Does your doctor talk to you about your weight?

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  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Mine does. Just basic questions and common sense recommendations, probably because I've never really had any bad test results that could be related. I expect she would have gotten into it more if I'd ever indicated that I wanted medical help/a referral to a RD, but I never have.
  • TiffanyR71
    TiffanyR71 Posts: 217 Member
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    The first time I ever had a conversation about my weight with the doctor was last year, when I had a new primary care physician (never any health issues at that point). However, I was the one to bring it up, not her… I said I was concerned about it, and was trying to lose weight. She very nicely asked if I wanted to see a nutritionist, or even a counselor, if the issue was of a more psychological nature. She and I discussed a reasonable goal, and set up a follow-up weigh in appointment. Unfortunately, I gained weight after that, and I canceled the appointment. I am due for another physical, but I'm waiting until I'm lower (it's only been a year, and I don't have anything pressing)!
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.

    There's a difference between harping and mentioning though.
  • mathandcats
    mathandcats Posts: 786 Member
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    My doctor used to comment on it every time I went, but only in saying I should lose weight and nothing more specific. When I went a little over a year ago, he specifically recommended MFP and that I eat 1500 cal/day (which I think was a bit too low at the time, really, but at least he didn't say 1200!). That's the only time I did anything about it, and I am so, so grateful to him for the recommendation. It was exactly what I needed. Thanks to MFP, my father is also eating better and exercising (he didn't need to lose weight), and my sister-in-law and two of my friends are losing weight! I'm hoping to get my mother on board one day too.
  • katsmo
    katsmo Posts: 219 Member
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    No, not really. The last time I saw my regular doctor, she did a physical. Everything checked out well: blood pressure, cholesterol, all that jazz. I was aware I could lose a little weight, and it took me bringing it up. She was kind and said sure, I could lose 15 pounds, but I am overall in great health. I have since lost nearly 20 pounds, but have been in good health and have not been back to see her for anything yet. I worry slightly about my son's weight as well, as he is on the higher end of the normal range. His pediatrician is the same and seems wary to mention it, though she'll discuss it if we raise concerns. Sadly, I think some doctors are apprehensive to mention weight for fear of hurting feelings when really, a medical doctor is the one person that is very qualified to discuss my weight. I want a doctor to be honest and up front with me if something isn't ideal for my health, be it weight or smoking or abusing sleeping pills or whatever.
  • MYhealthyjourney70
    MYhealthyjourney70 Posts: 276 Member
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    my doctor lectures me everytime i am in his office about my weight... he congratulates me on losses.. and when i bring up an issue he will tell me if you lose the weight that will help...
  • Meggers003
    Meggers003 Posts: 25 Member
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    My doctor has never mentioned it. I'm not diagnosed as obese or diabetic but with a history of diabetes in my family I wish she would bring it up- even if just to mention it's something I should monitor
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,135 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.

    There's a difference between harping and mentioning though.

    So tone of voice is the difference then, rather than having it said "You need to lose weight. Your body will thank you" every single time you see a doctor. Sorry, but I'll take the "You need birth control because you're married".
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
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    Pedalpush wrote: »
    My doc knows it's important to me so we always talk about it and she always praises my for my losses.

    So many posts I could have responded to! I get the praise but not comments on gains. I bring things up before someone can so I don't get my feelings hurt/get offended (yup a habit that needs to change).. so she never really has the chance. LOL

    I've lost a huge amount of weight (strictly changing eating/exercise habits/attitude) over the last several years and kept almost 100% off, so she's very pleased. She's one of my biggest cheerleaders... she's always boosting me up when I knock myself down over what bit I have yo-yo'd. She reminds me how much I've lost and kept off and how proud she is. Positive reinforcement is what keeps me moving forward.

    I asked her once and others docs in the past... "How come you don't bring up my weight when I've gained?" Their response? .."would it make a difference?" Nope it would not, up above I read someone share about getting defensive when it's brought up. I feel great shame and likely won't go back to the doc because I take it so personally if it's brought up.

    I think a couple of the docs said "A person is very aware when they put weight on"... to point it out to some would only make it worse for them. Also shared is they like the patient to be involved and bring issues up themselves so it's something they know a patient is truly ready to change. Be it smoking, overeating etc.

    I agree if we don't want or aren't quite ready to make health changes... someone bringing them up won't do much to help.

    Every doc and their patient has a different relationship. I think if a person is hugely/morbidly obese (no insult intended, I don't recall the proper terms as I hate them..because I was once) and a doc doesn't bring it up at some point. Denial continues, sometimes we DO need someone to confront us so I can see some share that it would be irresponsible of the doctor not too.

