Medical weight management, led by a doctor
Weight is medical, and willpower is only part of the story. Our programme pairs a South African doctor with a coach and a dietitian, and checks in with you every week.
At a glance
- First doctor consultR65030 minutes by video, paid to the practice
- MembershipR995 a monthCoach, dietitian sessions and check-ins, paid to BettaHabit after your consult
- Monthly doctor reviewR450Paid to the practice, may be claimable from medical aid
No lock-in. Cancel or pause before any billing date.
Who it's for
Adults with a BMI of 25 or more, or 23 or more with a weight-related condition such as:
- High blood pressure
- Raised blood sugar or type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnoea or heavy snoring
- Joint pain made worse by weight
We use these lower thresholds because BMI underestimates health risk for many people of African, Asian and Middle Eastern family background. Work out your BMI.
Who it isn't for
Please speak to your own doctor instead if you are:
- Under 18
- Pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
- Living with, or recovering from, an eating disorder
- Less than a year on from weight-loss surgery
The 2-minute check asks about each of these, so you'll know before you book.
What's included
Everything in the programme, and how often it happens.
| What | How often | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Video consult: history, goals and a plan | At the start | Your doctor |
| Doctor review of your progress and treatment | Every month, and any time you need one | Your doctor |
| Coach check-in on WhatsApp | Every week | Your coach |
| Dietitian session, built around food you actually eat | Twice in the first 3 months | A registered dietitian |
| Habit reminders and progress tracking | Daily, if you want them | BettaHabit |
| Blood tests, if your doctor asks for them | As needed | A pathology lab near you, billed by the lab |
Your first 12 weeks
A typical start. Your doctor and coach adjust it to you.
- Week 1: your first consult
Your doctor takes a full history, checks your numbers and agrees a plan with you, including whether medication makes sense.
- Week 1: meet your coach
Together you pick three habits to start with. Usually something about protein, movement and sleep.
- Weeks 2 and 3: first dietitian session
Meals that fit your budget, your culture and your schedule. No meal plans you'll abandon by Friday.
- Week 4: doctor review
What's working, what isn't, and any changes to your treatment.
- Week 8: doctor review
A second dietitian session around now, and new habits once the first ones stick.
- Week 12: progress review
Weight, waist and how you feel, compared with week 1, and a plan for what comes next.
About medication
Some people on the programme are prescribed medication. Many are not. That decision belongs to your doctor, after a proper consultation and a look at your history.
If you're prescribed something, the script goes to a registered pharmacy of your choice, and you pay the pharmacy directly. We don't sell medicines.
We can't discuss specific prescription medicines on this website, because South African law doesn't allow them to be advertised to the public. Your doctor will talk you through every option.
Questions about the weight programme
Who is the weight programme for?
Adults with a BMI of 25 or more, or 23 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, raised blood sugar, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea or joint pain. We use these lower thresholds because BMI underestimates health risk for many people of African, Asian and Middle Eastern family background. The doctor makes the final call after your consult.
Will I be prescribed medication?
Only if your doctor decides it's right for you after a full consultation. Many members aren't. If you are, the prescription goes to a registered pharmacy and you pay the pharmacy directly. We can't discuss specific prescription medicines on this website, because South African law doesn't allow them to be advertised to the public. Your doctor will talk you through every option.
How much weight will I lose?
We don't promise a number. Progress depends on where you start, your health, and the plan you and your doctor agree on. Your coach tracks your weight, waist and habits with you every week, and your doctor reviews them every month.
What if the doctor decides the programme isn't right for me?
Then you don't pay BettaHabit anything. Your membership only starts after your first consult, if you and your doctor decide to go ahead. The consult fee is paid to the practice for the doctor's time.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time before your next billing date, by WhatsApp or email. There's no lock-in, and you can pause for up to two months instead.
Does medical aid cover it?
Often only in part. Doctor consults may be claimable from your day-to-day benefits or savings, but most schemes don't cover weight management programmes. Read our guide to medical aid and weight management.
See if the weight programme suits you
A few short questions about your health and goals. If a consult makes sense, you can book straight from your result.
Free, private, and you'll see your result straight away.