Stomach hunger is physical hunger caused by your body needing energy. Eating balanced meals regularly helps support fullness, energy and overall health.

Head hunger is the urge to eat driven by thoughts, habits, emotions or triggers rather than physical hunger. Managing it involves awareness, routine meals, reducing triggers and self-kindness.

Heart hunger is emotional eating driven by stress or feelings, not physical hunger. Understanding triggers and practising self-care can help manage it.

GPs provide personalised, non-judgemental support throughout obesity treatment, including health monitoring, medication management, care coordination and referrals to other health care professionals.

Bariatric surgeons perform specific gastro-intestinal surgeries that lead to improved appetite regulation and metabolism, improving health and quality of life with long-term support and care.

Psychologists support emotional wellbeing in obesity care by helping people manage stress, emotions and eating behaviours, while building confidence, coping skills and healthier long-term habits.

Dietitians play a vital role in obesity care, helping people manage their nutrition during a treatment journey as well as long-term physical and emotional wellbeing.

While obesity treatment can improve health, it can also make it harder to get the nutrition your body needs, so recognising the risk of malnutrition matters.

Eating disorders and disordered eating can occur at any body size and are common among people seeking obesity treatment. While treatments may improve appetite control and eating patterns, they do not cause eating disorders. Screening, ongoing support, and open communication with healthcare professionals are essential to ensure safe, effective care and address any concerns early.

Mood is your general emotional state over time. It is not a quick feeling like surprise or anger. Tension is how ‘wound up’ or stressed your body and mind feel as part of your mood.

A Very Low Energy Diet (VLED) involves major changes to the way you eat, so it can affect both your body and your emotions. Some people notice changes in mood or stress levels, particularly in the early stages.

If you are following a Very Low Energy Diet (VLED), it is very common to notice changes in appetite, especially during the transition into the diet (the first few days up to around 1 to 2 weeks).

Headaches are common and usually mild. Triggers include dehydration, stress, poor sleep, caffeine withdrawal, and diet changes. Manage with rest, hydration, and regular meals; seek help if severe.

Abdominal pain is discomfort felt between ribs and pelvis ranging from mild to severe. Causes can include diet, stress, medications, gastrointestinal surgeries or infection.

Reflux occurs when stomach acid flows into the oesophagus, causing heartburn. Triggers can be dietary or certain medications. Manage with small meals, mindful eating and seek advice if persistent.

Diarrhoea is frequent loose stools from infection, diet, medication, or surgery. Stay hydrated, eat bland foods, avoid triggering foods and seek help if severe, lasting, or with blood or dehydration.

Constipation is infrequent or difficult bowel movements caused by low fibre, dehydration, inactivity, or meds. Improve with fluids, fibre, activity, and routine; seek help if severe or persistent.

Regurgitation is when stomach contents flow back into the mouth or throat without forceful vomiting. Causes include reflux, surgery, GLP-1 meds, or lifestyle factors; seek care if frequent or severe.

Nausea is the uneasy feeling you may vomit, from illness, food, stress, or medication, and can improve with keeping hydrated, eating small bland meals, and rest; seek help if severe or persistent.

Vomiting is forceful stomach emptying. Causes include infection, meds, surgery, food intolerance, or stress. Manage with hydration, rest, bland foods, slow eating, and avoiding triggers.