My BMI is 32. What realistically will the GP do to help me get this down?

[LoudSnoringDog]

I don't want to waste mine or the GPs time and feel a bit embarrassed looking for help as I don't "look" massively obese but I'm fed up and carry so much weight around my stomach which makes me look like a barrel.

I've tried to cut calories and move more but I lose a few pounds and then it goes back up again. I worry that the priority will be people seeking help to lose much more weight than I need to.
I'm 4ft 11 and 71kg
I want to prevent future health complications

I imagine they will suggest less calories and more exercise for the long term. How many calories are you having each day and what is your exercise routine?

Honestly, NHS isn't set up for weight loss. They'll refer you to a programme that tells you not to eat crisps and give you recipes for lasagne without cheese or meat.

Intermittent fasting, for the long haul?

I’m similar, BMI 29 but group that the NHS says get help now (in theory that’s just on a website and doesn’t take into account how busy GPs are.) Not managing with calorie counting. It worked well for a few weeks, didn’t lose or gain which was at least a start. Then on Thursday this week a bad day at work and I went and bought a chocolate bar and haven’t got back on the band wagon.
Cant do much exercise due to disability, my weight related).

They can usually get you free membership of WW or similar for a few months if that's something of interest

As someone who's been obese for most of my adult life due to binge eating which started when I was only 8 years old, and having been T2 diabetic for the past 25 years, your GP will probably just send you an e-link to NHS leaflets and tell you to reduce your calorie intake and be more active. They're not equipped to offer anything else. One of the many GPs I've seen over those years suggested I join a facebook group for binge eaters! The "best" advice from a diabetic nurse was to "eat less mangoes" - I've never knowingly eaten a mango in my life!

You're basically on your own, so don't expect much, if anything, from them. Far more useful are internet resources about "hacks" to get more active, learning about calories yourself and good/bad foods, looking at the traffic lights on food, reducing high calorie alcoholic and soft drinks, etc.

I wouldn't see a GP about this, I would see a Dietician who has extensive knowledge and can also refer you on for pharmaceutical assisted weight loss.

They can refer you to a weightless clinic or dietician who will tell you nothing you don't already know, except maybe working out exactly the correct calories you need a day so you know what to reduce it to.

Most likely they will send you a letter with a list of the free NHS weight loss sites, which you can find yourself.

Apps like Noom and Fastic, workout apps like BetterMe can all help you find what actually works for you. It could be a combination of OMAD, IF, more exercise or just smaller portions and cutting snacks.

There are calorie counting apps, step counting apps, weight trackers and food diaries that might help you feel accountable and keep a record of why you aren't losing weight.

My aunt got a referral to Slimming World when she needed to lose three stone. She has lost 2.5 stone so far and is doing really well. What are you hoping for OP? Do you want to be told you'll get given one of those slimming injections? I mean, maybe you will. 32 is obese and it's definitely going to have a negative impact on your joints, your risk for type 2 diabetes, your risk of developing certain cancers, etc. It must affect your mobility too and your ability to exercise or even 'move more' comfortably and safely. Whatever you do, don't just keep suffering in silence - go and see your GP and tell them you really want to lose weight. But whatever solution they offer, you're going to have to do it and keep doing it. The motivation needs to come from you.

If you mean are they going to prescribe me injections then no they aren't. GPs can't do this. They would need to refer you to a weight management programme and eventually (in a few years time) after jumping through those hoops you might theoretically be eligible
Weight loss injections for non diabetics are not realistically available on the NHS now

Poster above is right re weight loss injections. Other than that there maybe WW/Slimming World options or exercise groups but GPs are mostly limited to advice or a referral to weight management, which can be a very long weight. If you can afford to pay for private weight loss injections, that may be worth looking into.

Just go keto. Save your cash. It’s the same result as injections - your cravings are curbed and your appetite much reduced.

The NHS are shit at helping with weight loss. I went to the GP a few weeks ago as I'm absolutely at my wits end with trying and failing to lose weight. He basically asked "what do you want us to do about it?" Sent me a self referral link to some exercise scheme which, when I emailed, replied and said "what do you need from us?"

I have been struggling with my weight for years. When I was younger, I used to starve myself to stay thin. Since having my kids, I binge eat to stay sane. I don't think I can manage any of these issues around food on my own, but the NHS don't seem to want to help me.

I mean, in fairness it's such a complex issue really, I can't imagine any health system would do it right. It's to do with habits and psychology and routines and work and stress... Sounds naff but you need to think about lifestyle choices really and some of it is out of your hands, like affordability of food, free time to exercise etc.

not that they wont but that they cant, no funding for this. Nice recommend referral to the weight loss program, then when you are through that the injections are offered but there are no spaces on any weight loss program. This issue is helped 100% by the injections, just dont use the vial mixing type from dodgy beauticians ( two deaths). Go to boots or something

I'm T2 diabetic and recently asked the Diabetes nurse about Mounjaro, expecting very little and that they'd just fob me off but she immediately said 'sure let's give it a try, I'll put a prescription in for a pen'. I was flabbergasted. BMI was 34 so not 'excessively' obese so thought I'd have no chance.

@LivelyGoldOrca believe me, if I could afford it I would

As I thought. It's more about signposting etc isn't it?

I think my motivation lets me down, I do well and then binge which is probably another issue on its own .
Thanks for the replies! At least I know they are holding no miracle that I've not tapped into yet!

Realistically: . Nothing really.. they may say they can refer you to a dietician or maybe a weight loss tier system which apparently is crap..

They will probably tell you to eat less and move more..

I had a BMI of 36 and they said they can refer me to the weight loss people, but it takes a while for an appointment., then it will be a few years to move up tiers..
When I mentioned I was going to start mounjaro she said she wished she could prescribe it to me but can't, even though I'm obese and a 36 BMI .. I laughed and said oh what not fat enough with no diabetes so can't help.. she said pretty much yeah! Haha.

If you can, then just purchase it yourself through an online pharmacy, it's an amazing drug (so far) . Only regret, not starting sooner..

The NHS will only signpost to other services for most people. The responsibility for obesity sits within the Public Health remit, which is the responsibility of local authorities, not the NHS.

Nothing really. I went a few years ago, they did mention WW/SW but didn’t seem sure if I’d meet the criteria. They gave me a few diet sheets and advised a ‘Mediterranean Diet’….that was full of carbs. IIRC, the advice was 1/3 of your plate to be carbs. I only lose weight on low-carb/keto but NHS never advises this.

Is any healthcare system "getting it right"?
Has any healthcare system yet reversed the obesity epidemic in their area?

You could try HBD. I think the NHS is quite behind when it comes to treatment for obesity.

You've posted in weight loss injections so have you considered them?
GP won't prescribe to you but you can get it prescribed from pharmacies online if you can afford it.
Mounjaro is the miracle you are looking for, but you will have to pay for it yourself.

See, every few years a new diet trend comes along, so the established wisdom about how to lose weight changes in the public perception.

The NHS moves way, way more slowly and requires more evidence on a mass scale to shift anything. And even then there would be lobbying and politics involved probably. If we start telling everyone to go low carb, what does that do to the food chain? Net zero plans? You do need carbs, especially kids - would there be a risk of people applying it too widely and not giving kids enough?

Med diet is based on small amounts of starchy carbs and wholegrains. Personally I think low carb diets involving large amounts of animal fats are also problematic, very bad for the environment if nothing else.

Op if binge eating is the issue you could try CBT with a therapist. Looking at your emotional triggers and what you could do to meet your needs in a healthier way.