A welcome call explaining the programme ‐ We contact patients initially over the phone to offer lots of information about the programme, to see if this is the right time to start, and to discuss whether we need to adapt the programme in any way to best support you.
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Southampton Hospital
The Weigh Ahead
A six-month, award-winning Tier 3 weight management service for NHS patients in Hampshire.
The Weigh Ahead is a specialist Tier 3 service for adults living with obesity. Over six months, you’ll work with a multidisciplinary team - including nutrition advisers, behaviour-change therapists, activity specialists and a nurse prescriber — to help you lose 5–10% of your body weight and build healthier habits that last.
The programme is delivered digitally, with optional face-to-face appointments at our Western Docks clinic in Southampton.
How do I access this service?
Referrals are made via your GP in Hampshire, (this includes Portsmouth, Southampton and Isle of Wight). You'll need to contact your GP to start the process, and they'll usually book you in for bloods and complete the referral form.
Patients need to have a BMI equal or greater than 35 with obesity-related comorbidity (eg. diagnosed hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea) or a BMI equal or greater than 40 without comorbidity.
Patients also need to have completed a Tier 2 service/intervention within the past two years. This could include any of the following:
- a locally commissioned service (e.g. Glogi, Slimming World, Weight Watchers)
- prescribed Orlistat by your GP
- referred to an ‘exercise on referral’ scheme
What is a Tier 3 service?
Our Tier 3 service offers specialist tailored support - there are no diet plans! You'll be assigned clinicians that will see you digitally over Microsoft teams and we can offer telephone and email support between appointments. If needed, we can also provide face to face appointments from our Westen Docks clinic in Millbrook, Southampton.
We offer 1-1 and group sessions focused on nutrition, activity and behaviour change therapy to support weight loss. We also have a Nurse Prescriber that works within the service to prescribe weight loss medications to those eligible (please see section regarding weight loss injectables
What to expect before you start
A digital or printed patient booklet ‐ We'll send you a patient booklet to read and to help you become familiar with the programme content. This helps patients to understand what we offer, helps to set expectations and will also chart your journey with us.
Appointment times ‐ Appointments take place Monday - Friday, 9am–5pm, mostly on Microsoft Teams
These small habits make a big difference to long-term success.
- Attend all booked appointments
- Join online sessions from a quiet, private space
- Track your weight (home scales, GP, pharmacy or leisure centre)
- Complete simple food diaries or logs
Expected results
The goal is to lose 5–10% of your starting weight - typically 1–2 stone over six months - through consistent, maintainable changes.
Many patients also experience important non-scale victories, including:
- Improved mobility and fitness
- Better-fitting clothes
- Healthier eating routines
- Improved confidence and mental wellbeing
- A more positive relationship with food and body image
After you finish the programme
When your six-month programme ends, the team will review your progress. Outcomes may include:
- Referral to Tier 4 bariatric surgery, if you meet the NHS criteria
- Discharge back to your GP with a plan to continue your progress
- Referral for additional mental health or eating-disorder support, if needed
You may also access six months of optional follow-up check-ins (PIFU) to help maintain your health changes.