Hout Bay Family Medical Practice

03/10/2026

From forehead lines and crow’s feet to the jawline, lips, neck and even excessive sweating — swipe through to discover some of the most popular aesthetic and functional uses of Botox.

Dr Brad Hudson is passionate about medical aesthetics and takes an individualised approach, with his patients’ wellbeing always at the centre.

Beyond aesthetics, research is also exploring an intriguing connection between botulinum toxin and mood, with evidence suggesting potential benefits for depressive symptoms.

❤️ Hout Bay Family Medical Centre

18/09/2026

Wearing black today in solidarity with all those affected by gender-based violence. 🖤

We stand together for safety, dignity, respect and a future where violence against women and children is never accepted or ignored.

03/09/2026

BROTOX.

We’ve been talking a lot about the ladies lately… but the men are very much part of our practice too.

Aesthetic treatments are increasingly popular with men who want to look a little fresher, less tired, or simply more like themselves — without necessarily looking like they’ve had anything “done”.

Enter: Brotox.

Botulinum toxin can be used to soften frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet while still maintaining natural expression. Male facial anatomy and aesthetic goals can be different, which is why treatment should always be individualised rather than one-size-fits-all.

Dr Brad Hudson, our aesthetic practitioner at Hout Bay Family Medical Centre, offers consultations and treatments for both men and women, with an emphasis on subtle, natural-looking results.

Because looking after yourself isn’t just for the ladies.

Come and chat to Dr Brad about what would work for you — and what you probably don’t need.

23/08/2026

YOUR CYCLE IS PART OF YOUR HEALTH STORY.

When symptoms are chronic, recurrent, or seem to come and go without an obvious explanation, it is worth asking one important question:

Could they be cyclical?

Mood changes, headaches, fatigue, bloating, changes in sleep, skin, digestion, pain, cravings and even the way we cope with stress can shift across the menstrual cycle.

We encourage our patients to track more than just the first day of their period. Notice when symptoms appear, when they improve, how you feel around ovulation and in the luteal phase, and what your menstrual bleeding itself is like.

Apps such as MyFLO can be useful for this. Its cycle-syncing approach encourages women to pay attention to symptoms throughout the month, rather than viewing menstruation as an isolated event.

Arriving at your consultation with these patterns in mind gives us valuable information. It can help us consider whether hormonal shifts may be contributing to your symptoms — or help us look beyond hormones when the pattern doesn't fit.

And remember: your body is not exactly the same every day of the month. Your energy, appetite, recovery and exercise tolerance may change across your cycle. Rather than fighting those changes, listen to them. Nourish yourself well, move regularly, and adapt the intensity of exercise when your body is asking for it.

You don't need to diagnose your hormones.

Just start noticing the pattern.

Sometimes the pattern tells us more than a single blood test ever could.

11/08/2026

Love these Women-based Classes being offered by The Beach Clinic.

07/08/2026

This weekend, we celebrate all that it is to be a woman. 🌿

Strong. Informed. Healthy. Connected to ourselves and our bodies — through every age and every stage.

At Hout Bay Family Medical Centre, we want women to feel empowered by knowledge about their health, and comfortable enough to ask the questions that sometimes feel difficult to ask.

Our doctors offer Well Woman consultations — a dedicated space to talk about you. Depending on your age and needs, this may include cervical screening/Pap smears, breast examinations, contraception, periods, fertility, sexual health, menopause, bone and cardiovascular health, and the things that simply haven't fitted into another consultation.

And one small reminder from your doctors:

Please never apologise for your body.

Women so often apologise before an examination — for the hair on their legs, their weight, their periods, how they look, or because something feels embarrassing or intimate.

You don't need to.

Bodies are human. Very little is out of the ordinary in our consulting rooms, and there is no judgement here. Our job is to make you feel safe, comfortable, heard and cared for.

So this Women's Day weekend, take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary body that carries you through your life.

