I want to see a doctor... but don't know which to see.

kewkdb

I have PPO insurance and I want to see a doctor about my current health, weight loss, diet, and exercise. I don't want to see a general doctor but someone very specific that would know all the correct tests to give me etc. I have SO many options on my site when choosing doctors so it is getting very difficult trying to find a doctor.

Any of you have suggestions on the type of doctor I should be searching for?

Chiquita_Banana

where do you live? i would say first stop should be a general practitioner, get a physical done, depending on all lab work and tests, they can send you to a specialist.. if sugar is high.. endocrinologist, if its just weight they may refer you to a nutritionist... i work for a great physician in rockland coutny ny, if you live in ny lol, we actually do weight loss and wellness seminars too.

kewkdb

where do you live? i would say first stop should be a general practitioner, get a physical done, depending on all lab work and tests, they can send you to a specialist.. if sugar is high.. endocrinologist, if its just weight they may refer you to a nutritionist... i work for a great physician in rockland coutny ny, if you live in ny lol, we actually do weight loss and wellness seminars too.

Im in Cali so kinda opposite side of the country >_< but thx!

Chiquita_Banana

lol yeah ... too long of a commute lol... but go to a general practitioner, internist, or family practice to get a physical done first then see where to go from there

filmshrew

Did anyone have any answers for you yet? I'd like to know too. I know you should get blood work-just the regular lipid panel, basic screening. I was able to see a nutritionist with my plan coverage b/c I have "metabolic syndrom" basically anyone who is over weight seems to-or probaly has or is on the verge of getting this (its the precursor to diabetes) check into the blood work first, see if your plan covers a nutritionist. An Endocrinologist would be the MD to see, they take care of diabetes, thyroid, metabolic syndrom, basically anything relating to your endocrine system which regulates weight, insulin levels etc. (then again eating ice cream for dinner is basically what was regulating my weight!) LOL!
Hope that helps! But if you do find someone, another better suggestion please let me know!!
Thanks! Good luck!

DrBorkBork

Get a physical first, then ask for a referral to a nutritional specialist. the nutritionist will help point you in the right direction once they have current info on all your vitals

kathleennf

Hi- I'm a surgeon so I will give you my two cents from the other side of medicine. Michele has a good point- you want to start with a general practice doc (Internal Med or Family Practice). You will find that the young ones have a more flexible schedule and may be willing to spend more time and effort talking to you about these issues. There are specialists in Exercise Physiologiy but they are more into sports medicine than into the relationship between diet, exercise and weight. Also there are specialists in Bariatric Medicine but judging by your picture you probably do not need that- it is for people who are morbidly obese, are potential candidates for weight loss surgery etc. I think the nutritionist idea is a good one but a good nutritionist will want you to have a medical evaluation first. Hope that helps.

LoriT129

An internist would be a good choice. Our doctor is an internist and we LOVE him! I copied this info from the wellness.com website:

Internist Summary: An Internist is basically a physician who practices medicine related to any of the organs and systems of the body. They deal with any problem no matter how simple, complicated, ordinary, or unusual it may be. They provide comprehensive care to adults with the exception of performing surgery. This means they can take care of any complaint from nose, ears, reproductive system, to mental health problems, and issues such as substance abuse.


Internists are trained to solve the most complex and intriguing problems as well as handle multiple complaints and illnesses at one time. Besides treating the patient, an internist focuses on preventative medicine and educating patients on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.


Internist FAQs: What is an

Internist?
An Internist is a physician who studies Internal Medicine for adults. Internal Medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatments of diseases.

Why might I see an Internist?
If you are an older adult you could have an Internist as your primary care physician. An Internist also treats patients with chronic or internal organ illnesses, along with other common problems.

What are the specialized areas that an internist can practice in?
• Adolescent medicine
• Allergies and immunology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology (glandular disorders)
• Gastroenterology (colon and digestive disorders)
• Geriatrics (treatment of the elderly)
• Hematology (blood disorders)
• Infectious diseases
• Nephrology (kidney disorders)
• Pulmonology (lung and respiratory disorders)
• Oncology (cancer)
• Rheumatology (arthritis)
• Sports medicine

What is internal medicine?
Quite simply, internal medicine refers to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of medical conditions, illnesses, injury and disease relating to any system of the human body. This includes all organs (ears, nose, heart, lungs, skin, etc.), systems (reproductive, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, etc.)

What does an Internist do?
An Internist can choose to practice general medicine or specialize in a certain area. The general Internist conducts physical exams of the body. The Internist obtains medical history and orders any tests that are required. Once the test results are obtained, the Internist will choose the appropriate course of treatment – medication, lifestyle changes, surgery, or referral to a specialist.

What are some of the rewards of being an Internist?
An Internist is a very interesting profession that will often present mental challenges. Because an Internist handles any and every system in the human body, there is always opportunity for amazing discoveries.

What can’t an Internist do?
An Internist can diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases, illnesses, injuries, and medical conditions. However, they cannot perform surgery. They must refer the patient to a surgeon that specializes in that certain area.

Who should get treatment from an Internist?
Any adult who needs medial care for an illness, injury, disease, or other medical condition could use an Internist. It is recommended that children see a pediatrician as their training and education is geared towards a child's health.

How do I find an Internist in my city and state?
The wellness.com directory will help you locate an Internist in your state. Select Internist from the professionals menu and select the state that you are looking to locate an Internist in. After you have located your state, find the city that you will need an Internist in. Select the state and city and you will see a list of Internists in your city and state.

LoriT129

and I'll add this....the thing I love most about our internist is that he isn't constantly throwing medication at us. He believes, STRONGLY, in preventive measures and works with us individually to reach our healthy goals. He will prescribe what is needed but he also respects our opinion of avoiding medication if at all possible. I have been a healthier person, without the aid of medication, since I started to see him. He did prescribe cholesterol meds for me but is willing to reaccess the issues once I lose 50 lbs. another great motivator!

kewkdb

Awesome thanks everyone!

Caperfae

You got some great advice.
I'm in Canada. I can't get to see any doctor without a referral from my family doctor first.

You should start with your family doc as well though just for the physical and blood work.

Good luck!

kewkdb

You got some great advice.
I'm in Canada. I can't get to see any doctor without a referral from my family doctor first.

You should start with your family doc as well though just for the physical and blood work.

Good luck!

Well I don't really have a family doctor or primary care physician right now. Well technically I do but I don't like her. I've gone through 4 doctors in the last few years They all just suck and I hate the way they run their business. Just one quick example.

My current doctor had me do a sleep study. I did it then she scheduled a visit to go over the results. I got there and waited 45min for her to tell me she doesn't have my test results and she has nothing further to discuss with me. Then they tried to charge me the $15 co-pay which I absolutely refused. I haven't even received a follow up call since that day.

Just one example but I have similar experiences with doctors all the time and it's extremely frustrating dealing with them. So right now I am looking for a new primary doctor.

kewkdb

Holy crap this is difficult trying to find a new doctor! So far I've gotten can't see me till February, aren't accepting PPO at this time, no longer with the practice, and the last one said it was a $78 charge every visit...

MzBug

Do you have a local online "newspaper"? One that has a forum? Post something requesting information on a local doc that will suit your needs. I know there are online resources for doctor recommendations too. Another resource would be a nurse. The nurses at the hospital here will give you the low down on any of the doctors, and tell you who to avoid.

Good Luck!

Caperfae

I can relate. There are a lot of doctors out there who are overworked (huge patient load).
Myself, my husband and my daughter have all been on the waiting list for a family doctor for over a year. Frustrating!