *why* your weight has been difficult to manage and to find evidence-based solutions tailored to you specifically.

Here's exactly what to expect.

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Before Your Appointment

What to Bring

• Your Medicare card (and concession card if applicable)
• A list of current medications (including supplements and over-the-counter medicines)
• Any recent blood test results (within the last 12 months, if you have them)
• A rough sense of your weight history — when you first noticed weight gain, what has and hasn't worked in the past
• Your HbA1c or blood glucose results if you have diabetes or prediabetes

What You Don't Need

• A GP referral — no referral is required at Medi Weight Loss, Bayswater
• Embarrassment — Dr Chong sees patients of all body sizes and backgrounds every day

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The Consultation (45–60 Minutes)

Initial weight management consultations are longer than a standard GP visit. Dr Chong deliberately allocates more time so the assessment is thorough and you leave with a clear plan.

1. Medical History Review

Dr Chong will ask about your general health, past medical history, and family history. This includes:

• Existing conditions: diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, PCOS, sleep apnoea, depression
• Previous medications and how your body responded to them
• Current medications that may contribute to weight gain (e.g. certain antidepressants, corticosteroids, antipsychotics)
• Surgical history, including any previous bariatric procedures

2. Weight History Discussion

Rather than focusing only on the number on the scale, Dr Chong will ask:

• When did you first struggle with your weight?
• Have there been periods where your weight was more stable? What changed?
• What have you tried before — diets, programs, medications — and what happened?
• Are there specific triggers (stress, sleep, life events) that affect your weight?

This history often reveals patterns that are clinically significant — for example, weight gain that correlates with a specific medication, a hormonal event such as pregnancy, or a period of high stress. These patterns guide treatment.

3. Physical Examination

Dr Chong will:

• Measure your height, weight, and BMI
• Check your blood pressure
• Assess for signs of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or thyroid dysfunction
• Review relevant body measurements where appropriate

4. Blood Tests (If Not Already Done)

Most patients have blood tests ordered at or before the first appointment. Typically this includes:

• Full blood count
• Fasting glucose and HbA1c
• Lipid panel (cholesterol)
• Liver function tests
• Thyroid function (TSH)
• Kidney function
• Vitamin D and B12 levels
• Iron studies

These results identify any underlying conditions contributing to weight gain and establish a baseline to measure progress against.

5. Discussion of Treatment Options

Once Dr Chong has a clear picture of your health, he will walk through the evidence-based options most likely to work for you. This might include:

• Dietary and lifestyle guidance — not a generic diet plan, but practical advice tailored to your food preferences, schedule, and metabolic profile
• GLP-1 pharmacotherapy — semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) if you are a suitable candidate
• Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan — if you have a qualifying chronic condition, this may subsidise dietitian and exercise physiology visits through Medicare
• Referral to bariatric surgery — for patients with severe obesity who haven't achieved adequate results with medical management
• Specialist referrals — to an endocrinologist, sleep physician, or psychologist if relevant

Dr Chong will not prescribe anything without your informed consent and a clear explanation of costs, benefits, and alternatives.

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After the Consultation

You will leave the first appointment with:

• A clear working diagnosis — an understanding of why your weight is difficult to manage
• Blood test forms (if not already done)
• A treatment plan outlining the recommended approach
• A follow-up appointment booked (typically 4–6 weeks later to review blood results and initial progress)

If medications are started, Dr Chong will explain:

• The correct dosing schedule
• What side effects to expect and when to contact the clinic
• The realistic timeline for results (most GLP-1 medications take 3–6 months to reach their full effect)

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Common Questions

"Will Dr Chong judge me for my weight?"

No. Obesity is a medical condition with complex biological, genetic, and environmental drivers. Dr Chong approaches it exactly as he would any other chronic disease.

"What if I've tried everything and nothing worked?"

That's precisely the situation where a thorough medical assessment adds the most value. Identifying an undiagnosed hormonal condition, adjusting a weight-promoting medication, or accessing a medication that targets the physiology of appetite — these are things that no diet alone can achieve.

"How long will it take to see results?"

It varies significantly by individual and treatment approach. Lifestyle changes may show results within 4–8 weeks. GLP-1 medications typically produce noticeable weight loss within 4–12 weeks of reaching an effective dose.

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Book Your First Appointment

No referral required. Consultations available at Medi Weight Loss, 5/538 Mountain Highway, Bayswater VIC 3153.

Call (03) 9967 1996 or book online via HotDoc. Bring your Medicare card.