Celebrate you. 🌿

04/08/2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unpaused-with-dr-mary-claire-haver/id1846701533?i=1000776727605

Podcast Episode · unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver · July 14 · 1h 4m

31/07/2026

Continuing professional development 🌿

Medicine never stands still—and neither do we.

Dr Andrew McLeod, Dr Anne Sumner and Dr Zoelle Horowitz recently attended an educational event focused on the use of GLP-1 medicines in the treatment of diabetes, including how these therapies can support glucose control, weight management and long-term metabolic health.

Our experienced practitioners remain committed to keeping up with current medical evidence, treatment guidelines and new developments in care. At the same time, our younger doctors continue to receive appropriate mentorship, guidance and shared learning from senior colleagues.

For people living with diabetes, medication is only one part of good care. Please remember to attend your annual diabetes review, where your doctor can assess your blood pressure, blood tests, kidney health, feet, eyes, medication and overall cardiovascular risk.

Do you have a preferred doctor overseeing your chronic care?

Make sure you have selected a chronic care provider who knows your history and can follow your progress consistently. Speak to your doctor about this at your next visit.

24/07/2026

Did she just call my liver FAT?

It might sound funny...

But fatty liver disease (now often called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease – MASLD) is one of the most common chronic liver conditions in the world, and many people have no idea they have it.

Your liver is at the centre of your metabolism. It regulates blood sugar, processes fats, stores energy and performs hundreds of vital functions every day.

When excess fat accumulates in the liver, it can become inflamed and less efficient. Over time, this may progress to: • Liver inflammation (steatohepatitis) • Scarring (fibrosis) • Cirrhosis • Liver failure • Even liver cancer in some cases

It also increases your risk of: 🫀 Heart disease 🩺 Type 2 diabetes 🧠 Stroke ⚖️ Ongoing metabolic disease

Many people with fatty liver also struggle with weight around the middle, insulin resistance, high cholesterol or elevated blood pressure. While fatty liver doesn't directly stop weight loss, it often reflects an underlying metabolic imbalance that can make losing weight much more difficult.

Fatty liver can often be **improved—and sometimes even reversed—**through the right combination of:

🌿 Sustainable weight loss
🥗 A Mediterranean-style, whole-food diet
🏋️ Regular resistance training and physical activity
🍷 Reducing alcohol intake where appropriate
😴 Good sleep
💚 Managing insulin resistance and metabolic health
💉 Evidence-based medications when they are appropriate

At Hout Bay Family Medical Centre, we believe in treating the cause, not just the symptoms. Whether that's lifestyle support, metabolic assessment or medical weight management, our goal is always the same:

Helping you build a healthier future—one step at a time.
If you've been struggling with weight, especially around your middle, or have been told your liver enzymes are elevated, we'd be happy to help you understand what your body is trying to tell you.

21/07/2026

Did you say peptides?

You've probably heard a lot about GLP-1 medications lately.

At Hout Bay Family Medical Centre, we believe these medicines have an important place in modern medicine—but only when they're prescribed thoughtfully, for the right person, and with the right support.

We're proud to offer SAHPRA-approved GLP-1 medications as part of an evidence-based weight management programme.

These medications can help: 🌿 Improve metabolic health 🌿 Support sustainable weight loss 🌿 Reduce the risk of obesity-related disease 🌿 Improve quality of life for appropriately selected patients

But here's what we believe matters most...

No injection replaces healthy habits.

Our goal has never been to help people become smaller.

Our goal is to help people become healthier.

That means looking at the whole picture: • Nutrition • Strength and muscle preservation • Physical activity • Sleep • Mental wellbeing • Long-term lifestyle habits • Individual medical needs

We don't encourage the unnecessary use of GLP-1 medications, and we don't believe they're right for everyone.

If they're appropriate for you, we'll guide you safely and responsibly.

If they're not, we'll help you find another path.

Because good medicine isn't about following trends.

It's about finding the right treatment for the right person at the right time.

Personalised. Evidence-based. Always with your long-term health in mind.

Book a consultation if you'd like to discuss whether medical weight management is right for you.