Our Weight Loss Program - What to Expect
The ELinA Weight Loss Journey
THANK YOU FOR BOOKING WITH AN ELINA DOCTOR- WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!
Please have a read through this page to get an idea of what to expect and how we run our program.
We know it is difficult taking the first step and there is a lot on Google that doesn’t appear to be based on Good Evidence.
The doctors are independent and AHPRA registered. They practice evidence based medicine with a focus on education and empowerment. They do nothing without explaining all the details, the risks and benefits of your treatment options.
Because they all also work as GPs , running to time may be difficult. They will always call you when they can and if they run late, we can reschedule your appointment if you are no longer able to take the call.
WHAT THE DOCTORS DO!
They offer a
- Comprehensive Supported Program – This is not a one off visit program – We will see you regularly, 1-2 times a month.
- Education and empowerment through Knowledge
- Consenting, information, Explanation
- Non judgemental and Safe use of medication
- Accountability, regular review
- No sign on or lock in fees – you are free to end the program any time you wish
- You are paying for time with an experienced , accredited Doctor. They will offer their expertise , knowledge and support.
- Video and Phone consultations from the comfort of your home
WHAT WE DON'T DO!
They don’t offer
-Quick fix solutions
-Medications on demand (we encourage the use of weight loss medications when they are safe and part of a supported program only).
-Compromise your health and well-being. They will not provide services that compromise our professional care or your health and safety.
-They don’t refund your consultation fee after your consultation with the doctor- they have offered their time, experience and advice.
-They fully understand that these conditions may not be suitable to you – if so please contact us and cancel your appointment – If you have prepaid them, a refund will be given.
Fees - Interstate and Country Victoria
- There is no Sign on or lump sum fee
- Your experienced weight loss doctor charge for One on One consultations
- Fees need to be paid to your doctor in advance and are not refundable after the consultation.
- There is no Medicare rebate for teleconsultations unless you have been seen at the clinic, at least once in the last 12 months. – Call to discuss.
- On average the doctor sees you once or twice a month depending on how much support you would like.
Fees - Metropolitan Melbourne
FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS
Fees a are consultation time based and vary from $68-198 per month out-of-pocket after medicare rebate (1 -2 appointments per month) depending on the amount of support you need.
Medicare rebates apply for all face-to-face consults for patients with medicare cards.
The full fee needs to be paid to your doctor on the day, The medicare rebate can be claimed and Medicare will usually deposit the funds into your account within 2-3 days.
FACE-TO-FACE FEES
Introduction and Assessment Appt(15-30mins) – $68 Out of Pocket after your medicare rebate.
Standard Consult (10-15mins) – $68 Out of pocket after your medicare rebate of $41.40
Extended Consult (20-30mins) – $130 Out of pocket after your medicare rebate of $81.10
A $20 Weekend surcharge applies. Total fee is also higher due to the higher weekend Medicare rebate. See HERE
TELE-MEDICINE CONSULTS (Phone and Video)
This is a consultation with your Elina Doctor however, you actually stay at home and they manage your weight by use of a video-call. The system is simple, secure and easy to access.
Patients who qualify will be able to claim a medicare rebate for teleconsults under the following condition –
- If they have seen a doctor Face to Face at the clinic in the last 12 months
The TELEHEALTH FEES are the same as the doctor’s Face to face fees if a Medicare Rebate applies
If you do not qualify for a medicare rebate the following fee applies – no Medicare rebate
NO MEDICARE REBATE FEES
$98 + CC fee(1.8%) for a standard appt (10-15mins)
$175 + CC fee (1.8%) for an extended appt (20-30min)
(NOTE – Weekend Surcharge of $20 applies)
After just one consultation face to face at one of our clinics, a medicare rebate will then be available to you for future Tele- consultations
It’s Easy
Book a tele-health appointment online from our online booking page.
If you don’t see a suitable appointment – Email us your requirements and we can contact your Elina doctor – even weekend and late appointments can be accommodated.
Prepare For Your Consultation
- Check your weight using good scales
- Fill our New Patient Form or if you prefer Download it, sign it and email it to contact@elinaweightloss.com.au
- Have a phone or computer with a webcam
- We will forward you simple instructions to connect with your doctor
Your First Appointment
This is a 15min assessment consultation by phone or 30mins if face to face(onsite). Your Elina Doctor will review your weight history and medical history. They will explain the current best evidence in weight management and discuss your best options for safe and sustainable weight loss including a discussion on if, when and how medications will be introduced.
