Alevia Medical Weight Loss

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Should you stop your weight loss medication before surgery? 🔬

This is one of the most common questions we hear from our patients — and it can feel like a real dilemma. There is still a lot of uncertainty about if medications should be stopped and if so, how long before surgery. And finally are there certain ways of fasting that may help reduce the risks and allow patients to remain on their GLP-1 medication for as long as possible up until their surgery.

The great news is that our colleagues at the University of Melbourne are now actively researching this very question. Their study aims to help inform better decision-making around the best preparation for surgery for patients using weight loss medications.
They're currently looking for participants to take part in this important research.

If you're interested in contributing to a study that could help shape guidelines for patients just like you, please reach out to Jasmin at the University of Melbourne:
📧 elkin.j@unimelb.edu.au 📞 +61 475 716 542

GLP1 Fasting Study

The more we learn, the better we can support our patients through every step of their journey. 💙

08/02/2026

Tomorrow, we reflect and create. 🌱

Join us for Art Therapy: Values, Meaning & Motivation — a gentle, guided space to clarify what truly matters to you.
🎨 Vision Board • Values Collage • Reflection
🗓 Monday, 9 Feb 2026

✨ Register now: https://alevia.com.au/art-therapy-group/

07/02/2026

Only 2 days to go until we explore the question:

“What is the life I want to live?” ✨
Using collage and mixed media, we’ll reflect on values, meaning, and motivation — and bring them to life visually.
🗓 Session: Monday, 9 Feb 2026

💛 Join us here: https://alevia.com.au/art-therapy-group/

06/02/2026

We’re here for our Hobart community…

Dr Lauren Smith is now seeing patients at our Hobart clinic every Monday and Wednesday. As a GP who works extensively in weight management, Dr Smith understands that sustainable weight management requires more than willpower — it requires a comprehensive medical approach tailored to your health needs.

At Alevia, you’ll have access to our multidisciplinary team — GPs, dietitians, exercise physiologists and mental health clinicians — working together to support your long-term health goals.

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about a sustainable path forward with evidence-based medicine, compassionate care and ongoing support. Your plan is decided after a clinical assessment, and individual needs and outcomes vary.

Book your initial consultation with Dr Smith at our Hobart clinic.
Visit www.alevia.com.au/gettingstarted

04/02/2026

The Ripple Effect of Building Healthy Habits

At Alevia, we often see that when someone prioritises their health, the household culture can shift—mealtimes become more mindful, planning improves, and moving more becomes easier to do together.

Seeing change up close can be motivating. When healthy routines are modelled in a supportive environment, others may feel more confident exploring what could work for them.

Every person’s needs are different. Our clinicians provide individual assessment, education and ongoing support so you can set goals that are realistic for you. Any treatment decisions, including whether medicines are appropriate, are made together during a clinical consultation. Results vary.

— Dr Catherine Bacus
Founder, Alevia Medical Weight Loss

Book a bulk-billed* appointment: www.alevia.com.au/appointment
*Bulk-billing eligibility criteria apply. See T&Cs: https://alevia.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

03/02/2026

Expanding compassionate obesity care to Geelong

We’re welcoming Dr Anna Harris to the Alevia team in Geelong.
Starting today, Dr Harris provides evidence-informed medical care for people living with obesity.

She works alongside our multidisciplinary team—dietitians, psychologists and exercise physiologists—to create personalised care plans that fit your life. We recognise obesity as a chronic health condition and offer ongoing follow-up and support.

Book an initial consultation with Dr Harris: www.alevia.com.au/appointment

02/02/2026

✨ One week to go until our next Art Therapy session: Values, Meaning & Motivation.

This session invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters to you.
🎨 Through a Vision Board or Values Collage, we’ll explore purpose, direction, and motivation.
🗓 Session: Monday, 9 Feb 2026

👉 Register here: https://alevia.com.au/art-therapy-group/

02/02/2026

FebFast: A Medical Perspective on Taking a Break from Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the few substances we feel we have to justify not consuming. As a GP with a focus on weight management, I see how this socially acceptable habit can affect health in ways many people don’t realise.

Taking a break from alcohol—even for just 28 days—can be associated with benefits such as:
• Improved sleep quality and waking more refreshed
• Clearer thinking and better concentration
• Support for weight management (alcohol is energy-dense and can affect appetite and metabolism)
• More stable blood sugar control
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved liver function
• Enhanced mood and energy levels

FebFast is a great opportunity to explore these potential benefits while supporting Lifeline’s vital work in su***de prevention.
If you’re considering participating, my advice as your medical partner: approach it with self-compassion. If you find it difficult, that’s useful information about your relationship with alcohol—no judgment, just a chance to learn more about your body and patterns.
Whether you’re on a weight-management journey with us or simply looking to improve your health, February is a timely moment to reset and notice how you feel without alcohol. Results vary, and small changes count.

Book a bulk-billed* appointment: www.alevia.com.au/appointment
*Bulk-billing eligibility criteria apply. See T&Cs: https://alevia.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

General information only. Not medical advice. Please speak with your GP for personalised guidance.

30/01/2026

Forget the quick fixes and magic wands!

💫 There are no shortcuts when it comes to lasting weight loss.
At Alevia, we combine highly effective treatments with sustainable lifestyle changes to help you achieve your goals—step by step.

Ready for a real transformation?
Book a bulk-billed* appointment: www.alevia.com.au/appointment
*Bulk-billing eligibility criteria apply. See T&Cs: https://alevia.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

29/01/2026

The truth about “weight-loss drinks”
Quick fixes like green tea extracts, detox waters and special tonics aren’t a solution. There isn’t a magic drink for weight loss.

What does help? Doctor-led, evidence-based care that looks at your health, medications, lifestyle and goals.

In this video, I outline the key pillars of safe, longer-term weight management and how an individualised medical plan can support you. Results vary from person to person.

If you’re ready to move away from fads, our GPs with substantial experience in weight management can work with you.

Book a bulk-billed* appointment: www.alevia.com.au/appointment
*Bulk-billing eligibility criteria apply. See T&Cs: https://alevia.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

This information is general in nature and not a substitute for medical advice. Please speak with your doctor for personalised guidance.

28/01/2026

Feeling apprehensive about seeing a weight-management doctor? You’re not alone. Many people delay seeking help after trying different approaches or feeling judged.

In this video, Dr Hilda Jessop explains what the first conversation at Alevia is like. Our focus is listening, understanding your situation, and discussing whether medical care is appropriate for you now—based on current evidence and after a clinical assessment with your doctor.

Your first appointment is a conversation—no pressure, no judgment. It’s an opportunity to learn about evidence-based approaches to weight management and to talk through potential risks and benefits with a doctor who recognises the complexity involved.

If you’ve been putting it off, we understand. Medicine evolves, and so do care options.
📍 Alevia Medical Weight Loss
🔗 Book a bulk-billed* appointment: www.alevia.com.au/appointment
*Bulk-billing eligibility criteria apply. See T&Cs: https://alevia.com.au/terms-and-conditions/