Medical weight management, Johannesburg
Doctor-led medical weight loss in Johannesburg.
Medical weight management built around body composition, metabolic health and appropriate use of prescription treatment, including GLP-1-based therapy where clinically indicated.
In short
Medical weight management at MLI combines clinical assessment, metabolic testing, body-composition monitoring, nutrition, resistance training and prescription therapy where appropriate. GLP-1-based medicines can be effective for selected patients, but treatment choice depends on medical history, indication, contraindications, product availability and long-term planning.
Medically reviewed by Dr Arnav Kapur, MBBCh Cum Laude
The approach
Understand first. Then treat.
Weight management is not only about appetite or the number on the scale. We assess metabolic health, body composition, sleep, medication, hormonal contributors and previous treatment history before deciding what belongs in the plan.
For some patients, prescription weight-management medication can be useful. The goal is to improve health and body composition while protecting muscle and planning for long-term maintenance, rather than simply achieving rapid weight loss.
What we assess
- Weight and medical history
- Body composition, including muscle and fat distribution
- Glucose control, insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk
- Thyroid or hormonal contributors where clinically indicated
- Sleep, medication and lifestyle factors
- Nutrition, protein intake and resistance training
- Previous weight-loss treatment and response
- Suitability for prescription weight-management therapy
Medication is only one part of the plan
GLP-1-based and other prescription treatments may be appropriate for selected patients, but they are used within a broader medical strategy that includes nutrition, movement, muscle preservation, side-effect management and long-term planning.
Protecting muscle matters
Weight loss can include loss of lean tissue as well as fat. We use body-composition monitoring, adequate protein intake and resistance training to reduce unnecessary muscle loss and support long-term metabolic health.
Metabolic health comes with the weight
Blood pressure, glucose control, insulin resistance, lipids, liver health and other risk factors may improve alongside weight loss. These are assessed according to your clinical picture rather than treated as separate problems.
Maintenance starts at the beginning
Weight regain is common when treatment is approached as a short-term intervention. We discuss maintenance, dose changes, lifestyle support and what happens if medication is reduced or stopped.
Common questions
Answers before you book.
Are weight-loss injections suitable for everyone?
No. Prescription weight-management medicines have specific indications, contraindications and side effects. Suitability depends on your medical history, current medication, treatment goals and the specific product being considered.
Which is better: semaglutide or tirzepatide?
They have different pharmacology, indications and tolerability profiles. The choice is individual. We have dedicated pages comparing these treatments in more detail.
Will I lose muscle?
Some lean mass can be lost during significant weight reduction. That is why protein intake, resistance training and body-composition monitoring are part of the programme.
What happens when I stop treatment?
Appetite and weight can increase again after medication is stopped. Maintenance planning, nutrition, training and ongoing review are therefore discussed from the beginning.
This page is general health information and is not medical advice. Prescription medicines are only provided after consultation and where clinically appropriate. Results vary between individuals.
Ready to take the next step?
- Medical Weight Loss Consultation
- Mounjaro in Johannesburg
- Ozempic in Johannesburg
- Wegovy in Johannesburg
- Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
- Book a consultation
Centre of Advanced Medicine · 13 Scott Street, Waverley, Johannesburg
Monday to Friday, 07:40 to 17:00
011 440 8721