Question 1

What is obesity?

Accepted Answer

Obesity is a chronic, complex medical condition characterised by an excess of body fat that increases the risk of health problems and reduces quality of life. It is not simply the result of poor choices, lack of willpower, or “eating too much and moving too little”.

Body weight and fat regulation are influenced by a combination of biology, genetics, hormones, metabolism, environment, medications, sleep, stress and life experiences. Once excess body fat develops, the body actively defends it through changes in appetite hormones, energy expenditure and metabolism, making weight loss difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain without appropriate support.

Obesity is now recognised as an adiposity-based chronic disease, meaning that excess body fat can directly contribute to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, arthritis, hormonal disorders and some cancers.

Because obesity is a long-term medical condition, effective treatment focuses on health improvement and sustainability, not short-term dieting. This often involves a personalised, evidence-based approach that may include nutrition, physical activity, behaviour change strategies, medical therapies and, for some people, surgical options — all delivered in a respectful, non-judgemental way.

Question 2

What does my assessment involve?

Accepted Answer

Your assessment at Perth Weight Clinic is a comprehensive clinical evaluation of your health. We have designed your assessment to understand the factors influencing your weight, health, and wellbeing. Each client is different, so we take the time to explore your unique biology, lifestyle, and health history before recommending treatment.

We provide longer appointments to give you the time and space to discuss your health in a supportive, stigma-free environment.

What to Expect:

Body composition assessment
We use high quality bioimpedance analysis to provide an accurate analysis of your fat mass, muscle mass and fluid status. This helps guide treatment decisions to promote healthy weight loss (i.e., reducing visceral fat and preserving muscle and bone mass).

Indirect calorimetry (metabolic assessment)
Calorimetry allows us to accurately measure your resting metabolic rate (RMR) and assess how efficiently your body is using fat as a fuel source (metabolic flexibility). This information supports a more tailored and scientific approach to treatment planning. Please note, a separate appointment is needed for a calorimetry assessment.

Cardiometabolic, nutritional and hormonal screening
We arrange blood and urine tests to assess cardiometabolic risk, nutritional status and other key health markers relevant to weight and metabolic health. This includes screening for testosterone deficiency and menopause where appropriate. We can provide discounted access to wearables such as continuous glucose monitors where needed. 
Diagnostic imaging
Some clients may benefit from screening for certain health conditions. These can be arranged via our partner network of providers using high quality imaging and diagnostic tools. For example, we may recommend investigations for coronary artery disease (e.g., calcium scoring and stress testing), fatty liver disease (e.g., Fib-4 assessment, liver ultrasound and FibroScan) and obstructive sleep apnoea (e.g., polysomnography).

Mental health and eating-behaviour screening
We explore factors such as mood, stress, sleep and eating patterns in a respectful and supportive way, recognising the important role they play in appetite regulation and health.

Personalised management plan
We work with you to develop a clear and individualised plan based on your goals, preferences and assessment findings. This may include behavioural strategies, nutritional guidance, pharmacotherapy options or recommendations for bariatric surgery.

Your assessment provides the foundation for a personalised, evidence-based treatment plan that supports both metabolic health and sustainable results. If you have specific questions before your appointment, our team is always happy to help. Learn more about your assessment here.(https://www.perthweightclinic.com.au/why-choose-us)

Question 3

What treatment will I receive?

Accepted Answer

What does treatment at Perth Weight Clinic involve?
Our approach recognises that long-term weight loss and health improvement are not simply a matter of willpower or motivation. Sustainable outcomes usually require medical care that goes beyond “eat less, move more”.

Understanding weight regain

Traditional calorie-focused approaches may lead to short-term weight loss. The body adapts by:
 • Slowing metabolic rate
 • Increasing hunger and appetite signals

These biological responses commonly lead to weight regain. This reflects how the condition has been treated — not a personal failure.

