Weight & healthy ageing
Medical consultations for weight and healthy ageing.
Oak offers consultations with our doctor and nurse practitioner related to weight management, metabolic health and healthy ageing. Each one starts with your health, not a product: your history, an examination and pathology where clinically indicated, followed by balanced, evidence-based information about the options that may suit you.
Consultations
Two reasons people come to see us.
Consultations are with Dr Julie O'Connell (MED0000939741), Medical Practitioner, general registration. They are for adults aged 18 and over.
Weight management consultations
For adults who would like a medical assessment of their weight and metabolic health, such as blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep and energy, and an individual plan agreed with their doctor. The focus is your health, not a target body size.
Healthy ageing consultations
For adults who would like to plan ahead for their health: a preventive check covering heart and metabolic risk, muscle strength and bone health, sleep and mood, and life-stage changes such as perimenopause and menopause.
What happens
Assessment first. Decisions later.
A consultation is for assessment and advice. It does not commit you to anything, and no particular treatment will be recommended unless it is clinically appropriate for you.
- 01
Your history and goals
Your clinician asks what you would like help with and why now, along with your medical and weight history, eating, activity, sleep, stress, family history, and any medicines or supplements you take, including anything bought online.
- 02
Examination and pathology, where indicated
An examination usually includes blood pressure and heart rate. Weight and waist measurements are taken only if relevant and you are comfortable with them. Blood tests are requested only when the results would change your care.
- 03
Balanced information about your options
Your clinician explains which options are clinically appropriate for you, and which are not. These may include changes to eating, activity and sleep, referral to allied health or a specialist, or other medical management. You will hear the potential benefits, limitations, risks, side effects, costs and alternatives, including the option of no treatment, before you decide anything.
- 04
Follow-up and review
If you go ahead with a plan, you and your clinician agree how often to review it. Check-ins may be with Kirby Shannon (NMW0002042639), Registered Nurse (Division 1), general registration, with anything that needs further assessment passed back to your doctor or nurse practitioner.
Seen something online?
Bring your questions. We'll give you a straight answer.
Many people come to us after reading about treatments for weight or ageing on social media or websites. You are welcome to bring those questions. Your clinician will give you honest, evidence-based information about whether something is likely to be safe and appropriate for you, or not.
Worth knowing
- Some products sold online, including those labelled 'for research use only', are not approved for use in Australia, may not contain what the label says, and can cause serious harm.
- If you have bought or used a product like this, please tell your doctor. You will not be judged, and it helps keep you safe.
- Treatments that are right for one person can be unsuitable or unsafe for another. That decision belongs in a consultation, not an advertisement.
Realistic expectations
Change is usually gradual and differs from person to person. No particular result, amount of weight change or timeframe is promised. Improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep, strength and energy matter, whatever the scales say.
When another approach is needed
These consultations are not suitable if you are under 18 or pregnant. If you have a current or past eating disorder or disordered eating, please tell us so care can be arranged safely; the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline is on 1800 33 4673. Unexplained weight change or new symptoms need medical assessment first. In an emergency, call 000.
Medicines and costs
Do not stop or change any medicine without medical advice, and tell your doctor everything you take. Fees are explained before you commit, including consultation and pathology costs and whether any Medicare rebate may apply.
Can I ask for a specific treatment?
You are welcome to ask about anything you have read or heard about. Your clinician will explain whether it is likely to be appropriate for you, what the evidence shows, and what the alternatives are. A request does not mean a treatment will be provided; that depends on a clinical assessment.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. If you have a regular GP, your results and plan can be shared with them, with your consent.
How is this different from your weight and metabolic health programme?
The programme is a structured, lifestyle-based plan with regular check-ins. A consultation is the starting point: an assessment and a conversation about your options, which may lead to the programme, a referral, other care, or no treatment at all.
The information on this page is general and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Any treatment decision is made with your clinician in a consultation, after discussing benefits, risks and alternatives. A consultation does not guarantee that any treatment will be recommended or provided. Individual results vary.