1. Deep dive consultation – current symptoms, health history, family risk, life stressors, priorities.

2. Advanced laboratory & body composition analyses – metabolic, inflammatory and hormone panels. Referrals for accurate body composition and sleep analysis/studies.

3. Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) – strata risk beyond BMI by adding metabolic, functional & psychosocial factors.

4. Lifestyle & environment mapping – sleep quality, dietary pattern, activity habits, workplace demands, support network.

Dr. Sweeney’s assessment and planning are guided by the following seven DESSERT pillars—an acronym for Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Stress effects, Evaluation of risk factors, Restoring optimal hormone health, and Treating risk factors:

D- Diet: Tailored nutrition guidance based on health goals and medical needs
E- Exercise: Customized movement plans to enhance strength, endurance, and overall health
S- Sleep Quality: Assessment, strategies for improvement, and referrals for Sleep Studies as needed
S- Stress Effects: Identifying and managing the impact of stress on health
E- Evaluation of Risk Factors: Early detection and assessment of risks for degenerative diseases
R- Restoring Optimal Hormone Health: Including key hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and innovative gut peptide therapies
T- Treating Risk Factors: Targeted interventions for preventing premature disability and age-related diseases including overweight and obesity

1. Lifestyle-first foundation – nutrient dense eating, physical activity plan, sleep & stress recommendations.

2. Metabolic medications when required – GLP 1 RAs (liraglutide, semaglutide); dual GLP 1/GIP RAs (tirzepatide); combination agents (naltrexone/bupropion) or other approved anti-obesity medications. Medication based on shared decision making and used for medically defined indications.

3. Hormone optimisation – address perimenopause/menopause related weight gain, testosterone deficiency in men, thyroid imbalance, insulin resistance.

4. Surgery referral when appropriate – bariatric options for patients who have not achieved targets through other approaches.

5. Long term maintenance plan – Adjustments for evolving health concerns and goals and to review or integrate emerging treatments and evidence-based advancements

Level 1: DESSERT + First-Level Hormone Optimization A foundational plan focused on restoring hormonal balance + integration with fundamentals of lifestyle medicine

Level 2: DESSERT + Advanced Hormone Optimization A deeper, refined approach to hormonal health + integration with fundamentals of lifestyle medicine

Level 3: DESSERT + Metabolic Health Level 1 + targeting metabolic disorders + integration with lifestyle medicine + optimizing hormonal health

Level 4: DESSERT + Weight Management Level 3 + Structured, medically guided weight loss and body composition management

5-10 % sustained weight loss – reduces type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58 %, lowers BP, improves lipids.

Improved body composition – less visceral fat, better insulin sensitivity, with strategies to prevent muscle loss during fat reduction.

Enhanced quality of life – better sleep, mood, libido, joint comfort, workplace productivity, and psychological ease.

Longevity dividends – slower metabolic aging markers, fewer medications over time as the downstream effects can be mitigated by addressing root cause- the unhealthy adipose tissue.