Talking to Your Doctor
You don't need to convince your doctor — just start the conversation. Preparing beforehand can make it more productive. This page outlines what to bring, common barriers people face, and how to frame the discussion effectively.
Quick read · 4 min
- •You don't need to convince your doctor — just start the conversation
- •Bring your BMI, any health conditions, and a list of what you've already tried
- •If your GP isn't helpful, an obesity medicine specialist is a good alternative
- •It helps to frame weight loss as a health issue, not a cosmetic one
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Last reviewed: March 2026
What to bring to the appointment
Calculate your BMI beforehand. Note any qualifying conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease) — these strengthen the case for treatment at BMI ≥27.
What approaches you have tried (diets, programmes, earlier medications), approximate results, and why they did not work long-term. This helps frame obesity as a chronic, recurring condition rather than a first attempt.
Cost. Injection anxiety (if applicable). Which side effects you are most concerned about. Whether you have any known reasons your doctor might say no.
- ?Do I meet the eligibility criteria?
- ?Are there any reasons I should not take this medication?
- ?What would the cost be, and are there any savings programs?
- ?What are my options if I prefer not to inject?
- ?What support is available during the first few months?
Common barriers and how to navigate them
Framing weight management as a health issue — particularly if you have qualifying conditions — and referencing specific eligibility criteria can help frame the conversation clinically.
Not all primary care doctors are up to date on the current generation of weight loss medications or their evidence. If your GP is unfamiliar or unhelpful, asking for a referral to an obesity medicine specialist or endocrinologist is a reasonable option.
Manufacturer savings programs are available: Eli Lilly (Zepbound) and Novo Nordisk (Wegovy) both offer reduced-cost options. Older oral medications (phentermine/topiramate, naltrexone/bupropion) are significantly more affordable. Telehealth platforms can also be more cost-effective.
Once-weekly autoinjector pens are specifically designed to minimise discomfort — the needle is small and the process takes seconds. Many people who anticipated high anxiety find actual injections easier than expected.
How to frame the conversation
- •Frame weight management as a health issue, not an appearance concern — connect it to specific conditions or risk factors.
- •Reference any qualifying health conditions explicitly when discussing the BMI ≥27 threshold.
- •Bring specific information if you can: your BMI, blood pressure readings, documented history of diet attempts.
- •If your GP is not responsive, obesity medicine specialists and endocrinologists are better placed for this conversation.