Medical Weight Loss

Losing weight is not always as simple as “eat less and move more”.

For some people, that advice works for a while. For many others, weight comes back, cravings return, hunger increases, energy drops, and the body seems to fight against every attempt to change.

At Doctor360, we take a more medical and personalised approach to weight loss.

Our focus is not just the number on the scales. We look at body composition, metabolism, hormones, appetite, lifestyle, medical risk, medication options, and long-term weight maintenance.

The goal is to help you lose fat, protect muscle, improve metabolic health, and feel better in your body.

Weight loss should not just be about becoming lighter.

A better goal is to improve your body composition. That means reducing excess body fat while protecting, and ideally improving, lean muscle mass.

This matters because muscle supports metabolism, strength, glucose control, physical function, and long-term weight maintenance.

Many people have spent years trying diets, shakes, meal plans, fasting, low-carb approaches, calorie counting, gym challenges, and weight loss products. Some work temporarily. Many do not last.

That does not mean you have failed. It often means the plan was too simplistic, too restrictive, or not matched to your biology, lifestyle, appetite, health risks, or metabolic state.

Medical weight loss looks beyond willpower.

Your weight can be influenced by:

• Appetite hormones

• Insulin resistance

• Sleep quality

• Stress and cortisol patterns

• Thyroid function

• Menopause or testosterone changes

• Medications

• Genetics

• Gut health

• Alcohol intake

• Mental health

• Muscle mass

• Previous dieting history

• Metabolic adaptation after weight loss

This is why two people can follow the same diet and get very different results.

At Doctor360, we assess the full picture and build a plan that is realistic, medically safe, and sustainable.

You may benefit from a Doctor360 weight loss consultation if you:

• Have struggled to lose weight despite trying diet and exercise

• Lose weight but keep regaining it

• Feel like your metabolism has slowed down

• Have cravings or constant hunger

• Want to improve body composition, not just lose weight

• Have weight-related health risks

• Have prediabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, fatty liver, or sleep apnoea

• Are interested in medical weight loss treatments such as Duromine, Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or other prescription options

• Want a doctor-led plan rather than another generic programme

• Want to protect muscle while losing fat

• Want support with long-term maintenance

Your doctor may review:

• Weight history

• Previous diets and treatments

• Appetite, cravings, binge eating patterns, and emotional eating

• Sleep and stress

• Exercise and muscle mass

• Current medications

• Alcohol intake

• Medical conditions

• Family history

• Hormonal symptoms

• Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk

• Metabolic risk markers

• Your goals and what has or has not worked before

Where appropriate, blood testing may be arranged to better understand your metabolic and hormonal profile.

Weight gain and difficulty losing weight can sometimes be linked with underlying metabolic issues.

Depending on your situation, testing may include:

• HbA1c and fasting glucose

• Insulin resistance markers

• Cholesterol and triglycerides

• Liver function and fatty liver risk

• Kidney function

• Thyroid function

• Full blood count

• Iron, B12, folate, and vitamin D

• Hormone markers where relevant

• Testosterone in men where symptoms suggest low levels

• Inflammatory or cardiovascular risk markers where appropriate

Testing helps us identify what needs to be addressed and gives us a safer baseline before considering prescription weight loss treatment.

There is no single best weight loss treatment for everyone.

The right option depends on your weight, BMI, health risks, appetite pattern, medical history, medications, budget, preferences, and treatment goals.

At Doctor360, treatment may include:

• Nutrition and lifestyle advice

• Exercise and muscle-preservation strategies

• Behaviour and habit support

• Sleep and stress optimisation

• Medication review

• Prescription weight loss medication where clinically appropriate

• Ongoing monitoring and follow-up

• Long-term weight maintenance planning

For some patients, lifestyle changes are enough. For others, prescription medication can be a useful tool when used safely as part of a proper medical plan.

Duromine is a brand name for phentermine, a prescription appetite suppressant used as part of a medically monitored weight loss plan.

It can help reduce appetite in some patients, especially in the earlier stages of weight loss.

Duromine is generally considered a short-term treatment and is not suitable for everyone. It may not be appropriate for people with certain heart conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, anxiety, stimulant sensitivity, or some medication interactions.

Possible side effects can include:

• Dry mouth

• Insomnia

• Increased heart rate

• Raised blood pressure

• Anxiety or irritability

• Constipation

• Headache

Medsafe describes Duromine as a short-term adjunct to a medically monitored programme involving diet, exercise, and behaviour change. (Medsafe)

At Doctor360, we assess whether Duromine is safe and appropriate before considering it.

GLP-1 medicines have changed the way we treat obesity and metabolic health.

These medicines work by helping regulate appetite, fullness, food intake, and blood sugar control. For many patients, they reduce the constant “food noise” that makes weight loss so difficult.

They are not magic, and they still need to be combined with proper nutrition, protein intake, resistance training, and long-term lifestyle planning.

But for suitable patients, they can be a powerful tool.

Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide, a daily injectable weight loss medication.

It is used alongside reduced-calorie eating and physical activity for adults with obesity, or overweight adults with weight-related health conditions. Medsafe’s Saxenda data sheet describes its use for adults with BMI ≥30, or BMI ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or obstructive sleep apnoea. (Medsafe)

Saxenda may help reduce appetite and support weight loss, but it requires daily injections and gradual dose titration.

Possible side effects may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea or constipation

• Reflux

• Reduced appetite

• Abdominal discomfort

• Gallbladder issues in some patients

Your doctor will assess whether it is appropriate based on your medical history and risk factors.

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide used for weight management.

It is a once-weekly injectable medicine that can help reduce appetite, improve fullness, and support weight loss in suitable patients.

