Asking Your Doctor

RunDottyRun
RunDottyRun Posts: 95
in Health and Weight Loss
I see a lot of people talking about what their Doctors have said when they told them they want to lose weight. My question is, do you go to the Doctor to tell them this? Or was it a sidenote after seeing them about something else? What does a Doctor say to that? 'Good luck fatty"? haha I honestly have no idea what a Doctor can do for me!

Just adding that this isn't intended at people who have medical conditions ect and have a need to see Doctors before engaging in stuff involving their bodies.

Replies

  • SunnyStef
    SunnyStef Posts: 22 Member
    I recently went in for my yearly physical. I told her I was concerned about my weight and explained my struggles to her. She prescribed Adipex and I am to go back in a month for a weight check. I don't plan on using the Adipex for very long. I just need something to get me started and stop all these cravings. I really struggle.
  • elizak87
    elizak87 Posts: 249 Member
    I spoke to my doctor while I was there for something else. I find my doctor knows more about diet than the knuckle head trainer I have. He told me I would always be fat because vegetarians just eat pasta and rice to keep full??? My doctor tests my blood every six months to make sure I have the levels of b12, iron, vitamhn d etc. She has been really supportive.
  • sclangley
    sclangley Posts: 8
    It is perfectly fine and honestly necessary to make an appointment to see a professional about your weight when you are concerned. I needed a physical because even tho I wasn't noticeably 'sick' my weight was to a point that I knew I would become sick if I didn't do something fast. I didn't have to see the doctor, I was able to see the Nurse Practioner who talked to me about all the changes in our bodies as we age. I had bloodwork done to make sure there were no thyroid or other underlying issues. She did talk to me about diet medication in a way that no one ever has before and helped me understand that there are ways to make sure along the way that you're not doing more harm than good. So for the first time in my life (44 years) I started taking a diet pill - Phentermine. While there are many concerns and reviews about the risks of this medication she felt it would be a good jump start for me to lose a large amount of weight. I have done much better with my dieting. I have bloodwork and weigh-ins regularly (with the nurse to keep costs down). Most diet medications aren't designed for long term use and not all of them work the same as others just like with any other medication. You may never need to even consider taking a medication for weightloss but I do think you should rule out any underlying issues that may make you gain or prevent you from losing weight that you are concerned about. Not seeing a professional can be just as inconvenient and expensive as doing so. For the first time in my morbidly obese life I am taking the weight off at a healthy rate and keeping it off so far. Good Luck :)

    Just to add....the bloodwork did also show a huge vitamin D deficiency which was causing the fatigue that I was blaming entirely on my weight. Massive doses of that have helped too.
  • dougii
    dougii Posts: 679 Member
    I talked with my doctor about weight loss while there for a high blood pressure appointment and physical. At that time he told me I could lose 10 pounds a month for the foreseeable future and we began a dialog on weight loss, nutrition, and exercise. Turns out that he knows a lot about all of these subject areas and has been a real guide and inspiration along this journey. He told me after 6 months and 60 lost pounds that he really didn't expect me to continue losing the 10 pounds a month for this long and that it would have to taper off sooner or later....it did after 75 pounds - LOL. I see him regularly every 6 to 8 weeks for blood pressure monitoring and continued life style change discussion. After just 9 months I was off of 70% of my BP meds and am working to be totally medication free over the next 6 months or so. I would take my doctor's advice over just about anyone elses when it comes to these issues - so far he has never been wrong. I urge you to make an appointment to talk with your doctor about this at your earliest opportunity.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    My opinion is this. Going to the doctor for weight loss advice is like going to a cardiologist for a foot problem. Most doctors do not receive formal training (except 1-2 classes max) for weight training. So beside going for blood work, most doctors are clueless. This is why many of us will suggest going to a dietitian or nutritionist (like going to a specialist).
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I honestly believe we need to seek personalized information on our fitness including the regular check ups we get. I finally realized I was spending more on makeup,hair cuts and manicures than I was on health care and it was worth my while (and money) to spend money on fitness. I think if the common sense approach (less calories in, more movement) isn't working for you, then that is a signal you need professional help with your weight loss - I didn't need any prescriptions for my weight loss, but I certainly needed to know the discomfort my excess fat was causing was treatable through nutrition modifications and more activity.

    My doctor confirmed, again, I was small boned and that I needed to be at the lower end of the healthy weight range for my height. The goodness is I have dense bones!

    Another thing the doctor confirmed - use a food and activity log! And log what you eat and how much activity you have every day. It's important that you do this, even those of you that have "cheat" days.
  • running_shoe
    running_shoe Posts: 180 Member
    I am fortunate that my doctor is fit and trains with lifting and cardio. He is a fabulous reference for me when I have questions about nutrition, hydration, and healthy approach to fitness.
  • Smokey19
    Smokey19 Posts: 796 Member
    I am losing my weight in conjunction with my doctor. He had me go to a nutritionist for a while and that helped put food requirements into perspective. I also have done a ton of research on the internet. This site helps me see what I am lacking in my food choices for the day. My doctor follows my weight loss and does blood tests to make sure that I am getting enough vitamins and such. He is very important to me. I would make an appointment just to talk to him about what he would suggest for you. I do have health issues, but they don't keep me from working out or eating right. I am on here everyday and have an open diary. Feel free to add me for support and encouragement. Let's do this. Friends can really be helpful along your journey. They answer questions and even let you rant and rave sometimes.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    I would suggest that a person not bother with speaking to a GP/PCP regarding the nutritional path to better health and wellness. See a dietician. A general practitioner is not [generally, unless they've taken it upon themselves] very educated regarding nutrition. They're MDs - dealing with nutrition, unfortunately, is just not what they're trained to do. You might have better luck with a DO, but I'd still say go see a dietician.
  • crystalbluewolf13
    crystalbluewolf13 Posts: 197 Member
    my doctor is useless and pretty much told me id be fat forever. so i asked to see the health trainer at my practice and she was amazed at how stupid they were and how rude! she got me on track luckily
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    My doctor advised me of the health risks of being obese. He referred me to a nutritionist which I saw for a year. He applauded my weight loss, advised me regarding my blood pressure, gave me a study about cholesterol and BP, and because I am over 50...
  • tobnrn
    tobnrn Posts: 477 Member
    My opinion is this. Going to the doctor for weight loss advice is like going to a cardiologist for a foot problem. Most doctors do not receive formal training (except 1-2 classes max) for weight training. So beside going for blood work, most doctors are clueless. This is why many of us will suggest going to a dietitian or nutritionist (like going to a specialist).

    ^^^ This. Dr's get very little nutrition classes in med school. IMO seeing a Dr. to get a physical to make sure there are no medical issues & are healthy enough for exercise is all that is needed.
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    I went to my doctor for my annual not so long ago. (my gyno is also somebody I sat behind in high school ..how embarrassing )..anyhow she's not light any more..she's my age and has put on the lbs...so she was asking ME what I was doing to lose weight. Go figure! Kind of like a co- consultation only I wasn't getting paid.

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