So I went to the lady doctor yesterday

Kris0109

So went to the doctor yesterday for the yearly lady appointment and weighed in at 217, fully clothed with these beautiful Bandolino boots I bought myself for my birthday. Last year at the lady appointment I weighed 281, just shy of my highest. My doctor really didn't comment on my weight at either appointment. That kind of pisses me off. Anyone's lady doctor do this? Or the reverse? He's been the only doctor I've seen in the last 5+ years as I don't have a GP.

hope516

The last time I went to the doctor (GP) I didnt get to see my normal lady doctor which I prefer and it was a young, cute, guy doctor and he mentioned my large weight gain since the last time after looking at my charts. I was so embarrassed! He was very professional about it and not judgemental at all! But I have been wanting to go back so he can see that I have lost the excess plus a few more! lol...but not wanting to get sick lol

Maggie_Pie1

My doctor sometimes will comment, sometimes not. I don't take it personally.

cmriverside

I don't understand why doctors don't mention weight issues. It doesn't make sense to me that something that could cause such dangerous health issues is not even mentioned.

I just assume it is
1.) They aren't supposed to. ....sicker people mean more $$$
2.) They have taken enough abuse from patients to just stop saying anything, assuming people KNOW they have a weight problem, and wanting to keep patients - again with the $$$
3.) They are so pressed for time, that they simply deal with the problems that are the most pressing or that the patient is concerned about.

It makes no sense, no matter what the reason. I have cured all my health issues by cleaning up my diet, exercising, and losing 50 pounds. So the $$$ should follow prevention, in my book.

tonialeem

I find it funny how they'll ask you all kind of random questions, like do I wake in the night to urinate? really you beleive that is important but losing weight isn't?

BioQueen

What makes me angry is when I was at my highest weight (181) my doctor didn't even TALK to me about it. I was in partial denial, but I think it should be discussed.

CoraGregoryCPA

My lady doctor (she) never comments on my weight - ever. Even after I lost 100 lbs. BUT my primary care doctor always comments on my weight. Even if I'm 5 lbs higher than he wants me to be at! He notices, she doesn't say anything.

LazyDaise

I went to the Uni Dr about my weight and he said I could carry it off due to my height. He was pretty old and it felt as if he was basically saying that he thought i was still attractive enough!

joyfulnoise27870

My OBGYN was very encouraging. Although he did make me a little ill at first. When he came in the room he said- Wow, you've lost almost 100 lbs since last year- how long ago did you have gastric bypass surgery?....I looked at him kinda funny and said- I haven't had bypass surgery. He then apolozied and said usually patients with that much weight loss have had surgery. He congratulated me on my will power and determination. I told him my husband had also lost 65 lbs and we were exercising and eating healthier. I had to go back a few months later and he apolozied again and told me how proud he was of me. My regular dr has also been supportive and encouraging.

odusgolp

Screw your doctor. Way to go on the loss!!!!

llkilgore

My doctor didn't mention my weight until I went to him because I was worried that the edema in my lower legs was due to congestive heart failure or kidney disease. He ruled out both of those problems and advised me to quit eating doughnuts.

xjackie83

I've never had a lady doctor comment on my weight even though I'm in the "extremely overweight" range. Even when I visit a GP, unless I'm going for a yearly physical, the doctor won't comment on it.

FitnessBarbie99

I never go visit my GP any more. She watched me balloon up after quitting smoking and didn't help me at all.

I think she was afraid I'd go back to cigarettes.

One time I nurse noticed that I'd lost 8 pounds and she was really wonderful about it!

I do visit my OBGYN annually and sadly, my weight hasn't changed much over the last several years. I am really looking forward to my visit next summer though.
Even though my weight loss has been slow, surely by then it will be noticeable.

I am focusing very hard on building up muscle, which will increase my metabolism and should eventually make me smaller and weigh less!

ibbray04

First of all congrats on the awesome weight loss. While my "lady doctor" never comments on my weight, I'd be a little miffed if I were you...

I have rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatologist couldn't say enough about me losing 20 lbs! She kept telling all her assistants/nurses to look at me, what a great job I did. I wish more doctors were like that!

klb620

When I was seen for knee pain, we talked about my weight and how losing it would probably cure a lot of my knee pain........ I'm hoping. Its too bad that I moved and won't see that Dr again, when I DO lose this extra baggage, I would have loved for him to have asked me about my weight loss/ knee pain. LOL

cheri0627

I was at the doctor a week ago and both she and her nurse commented on my weight loss and how great I've been doing. (My doctor also commented on my awesome arm definition.)

Hellbent_Heidi

I'm going in April and am actually looking forward to seeing what my weight was last year and comparing.

As for my doctor, I honestly don't expect him to remember exactly how I looked a year ago, since he's usually focused on one or two areas (and sees a whole lot of patients from one year to the next)....but if he doesn't notice the change on the chart, I'll be happy to tell him.....LOL!

midwifekelley2350

i always bring it up at annual exams but usually say something like..."are you happy with your weight?'. that usually leads to a discussion and i get a feeling if a person really wants advice or not. i try to be sensitive and always bring it up if there is a large loss or a large gain...many times there are other emotional issues involved then.

sagetracey

My GP always notices and comments and probably will again when I see her this afternoon. I think she sees it as a personal achievement by her because she wrote my referral to my gastric band surgeon even though I have done all the actual work!

ElizabethRoad

My doctor never mentioned my weight... then again I am thinner than she is.

