Medical Weight Management
Personalized Support with Nurse Practitioner Laura Castles
Weight management is about more than a number on the scale. Your hormones, metabolism, medications, sleep, stress, medical history and stage of life can all affect your ability to lose weight and maintain your results.
At Harbour Wellness Healthcare & Aesthetics, Nurse Practitioner Laura Castles provides individualized medical weight-management care for adults who want professional guidance, realistic strategies and ongoing support.
Together, we will look beyond quick fixes and create a plan focused on improving your health, confidence and overall quality of life.
A Medical Approach to Weight Management
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Obesity is recognized as a complex chronic disease influenced by biological, psychological, environmental and social factors. Effective care should therefore be individualized and focused on meaningful health improvements—not blame, shame or willpower alone.
Your weight-management plan may include:
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A comprehensive health assessment
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Review of your weight history and previous approaches
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Assessment of medications that may affect weight
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Screening for underlying health concerns
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Laboratory testing when clinically indicated
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Nutrition and lifestyle counselling
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Sleep, stress and mental-health considerations
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Goal setting and behaviour-change support
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Prescription weight-management medication when appropriate
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Regular follow-up and medication monitoring
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Long-term maintenance planning
The goal is not simply to help you lose weight—it is to help you develop a sustainable approach that supports your long-term health.
Meet Nurse Practitioner
Laura Castles
Laura Castles is a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner and the owner of Harbour Wellness Healthcare & Aesthetics.
Laura Castles
Nurse Practitioner
As a Nurse Practitioner in Ontario, Laura is authorized to assess and diagnose health conditions, order and interpret diagnostic testing, prescribe medications and treatments, and arrange specialist referrals when required.
Laura brings together primary care, women’s health and preventative medicine to provide thoughtful, individualized weight-management support.
Her approach is:
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Respectful and non-judgmental
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Evidence-informed
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Focused on overall health
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Personalized to your medical needs
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Realistic for your lifestyle
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Supportive of long-term success
Who May Benefit from Medical Weight Management?
Our program may be appropriate for adults who:
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Have struggled to lose or maintain weight
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Have experienced repeated weight regain
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Are interested in learning about prescription treatment options
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Have weight-related health concerns
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Experience increased hunger, cravings or reduced fullness
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Have gained weight during perimenopause or menopause
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Are managing insulin resistance or metabolic concerns
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Take medications that may influence appetite or weight
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Want professional monitoring while using weight-management medication
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Prefer a personalized plan rather than a one-size-fits-all program
You do not need to reach a particular “goal weight” to experience meaningful improvements in health and well-being.
What to Expect
Your Initial Weight-Management Consultation
Your first appointment is an opportunity to understand your health history, concerns and goals in greater detail.
Your assessment may include a review of:
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Current weight, weight history and previous treatments
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Eating patterns, hunger, cravings and fullness
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Physical activity and mobility
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Sleep quality
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Stress and mental well-being
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Menstrual, perimenopause or menopause symptoms
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Current medications and supplements
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Family and personal medical history
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Blood pressure and other relevant measurements
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Potential weight-related complications
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Your personal goals and expectations
Laboratory investigations may be ordered when needed to assess your health, rule out contributing conditions or establish safe treatment options.
Prescription Weight-Management Medication
For some patients, prescription medication may be considered as one part of a comprehensive weight-management plan.
Medication is not automatically prescribed at the first visit and is not appropriate for everyone. Laura will review your medical history, current medications, potential benefits, possible side effects, contraindications, treatment costs and available alternatives before making a recommendation.
Prescription treatment may help support:
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Appetite regulation
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Reduced hunger
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Improved feelings of fullness
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Reduced food cravings
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Weight loss and weight maintenance
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Improvement in certain weight-related health risks
Canadian guidelines recommend that pharmacotherapy, when appropriate, be used alongside health-behaviour changes rather than as a stand-alone treatment.
Only medications obtained through a regulated Canadian pharmacy should be used. Health Canada has warned that unauthorized or counterfeit weight-loss medications may contain incorrect ingredients, unsafe doses or contaminants.
