Talking with your doctor about weight loss can be difficult. You will need to
work together to determine the diet, physical activity and other lifestyle
modifications that will help you achieve your goals -- and whether a
prescription medicine can give your plan a boost.
By showing your doctor what you know about XENICAL and that you're committed
to the recommended diet and lifestyle modifications, you will increase your chances of
having a productive office visit and getting the weight-loss help you want and
need. Your doctor will appreciate both your prompt, ready responses to
questions and the fact that you're taking the time to seriously consider your
weight and its effect on your health.
To be fully prepared, follow these three steps:
First, gather all the prescription, nonprescription and herbal
medicines you take, including vitamins. Bring the medicine bottles with
you so there will be no question as to what you are taking.
When evaluating your weight-loss options, your doctor will probably
have questions about your eating habits and activity levels. A potentially successful
candidate for treatment with XENICAL should be willing and able to stick
with diet modifications and to have realistic weight-loss goals. Keeping
a Daily Diary for 1 week before your appointment
can help your doctor get an accurate picture of your diet and lifestyle.
Increasing your physical activity by adding walking or other physical
activities to your daily life can help you become a more successful and healthier patient over the long term. Be prepared
to talk to your doctor about what types of physical activity you should
consider.
To help your doctor determine your health risks and whether you may
have a genetic tendency to gain weight, write down your family's health
history. What medical conditions do your family members suffer from?
Diabetes? Heart disease? High blood pressure or high cholesterol? Are any
other family members overweight?
Getting Your Prescription
When your doctor writes you a prescription, he or she will give you specific
instructions on how to take XENICAL. You should receive some patient materials
that will explain how to determine the fat content of certain foods to help you
plan a diet that includes no more than 30% of calories from fat.
