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Conditions
WeightManagement
Medical support for weight management, including assessment of contributing factors, lifestyle guidance, and where appropriate, pharmacotherapy. Obesity is a chronic disease recognised by the WHO, not a lifestyle choice.
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From $49.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
29%
approval rate
30%
refund if we can't help
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofWeightManagement
Our doctors assess these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
BMI 30+ (obesity) or BMI 25-29.9 (overweight) with metabolic complications
Difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise efforts
Weight-related conditions: sleep apnoea, joint pain, reflux, type 2 diabetes
Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance
Impact on mental health and quality of life
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Assessment of weight management options
- Discussion of lifestyle modification strategies
- Prescription of weight management medications where clinically appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring and dose adjustments
- Referral to dietitian, exercise physiologist, or bariatric specialist
What needs in-person care
- Bariatric surgery assessment (requires surgical team)
- Complex endocrine causes of weight gain (requires in-person workup)
- Body composition testing (DEXA scan)
- Prescribing for cosmetic weight loss in patients with normal BMI
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with weight-related health conditions
- 2You want to discuss medical weight management options
- 3Lifestyle changes alone have been insufficient
- 4You are experiencing weight-related health complications
- 5You need ongoing medication management for weight
Seek emergency care if
- Chest pain or severe shortness of breath
- Signs of severe sleep apnoea (breathing stops during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness)
- Suicidal thoughts related to weight or body image
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonWeightManagement
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA Registered · Reviewed 2026-04
Weight management is one of the most complex areas of medicine. The evidence is clear that obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition driven by neurobiological and hormonal factors -- not simply a lack of willpower. The discovery of GLP-1 receptor agonists has transformed the field, providing medications that address the biological drivers of weight gain for the first time. However, medication is one part of a comprehensive approach that includes dietary modification (a sustainable caloric deficit, not crash dieting), regular physical activity (both aerobic and resistance training), behavioural strategies, and addressing psychological factors. I assess every patient holistically: what is their metabolic profile? Are there contributing medications (antidepressants, steroids, insulin)? Are there untreated conditions (hypothyroidism, sleep apnoea, PCOS)? The goal is not a number on the scale -- it is reducing cardiovascular risk and improving quality of life. A 5-10% weight loss produces significant metabolic benefits.
Treatment
TreatingWeightManagement
Pharmacotherapy for weight management is appropriate for BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with weight-related comorbidities, alongside lifestyle modification. GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionised the field with 15-20% average body weight loss. Treatment selection depends on BMI, comorbidities, contraindications, and patient preference.
Semaglutide
Ozempic, Wegovy
Class:GLP-1 receptor agonist
Typical dose:Start 0.25mg weekly SC, escalate to 2.4mg weekly over 16-20 weeks
PBS:PBS listed for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic); weight management formulation (Wegovy) not PBS listed
- Most effective weight management medication available -- 15-17% average weight loss in trials
- Once-weekly subcutaneous injection with gradual dose escalation
- Nausea is common initially but usually settles over 4-8 weeks
- Proven cardiovascular benefit in the SELECT trial (non-diabetic obese patients)
Liraglutide
Saxenda
Class:GLP-1 receptor agonist
Typical dose:Start 0.6mg daily SC, escalate to 3.0mg daily over 4 weeks
- TGA-approved for weight management (BMI 30+ or 27+ with comorbidities)
- Daily injection -- less convenient than weekly semaglutide
- Average weight loss of 8-10% in clinical trials
- Not PBS listed for weight management -- out-of-pocket cost applies
Orlistat
Xenical, Alli
Class:Lipase inhibitor
Typical dose:120mg three times daily with meals (60mg OTC as Alli)
PBS:PBS listed for BMI 30+ with comorbidities
- Blocks absorption of approximately 30% of dietary fat
- Modest weight loss of 3-5% above diet alone
- GI side effects (oily stools, flatulence) are common -- reduced by limiting fat intake
- Lower-dose formulation (Alli 60mg) available over-the-counter
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines - Endocrinology, 2024; NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obesity, 2024. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Referral to an obesity medicine specialist or bariatric surgeon is recommended for BMI 40+ (or 35+ with comorbidities) when considering bariatric surgery, when secondary causes of obesity need investigation, or when multiple pharmacotherapy trials have been unsuccessful.