Ongoing Follow Up and Monitoring
Weight-management care is not a single appointment. Regular follow-up allows us to evaluate your progress, address challenges and make adjustments safely.
Follow-up appointments may include:
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Review of progress and health goals
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Weight and measurement monitoring when helpful
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Blood-pressure monitoring
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Assessment of appetite and eating patterns
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Review of medication effectiveness
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Side-effect assessment
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Dose adjustments when clinically appropriate
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Review of bloodwork
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Nutrition and lifestyle support
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Problem-solving around plateaus
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Maintenance and relapse-prevention planning
Progress is evaluated using more than weight alone. We may also consider energy, mobility, sleep, blood pressure, laboratory results, confidence, quality of life and improvements in weight-related health conditions.
Women’s Health and Weight Changes
Women may experience changes in appetite, body composition, muscle mass and fat distribution during perimenopause, menopause and other hormonal transitions.
Weight changes during this stage of life are not always explained by diet and exercise alone.
Laura can assess factors such as:
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Perimenopause and menopause symptoms
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Sleep disruption
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Reduced muscle mass
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Mood and stress
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Insulin resistance
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Thyroid concerns
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Medication-related weight changes
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Menstrual and reproductive history
When appropriate, weight-management care may be coordinated with broader women’s health and menopause support.
Health Beyond the Scale
Our approach focuses on meaningful, sustainable improvements rather than perfection.
Depending on your individual needs, treatment goals may include:
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Improving energy and mobility
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Supporting cardiovascular health
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Improving blood pressure
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Supporting blood-sugar regulation
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Improving sleep
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Reducing physical discomfort
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Preserving or building muscle
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Developing a healthier relationship with food
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Increasing confidence
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Reducing the risk of weight-related complications
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Maintaining weight after initial loss
Your treatment plan will reflect what matters most to you.
What Medical Weight Management is Not
Our program is not:
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A crash diet
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A guaranteed rapid-weight-loss program
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Medication prescribed without an assessment
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A one-size-fits-all meal plan
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Based on shame or judgment
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Focused solely on BMI or appearance
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A replacement for emergency or urgent medical care
Results vary, and no specific amount of weight loss can be guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
A referral is generally not required to book a private weight-management consultation.
Will I receive medication at my first appointment?
Not necessarily. Medication is considered only after your health history, current medications, treatment goals and potential risks have been reviewed.
Do you prescribe GLP-1 Medications?
GLP-1 and other prescription weight-management medications may be discussed when clinically appropriate. The medication recommended, if any, will depend on your health history, eligibility, contraindications, preferences, availability and coverage.
Is the medication included in the appointment fee?
Will my insurance cover treatment?
No. Prescription medication is purchased separately through a pharmacy. Pharmacy pricing and private insurance coverage vary.
Private insurance plans differ. Some plans may cover certain prescription medications, while others may require prior authorization or supporting documentation. Appointment fees may not be covered.
Is weight-management care covered by OHIP?
Harbour Wellness operates a fee-for-service model for this program. Patients should review current appointment fees and speak with their insurer regarding possible reimbursement through extended health benefits or healthcare spending accounts.
Will I need bloodwork?
Bloodwork may be recommended based on your medical history, symptoms, current medications and proposed treatment plan.
How often will I need follow-up?
Follow-up frequency depends on your treatment plan. More frequent appointments may be recommended when beginning or adjusting medication, followed by ongoing maintenance visits.
Can I participate if I am in perimenopuase or menopause?
Yes. Weight changes during hormonal transitions are common, and your assessment can include menopause-related symptoms and health considerations.
What happens if medication is not appropriate for me?
Medication is only one possible tool. Your plan may instead focus on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, medical investigations, medication review and other health-behaviour strategies.
Book a Weight-Management Consultation
You deserve weight-management care that considers your complete health story.
Book a consultation with Nurse Practitioner Laura Castles at Harbour Wellness Healthcare & Aesthetics to explore a personalized, medically guided approach to sustainable weight management.
Together, we will create a plan designed to support your health—not punish your body.
