"Lose weight with a doctor's supervision." LOL!

Pearsquared

Geez, who does she think she is? I absolutely love your attitude about it all - glad it's just exasperating you and not getting you down. My doctor was so happy with my weight loss, he congratulated me both at the beginning and the end of my physical. I think he recognizes his limitations with nutrition. He just said "Keep going" but didn't mention anything specific about what I should be eating or what weight I should be in the end, although we both agreed that I'll be losing more. He cared more that I was getting enough exercise.

FrenchMob

Going to a Dr. for fitness/nutrition is like going to a mechanic to paint your car. Although they both relate to cars, they're totally different specialties.

maybeazure

I agree with changing doctors. I won't go to a doctor who lectures me about weight. Talking to me about it respectfully is one thing, but lecturing is another. I hate it when they point out the obvious, like we don't already KNOW we are overweight, and that being overweight causes health problems. I also hate it when they make it sound like losing weight is the easiest thing in the world, or give out stupid advice. I had one doctor tell me "you just need to stop eating bread," and another one said "just don't eat any dinner."

The thing is that WE probably know more about losing weight than a lot of them do because we are way more focused on it, reading about it, working at it, trying different things, etc.

Buff2022

Oh you are a much better woman than I am. I would of had a fit in there.

After my hysterectomy..at my 6 week check up. I kicked the nurse out of the room. She kept telling me I was going to work with no restrictions. I needed a lifting restriction.

I have not allowed people to draw my blood. If you don't listen to how I want you to treat MY body..then hands off.

You have to stand up for yourself. I am proud of what you have done. Good job and leaving fast food alone is HUGE!

Guinivere

My doctor knows nothing about nutrition either - but is very quick to tell me off when I've put on weight - no offers of referrals to dieticians, nutritionists or personal trainers, just tutting and shaking the head like I'm in blooomin' school.

I did exactly what this brilliant wonderful lady has done and figured out what works for my own body by doing loads of research - talking to people on MFP - working out what's safe to try and what is going to hurt me. I even put myself on a food trial and sicovered I'm intolerant to wheat, lactose and coffee.

Since taking control my IBS has vanished, my stomach ulcer is finally silent and I no longer have insomnia. The doctor is mystified as I don't (and won't) take any medication because of the horrendous side effects.

There is no one-size fits all - I'm haven't reached my goal yet but people around me are already asking what my magic bullet is. They really don't enjoy the answer - self discipline, and zero-tolerance to deviate from my plan. I've never been more focussed, happy and strong. I'm in charge.

Hear me roar! :laugh:

lesspaul

Most family physicians spend about 15 minutes of their medical training on nutrition.

If only my wife had known that, she could have saved hundreds of hours in medical school.

PS: I agree with the consensus. Time for a different doctor.

CyberEd312

When I first set foot in my new family doctors office (I had not went to a doctor in years) at 560 lbs. and he went over my test results which were horrid (type 2 diabetes, low functioning kidneys and liver, etc) and he ask if I wanted weight loss surgery and I told him it was not an option cause I don't believe in it (if I could not fix my mental addiction to food nothing else would work) he told me " I am a family care physician, you come to me with an illness and I can treat you for it but I am not nor will I pretend to know the first thing about weight loss and nutrition. He said he learned the basics but that I need to go to an Endo dr. and start work with a Dietician." he said I can monitor you every 4-6 weeks and make sure we are on track and he would coordinate with them so they were all on the same page... That is why there are experts in there own fields and if you have a good family doctor they should refer you to a specialist that know alittle more or atleast this has been my experience.... Best of Luck

highervibes

I would try and find a doctor that sees you as a human being, not a "fat person". She isn't even listening to you!? New doctor, stat.

MzPix

I see a common problem here. The thinking is completely wrong. You are trying to impress your doctor. We need to turn that around. Your doctor is paid to provide a service. SHE should be trying to impress YOU.
Many people tend to forget this simple fact and need to be tactfully, but assertively, reminded that medical practitioners are not in charge of us or our bodies. They simply provide us with a paid service.

Changing doctors is certainly an option, but not the only option (and for many people it is not a viable option). It took a few years of assertive reminders, but my physician is now well aware of who is in charge of my body and my decisions: me. Sometimes I had to refocus him. You may want to try it. “Thank you for telling me that information about obesity. I was actually already aware of that. But to redirect you back to the professional task at hand, I am here to discuss what exercise options would be safe for a woman my size. Or to get a referral to a professional who might be able to discuss that topic with me.”

My doctor and I don’t have a “friendly” relationship, but we now certainly have a professional and effective one. Which is exactly what I want. I’m not there to get a buddy or a pep squad. I’m there to procure a professional service. I’m also not friends with my waitress, plumber, mechanic or grocer. It is their responsibility to perform their job well and provide me with the service I pay for. It is my job to clearly articulate what service I want and expect, and to pay them in a timely fashion for providing it. Win-win.

You have taken ownership of your body and that is awesomeness. You just have to make sure that your service providers understand that as well.
Because we live in a society that highly empowers the medical field, a large portion of the population actually stroll along through life thinking that is how it must be. Doctors and nurses are daily dealing with patients who have not, cannot, will not, or don’t realize that they are allowed to, take ownership of their bodies. It is easy to start allowing that power one gains as a medical professional to play out in an entitled and condescending manner without even realizing it. We have to sometimes remind THEM of how the power dynamics of the relationship really do (and should) operate.

You are doing great and whether you keep or change your physician, you will continue to do great because you own yourself. Many people will find you very inspiring.

