Talking to your doctor
Quick read · 4 min
You don't need to convince your doctor — just start the conversation. Preparing beforehand can make it more productive.
Appointment prep at a glance
Calculate your BMI
Note any qualifying health conditions
List what you have already tried
Diets, programmes, earlier medications
Write down your specific concerns
Cost, injection anxiety, side effects
Prepare questions to ask
Eligibility, costs, available options
Frame it as a health issue
Connect to conditions or risk factors, not appearance
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.
Conversation Starters — Phrases People Have Found Helpful
"I've been reading about weight loss medications and I'd like to understand if any might be appropriate for me."
"I've tried diet and exercise changes for [time period] without the results I was hoping for. Can we talk about other options?"
"I know my weight is affecting my health. I'd like to discuss medical treatments — what do you think?"
"I'm interested in [specific drug] — can you help me understand if it's an option for me?"
If your doctor dismisses the conversation or seems uncomfortable, it is reasonable to seek a second opinion. Not all doctors are equally familiar with current weight loss treatments.
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.
Next step most people take
Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source
Last reviewed: April 2026