Medsafe has approved Wegovy for weight loss in New Zealand, and Pharmac notes that Wegovy is approved but not funded. (Pharmac)

Medsafe’s Wegovy data sheet describes clinically meaningful weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity. (Medsafe)

Wegovy may be suitable for some patients who have struggled with weight loss through lifestyle measures alone.

Possible side effects may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Reflux

• Reduced appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Gallbladder issues

• Rare but serious risks that need to be discussed with your doctor

Wegovy should be used as part of a broader plan, not as a stand-alone fix.

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide.

It works differently from older GLP-1 medicines because it acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It is used for type 2 diabetes and, in adults who are overweight or have obesity, for weight reduction or weight maintenance. Medsafe’s consumer information confirms Mounjaro’s use for weight management in adults who are overweight or have obesity. (Medsafe)

Pharmac also notes that Mounjaro is Medsafe-approved for weight loss in New Zealand but is not funded. (Pharmac)

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection and may be considered where clinically appropriate.

Possible side effects may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea or constipation

• Reduced appetite

• Reflux

• Abdominal discomfort

• Gallbladder issues

• Dehydration risk if vomiting or diarrhoea occurs

• Other risks that should be reviewed before starting

As with all medical weight loss treatments, suitability depends on your medical history, current medications, and risk profile.

Many patients ask whether weight loss pills or injections are better.

The honest answer is that it depends.

Some patients prefer tablets or capsules, such as Duromine, especially for short-term appetite support. Others may be better suited to injectable treatments such as Saxenda, Wegovy, or Mounjaro.

Important factors include:

• Appetite pattern

• BMI and health risks

• Blood pressure

• Heart history

• Diabetes or prediabetes

• Gut symptoms

• Medication interactions

• Budget

• Side effect tolerance

• Long-term goals

• Whether the aim is fat loss, metabolic improvement, or weight maintenance

At Doctor360, we help you understand the options and choose a plan that is medically appropriate.

A lot of patients are now asking about retatrutide.

Retatrutide is an investigational medication being studied for obesity and metabolic disease. It is sometimes described as a “triple agonist” because it acts on GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.

Early and ongoing trial results have created a lot of interest, but it is important to be clear: retatrutide is not currently an approved prescription weight loss medication. Eli Lilly has stated it is being studied in several Phase 3 clinical trials and is legally available only to participants in clinical trials. (PR Newswire)

If you see retatrutide being sold online, it should be treated with caution. Unapproved products may have serious quality, dosing, safety, and legal risks.

At Doctor360, we can discuss emerging treatments honestly, but we only prescribe medicines that are legal, clinically appropriate, and safe to use in a supervised medical setting.

One of the biggest mistakes in weight loss is focusing only on the scale.

Rapid weight loss without the right plan can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, poor nutrition, and weight regain.

Our approach includes protecting lean muscle through:

• Adequate protein intake

• Resistance training

• Gradual habit change

• Monitoring energy levels

• Avoiding overly restrictive dieting

• Supporting sleep and recovery

• Adjusting the plan when weight loss stalls

The aim is not just to become smaller. The aim is to become healthier, stronger, and more metabolically resilient.

Weight regain is common, and it is not simply a failure of willpower.

After weight loss, the body may respond with:

• Increased hunger

• Lower energy expenditure

• Stronger cravings

• Reduced satiety

• Lower motivation

• Hormonal changes that favour weight regain

This is why long-term maintenance needs to be planned from the beginning.

For some patients, medication may be used for a defined period. For others, longer-term treatment may be considered if clinically appropriate. Either way, the plan needs to be realistic.

Doctor360 provides a doctor-led medical weight loss service for patients across New Zealand.

With Doctor360, you get:

• Online consultations from home

• Doctor-led weight loss assessment

• A focus on metabolism and body composition

• Blood testing where appropriate

• Review of weight-related health risks

• Advice on Duromine, Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other treatment options

• Support with nutrition, exercise, sleep, and lifestyle

• Practical monitoring and follow-up

• Honest discussion about what is suitable, safe, and realistic

We are not here to sell another diet. We are here to help you understand your body and build a plan that works in the real world.

1. Book your consultation

Choose an online appointment time with Doctor360.

2. Complete your health information

You may be asked to complete a health questionnaire covering your weight history, medical background, medications, appetite, lifestyle, and goals.

3. Review your health and goals with a doctor

Your doctor will assess your situation and discuss what may be driving weight gain or making weight loss difficult.

4. Complete blood testing if needed

Blood tests may be arranged to assess metabolic health, hormones, cardiovascular risk, thyroid function, and other relevant markers.

5. Discuss treatment options

Your doctor will discuss suitable options, which may include lifestyle changes, nutrition strategy, prescription medication, or further investigation.

6. Start your plan

Your plan may include medication such as Duromine, Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or another option where clinically appropriate.

7. Follow up and adjust

Weight loss treatment works best with review. Follow-up helps monitor progress, side effects, medication response, nutrition, exercise, and long-term maintenance.

Prescription weight loss medications are only prescribed when clinically appropriate.

Your doctor may decide that a particular treatment is not suitable based on your medical history, blood pressure, medications, pregnancy plans, mental health history, gastrointestinal history, diabetes status, or other safety factors.

If a medication is not appropriate, we will explain why and discuss safer alternatives.

If you are tired of short-term diets, weight regain, cravings, or feeling like your metabolism is working against you, it may be time for a proper medical approach.

Doctor360 provides doctor-led weight loss consultations across New Zealand, with personalised advice, metabolic testing where appropriate, and access to prescription weight loss treatment when suitable.

Book a Doctor360 medical weight loss consultation and take the next step toward better body composition, improved vitality, and long-term metabolic health.