Preparing for your obesity consultation: taking the first step towards health

Deciding to seek help for a weight problem is no small matter. Obesity is a chronic, recurrent illness influenced by a combination of genetic, hormonal, behavioral and environmental factors. This disease increases the risk of many disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, and can lead to premature mortality. 

However, a well-supported medical approach can lead to lasting improvements in health and quality of life, even in the absence of spectacular weight loss.

Key points: Consulting for obesity means understanding a chronic disease influenced by biological, psychological and environmental factors. At the Co-Attitude obesity clinic, the first consultation, by videoconference or face-to-face, assesses your overall health, analyzes possible causes, explores therapeutic options (nutrition, physical activity, psychological support, medication, Allurion balloon) and establishes a personalized plan. Even a weight loss of 5 to 10 % significantly improves your health. The aim of this comprehensive follow-up is to reduce risks, improve quality of life and guide you, without judgment, towards lasting wellness.

Why consult an obesity specialist?

The health risks associated with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m² or a waist circumference greater than 80 cm in women and 94 cm in men include diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, depression and compulsive eating. 

Obesity is multifactorial: hormonal mechanisms, a history of violence or emotional disorders can all contribute. Follow-up by a specialized team can help identify and manage these factors.

How does an initial obesity consultation work?

At the Co-Attitude obesity clinic, the first consultation takes place via videoconference and lasts approximately 90 minutes. This meeting is a privileged moment :

• Welcoming and listening : the Dr. Séverine Mazur takes the time to get to know you, listen to your expectations and understand your background. You'll have time to ask questions and go into greater depth on any issues that concern you.
• Discussions on obesity : you discuss the mechanisms that promote weight gain and how this chronic disease affects your health. This step demystifies obesity and addresses hormonal, genetic and environmental factors.
• Full medical examination: A clinical examination and an analysis of your health history will help guide possible diagnoses.
• Choice of treatments : various treatment options are proposed: dietary hygiene measures, psychological support, nutrition, physical activity, medication, or a combination of these. Allurion gastric balloon according to your needs. The decision is taken in collaboration with you and tailored to your objectives.

This individualized approach is extended by a face-to-face follow-up in Montreal or telemedicine throughout Quebec. It aims to build a personalized care plan that respects your needs and your pace.

For more details on the first obesity consultation, please visit the relevant page.

Prepare yourself with five key questions

Before your consultation, it's helpful to think about your relationship with weight and your health. Dr. Mazur suggests five questions to help you clarify your needs:

1. How is weight an issue in your day?
   Identify situations where excess weight affects your comfort (fatigue, pain, limitations).
2. What is your relationship with body image and food?
   Define your relationship with meals, emotions and dieting. Pr Alain Golay's quote reminds us that obesity is not just the result of overeating or a sedentary lifestyle; past traumas or violence can also be involved.
3. How do you feel about yourself?
   Rate your self-confidence on a scale of 0 to 10 to help you target mental health interventions.
4. Can you enjoy the activities you love?
   Think about your mobility and the people you can count on.
5. Are you quickly out of breath or limited in your daily activities?
   Note any pain or difficulty in staying active.

These questions guide the consultation. They guide the medical analysis and help identify the psychological, social or physical aspects to be worked on first.

A global, personalized approach

Dr. Séverine Mazur is obesity specialist and offers comprehensive support: nutrition, physical activity, psychological support and medical care. The aim is to improve health beyond the number on the scale. The team is committed to :

• Take the time to listen to yourself and understand your reality; ;
• A multidimensional assessment of your health, We take your history, habits and environment into account; ;
• Co-constructing a treatment plan which may include behavior modification, diet plans, pharmacotherapy, evaluation for bariatric surgery and nutritional follow-up; ;
• Supporting your mental and social health, by offering coaching resources and fighting stigmatization; ;
• Offer continuous and flexible support with online or in-person consultations at your convenience.

This approach is in line with the recommendations of the Obesity care pathway guide of the French National Authority for Health: calculating BMI and waist circumference, using a multidimensional assessment, screening for eating disorders, assessing psychological and social difficulties, preventing stigmatization and offering personalized therapeutic education.

What you can expect from medical care

An obesity management program is about much more than rapid weight loss. In fact, losing only 5 to 10 % of its weight significantly reduces the risk of diabetes, glycemia, blood pressure, sleep and mobility and hypertension. A multi-disciplinary approach combining nutrition, physical activity, psychological support and medical options leads to lasting improvements in health and quality of life.

Follow-up generally includes :

• Regular measurement of BMI and waist circumference to assess changes in body composition.
• Medical and psychological assessments to screen for comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, depression) and adapt treatment.
• Personalized nutritional support to rebalance your diet while preserving the pleasure of eating.
• Adapted physical activity program according to your condition and tastes.
• Behavioral therapies or hypnotherapy to work on eating habits and emotional management.
• Medical options approved drugs (GLP-1 analogues, orlistat) or temporary devices such as the Allurion gastric balloon depending on indication and level of comorbidityc.

Take action: book an appointment

Starting medical treatment for obesity is a courageous step. The Co-Attitude obesity clinic offers you a a quick and accessible first appointment : you can book online here, by phone or e-mail. During this consultation, no question is taboo, and you are free to choose the pace and options that suit you. Services are offered remotely across Quebec or face-to-face in Montreal.

Suggestions for next steps

• Planning your obesity consultation To book a videoconference or an in-clinic appointment, use the «First appointment» or «Contact us» links.
• Think about the five questions above and record your answers to guide the discussion.
• Preparing your medical file Measure your waist circumference, gather your recent tests and history.
• Tell a friend who can support you in your approach and accompany you if necessary.

Conclusion

Visit obesity consultation is a time for listening and co-construction. It enables us to identify the root causes of obesity, understand its impact on your health and put in place a personalized treatment plan. Thanks to a global approach combining nutrition, physical activity, psychological support and medical options, it is possible to improve your health in the long term and regain a better quality of life. The first step is to ask for help: you're not alone in your approach.