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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Talking to your doctor openly and honestly about your weight is one of the best things you can do for your health. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. In some cases, you may be referred to an obesity specialist — if one is available in your area. You may also be referred to a mental health provider, dietitian or nutrition specialist.

What you can do
Being an active participant in your care is important. One way to do this is by preparing for your appointment. Think about your needs and goals for treatment. Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may include:

  • Why can't I manage my weight on my own?
  • What other health problems might I have?
  • Should I see a dietitian?
  • How can I overcome obstacles that keep me from being more physically active?
  • What are the treatment options for obesity and my other health problems?
  • Is weight-loss surgery an option for me?
  • Will counseling help?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me?
  • What websites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to your prepared questions, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
During your appointment, your doctor or other health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions about your eating, activity, mood and thoughts, and any symptoms you might have. You may be asked such questions as:

  • What and how much do you eat in a typical day?
  • How much activity do you get in a typical day?
  • During what periods of your life did you gain weight?
  • What are the factors that you believe affect your weight?
  • How is your daily life affected by your weight?
  • How is your mood affected by your weight?
  • What diets or treatments have you tried to lose weight?
  • What other medical conditions, if any, do you have?
  • Do you have any family members with weight problems?
  • What are your weight-loss goals?
  • Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle to lose weight?
  • What do you think might prevent you from losing weight?
  • How committed are you to losing weight?
  • What medications or over-the-counter herbs and supplements do you take?

What you can do in the meantime
If you have several days or weeks before your scheduled appointment, you can start making some changes on your own to your eating and activity levels as you begin the journey to lose weight.

  • Start making healthy changes in your diet, such as eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reducing portion sizes. Eat breakfast.
  • Track how much you're eating or drinking each day so that you get a sense of how many calories you're taking in. It's easy to underestimate how many calories you actually take in every day.
  • Begin increasing your activity level. Try to get up and move around your home more frequently. Start gradually if you aren't in good shape or aren't used to exercising. Even a 10-minute daily walk can help. If you have any health conditions, or if you're a man over age 40 or a woman over age 50, talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program.
Tests and diagnosis Complications

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Childhood obesity

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References
  1. Defining overweight and obesity. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/defining.html. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  2. Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..C2009-0-38984-9--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&about=true&uniqId=236797353-5. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  3. Bray GA. Etiology and natural history of obesity. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  4. Health care guideline: Prevention and management of obesity (mature adolescents and adults). Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/obesity/obesity_3398.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2012.
  5. Understanding adult obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/understanding.htm. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  6. Bray GA. Overview of therapy for obesity in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  7. The practical guide: Identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  8. Donnelly JE, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2009;41:459.
  9. Sacks F, et al. Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:859.
  10. Andrews RA, et al. Surgical management of severe obesity. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  11. Najm W, et al. Herbals used for diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Primary Care. 2010;37:237.
  12. Cho SH, et al. Acupuncture for obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity. 2009;33:183.
  13. Completed safety review: Xenical/Alli (Orlistat) and severe liver injury. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm213038.htm. Accessed Feb. 16, 2011.
  14. Sarwer DB, et al. A review of the relationships between extreme obesity, quality of life, and sexual function. Obesity Surgery. 2012;22:668.
  15. Bray GA. Health hazards associated with obesity in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  16. FDA expands use of banding system for weight loss. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm245617.htm. Accessed Feb. 7, 2012.
  17. Belviq (prescribing information). San Diego, Calif.: Arena Pharmaceuticals; 2012. http://invest.arenapharm.com. Accessed June 29, 2012.
  18. FDA approves Belviq to treat some overweight or obese adults. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm309993.htm. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  19. FDA approves weight-management drug Qsymia. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm312468.htm. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  20. Qsymia (prescribing information). Mountain View, Calif.: Vivus Inc.; 2012. http://www.vivus.com/products. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  21. Publication in Federal Register tomorrow moves Belviq (lorcaserin) closer to launch. Eisai, Inc. http://us.eisai.com/view_press_release.asp?ID=167&press=401. Accessed May 8, 2013.
DS00314 June 7, 2013

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