A personalised, medical approach

Treatment is tailored to your health history, goals and preferences. We do not rely on:
 • Extreme dietary restriction
 • Unsustainable exercise plans
 • Willpower-based strategies

Our focus is on safe, evidence-based and sustainable medical care

Foundations of treatment

Support for behaviour change across key pillars of health:
 • Nutrition
 • Physical activity
 • Sleep
 • Mental wellbeing

Plans are reviewed and adapted over time as your health needs change

Management of obesity-related chronic disease

Obesity is closely linked with chronic conditions such as:
 • Cardiovascular disease
 • Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
 • Fatty liver disease (MASLD)

Where relevant, treatment also focuses on:
 • Improving cardiometabolic risk factors
 • Optimising glycaemic control
 • Supporting liver health and reducing disease progression

Care is coordinated with your GP and other specialists when required

Additional treatment options (when appropriate)

• Some people may benefit from adjunctive therapies to support long-term change, including:
Evidence-based pharmacotherapy (weight management medications)
 • Metabolic and bariatric surgery, in collaboration with specialist teams

Our goal
 • Clinically meaningful and sustainable weight loss
 • Improved metabolic and cardiovascular health
 • Reduced risk and progression of obesity-related disease
 • A compassionate, stigma-free treatment experience focused on long-term wellbeing

Question 4

I have medical problems related to my weight. Can you manage these?

Accepted Answer

Our team includes AHPRA-registered medical and allied health practitioners qualified and experienced in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of physical and mental health conditions that may occur alongside obesity.

At Perth Weight Clinic, we understand that weight management isn’t just about losing weight — it’s about improving overall health. Many of our clients experience meaningful health gains through the treatment of both obesity and its related conditions.

Our clinicians are skilled in managing medical, psychological, and psychiatric conditions associated with obesity, including:
 • Cardiovascular, kidney, liver, and metabolic diseases
 • Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety
 • Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours

You’ll receive care that is comprehensive, respectful, and evidence-based, focused on helping you improve your health, function, and quality of life.

Question 5

Can I get a Medicare rebate for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Perth Weight Clinic is a private billing clinic. Consultation fees apply for all appointments.

Medicare rebates are available for all Medicare card holders for consultations with our medical and allied health practitioners.*

We do not offer fee concessions for concession card holders.

*For allied health consultations, Medicare rebates are available if you have a GP Chronic Condition Management (Care) Plan from your regular general practitioner.

If you have private health insurance, you may also be eligible for additional rebates, depending on your level of cover and your insurer’s terms and conditions.

Question 6

Should I choose another weight loss clinic?

Accepted Answer

We believe that practitioners offering treatment for obesity should have expertise in diagnosing and managing adiposity-based chronic disease. In our view, this means having an in-person consultation to enable a comprehensive assessment of your health to be undertaken.

What is more, you should know the credentials of your treating medical practitioner and they should not be hidden behind a glossy website or app - it's the expertise of the practitioner that matters for quality of care!

We use advanced bioimpedence analysis and indirect calorimetry to accurately measure your body composition and metabolic health. These assessments give us objective clinical information about your health that guides how we choose treatments to optimise weight loss and health gain according to your metabolic profile. Otherwise, it's just guesswork.

At Perth Weight Clinic, we take a holistic and medical approach to weight management. Our practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of health impairments that may occur alongside obesity, including psychological, cardiovascular, kidney, liver, metabolic, and orthopaedic conditions. We focus on improving health, not just weight.

Learn more about how we undertake a comprehensive assessment of your health here.(https://www.perthweightclinic.com.au/why-choose-us)

Meet Our Practitioners

Location

Book Your Appointment

Our Team

Caitlyn Ribbons

Accredited
Practising Dietitian

Dr Mark Mellor

Lead Clinician
Specialist General Practitioner & Obesity Doctor

Antonietta Faulkner

Clinical Psychologist

Imogen Russell

Accredited
Practising Dietitian

Our Partners

A/Prof Ruth Blackham

Consultant Bariatric & General Surgeon
Aurora Bariatrics

Brendan Vorster

Exercise Physiologist
Crest Physio

Your Care

Become a Member

Are you a medical or surgical specialist?

Supportive

Expertise

Comprehensive

Collaborative

Your Questions Answered

Meet Our Practitioners

Location

Book Your Appointment

Our Team

Caitlyn Ribbons

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Dr Mark Mellor

Lead Clinician Specialist General Practitioner & Obesity Doctor

Antonietta Faulkner

Clinical Psychologist

Imogen Russell

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Our Partners

A/Prof Ruth Blackham

Consultant Bariatric & General Surgeon Aurora Bariatrics

Brendan Vorster

Exercise Physiologist Crest Physio

Your Care

Become a Member

Are you a medical or surgical specialist?

Supportive

Expertise

Comprehensive

Collaborative

Your Questions Answered

Accredited
Practising Dietitian

Lead Clinician
Specialist General Practitioner & Obesity Doctor

Accredited
Practising Dietitian

Consultant Bariatric & General Surgeon
Aurora Bariatrics

Exercise Physiologist
Crest Physio