Obesity is used to describe an excess amount of body fat that can present a risk to health.

There are many different causes for obesity, from diet to environment to health and genetic factors.

Being obese increases the risk of further medical conditions such as strokes, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

BMI stands for ‘Body Mass Index’. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (kg) by their height (meters squared).

Higher BMI scores can be used to determine the chances of you developing long-term conditions such as heart disease. However, people from Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern ethnic backgrounds may see these conditions develop from a lower BMI, so this should be factored in when BMI is calculated.

BMI should not be used to diagnose symptoms as there are limits to using it. For example, not all weight is fat, which disadvantages people with a muscular build.

Medically speaking, you are 'overweight' if you have a BMI of more than 25. So, you might be advised by your GP to make lifestyle changes to try and lose weight.

Common side effects during weight loss treatment can include:

Vomiting

Headaches

Diarrhea

Constipation

Stomach discomfort

These side effects should decrease over time as treatment continues.

Injections (pens) like Mounjaro® or Wegovy® and tablets such as Orlistat can help with weight loss when used alongside regular exercise and a balanced diet. While tablets can help you lose weight by blocking the fat you eat from being digested. Injections may be more effective for long-term weight loss as they stop you feeling hungry.

These treatments work in different ways and can cause side effects. So, which one you use depends on:

Qualifying for treatment

Your BMI

Any health conditions you have

Your weight loss goals

How comfortable you feel with any risks or side effects

Whether you have needle phobia 

There’s a lot to consider when starting weight loss treatment, our clinicians are here to help.

Mounjaro®, Wegovy® and Saxenda® are the weight loss injections (pens) that we offer.

They work by:

Suppressing your appetite: Mimicking naturally occurring hormones to make you feel less hungry

Regulating blood sugar: Increases insulin – regulates blood sugar

Food leaving your stomach slower: Slowing down digestion so you may eat smaller portions

Xenical and Orlistat (which both have the same active ingredient, orlistat, so work in the same way), are prescribed as a tablet. They work by blocking up to a third of the fat in the food you eat from being absorbed into your system.

Ozempic® is only licensed as a medicine for type 2 diabetes but is sometimes prescribed off-label as a weight loss treatment. If you do not have diabetes, please seek an alternative treatment. Wegovy® has the same active ingredient as Ozempic®, semaglutide, and is prescribed for weight loss.

If you’re looking to lose weight because you have a high BMI, you may be at higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Reaching a healthy weight can lower your risk of experiencing these serious health issues. If you’re living with asthma or erectile dysfunction, weight loss can improve your symptoms. Some people find that reaching a healthy weight improves self-confidence and mental health. It can also make some activities more enjoyable as the strain on their joints is reduced as well. 

The goal with weight management should be to reach a healthy weight for your height and build, and to maintain it. Achieving sustainable results and staying at your goal weight is best done by making adjustments to your lifestyle, being more active and eating a balanced diet. However, it is possible that prescription weight loss treatments can help you reach your goal weight.

In severe cases weight loss surgery is an option (either a gastric band, gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy). However, as this is a major surgery it can be difficult to qualify for. There are also several potential post-surgery risks such as gallstones and blood clots.

If you have any concerns about sudden weight gain, you should see your GP for advice.

Make changes to your lifestyle that you can stick to, and you will find maintaining a healthy weight easier. Fad diets tend to make your weight drop dramatically and then rise again, so avoid these. Instead, try to eat more whole fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein while increasing your activity level. Walk more, join a local sports team, or swim regularly. The occasional sugary treat is fine, but make sure it's occasional and part of a balanced diet. 

We can prescribe Orlistat, Xenical, Mounjaro®, Wegovy® and Saxenda® online. Simply request the treatment you'd like and complete the medical consultation. We’ll use this information to ensure that the treatment is safe and suitable for you.

For Mounjaro®, Wegovy® and Saxenda® you’ll need to upload a video that clearly shows your ID and weight. This allows our clinicians to ensure the treatment is right for you. We can verify who you are and that you meet the criteria needed for treatment. Using our online video service also means you can have your order delivered to your home or chosen address.

 If approved for Orlistat or Xenical, you’ll need to collect your first treatment from your local London pharmacy. This is so that you can have your BMI checked by a pharmacist. After this first collection, for Orlistat and Xenical, you'll have the option of delivery.

With Mounjaro®, Wegovy® or Saxenda®, we’ll send you email reminders to reorder your treatment. And we’ll also ask you to keep us updated on your progress at certain points during the course of your treatment.