Q. When I receive a diet prescription from a Korean Medicine clinic, what are the specific steps involved?

Upon your first visit, the initial 1-2 weeks are considered an 'adaptation period.' During this time, I assess your pulse, tongue, and abdominal diagnosis to identify your constitution and patterns such as Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), Blood Stasis (瘀血), or Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮). For example, those with Spleen Deficiency often gain weight easily despite eating little due to weak digestion, while the Phlegm-Fluid type experiences a heavy, puffy feeling from retained fluids. Herbal medicine stabilizes bowel function, and you keep a food diary to evaluate eating habits. Most patients notice reduced bloating or improved digestion within two weeks, rather than weight loss. The second phase, 'regulation period' (weeks 2-4), sees natural appetite reduction and prolonged satiety as Spleen Deficiency improves. Resolving Blood Stasis or Phlegm-Fluid brings lightness and less fatigue. Weight changes begin here, but I advise focusing on bodily sensations over numbers. Combining acupuncture or moxibustion boosts metabolism. The 'stabilization period' (months 1-2) involves gradually reducing herbal dosage and cementing lifestyle habits. Once appetite stabilizes and activity increases, the prescription shifts toward health maintenance. The key is preventing yo-yo effect; by month 3, even after discontinuing herbs, I coach you to sustain the learned eating rhythms and exercise patterns. Having experienced myself that crash dieting leads to regain, I emphasize steady progress. The total duration is typically 3 months, extendable to 6 months depending on individual needs.