WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Obesity is a chronic illness with pervasive effects on patients’ cardiac risk, bone & joint health, cancer risk, mental health, and many more! Dr. Chan’s approach to weight management is less about chasing a number on the scale, and more about setting functional goals.

 

Do you want to be better able to keep up with your kids? Do you want less back pain? Do you want improved intimacy? Improved confidence? These are functional goals that are individual to each patient.

 

Dr. Chan’s medical weight management process involves assessing an individual’s diet, level of activity, relevant medical conditions, current medications, and discussing whether or not a prescription weight management medication would be appropriate. Not all individuals require prescription weight management medications, and regardless of whether one of these medications are prescribed, lifestyle means of weight management are a mainstay of Dr. Chan’s approach. The involvement of allied health professionals, such as Registered Dieticians or personal trainers, may be recommended. If a weight management medication is prescribed, multiple follow up appointments are required to assess the rate of weight loss and adjust doses accordingly. A sustainable and healthy rate of weight loss is usually around 1-2 lbs per week, thus Dr. Chan’s approach is not meant for rapid weight loss, nor does she recommend such an approach. Lasting weight loss is achieved through permanent but sustainable lifestyle changes, which will look different for each individual.