Preparing for Your First Weight Loss Consultation

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first weight loss consultation with Dr Chun Guan Chong is a comprehensive appointment, typically lasting 45–60 minutes. It is designed to give Dr Chong a full picture of your health before any treatment is recommended.

What to Bring

Bringing the right information allows Dr Chong to make the most accurate assessment and design the most effective treatment plan for you.

• A current medications list — include the name, dose, and how long you have been taking each one. Include all prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements.
• Recent blood test results — any results from the past 12 months, including fasting glucose, lipid panel, thyroid function, and iron studies if available.
• Your weight history — approximately when you first gained weight, any triggers (pregnancy, medications, injury, stress), and your highest and lowest adult weight.
• A summary of previous weight loss attempts — which diets, programs, or medications you have tried, for how long, and the outcome.
• Referral letter — if referred by another GP or specialist.
• Medicare card and private health insurance card if applicable.

Your Medical History Review

Dr Chong will take a detailed medical history. Be prepared to discuss:

• Weight-related conditions: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fatty liver, osteoarthritis
• Cardiovascular history: heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol
• Mental health history: depression, anxiety, and any history of eating disorders
• Family history: obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease
• Reproductive history (for women): pregnancies, menstrual regularity, perimenopause or menopause

Physical Examination

A physical examination will typically include:

• Weight and height measurement to calculate BMI
• Waist circumference
• Blood pressure
• General health assessment

Dr Chong may also arrange a medical-grade body composition scan at the clinic, which provides detailed information about your body fat percentage, muscle mass, and visceral fat.

Blood Tests and Investigations

If you do not have recent blood test results, Dr Chong will request a comprehensive panel to check for conditions that can affect weight or are worsened by excess weight. This typically includes:

• Fasting glucose and HbA1c (diabetes screening)
• Fasting lipid panel (cholesterol and triglycerides)
• Thyroid function (TSH)
• Full blood count
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Vitamin D, B12, iron studies and ferritin

Discussing Your Goals

Be prepared to share what you are hoping to achieve — not just a target weight, but what changes would make the biggest difference to your daily life (e.g., reducing joint pain, improving energy, reducing diabetes medications, or preparing for bariatric surgery).

There are no wrong answers. Dr Chong takes a non-judgmental, patient-centred approach to every consultation.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Writing your questions down in advance ensures you don't forget anything important. Useful questions include:

• What is contributing to my difficulty losing weight?
• Am I a candidate for weight loss medications?
• What investigations do I need?
• Should I consider bariatric surgery?
• How quickly should I expect to see results?
• What follow-up plan do you recommend?

After the Appointment

Following your consultation, Dr Chong will outline a personalised treatment plan. This may include lifestyle recommendations, referrals to a dietitian or psychologist, pharmacotherapy (weight loss medication), or a surgical referral pathway.

Follow-up appointments are typically every 4–8 weeks in the early stages of treatment.