Weight Loss Management

The EdgCARE Weight Loss Management Service supports you to lose weight with a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle medicine advice and specialist dietetic input.

What Are Weight Loss Injections?

Weight loss injections are a medical treatment designed to aid in weight loss. These injections are typically prescribed to individuals with obesity or those who have difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone.
Common types of weight loss injections include medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g. Wegovy or Mounjaro), which help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, and increase feelings of fullness.

How Do They Work?

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps to regulate blood sugar and appetite. They can promote feelings of satiety, reduce cravings, and help with weight loss.

Weight loss injections are prescribed to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 30 or those with a BMI above 27 but they also associated health conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Benefits

Significant weight loss (when combined with diet and exercise).
Improvement in health markers like blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Long-term maintenance of weight loss in some cases.

Side Effects and Risks

Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and digestive discomfort.
In rare cases, more serious side effects may occur, such as pancreatitis or gallstones.
As with any medication, it's important to discuss potential risks with your GP.

Why Choose EdgCARE?

EdgCARE’s clinicians provide a holistic approach to managing your weight loss challenges. They will give honest and balanced advice and ensure your safety when on these medications, which an online pharmacy can not give.

What happens at your appointment?

The initial appointment is a 45-minute extended appointment (see ‘Prices’ on our website).

A GP will assess your overall health, any existing conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), and your weight loss goals before prescribing such treatments.
You and your doctor will also assess a broader weight management plan that includes dietary changes, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications.
You will need to bring your 'Patient Summary' from your NHS GP so any underlying medical conditions can be shared.
At EdgCARE, in order that the team know they are prescribing safely, the doctors will require bloods tests performed within the last 3 months either by your NHS GP or at EdgCARE. These include a full blood count, kidney function, liver function, lipid profile, thyroid function and a diabetic screen (Hba1c).
An appointment can also be made with Heather Daniels, our in-house dietician, for person-centred and specific dietary advice.

Costs

Weight loss injections may not always be covered by the NHS, depending on your specific health condition and circumstances.
The injections cost between £150-£200 a month.

Follow-Up

Face to face consultations will take place at 3 months and 6 months to monitor your progress, manage side effects, and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Monthly repeat prescriptions are £20 for non-members, free for members.