Medical Weight Loss

Quick Intro

VEI Clinic Apgujeong is an English-friendly internal-medicine clinic offering evidence-based medical weight management—no fad diets, no hype. We combine labs, safe medications, and practical nutrition & training you can sustain in Seoul.

Who This Helps

• BMI ≥27 with a weight-related condition (e.g., prediabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea) or BMI ≥30
• Plateaus after lifestyle efforts, PCOS/metabolic risk, medication-associated weight gain
• Frequent travelers or busy professionals who want structured, English-friendly coaching

How We Work (Pillars)

• Assess & baseline → history, meds, sleep/stress, dietary pattern, body metrics
• Targeted labs → HbA1c, fasting lipids (± ApoB), CMP, TSH (± FT4), iron/ferritin, B12/D; others case-by-case
• Personal plan → protein & fiber targets, Korean-food templates, strength + zone-2 blocks, step and sleep goals
• Medications (when indicated) → careful selection, slow titration, side-effect prevention
• Follow-up → monthly early on, then every 6–12 weeks; data-driven tweaks

Medication Options (Prescribed Only When Appropriate)

• GLP-1 / dual agonists (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide class): appetite regulation, gastric emptying effects; gradual titration with GI-side-effect coaching
• Metformin: insulin sensitivity, appetite support (select cases, especially prediabetes/PCOS)
• SGLT2 inhibitors: cardio-renal benefit in eligible patients; weight effect modest—used for the right indications
• Orlistat or others: case-by-case if GI tolerance/fit is good

We do not use unsafe stimulants or unregulated “fat-burner” cocktails. Medication choice depends on your medical history, labs, access, and budget. Supply may vary in Korea—we’ll discuss options transparently.

Nutrition & Training (Seoul-Friendly and Realistic)

• Protein: ~1.2–1.6 g/kg/day (adjusted to labs & goals); easy Korean options (tofu, eggs, chicken, fish, legumes)
• Fiber: 25–35 g/day from vegetables, seaweed, legumes, whole grains; volume-forward meals
• Plate guide: vegetables half-plate → protein quarter → smart carbs quarter; soup & sauce caution (guk/jjigae, ramen, gochujang/soy) for sodium and hidden calories
• Training: 2–3 days progressive strength + 120–180 min zone-2 weekly; daily step target with NEAT cues (stairs, short walks)
• Sleep & stress: light timing, caffeine cutoffs, brief stress toolkit; alcohol strategy (most benefit from 1 drink/day or less)

Program Flow (Typical)

• Baseline visit (30 min) → history/exam, labs ordered, body metrics, goals
• Results visit → written plan (food, training, sleep), med decision, titration roadmap
• Follow-ups (20 min) → every 4–6 weeks initially: side effects, appetite cues, plate builds, progression; labs every 8–12 weeks as needed
• Maintenance → taper frequency; relapse plan, travel playbook, structured off-ramps if stopping meds

Safety & Monitoring

• Before/after med changes: kidney/liver function; electrolytes (if SGLT2/diuretics); pregnancy testing if applicable
• GLP-1 class cautions: GI upset (nausea, reflux, constipation), rare gallbladder issues; avoid with a history of certain thyroid tumors (MEN2/medullary thyroid carcinoma) or pancreatitis—your doctor will screen
• SGLT2 cautions: genital infections, dehydration; hold during acute illness or very low-carb phases per sick-day rules
• Metformin: GI tolerance; avoid in advanced CKD; hold for certain imaging/illness events
• Red flags → urgent care: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, black/bloody stool, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion

What to Bring

• Photo ID (passport/ARC), medication & supplement list (exact doses)
• Prior labs and any weight-related diagnoses (sleep study, A1c, lipids)
• A 2–3 day meal snapshot and activity summary (steps/workouts)
• Body-weight trend or smart-scale log if you have one (optional)

Pricing & Transparency

You’ll receive a clear quote before testing or prescriptions. Costs depend on consult length, labs, medication choice/availability, and follow-up cadence.