Weight Management in Australia
Two in three Australian adults (67%) are overweight or obese (ABS 2022)
Obesity costs the Australian economy an estimated $11.8 billion per year
Only 10% of Australians with obesity receive evidence-based treatment
A 5-10% reduction in body weight significantly reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnoea
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Weight management is ongoing, not a short-term treatment. With GLP-1 medications, most weight loss occurs in the first 6-12 months. Lifestyle modification produces gradual results of 0.5-1kg per week. Metabolic health markers (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol) often improve before significant weight change is visible.
Return to work
Weight management does not typically require time off work. When starting GLP-1 medications, nausea may affect the first 2-4 weeks. Dose escalation is gradual to minimise side effects.
When to reassess
Review at 4-8 weeks after starting medication to assess tolerance. Expect 5% body weight loss by 3 months -- if not achieved, reassess the approach. Ongoing monitoring every 3-6 months including metabolic markers.
Self-Care
ManagingWeightManagementathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Focus on sustainable changes -- extreme diets produce short-term results but long-term regain in over 95% of cases
Protein intake of 1.2-1.6g per kg body weight helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss
Resistance training (2-3 sessions per week) is as important as cardio for metabolic health and preventing muscle loss
Sleep quality matters -- poor sleep increases hunger hormones (ghrelin) and reduces satiety signals (leptin)
Track your food intake for 2-4 weeks to understand your baseline -- most people underestimate caloric intake by 30-50%
Set process goals (walk 30 minutes daily, eat protein at every meal) rather than outcome goals (lose X kg by Y date)
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutWeightManagement
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Testimonials
What patients say
Real experiences from Australians who've used InstantMed
Woke up with gastro at 6am, had my cert by 8:30. HR didn't question it.
Sarah M.
Verified
Half expected a rubber stamp tbh. It wasn't. The form asked proper questions and the doctor actually engaged with what I wrote.
Michelle T.
Verified
I work from home so ducking out to a clinic is a whole production. This saved me half a day easily.
Emma R.
Verified
Woke up with gastro at 6am, had my cert by 8:30. HR didn't question it.
Sarah M.
Verified
Half expected a rubber stamp tbh. It wasn't. The form asked proper questions and the doctor actually engaged with what I wrote.
Michelle T.
Verified
I work from home so ducking out to a clinic is a whole production. This saved me half a day easily.
Emma R.
Verified
Migraine hit at 7pm Sunday. Certificate was in my inbox before bed. Brilliant.
Chris P.
Verified
Missed an exam and needed a cert for special consideration. Done before my next lecture. The doctor asked follow-up questions too which made it feel legit.
Tom H.
Verified
Both kids were sick so I literally couldn't leave the house. Cert came through in about 45 mins. Didn't have to explain myself to anyone which was nice.
Priya N.
Verified
Migraine hit at 7pm Sunday. Certificate was in my inbox before bed. Brilliant.
Chris P.
Verified
Missed an exam and needed a cert for special consideration. Done before my next lecture. The doctor asked follow-up questions too which made it feel legit.
Tom H.
Verified
Both kids were sick so I literally couldn't leave the house. Cert came through in about 45 mins. Didn't have to explain myself to anyone which was nice.
Priya N.
Verified
Took closer to two hours than one, but still less time than sitting at a walk-in. Got there in the end.
Ben C.
Verified
Nearest GP is 45 mins drive. This genuinely fills a gap for people out here.
Mark D.
Verified
Gastro the night before a big work thing. Cert was in my inbox by 7am. Exactly what I needed.
Nick B.
Verified
Took closer to two hours than one, but still less time than sitting at a walk-in. Got there in the end.
Ben C.
Verified
Nearest GP is 45 mins drive. This genuinely fills a gap for people out here.
Mark D.
Verified
Gastro the night before a big work thing. Cert was in my inbox by 7am. Exactly what I needed.
Nick B.
Verified
Individual experiences may vary. All requests are subject to doctor assessment.
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