Vermilla

Congrats on the weight loss! My obgyn has never said anything, but my normal doctor does. Maybe it doesn't mean as much to the one as the other? I'm not actually sure. I know it must mean something because they weigh you :laugh:

kendernau

I work for a nonprofit healthcare organization and in talking with a lot of professionals, there are several reasons doctors do not talk about weight with their patients regularly.

1. Time - with all the newer regulations and cutbacks on payments from both government and private insurance, doctors need to fit in a certain number of patients each day to keep their practice going. This means anything that is not an immediate concern is glossed over.

2. Tunnel vision - If a patient is there because of a cold or flu, they focus on just the patient's reason for coming.

3. Limited record reviews - With so many patients, doctors usually don't remember more than the basics of each of their patients (if that). Even pulling their charts and skimming them just before seeing them won't necessarily remind them to talk about other health-affecting issues like weight, particularly if you haven't had any weight-related issues in your chart lately.

Fortunately, at least where I am, we have two major initiatives that are improving this: EMR/EHR and ACO.

EMR/EHR is Electronic Medical Records/Electronic Health Records, and it is more than just putting all the paper information into the computer. This allows all the available information from multiple locations to be combined, so the doctor can see any notes, prescriptions, test results, procedures, etc., regardless of where you had them (at least for in network - many out of network professionals are not up to speed on EMR/EHR, so their records can't be brought in). The system also automatically flags items for review (which includes weight), and has built in workflows that the doctor has to check off while visiting with you, to make sure anything relavent to your age, gender, past medical history, and current conditions are addressed.

As an example, if you show up due to a sinus infection, but it has been a couple years since you were last checked for cholesterol, it will prompt the doctor to schedule you for a test, even though it is not related to the reason you are there.

It doesn't catch everything, but it lets the doctor cover a lot more in a shorter period of time, and almost eliminates the time he needs for writing up notes, since he does it electronically while he is in the room with you. It also reduces medication errors, as he can electronically submit prescriptions directly to your pharmacy for you - ensuring the right medication and dose is ordered without the pharmacist having to translate his chicken scratch.

The other important piece is ACO - Accountable Care Organizations. This is a new federal program for physicians to be rewarded with a share of the cost savings from managing a patient's all around health (particularly chronic conditions). Advantage: encourages physicians to be proactive in addressing issues that can lead to future health issues. Disadvantage: patients must cooperate with their PCP for it to be fully effective.

TL;DR: Technology and new programs are coming/in place to encourage doctors to cover all aspects of your health, and better track changes that happen.

SarahMorganP

I don't have an OB, the last time I went to one was almost 9 years ago when my youngest was 6 weeks old. Yikes! I really should get myself there. *sigh* My endo said something when I was there a month and a 1/2 ago. He looked in my chart and said "Wow! You have lost 40lbs since you were here last! Fantastic job, I am really proud of you, that's awesome!" He went on and on, and even commented on it before I left again. I hope that by the time I see him in June I will have lost 20-30lbs more, already 10lbs more gone since my appt!

I haven't gone to see my GP yet since losing weight so I'm not sure if she will say anything, but knowing her I'm sure she will.

butterflyqueen1984

congratulations on the weight loss! I wouldn't be surprised though if the DR didn't even bother to take down your previous weight! My doctor doesn't even bother weighing me when I go in and I am WELL over weight!

olyrose

My doctor has never said anything to me, even when I told her I was loosing weight through this site. It seems like the one taboo topic for some reason. My co-worker was telling me recently that her doctor brought it up to her, and she sounded mad that he did, because she doesn't need anyone reminding her she needs to lose weight. Seems like the doctors can't win either way.

Kris0109

Interesting to see everyone's stories ... maybe I'm more aware now, after MFP, but with weight being such a big issue with fertility and painful periods and everything in between, maybe more gynos should care just a little what their patients weigh. Because I'll tell you what, in the past, any time I went to the doctor and he DIDN'T say anything I took it as an affirmation that I wasn't that bad. Even tho, at almost 300#, I was far from healthy.

vicmonster

GREAT job on the weight loss. Maybe think about a Dr that is a better partner for all of your healthcare?

firefly171717

Well I think its fantastic, and I think that maybe he/she was focused on other things like what your appointment was for?

Queenb62303

most doctors only ask questions pertaining to their specialty..or the problem that you are there for.. most primary care doctors, who review all your body systems, are more in tune to your weight...

thatgirl125

I could honestly careless if my obgyn commented on my weight loss or weight gain or tried talking to me about being over weight (if I was). That is not why I go to him. I go to him for pap smears and stuff like that. Your primary doctor is the one to talk to you about it. In their field that is what they focus on your OVERALL health. Whereas your obgyn is just there for lady parts, making sure you dont have precancerous cells or if you do to get a pap smear twice a year instead of once. Or the occasional breast exam to make sure there is no lumps. Thats all.

Mrs_ALM

So went to the doctor yesterday for the yearly lady appointment and weighed in at 217, fully clothed with these beautiful Bandolino boots I bought myself for my birthday. Last year at the lady appointment I weighed 281, just shy of my highest. My doctor really didn't comment on my weight at either appointment. That kind of pisses me off. Anyone's lady doctor do this? Or the reverse? He's been the only doctor I've seen in the last 5+ years as I don't have a GP.

I wouldn't take it personally. I've only had one doctor's nurse (a woman) comment on a 15 lb weight loss. Other than that, none of my docs have ever commented on flucutation in weight unless they thing I have a illness to go along with it.

Congrats, btw.