This is a perfect opportunity ask questions and to get a clear understanding of the journey you will be taking. They don’t start the program or any diet plans or offer medications in this appointment.
If you choose to continue with you will need to book an extended appointment to begin the program. Extended consultation fees apply as above.
If your doctor feels that you are not suitable for the program, they will tell you. They are unable to refund the cost of the consultation as the doctor has spent the time assessing you.
If this is not acceptable to you please call the clinic and request a refund prior to your appointment time. The doctors want to be as transparent as possible with their fees and and program protocols.
Please note they only prescribe weight loss medications as part of a supervised program with regular reviews and only for patients with significant overweight. They will not prescribe if they do not feel it is medically safe to do so. They will usually not prescribe until you have consulted at least twice with them as explained below.
Your Second Appointment (Induction)
This appointment is when your weight loss Journey beings. It is a video consult with your Elina doctor and lasts 20-30mins.
-Most of our patients will begin their rapid weight loss programs using a very low calorie diet following this appointment. Patients who prefer not to use a very low calorie can choose an alternative diet suited to your particular circumstances. This would have been discussed at your introduction appointment.
– The doctor’s promise to you is that they can show you how to limit your calorie intake and lose weight quickly while maintain nutritional safety.
-It is possible to eat generously and still lose weight using your natural appetite suppressants and changing eating behaviour.
-They show you how to reassure your weight defence centres in your brain that no harm is being done by losing weight. Overcoming your innate weight defence systems is essential to losing weight.
-The doctor expects you to try this method for just 1 week.
-If after one week you remain hungry or still crave extra food.
AND
If there are no medical contraindications and your BMI is well above normal –
they will support the use of medications to assist in weight management.
This will be discussed at the one week follow up appointment – your next appointment! They do not prescribe medications at your induction appointment due to
1. They want to show you how to lose weight first – this takes the full consultation time.
2. They don’t want medication side effects to hide or complicate any diet side effects.
3. They want to show you that medications don’t make you lose weight, they only help you to stick to something that does i.e. your low calorie diet. They do use medications, if you need them, at your next appointment as they are a valuable tool in the very overweight.
The doctors know that many patients are keen to start medications, they ask you to wait just one week. After this induction appointment they will send you important information about the safe use, risks and side-effects of various medications available. This information will explain all the available medication options which you can read prior to your next appointment when we will usually start one of them. Your Elina doctor will help you make the best decision on which medication will be safest for you.
Your Third Appointment - 1 week after Induction
-This is a 15min review consultation. Your Elina Doctor will review your first week of a structured diet and behavioural program.
-If you have lost weight, not hungry they will congratulate you and begin your education and support phase. The majority of patients are surprised to find they have not only lost weight but haven’t struggled to do so.
-If however you are hungry and struggling – your doctor will start you on medications to allow you to continue your reduced calorie eating but without the burden of uncontrolled hunger and cravings (*subject to suitability and detailed discussion about risks and side effects of the medications. To qualify for medications you will need a BMI over 27 or have had obesity in the past.) Your Elina doctor will help you make the best decision on which medication will be safest for you.
Your 4th Appointment 2-3 weeks later
Your Fifth and then ongoing Regular Monthly Appointments
These 10-15 min monthly appointments are important to provide the support and accountability you need to stay positive and confident. Your doctor is available for when things get hard or you hit barriers. They can assist you to overcome these and offer alternative diets, medications or support therapies.
They can help you to stay on track.
Your FInal Appointment
-You have reached your target, feeling positive and confident.
-This will be the perfect opportunity to complete the Maintenance Module –
-Your doctor will discuss How to manage your weight independently and confidently using all the tools and skills you have learned during the program.
-You will transition to a filling, tasty healthy diet with a wide range of foods that you love.
-The doctors’ expect that you will regain weight but you now have the tools and confidence to quickly re-lose the weight before it goes too high. They will always be available to assist with this and you should never be embarrassed or hesitant to reach out again to see your doctor after you have regained any or even all of your weight. They would be please to assist you again and update you on any new treatment options available since your last visit.
Get in touch
Email contact@elinaweightloss.com.au Or you can call us at 0395812069