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Dr George Forgan-Smith would like to see more men take control over their own health
by regularly visiting their general practitioner as a preventive tool against illness.
“A lot of men are less likely to see their doctor unless something is wrong. Unlike women, who have regular check-ups such as pap smears, men don’t have any,” says
Dr Forgan-Smith.
“Men have different health care issues to women and sometimes they can feel embarrassed by them which can often be signals of other processes happening,” says
Dr Forgan-Smith.
“If men would visit their GP without delay many health issues could be prevented and or solved,” he says.
“Improving the health of men is an area of mine that I like to work in and as a practitioner I’m developing an initiative to help men address their problems by putting together a space where men are able to come and get a comprehensive health check,” says Dr Forgan-Smith.
“The goal of this clinic is to give the best bag for your buck. I’ve gathered from the government a comprehensive program for men. Men can come in for an initial consultation for what they want to achieve such as improved mental and physical health and or weight loss. The government is very keen to do all it can for people to have mental wellbeing,” says
Dr Forgan-Smith.
“Through the government programs we are able to put our clients in contact with the right people such as psychiatrists, exercise physiologists and dieticians. The government also supports this by offering low out of pocket,” says Dr Forgan-Smith.
“At this practice there is a strong feeling that we need to look after the next generation of men,” says Dr Forgan-Smith. Lifestyle factors into many of men’s health issues according to Dr Forgan-Smith and he feels that men need to be encouraged to change their ways to improve their health.
He’d like to see more men come into his clinic, especially after the age of 40, when risk factors such as poor diet choices, weight gain and lack of exercise increase the risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Studies show that these illnesses can be prevented with early intervention.
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“Unfortunately, lifestyle factors into the risk of disease and intervening early can help prevent disease such as diabetes 2 from developing,” says Dr Forgan-Smith.
Dr Forgan-Smith believes a lot of health issues can be re-addressed through diet and exercise and is a keen advocate for changes here before medication.
“I’m a huge advocate for lifestyle change before medication for many things and use of prescription if something needs to be addressed,” says Dr Forgan-Smith.
Dr Forgan-Smith is not only talking the talk but has walked the walk when it comes to health issues for men and being overweight.
“I’m a supportive doctor who has been there and lost the weight by changing what I chose to eat and adding exercise into my days which enabled me to get into a healthy weight range. One of the doctors I work with helped me in the right direction and I shed 20kg over a 6 month period.
No faddy diets, no crazy weight loss products. I just made better choices when it came to food and added the gradual addition of exercise and movement in my daily routine,” says Dr Forgan-Smith. The good news is that anyone can expect the same level of success if they just make some healthier choices believes Dr Forgan-Smith.
“Weight gain doesn’t normally happen quickly. It is usually over years,” says
Dr Forgan-Smith. “So therefore the weight loss should be gradual.”
“I teach that you need to make minor adjustments to make a big impact and where to focus for maximum benefit,” says
Dr Forgan-Smith.
Dr Forgan-Smith has been a keen follower of Professor Gary Egger, the man behind the GutBusters campaign 10 years ago and the first men’s weight loss program of its type. Now Dr Forgan-Smith is doing what he can to help men through his practice and weight loss website, www.mensweightlossguide.com
On the website men can find support and advice on how to make changes in their lives to support improved health.
To book an appointment at Metropolitan Medical Clinic, Level 1, 333 Drummond St, Carlton call 9347 7711.
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