Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered some of our most frequently asked questions below. If you don't find an answer to your question below, please email us. We would be happy to help you!
Appointments
When? Where? How often?
How long are your appointments?
-
Appointments with our dietitian, counsellor, or nurse last 30-35 minutes.
-
Appointments with our physician or nurse practitioner last 15-20 minutes.
Does your clinic offer in-person appointments?
-
Appointments are usually done virtually, providing easy, affordable access to all residents of Ontario.
-
If you happen to live near Wasaga Beach and would like to meet in person, this can be arranged. We would love to see you!
Can I arrange for individual/longer sessions with the counsellor, psychotherapist or dietitian?​
-
In order to maximize your chance of success, we do not recommend this unless you have gone through at least 12-weeks of intensive treatment first.
-
After completion of the 12 weeks, appointments can be arranged and paid for on an individual basis.
Counselling
Type of counselling?
What type of counselling do you offer?
-
We teach behavioural and habit modification through mindfulness skills, with an additional focus on developing confidence and maintaining motivation.
-
This type of counselling has been clinically proven to assist with the maintenance of a healthy weight long-term.
-
The skills you will learn can also be extremely helpful with goal setting in other aspects of life such as with relationships, career, addictions, and overall mental health.
Will we talk about trauma, relationships and/or other mental health during counselling sessions?
-
Our counsellors are regulated health professionals in Ontario and are therefore licensed and qualified to speak with you about these issues, however, the focus of this clinic is weight loss management and not in-depth psychotherapy.
-
If any of our providers believe that you would benefit from more extensive psychotherapy we will discuss this with you and direct you to other resources for support.
How do I find a qualified therapist to address issues other than weight loss that may be affecting my mental health?
-
You may find a qualified therapist (Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Social Worker, Registered Nurse etc.) by searching websites such as Psychology Today or Therapy OWL for practitioners who are local to you.
-
The province of Ontario provides free access to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to address depression and anxiety through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program.
Financial
Payment, Insurance etc.
Are your services covered by health insurance? Do you bill insurance companies directly?
-
Many private insurance plans do cover our services under the heading of either dietitian or psychotherapy services.
-
Please inquire with your insurance provider to see whether these services are required.
-
No, we do not bill insurance companies directly.
Are your services covered by OHIP?
-
No, our services are not covered by OHIP.
Do you offer free consultations?
-
No, we do not offer free consultations.
What happens if I miss a session?
-
Missed sessions without 24 hours notice will be charged the full fee for that visit. 48 hours notice is appreciated where possible so that we may book another client during that time period.
Medical
Medication, Tests, Follow-up
What types of medications do you prescribe for weight management?
-
We prescribe a number of medications for weight management depending upon the circumstances.
-
The medications are typically recommended by current clinical treatment guidelines.
-
Medications like GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic and its relatives may be prescribed. We may suggest Mounjaro, Topamax, Contrave, Wellbutrin, Wegovy or others depending upon the situation. Ozempic and Wegovy are our most commonly prescribed medications.
Do you prescribe any other medications besides those for weight management? Can you renew my regular prescriptions?
-
The only medications that we prescribe are those that have been shown to be effective for long-term weight management.
-
No, we will not renew other unrelated prescriptions.
Will the doctor or nurse practitioner be able to renew weight management medications once I have completed the program?
-
Weight management medications require ongoing follow-up, even after your program has been completed.
-
We prefer that your primary care provider renew these medications if they are comfortable doing so.
-
If you do not have a primary care provider, we can certainly still renew weight management medications, although you would need an appointment to ensure safe reassessment.
What kinds of tests are ordered by the doctor or nurse practitioner?
-
We order a comprehensive panel of initial blood tests that includes blood counts, extended electrolytes, uric acid, protein, glucose, cholesterol, and iron levels, liver function, kidney function, thyroid, and vitamin B12 levels.
-
Additional blood tests may be ordered depending on individual circumstances.
What happens if the doctor or nurse practitioner finds a medical issue on blood work that is unrelated to weight loss, but needs further investigation or treatment?
-
The focus of our clinic is to provide safe and effective weight loss.
-
If we find something of concern unrelated to this, your physician or nurse practitioner will advise you of the issue.
-
We will then try to point you in the right direction to obtain appropriate care within your local medical community.
