Being overweight isn’t just about how you look—it can impact nearly every corner of your life, from your physical health to your emotional well-being. If you’ve tried every diet and workout trend out there without success, it might be time for a fresh, clinically-backed approach.
If you’ve been struggling to lose weight on your own, medical weight loss might be the solution you’ve been looking for. But what happens when you take that first step and book a consultation?
Understanding what to expect during your first medical weight loss consultation can ease anxiety and set you up for success. Our most successful patients are our most educated, and that education is the foundation of empowerment. Explore the medical weight loss process and discover what to anticipate during your first appointment.
What is Medical Weight Loss?
Medical weight loss is not your average diet program. It’s a science-backed, medically supervised process led by board-certified and licensed healthcare providers specializing in obesity management. Unlike generic commercial plans, our Bare Body medical weight loss program is a personalized, clinical approach to meet your unique needs, addressing factors like medical history, lifestyle, and even hormonal imbalances.
This program focuses on sustainable, long-term success. Your plan may include a mix of:
- Lifestyle strategies
- Nutritional guidance
- Strength training and exercise
- Prescription weight loss medications
We don’t just focus on the scale. Our program digs deeper, helping you understand and address underlying causes of weight gain—whether it’s a slow metabolism, hormonal changes, or other health concerns.
Things to Expect During Your First Bare Body Consultation
Think of your first consultation as a deep dive into your unique story—your health, habits, and goals. Here’s what to expect:
1. Comprehensive Medical History Review
This part is all about you. Our healthcare provider will take a detailed look at your medical history, weight-loss struggles, and overall health.
Expect to discuss:
- Current and past medical conditions. Certain health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or even entering perimenopause or menopause can be associated with weight gain. Understanding these can help create a more customized plan.
- Family history. Genetic predispositions, such as a family history of obesity or metabolic disorders, may play a role in your weight management strategy.
- Medications. Some medications may affect your metabolism or lead to weight gain, Understanding this can help you achieve your weight management and health goals.
- Lifestyle habits. From your eating patterns to physical activity levels, understanding your lifestyle helps the healthcare provider create a realistic and sustainable plan for you both now and in the future.
Honest conversations here create the foundation for a plan that truly works for you.
2. Body Composition Analysis
Forget obsessing over the number on the scale—this assessment provides a complete picture of your health. Key metrics include:
The key metrics assessed during a body composition analysis typically include:
- Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI measures your weight about your height. While it doesn’t account for muscle mass or distribution, it’s often used as a general indicator of weight classification.
- Body fat percentage. This measures how much of your total body weight is composed of fat versus lean muscle. A higher body fat percentage can increase the risk of chronic health issues.
- Visceral fat. Visceral fat refers to fat stored around the abdominal organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and other metabolic conditions.
- Lean muscle mass. Understanding your muscle mass can help determine the amount of weight loss that should come from fat rather than muscle, ensuring a healthy and balanced approach to weight loss.
This analysis is a game-changer in crafting a plan that prioritizes health over quick fixes.
3. Laboratory Testing (Bloodwork)
Your provider may recommend bloodwork to uncover what’s happening beneath the surface. Common tests include:
Blood work. A blood test may be ordered to check your glucose levels, insulin resistance, cholesterol, and thyroid function. These markers can indicate metabolic health and identify underlying issues that may affect your weight loss journey.
These insights ensure your plan isn’t just guesswork—it’s built specifically for your body. By understanding your metabolism, your doctor can create a weight loss and lifestyle plan that suits your unique needs, rather than using generic recommendations.
4. Personalized Lifestyle Plan
Based on your medical history, body composition, and metabolic evaluation, our provider will develop a personalized lifestyle plan that works for your lifestyle. This plan will typically focus on balanced nutrition, portion control, and sustainable eating habits rather than restrictive diets.
The goal is to create a plan that promotes steady weight loss without feeling overly restrictive or difficult to maintain. Your plan may include recommendations such as:
- Caloric intake. Based on your resting metabolic rate, your healthcare provider will suggest a calorie range that encourages weight loss while ensuring you still have enough energy to function.
- Macronutrient breakdown. You’ll receive guidance on how much protein, fat, and carbohydrates to consume, based on your personal needs.
- Meal planning. Our provider may offer suggestions or guidelines for planning your meals, ensuring that they are nutritious and portion-controlled.
The focus is on sustainable changes—not crash diets—because true success means finding what works for you.
5. Prescription Weight Loss Medications
Depending on your needs and medical conditions, your provider may recommend prescription weight loss medications. These medications are designed to complement your weight loss plan by either suppressing appetite, boosting metabolism, or inhibiting fat absorption.
Common medications include:
- Appetite suppressants. These medications reduce hunger cues, making it easier to follow a calorie-controlled diet.
- Prescription weight loss medications. Such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, support weight management by regulating appetite and metabolism. Specific options will be tailored to your medical needs.
Our board-certified provider will discuss the potential benefits and side effects of any medications, ensuring that you fully understand how they fit into your overall treatment plan.
6. Physical Activity Recommendations
Physical activity and strength training is a crucial component of any weight loss program. During your consultation, our provider will assess your current fitness level and suggest ways to incorporate more movement into your daily routine.
This might include:
- Aerobic exercise. Activities like walking, swimming, or cycling that raise your heart rate and burn calories.
- Strength training. Building lean muscle mass through weightlifting or resistance exercises can help increase your resting metabolic rate, allowing you to burn more calories even at rest.
- Flexibility and balance exercises. Incorporating yoga or stretching into your routine can help improve mobility and reduce the risk of injury.
No cookie-cutter fitness plans here! Your provider will consider your current fitness level and offer realistic ways to move more. It’s all about finding activities that you’ll actually enjoy and stick with. Your fitness plan will be personalized to your activity level, ensuring that it is safe and achievable.
7. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
Once you’ve completed your first consultation and your plan has been developed, it is important to remember that medical weight loss is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Regular follow-up appointments will allow your healthcare provider to track your progress, make adjustments to your plan, and make sure that you are staying on course. These appointments provide ongoing education and behavioral support, empowering you to sustain your progress long-term.
Whether it is tweaking your diet, adjusting your fitness plan, or reviewing your medication regimen, these regular check-ins ensure that your weight loss program is as effective as possible.
A Tailored Approach to Weight Loss Success
Every weight loss journey is as unique as the person taking it—and that’s exactly why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. At Bare Aesthetic in Bergen County, NJ, you’re not just another number on the scale. You’re supported by board-certified and licensed healthcare providers specializing in obesity, who bring advanced training and a tailored, holistic approach to your weight loss goals.
With the right plan, expert guidance, and plenty of encouragement along the way, sustainable weight loss is closer than you think. And now that you know what to expect during your first consultation, there’s no reason to wait.
If you are ready to take control of your health and embark on a weight loss journey tailored to you, book your consultation with us today!
*All content is for informational purposes only. This does not constitute – medical advice.