Quick Intro

VEI Clinic Apgujeong is an English-friendly internal-medicine clinic offering evidence-based medical weight management—no fad diets, no hype. We combine labs, safe medications, and practical nutrition & training you can sustain in Seoul. We’re on the 3rd floor of Beneheim City, 162 Apgujeong-ro, a short walk from Apgujeong Station (Exit 5).

Who This Helps

  • BMI ≥27 with a weight-related condition (e.g., prediabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea) or BMI ≥30
  • Plateaus after lifestyle efforts, PCOS/metabolic risk, medication-associated gain
  • Frequent travelers or busy professionals who want structured, English-friendly coaching
We tailor plans for medical safety and travel schedules—not one-size-fits-all “packages.”

How We Work (pillars)

  1. Assess & baseline → history, meds, sleep/stress, dietary pattern, body metrics
  2. Targeted labs → HbA1c, fasting lipids (± ApoB), CMP, TSH (± FT4), iron/ferritin, B12/D; others case-by-case
  3. Personal plan → protein & fiber targets, Korean-food templates, strength + zone-2 blocks, step and sleep goals
  4. Medications (when indicated) → careful selection, slow titration, side-effect prevention
  5. Follow-up → monthly early on, then every 6–12 weeks; data-driven tweaks

Medication Options (prescribed only when appropriate)

  • GLP-1 / dual agonists (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide class): appetite regulation, gastric emptying effects; gradual titration with GI-side-effect coaching
  • Metformin: insulin sensitivity, appetite support (select cases, especially prediabetes/PCOS)
  • SGLT2 inhibitors: cardio-renal benefit in eligible patients; weight effect modest—used for the right indications
  • Orlistat or others: case-by-case if GI tolerance/fit is good

We do not use unsafe stimulants or unregulated “fat-burner” cocktails. Medication choice depends on your medical history, labs, access, and budget. Supply may vary in Korea—we’ll discuss options transparently.

Nutrition & Training (Seoul-friendly and realistic)

  • Protein: ~1.2–1.6 g/kg/day (adjusted to labs & goals); easy Korean options (tofu, eggs, chicken, fish, legumes)
  • Fiber: 25–35 g/day from veg, seaweed, legumes, whole grains; volume-forward meals
  • Plate guide: vegetables half-plate → protein quarter → smart carbs quarter; soup & sauce caution (guk/jjigae, ramen, gochujang/soy) for sodium and hidden calories
  • Training: 2–3 days progressive strength + 120–180 min zone-2 weekly; daily step target with NEAT cues (stairs, short walks)
  • Sleep & stress: light timing, caffeine cutoffs, brief stress toolkit; alcohol strategy (most benefit from ≤1 drink/day or less)

Program Flow (typical)

  1. Baseline visit (40–60 min) → history/exam, labs ordered, body metrics, goals
  2. Results visit (20–30 min) → written plan (food, training, sleep), med decision, titration roadmap
  3. Follow-ups (20 min) → every 4–6 weeks initially: side-effects, appetite cues, plate builds, progression; labs every 8–12 weeks as needed
  4. Maintenance → taper frequency; relapse plan, travel playbook, structured off-ramps if stopping meds

Safety & Monitoring

  • Before/after med changes: kidney/liver function; electrolytes (if SGLT2/diuretics); pregnancy testing if applicable
  • GLP-1 class cautions: GI upset (nausea, reflux, constipation), rare gallbladder issues; avoid if history of certain thyroid tumors (MEN2/medullary thyroid carcinoma) or pancreatitis—your doctor will screen
  • SGLT2 cautions: genital infections, dehydration; hold during acute illness or very low-carb phases per sick-day rules
  • Metformin: GI tolerance; avoid in advanced CKD; hold for certain imaging/illness events
  • Red flags → urgent care: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, black/bloody stool, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion
We’ll give you written sick-day rules, travel dosing tips, and what to pause during illness or procedures.

What to Bring

  • Photo ID (passport/ARC), medication & supplement list (exact doses)
  • Prior labs and any weight-related diagnoses (sleep study, A1c, lipids)
  • A 2–3 day meal snapshot and activity summary (steps/workouts)
  • If you own one: body-weight trend or smart-scale log (optional)

Why VEI Clinic Apgujeong

  • Internal-medicine oversight with guardrails—no gimmicks
  • English-friendly consults and written plans
  • Same-day core labs; referrals for DEXA/body composition & sleep studies
  • Central Gangnam (Apgujeong/Sinsa) location with private rooms

Location & Access

  • Address: Beneheim City, 3F, 162 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
  • Subway: Apgujeong Station (Exit 5), short walk

Pricing & Transparency

You’ll receive a clear quote before testing or prescriptions. Costs depend on consult length, labs, medication choice/availability, and follow-up cadence. Itemized English receipts provided for personal or corporate reimbursement.

Related Pages (add internal links)

  • /services/diabetes-gangnam-seoul
  • /services/high-blood-pressure-gangnam-seoul
  • /services/longevity-medicine-gangnam-seoul
  • /services/nutritional-testing-gangnam-seoul
  • /services/primary-care-gangnam-seoul

FAQs

Will I have to take weight-loss medication forever?
Not necessarily. We plan for
maintenance—some stay on the lowest effective dose; others taper off with lifestyle anchors. We decide together.

Can I start medication at the first visit?
If indicated and safe, yes—after labs/history review and
shared decision-making.

What if I travel a lot?
We design
portable habits, provide tele-follow-ups when appropriate, and give dosing/travel checklists.

How fast is progress?
Expect meaningful changes over
8–12 weeks. We track trend lines (weight, waist/height ratio, BP, A1c/lipids) rather than day-to-day swings.

Do you offer meal plans or shakes?
We provide
template menus and grocery lists; no mandatory products. If you like shakes or meal replacements, we’ll fit them safely into your plan.

Booking (English-Friendly)

When booking, mention “Medical Weight Loss at VEI Clinic Apgujeong (near Apgujeong Station Exit 5)” and share your goals, medical history, medications, and recent labs.