Winchester GP Weight loss Support

Sound dietary habits and regular exercise will always be the cornerstones of any weight loss programme. But if you are struggling to achieve a healthy weight by these means alone, and your weight presents a risk to your current and long term health, a new generation of prescription only medications might offer extra assistance.

Weight loss medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) belong to a class of medication called GLP 1 agonists. They work by slowing the path of food through the gut and promoting feelings of satiety, thereby supporting a reduction in calorie intake. Whilst only relatively recently approved, their efficacy is backed by scale clinical studies, and ongoing research points towards broader benefits for overall health and wellbeing. However, as with any prescription medication, they can come with side effects, and should only be used in very specific circumstances, and under careful clinical supervision.

At Winchester GP, we see the use of weight loss medication as a medium term intervention, to be accompanied by holistic lifestyle improvements, notably in diet and exercise. With your appetite better controlled, it is easier to implement improved dietary habits, and work to make these habits become second nature. The ultimate aim is not just to achieve a realistic healthy weight, but to be able to maintain it without ongoing medication.

An exploratory consultation
The decision to start weight loss medications takes careful consideration. At Winchester GP we start the process with an unhurried 40 minute consultation with one of our GPs, cost £210. This gives plenty of time for a non-judgemental exploration of your history, and to answer any questions you may have.

Your safety is always the number one priority, and your doctor will only prescribe if they are sure it is appropriate for you. You’ll be reasssured to know that Winchester GP is entirely independent and has no commercial interest in the sale of the medications themselves.

If you do decide to proceed with medications you will most likely need regular reviews, particularly in the early months while you work through the dosages to find the most effective level for you. You can book these review appointments on a pay as you go basis (see this link) but many of our patients opt for our discounted package.

Step 2: Your first injection and the initial month of treatment
Weight loss medications come in the form of an easy to use injecting pen. Most patients find them straightforward to use, but if you would like one of our health care assistants to help you with your first dose, we are more than happy to arrange this free of charge. Each pen lasts for 4 doses, or 4 weeks. Even though there may be some medication left in the pen at the end of this time, it will not be a correctly measured dose, so we advise against trying to ‘eek’ out your pen to last longer than intended.

Step 3: Beyond your first month
After your 4th injection if you are keen to continue with treatment, it’s time to order your next prescription. It is likely that your doctor will want to review with you at this stage, to check for side effects, and on average our patients have around 3 further consultations in their first 6 months of treatment. To facilitate this level of care we have put together a discounted weight loss support package.
For an upfront payment of £289 you get:

3 x 20 minute consultations over 6 months
2 x short interim email queries || Free repeat prescription requests

This represents a saving of up to £100 over our pay as you go prices for consultations. The package price is non-refundable.

If you prefer you also have the option to continue booking consultations on a pay as you go basis.

N.B. The issuing of prescriptions is entirely at the discretion of the doctor. If at any point the doctor feels that you are not benefitting from the medications they will stop prescribing in a manner that is deemed safe per the latest clinical guidance.