Does your clinic order any imaging studies?
-
Given that we have clients from all over Ontario, it is not practical for us to arrange imaging studies, as we will generally be unfamiliar with where in your community you can obtain these, and we will not have ready access to their requisitions.
-
In the unusual circumstance that we think imaging may be required, we will suggest that this be arranged by a healthcare provider in your community.
Nutrition
Food and Exercise
What type of nutritional plan do you suggest?
-
Our nutritional plan depends on our client’s needs and medical history.
-
Our goal is to develop an individualized nutrition plan that is safe, effective, evidence-based, flexible, maintainable, and that improves your overall health.
Do you suggest having a low-carb or ketogenic diet? Do you recommend intermittent fasting?
-
There is no doubt that these types of nutritional approaches have their use, and for a number of our clients we will recommend these.
-
There are people with certain medical conditions where these approaches may not be safe.
-
We do not have a one size fits all approach for our nutritional plan, we will tailor this to our client’s unique needs.
Do you recommend or sell nutritional shakes, bars, or supplements?
-
Our nutrition plan involves you eating REAL food.
-
We generally do not recommend ultra-processed foods and shakes. These are rapidly absorbed in your gut, and for the most part will be contrary to our goals of maintaining stable insulin and blood sugar levels.
-
There may be some exceptions for patients with certain medical conditions or training requirements.
-
A multivitamin would be sufficient for most clients. If a specific nutritional deficiency is found, we can counsel on how to treat it.
What are your recommendations on exercise?
-
Exercise has numerous health benefits.
-
We recommend an activity program that primarily is enjoyable for clients, as studies have shown that this is associated with a greater likelihood of being able to adhere to it.
-
For those clients who have medical limitations on exercise (such as arthritis, obesity, or heart/lung disease for example), the doctor or nurse practitioner will go over modifications that may be of benefit.
Program Questions
Details, details, details...
How long do you recommend remaining in the program?
-
This depends on your individual situation.
-
Our experience has found that most patients need to be on a 12-week intensive program for optimal and lasting success.
Why do you recommend seeing the dietitian exclusively first?
-
The purpose of the first phase of our program is to ensure that our clients are on an appropriate nutritional plan individualized to their needs.
-
Behavioural counselling and/or weight loss medications will be of most benefit once you are on an appropriate nutritional plan. Afterwards, we can assess whether you are struggling to adhere to the nutritional plan and/or struggling to lose weight.
May I arrange for a maintenance program once I have completed the recommended intensive 12-week program?
-
Absolutely! In fact, we recommend a maintenance program for lasting support and success.
-
After completion of the initial intensive program, how often you are assessed and the type of provider can be customized.
Is it possible to arrange for less frequent appointments? Weekly appointments are difficult to fit into my schedule.
-
No, regular follow-up is essential for success in this program. After the first week, no appointment will be longer than 35 minutes.
Do you have any exclusions for who can join the program?
-
We do not have exclusions for who may enter the program.
-
We regularly work with clients with diabetes, eating disorders, complex medical needs, bariatric patients and those with prior weight loss surgeries.
-
We will also work with adolescents who are able to consent to treatment, although we tend not to use medications with our younger clients.
-
Our primary goal is not to harm anyone, so we will NOT prescribe weight loss medications to those who already have a concerning low body weight.
Technical Questions
Computers, Websites & Smartphones
What kind of technical equipment will I need?
-
You will need a device capable of connecting to the internet with sound and video camera capabilities.
-
A stable internet connection is essential for our video appointments.
-
While a desktop or laptop computer is ideal, virtual appointments and paperwork may also be accessed using a tablet or smartphone.
How does the virtual appointment work?
-
Once you are enrolled in the program, an email link will be sent to you with instructions on participating in the video sessions.
-
Physician appointments must occur through video, or in person before any prescriptions can be given.
-
If you are having trouble connecting on the day of your appointment, please first message your therapist through the virtual portal if possible in order to troubleshoot. If you are unable to access the portal entirely, please send an email to Info@MedicalWeightLossOntario.ca to request support.
-
Your dietitian or physician may contact you by phone if you are not present on the virtual platform.
-
For privacy reasons, your counsellor will wait for you to initiate contact in the event of technical difficulties.