Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your appointment with a medical weight loss specialist:

Get your blood work done — It is a good idea to have your blood work done about one week prior to your visit. Your specialist will check certain vitamin and mineral levels that are most likely deficient in weight loss patients. If you get blood work done by your primary doctor or another specialist, it may not include the specific vitamin levels we need to evaluate your complete nutritional status.

List your supplements and their dosages — Write down all of the vitamin and mineral supplements you take and the dosage. Alternatively, bring the bottles of the vitamins and minerals you take. Not all multivitamins have the same amounts of vitamins and minerals. Some lack iron or do not have the right amounts of other key nutrients you need. Knowing what you take as far as supplements make it easier for us to help you stay healthy.

Keep a food journal — Keeping track of what you eat and drink helps to monitor your diet and keep you focused. It’s also useful to share these journals at your nutrition visits so your nutritionist can more accurately see what you’re eating. If you’re having difficulty tolerating foods or having poor weight loss or weight regain, food journals are especially important.

A visit to your GP could help if you’ve tried and failed to lose weight.

• Your GP or practice nurse can:
• Assess your general health
• Help identify the cause of your weight gain
• Determine if there are any health issues causing you to put on weight
• Discuss and develop a plan to help you lose weight that suits you

First, your general practitioner or practice nurse will want to assess whether your current weight is healthy or not. This will include measuring your weight and height to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

You may also have your waist measured. Measuring your waist is a good way to determine if you are carrying too much fat around your stomach, which can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. You can have a healthy BMI and still have excess belly fat, which means you’re still at risk of developing these diseases. To check for any health conditions that may be related to your weight, your general practitioner may take your blood pressure and carry out other tests, such as a blood test.

Your medical weight loss specialist will help develop a plan around these parameters:

Limit portion size to control calorie intake — Choose foods that have a lot of nutrients but not a lot of calories.

Be as physically active as you can be — Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. It is not suggested to do that all at once, but to break it up over the whole week, in whichever way you like. Try to be as physically active as you can if you can’t do this much activity right away. Doing a little exercise is better than doing none at all.

The benefits of exercise aren’t just about weight. Regular exercise can make it easier for you to do daily activities, participate in outings, drive, keep up with grandchildren, avoid falls, and stay independent.

If you are having difficulty losing weight, come to our medical weight loss clinic in the Charleston, SC area! Metabolic Medical Center has experts trained in medical weight loss and can help you achieve your weight goals today! We serve patients from Charleston SC, Mount Pleasant SC, Irmo SC, West Ashley SC, Murrells Inlet SC, Columbia SC, Bluffton SC, Sullivans Island SC, Isle of Palms SC, Daniel Island SC, James Island SC, North Charleston SC, Pawleys Island SC, Myrtle Beach SC, Hilton Head SC, and Hardeeville SC.