The Doctor says...
AlMonkey
Posts: 258 Member
I know I am overweight, and I am working toward losing it, my Dr. knows this. This morning I had an appointment for something entirely (or at least it seemed to me) unrelated to weight. The Doctor only looked at me, looked at my file and said "its because you need to lose weight" and dismissed me.
Anybody else have this happen to them? How do you get your doctor to take you seriously about a problem if all they see is your weight issues?
Anybody else have this happen to them? How do you get your doctor to take you seriously about a problem if all they see is your weight issues?
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Replies
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There's no way to convince them - they'll always have that bias even if you convince them, and you don't need that when somebody is diagnosing you. It's time to find a new doctor.0
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You need to be assertive. Don't let them dismiss you. Ask for an explanation, have a conversation. Why is it just because of my weight? Could it also be because of x, y and z? If it's due to genetics, will weight loss help? Exactly what in my diet or exercise routine should I change? Perhaps I could email you my food and exercise diary so we can discuss in more detail? Etc Etc.0
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How long have you been seeing this doctor? I don't know what your issue was that had you in the doctors office but don't dismiss his advice. You should've asked him why he made that determination. Excess weight causes havoc on our bodies.0
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It could just be tough love. I would maybe appreciate that in a doctor. I would at least prefer that to a doctor who is afraid to talk about weight directly and would only address the secondary causes with pills.0
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Doctors spend all day treating obese people. It's an epidemic in the US which has proven to cause numerous health conditions. Shoot, even on here you read about people curing their diseases with good diet, exercise and weight-loss. Patients tell Dr's the same thing all the time. "I am working on losing weight". But the truth is, they try for a few weeks and give up. Is that real work? Not to sound rude, because I support you getting medical care, but what makes you different than the other 500 patients he has seen this week with similar complaints?
If you have ever worked in a hospital, you will understand that we are a drug culture. There is a pill to cure everything. Sure it may cause 6-10 different side effects.... But the problem was solved. Just take this tiny little pill and life will be great. I feel horribly sad for hospital staff that have to deal with the prescription drug addicts. Yes their pain was real at some point, but crossed the line into addiction and they have to figure out how to treat these patients.
Anyway, I am rambling and ranting and I do care about you getting the health care you need, but it sounds to me like your Dr. has the attitude the issue is more weight related, and if you work to lose the weight, the issue will resolve on it's own. So you can do this for yourself, no prescription needed.0 -
Seriously, get a new doctor if your plan allows it. If your plan doesn't allow it, do you have open enrollment coming up in the fall? You doctor clearly just sent you the message "I don't approve of fat people, and refuse to treat them for anything but obesity."
As you've said, it's not that he's wrong about you needing to lose weight, but your health care needs to include a medical professional who is interested in your whole health, and willing to talk with you about your symptoms.0 -
I live in Canada so healthcare is covered, but leaving my doctor would mean months waiting for a new doctor, as there are not many who take new patients on the regular. He knows I am actually working on losing the weight, I've lost 28 lbs since seeing him last.0
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My doctor has never told me I needed to lose weight, even when I was at my heaviest. I once asked her for advice, and we chatted for a few minutes about it but she never brought it up again.0
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I live in Canada so healthcare is covered, but leaving my doctor would mean months waiting for a new doctor, as there are not many who take new patients on the regular. He knows I am actually working on losing the weight, I've lost 28 lbs since seeing him last.
Bummer. You're gonna have to be firm with him. Does his practice / Canada include the ability to see what in the U.S. we call a "nurse practitioner" instead of a doctor? Here in the U.S. larger, more bureaucratic practices or HMOs sometimes include these. I have universally found them to be pretty awesome, because they tend to be more practical AND more compassionate than many doctors, and they're easier to get in to see. In some practices or health plans, patients also have access to them for telephone conversations, which can be helpful for discussing symptoms in the "does it sound bad enough to see a doctor or should I just wait it out?" vein.
That being said I am lucky to have a great doctor myself right now who has always been compassionate and constructive. But in the past I've had doctors who diagnosed me at a glance and didn't examine me or ask me about my symptoms, so I know that's frustrating.0 -
I know I am overweight, and I am working toward losing it, my Dr. knows this. This morning I had an appointment for something entirely (or at least it seemed to me) unrelated to weight. The Doctor only looked at me, looked at my file and said "its because you need to lose weight" and dismissed me.
Anybody else have this happen to them? How do you get your doctor to take you seriously about a problem if all they see is your weight issues?
YES YES YES!!! Everything I went in for was because I was overweight and he would say that. He would go on to tell me how his wife can lift her leg over her head while standing and just on and on. I changed my PCP and it changed my life, she is amazing and have since lost 19lbs, gained a little back, but working hard at losing again.0 -
Seriously, get a new doctor if your plan allows it. If your plan doesn't allow it, do you have open enrollment coming up in the fall? You doctor clearly just sent you the message "I don't approve of fat people, and refuse to treat them for anything but obesity."
As you've said, it's not that he's wrong about you needing to lose weight, but your health care needs to include a medical professional who is interested in your whole health, and willing to talk with you about your symptoms.
Or, he sent the message that obesity is a cause or complicating factor for many health issues and that he's heard 'I'm working on losing weight' too many times before. He may be overworked and letting that come through in his manner, who knows. He may be perfectly correct that the OP's problem is caused or exacerbated by her obesity. We can't know without knowing what the problem is (not trying to pry, just saying the unknown is unknown).
That doesn't excuse his bedside manner - it is not acceptable for him to be dismissive. He should be explaining why whatever problem the OP went in for is caused or exacerbated by her obesity and give her suggestions for how to make it better until she loses enough that it isn't a problem anymore. And anytime you feel your doctor is not trustworthy or doesn't care about you and your health you should find another post haste.0
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