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

They’ll tell you to cut calories, exercise and possibly tell you to go to something like Weight Watchers.

Nothing you can’t do on your own basically.

If you are 4ft 11 OP sadly the answer is probably just that you simply can't eat as much as other people.
Its shit being on the smaller end of the spectrum height wise because your calorie intake just naturally has to be less. Eg just maintenance for you might we be something like 1400-1600 calories.

Maintenence could be alot less. I am 5 foot 6 and think my maintenence is 1400-1500 calories but then I'm 56 and so my metabolism has slowed down as used to be able to lose weight easily.

Your GP will not be able to help.

Have you considered Mounjaro? It’s amazing. My BMI was 29 12 weeks ago. It’s now 24.

I would love to consider something like mountjaro having seen the feedback on how it's working for people. I can't really commit to the monthly amount

@LoudSnoringDog There are lots of codes around to save you up to £40 on first month and I went via topcashback and got nearly £10 back quickly on first payment. Maybe try it for a month and see how you feel...let me know if you'd like me to send you a code.

I got a Referral to a 12 week weight loss programme which only runs locally on a day I work. And links to websites to read.

We’re practically twins. I was 74kg with BMI 32, similar height to you.

I have been slim my entire life, hovering around 50kg, until 2022. I’m in my 20s and totally get what you mean about not “looking” obese. I think people don’t realise how different weight gain appears on smaller frames, assuming we’re overweight at best when in reality we’re at risk of all the obesity health impacts at that size.

I went to the GP throughout my weight gain and they have never been concerned, even after being weighed and technically having an obese BMI.

The only medical professional that took a note was my dermatologist who noticed I was bigger since she last saw me and essentially attributed my issue to my weight and told me GP to check if I had things like diabetes etc. I felt like she had fobbed me off because of my weight but I realise she was probably the only medical professional being proactive. My GP didn’t really follow that up, my blood tests were fine etc.

Also I have been taking Mounjaro since 1st August and I have lost 10kg, I’m at 63.8kg now. I’d highly recommend it though I know the cost is a barrier. For what it’s worth, I think someone on your starting weight might only need 6 months max to reach a healthy BMI judging by my own progress. That’s what I’m telling myself to make the cost feel better.

Also I have largely managed to offset the cost, as I’m no longer order takeaways, eating out as much, I don’t drink alcohol anymore. My food bill is lower too because I just don’t need as much food. And a more indirect thing is I am not buying clothes as much to fit my bigger weight, my old clothes are starting to fit again.

Yes this is another thing. OP it’s likely your BMR is around 1200 calories so if you’re eating at a deficit, it is likely the 800 calorie mark that will trigger weight loss. That’s going to be a shocking figure for some people to hear, but essentially a smaller frame just needs significantly less food.

This has made me snort my tea laughing 🤣

But yes, best take control yourself, my GP wasn't interested even at an obese BMI as I was 'just' over that line. Tbf I am active moderately fit other metrics good so not about to keel over, but still, I was obese. Now merely overweight but getting there - Mounjaro for me.

How much weight is that in 12 weeks? It seems an enormous amount. I’m jealous 😂

I think the GP may order blood tests to check that there are no obvious reasons for weight gain (thyroid etc), but what happens after then depends on where you live.

I've known some areas offer counselling and group sessions to identify why people may over-eat or eat the wrong foods, others will just tell you to eat half what you currently do.

My GP told me that they have loads of patients on Mounjaro for weight loss (privately) and it's very effective for them.

Interesting the comments about my height. If I look back on photos of where I was happy with my weight it was when I was doing the blood sugar diet at 800 calories.

In my mind now I'm thinking of trying intermittent fasting and 800 calories and see how far that gets me as a starter.

They will refer you for either Gloji (just recipes and patronising videos to watch) or WW (does work for a while but not long term).

My BMI is a little higher than yours. I went to the GP to ask for weight loss medication or jabs and was referred to Tier 3 weight loss service last October, and had all the blood tests. I made it to the front of the queue around February but by that time the blood tests had expired, so I had to have them all again, which put me to the back of the queue again. Then when I chased it up again in July I was told they hadn’t ordered one of the blood tests needed and I needed to have that. So I’ve had that but I assume I’m at the back of the queue again. And all this time the voicemail message for the service says ‘don’t come to us if you want weight loss injections - go to your GP’. It’s an absolute farce.

Perhaps I should’ve phrased it as they are unwilling to accept that a low-fat, high carb diet is not for everyone. I was told to eat things like low-fat yoghurt and spread and diet drinks. They are full of crap and I can’t have any artificial sweeteners at all (yes, even ‘natural’ ones). Animal fats at least fill you up and aren’t full of shite. I’ve just googled now and they are still advising low-fat/diet yoghurt and skimmed milk.

They'll probably refer your to ww or slimming world where you'll be told that mashed bananas are evil but whole bananas are fine and start calling vegetables 'speed foods'
Have you tried my fitness pal to get an idea of calories/ saturated fat etc ?
Have you read up on ultra processed food ?
Do you exercise ?

It’s not motivation that’s letting you down, it’s discipline. I mean this kindly, this always is what is letting most of us down. The thing is, you won’t always be motivated, so you need to learn to be disciplined.

Unfortunately, I think the GP will be a bit useless, probably stating the obvious as other posters have mentioned. Any referrals to any weight loss programs take ages, from what I’ve read from people.

I think if you have the means, going on medication such as Mounjaro or Wegovy, would be what gets you and keeps you going until you reach your goal. They’re amazing tools that make eating healthy / smaller portions / less calories doable without it feeling like a slog. They won’t let you fall off the wagon; and you have alllll of the support groups on here too!

Goodness that is so frustrating!!!

You can see why people just stop trying

Years ago I went to see my GP with a BMI of over 60. He told me to 'eat less'. Gee, thanks, Doctor. I ended up paying for WLS privately and lost 13st in a year.