Frequently asked questions
The questions that come up most in clinic
Answers from Dr. Bárbara Manga, endocrinologist and nutrition specialist in Palma de Mallorca. If your question is not here, message me on WhatsApp and I will answer you personally.
Weight and body composition
Is there an ideal weight?
There is no universal ideal weight. There is a weight at which your body works well, your blood tests follow along and you can sustain your habits without suffering. That is the one we define together in the consultation.
Is BMI useful for knowing whether I have obesity?
Body mass index is a compass, not a map. It is useful for populations but crude for individuals: it does not distinguish muscle from fat, nor does it account for where the fat accumulates. In the consultation we look at body fat percentage, waist circumference and metabolic markers: glucose, insulin, lipid profile and blood pressure.
How much weight do you have to lose to notice health improvements?
In most cases, losing between 5 and 10 % of your weight already produces clear improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose, joint pain, sleep apnoea and quality of life. That is the first reasonable target; from there we reassess.
Why I gain weight and why losing it is hard
Why do I gain weight if I barely eat?
There is rarely a single cause. In clinic we usually find five pieces acting at once: a diet more calorie-dense than it looks, genetic predisposition, the loss of everyday movement, a food environment working against you, and emotional lability. Identifying which one weighs most in your case is the first step to treating it properly.
I exercise a lot and I am not losing weight, is that normal?
Yes, and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. An intense one-hour session rarely exceeds 400-500 kcal, which is offset by very little food. The body also compensates: after training, hunger rises and spontaneous movement drops for the rest of the day. It is also worth ruling out hormonal causes such as hypothyroidism or insulin resistance.
Treatments: medication, balloon and surgery
What treatments are available today for obesity?
There are four steps: the foundation of nutrition and physical activity; drug treatment with GLP-1 and GIP analogues; the intragastric balloon as an intermediate, reversible option; and bariatric and metabolic surgery in severe obesity or with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. Which one applies to you depends on your body composition, your associated conditions and your previous history.
Can GLP-1 analogues be bought without a prescription?
No. They require a medical prescription, dose adjustment and clinical follow-up. They are not an over-the-counter product.
Does bariatric surgery mean you can eat anything afterwards?
No. Having surgery does not mean skipping diet or exercise: it requires shifting your eating towards a pattern high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fats, and sustaining it over time. What it does do is take hunger out of the equation and give back the capacity for self-control.
What the consultation is like
Where does Dr. Bárbara Manga practise and how do I book an appointment?
At two clinics in Palma de Mallorca: Wednesdays at Mesomedic (C. del Bisbe Teodor Úbeda, 2 · 07014 Palma) and Thursdays at Quirúrgica Balear (Via Roma, 5 · 07012 Palma). You can book online through Doctoralia or send a WhatsApp message to either clinic.
Do you work with health insurers and how much does the consultation cost?
Care is 100 % private and no insurers are accepted. The first endocrinology consultation is 100 €, and follow-up visits and the obesity consultation are 70 €. Payment can be made in cash or by card. Up-to-date prices are always on the Doctoralia profile.
Can the consultation be done by video?
Yes. In addition to the in-person consultation in Palma de Mallorca, there is a video consultation option.
What languages is the consultation held in?
The consultation is held in Spanish, Catalan, English and Portuguese. The website is also available in German so that German-speaking patients in Mallorca can find the information; the visit itself takes place in English or Spanish.
Let’s talk about your health
Message me on WhatsApp or book online. I reply personally.
Book via Doctoralia or message the clinic on WhatsApp · Wednesdays and Thursdays in Palma