OneDimSim

Ladies, it never ceases to amaze me how the obese get ABUSED!!! your doctor SUCKS.....this is the sort of attitude that keeps fat people fat....instead of applauding you on your efforts and telling you to keep up the good work, she berates you for not STARVING yourself....

And some of the other stories on here...yelling for a higher SCALE??? REALLY????

I am sorry to be so blunt, but this issue really BUGS me...it is what keeps fat people fat b/c they feel like crap about themselves and continue to think they are not worth it. Discrimination alive and well in medicince....CHECK!

And 130.....REALLY? lets make it completely unobtainable....my OB told me anything under a 200 she is happy.....

YOU ARE DOING GOOD GIRL! KEEP IT UP!!!

hatescardio

A new dr is KEY!!! I had a crummy dr for about 2 minutes - called him "Dr Sunshine" - worst dr I've ever spoken to.
I applaud you for all your positive changes! I know they aren't all easy but isn't great when you realize just a few little tweaks can make a monsterous difference!
I agree they SHOULD know about all of this - especially if they're going to give you a hard time about it. You're supposed to work TOGETHER as a team - you might even think about looking into a women's center instead of just your run of the mill PCP.
Good luck on your quest for a dr!

lustergirl

I know the feeling. Recently I went to see my NP. She is faster to get an appt with than the Dr (same office though). The nurse weighed me in and all he could say is "Oh you need to start walking more, especially right after dinner time." Okay dude if you knew how much effort I put into exercising every day he wouldn't be saying that. All my NP wanted to do to sign me up for a diet program they run in their office for their patients, yea at 400 dollars a pop. I was frustrated to say the least.

Missjulesdid

Most doctors don't know ANYTHING about nutrition. I once went to a doctor at 360 pounds and a BMI of 60....that's SUPER morbidly obese! and I told him I was really struggling with losing weight and he told me I didn't really need to worry about losing weight because I was healthy with all optimal bloodwork (liver enzymes, glucose, cholesterol, etc). WTF???? I had a BMI of SIXTY.... SIXTY!!!!!! I learned then not to rely on my doctor for anything concerning my weight.. and apparently that's how many of them like it.. Yes a lot of them are GREAT at telling you to lose weight but not so great at helping you accomplish it. Heck, I recently just went down to Mexico and had bariatric surgery without even consulting with my PCP because I have so little confidence in general practitioners knowledge in this area.. I just did the surgery and went in at three months post op told the doctor exactly what I expected from her and what I needed her to do to follow up. She ran my blood work, took all my vitals, checked my incision sites, etc told me I was perfectly healthy and scheduled a follow up for 9 months down the road .

Also your doctor was really being an *kitten* for not listening to you and for pointing out how far you have yet to go. That Doctor works for YOU. I think she needs to be reminded of that fact. I'm not saying to switch doctors... but you definitely need to give her a reminder about how you expect to be treated.

You are doing a great job OP. Keep doing what you're doing.. Clearly you're doing it right!

clairedrose

Yup..New doc.I left mine finally after I came in to tell her I had a swollen breast. After examining me, she told me I had one breast larger than the other and asked me if it had always been that way. Argh It was WHY I came in...never listened ever. I know doctors are busy, but it seems yours is consistently not giving you what you need.

SJVZEE

Yep, definitely get a new doctor! I've gone through several, before I found one that meshed with my personality. My kids have had three pediatricians, before I found one that I absolutely love. You're paying for a service and you have every right to shop around for a doctor who you like

And congrats on your weight loss so far!

lsmsrbls

That is so sad! I had a surgeon once who didn't listen to what I said and it just felt like such a huge betrayal, since patients are already in a vulnerable position.

I agree that you should look for someone better. There are lots of amazing doctors out there--it can just be hard to find them.

serafin366

I didn't read through everyones comments so sorry if I am repeating, but here are my thoughts:

Besides finding a new primary care doctor, one who understand you, listens, and can see you trying to improve your lifestyle, you should consider seeing both a nutritionist and a personal trainer. A nutritionist will look at your diet, and guide you along the way and a personal trainer should be familiar with how your weight affects your body during exercise.

As far as losing weight too fast, that's not true either... the recommended 1-2 pounds is true when you are a few pounds over weight, but the more you weigh the more you;ll lose at first... it will taper down as you weigh less.

Best of Luck, I added you as a friend so we could motivate each other!

TheGr8Kimbini

I would say you need a new doctor. There are too many doctors out there like that and it's very irritating. I would change doctors and maybe see a nutritionist or a fitness specialist to see if they know of a exercise plan you could work with that will fit your changing needs. Good job and good luck, BTW.

Lizzy622

You may be able to find more help with exercises you can do with a trainer at a local gym. Unfortunately the days of the family doctor that paid attention to you and knew your history and your whole family for that matter are pretty much gone. Now we have factory piece work doctors who patch 'em up and get 'em out.

MinnieInMaine

First, I'm curious, did you get an answer about exercise or did all of that make you completely forget about asking?

I would definitely look for a new doctor. The fact that her fitness/nutrition education isn't up to par isn't the problem, because as others have stated, that's fairly common (and that's what specialists are for). However the fact that she pretty much ignored you and your concerns is unacceptable.

More docs should be like Ed's and be open and up front about what they know and don't know. My doc is like this too. Her memory's not always great (she gets me confused with another patient) but a couple gentle reminders or a peek at my chart and she's back on track. She is thrilled that I've lost the weight and VERY happy that I've kept it off so long. She's great at explaining things like why my Vitamin D is low even if I'm outside a lot. And the thing I love the best is that she doesn't push drugs. Having migraine issues? Try taking magnesium. LOVE HER!