Frequently Asked Questions

Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan, if one is required. Generally you may discuss multicomponent lifestyle intervention – like a healthy eating plan, increased physical activity and support for behavioural change. Intensive interventions like medication, or bariatric surgery, can help some people. The use of intensive interventions takes your individual situation into account and may require referral to other healthcare professionals.

The World Health Organisation defines being overweight and obese as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is caused by many factors and is a treatable health condition.

Body mass index (BMI) is an approximate measure of your best weight for health. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (m2). The BMI model is intended for men and women over the age of 18. A healthy BMI for an adult is between 20 and 25. BMI is a useful indicator of health at the population level, but has some limitations; BMI cannot differentiate between body fat and muscle mass, and also doesn’t consider that your individual level of general health may be more important than being mildly overweight. Your doctor will be able to provide an assessment of your overall health in conjunction with any weight management program.

Body image can fluctuate between positive and negative at different times. If you are not satisfied with your body and are developing unhealthy habits, you can seek professional help. Resources like The Butterfly Foundation can help you improve the relationship you have with your body and appearance. Whether you need support for yourself or someone you care about, call their free and confidential Helpline on 1800 33 4673.

The causes of being overweight and obesity are often complex. This could include inherited biological factors, or early life experience, as well as your social, political and economic environment. There’s also individual lifestyle factors and habits that could contribute. Health professionals in primary health care can be an important and trusted source for understanding factors related to weight gain, and have a range of tools and strategies available to them to provide individualised advice addressing weight management and obesity.

You are generally considered overweight if your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or higher, and obese if your BMI is 30 or higher. Obese patients are at an increased risk for developing many medical problems, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, stroke, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, hyperuricemia and gout, and osteoarthritis. A doctor can help assess your need to lose weight, along with any other medical considerations.

For eligible patients who are seeking medication for conditions as approved by the TGA, our practitioners can discuss your suitability. Our practitioners will not recommend or prescribe any medications for off-label use. 

Before prescribing any weight loss medication, your doctor will evaluate your medical history and may provide a referral for pathology tests to ensure your suitability for specific clinical treatments. You will be required to return for a follow up consultation to discuss your results. If approved, you will receive an eScript which you can take to any Australian pharmacy. Only medication that is TGA approved for weight loss will be prescribed.

If you have had medical tests recently undertaken, we recommend that you have your test results available to provide to the consulting doctor during your appointment. Your doctor may request you upload any current results after your video consult.  Alternatively, you can contact us to provide us with your results. Your doctor may issue a referral for further tests.

Video consultations are paid for at the time of booking and are not eligible for outcome-based refunds. Not all patients are suitable for medicated weight loss, and your doctor will consider and provide their professional advice your treatment. We are sure you will appreciate and respect the time and service provided by our doctors in assessing your circumstances and your treatment options.

Your consulting doctor will assess your eligibility for medicated weight loss in your online video consultation.  Your consulting doctor will consider your BMI, overall health and any health conditions you may have.  Our doctors are highly trained and experienced in providing weight loss advice and treatment. Patients are required to be 18 years or older for telehealth weight loss consultations.

If you would like to investigate a surgical alternative, you can have a video appointment to be referred to a bariatric specialist or visit your local GP to learn more.

Our standard Doctors on Demand video consultation fees apply to your initial consultation.  Doctors on Demand is a private fee service and Medicare rebates do not apply; you can find the pricing for our appointments on our website.

Medication fees will vary depending on what, if any, weight loss medication is prescribed. You will then pay for the cost of the medicine at your chosen pharmacy.

If your insurer, employer or other provider offers Doctors on Demand services to you, you can verify your benefit by providing your membership, policy or voucher code throughout the booking journey in the ‘Redeem a Benefit’ field to have a reduced or no-fee weight loss consult.

You may be able to claim your telehealth video appointment on your private health insurance cover. Please make inquiries directly with your insurer. Please contact us if you require a detailed invoice for your insurance claim.

If you initiated a weight loss appointment with Doctors on Demand previously, or had an external consult, you are welcome to have another consult with us, especially if your circumstances have changed. All treatment is provided within the consulting doctor’s discretion and your doctor will act in your best interest.