    But in the past years back I would have one bring it up for every lb I gained no matter what good I was doing. Not a method that worked for me.

    The End! lol

  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.

    There's a difference between harping and mentioning though.

    So tone of voice is the difference then, rather than having it said "You need to lose weight. Your body will thank you" every single time you see a doctor. Sorry, but I'll take the "You need birth control because you're married".

    I don't really see that as harping. I'm sorry it upset you though - I probably would have asked my doctor to make a note on my chart that I'm not interested in discussing my weight.
  • blessedwith3boys
    blessedwith3boys Posts: 136 Member
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    They did not mention it until I started getting really bad back aches, thank goodness that's in the past. Then I was lectured to walk every day.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    edited April 2015
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    runner475 wrote: »
    Mine does. Always talks about how far I have come and looks up at old #s and shows them to me.

    But I have been going to her for over 15 years - maybe close to 20 years.

    How long have you been going to your doc?

    Love that! I too have been seeing my GP for quite awhile, we've got a close relationship and I feel I can say/ask anything of her and she'll be honest back.
    dalem48 wrote: »
    I had lost 120# in the years time and that's all the doctor and her nurse talked about. Best yearly checkup ever!!
    Sounds like my docs office :)
    MireyGal76 wrote: »
    My doctor did the opposite. I went in with some stomach issues and she essentially gave me crap. She said that on average, people can be an athlete, or a parent with a full time job, but that most can't be both. She told me that I had to decide what was more important and that perhaps my desire to run and weight train was conflicting with my ability to parent and enjoy life. (Which it isn't, but that's not something she can tell by looking at my weight and height)

    Essentially, she made me feel bad for being in shape. She's never commented positively on my health. And my mother (who also sees her), who is almost 100 pounds overweight, doesn't get any grief from her - even though she's having issues with joint and back pain.

    Wow, not cool at all! I see you as a wonderful example of health, not a bad parent....I'm sorry she did that too you! :( Definitely more opinion than fact involved there.
  • lindaloo1213
    lindaloo1213 Posts: 283 Member
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    Due t the new insurance requirements at work we now have weight as one of our biometric screenings. If u fail a category u have to get on a program with your doctor to help "fix" the failed category. Im currently dealing with it due to my weight but even before that my doctor was all over me about my weight since I gained a lot after I got married. I was up 110# from my wedding day when I started back in Sept.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
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    I just remembered that I had one doctor mention my weight. It was my ENT when I was seeing him about sleep apnea. He talked about how weight loss can help with sleep apnea and when I went back this year for a check up he was happy to see I had lost weight. The somnologist who did my sleep study also talked to me about weight loss. Plus, he (somnologist) suggested weightlifting as a form of exercise. I remember it because I had another sleep study done earlier this year and the somnologist kept giving me a funny look and then finally said that he usually remembers people but had no memory of ever seeing me before. I ended up pulling out my phone to show him a "before" picture and he said "that was you?" I told him that I had taken his suggestion to lift weights and I think it made his day.
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
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    always.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.

    There's a difference between harping and mentioning though.

    So tone of voice is the difference then, rather than having it said "You need to lose weight. Your body will thank you" every single time you see a doctor. Sorry, but I'll take the "You need birth control because you're married".

    I don't really see that as harping. I'm sorry it upset you though - I probably would have asked my doctor to make a note on my chart that I'm not interested in discussing my weight.

    I had a doctor when I was younger that blamed EVERYTHING wrong with me on my weight. He even wrote in my file that I was a hypochondriac because he wouldn't look further than my weight when it came to any medical issue. My migraines got incredibly bad because they went undiagnosed for so long thanks to that sitting in my records.

    That's the sort of thing that's counterproductive. There's somewhere between not mentioning it and the doctor being an idiot about it that's a happy medium.

  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
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    zyxst wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    I have pcos and a family history full of type 2 diabetes. Weight loss definitely helps with those issues, which is a big reason why I think my doctor should be at least mentioning weight.

    (Aside--I don't mind getting weighed their but I don't like their height measure. It always has me at 5'5.5" when I've been 5'6" for ages lol.

    I really do think that doctors that don't mention weight are doing their patients a real disservice.

    I absolutely agree.
    I find it relieving that my GP doesn't ask. 30 years of doctors harping on my mom and me about how me being overweight/obese is going to kill me is tiring. My GP is more concerned that I don't use birth control.

    There's a difference between harping and mentioning though.

    So tone of voice is the difference then, rather than having it said "You need to lose weight. Your body will thank you" every single time you see a doctor. Sorry, but I'll take the "You need birth control because you're married".

    That seems really strange and inappropriate to me. Unless there's some medical reason a pregnancy would be dangerous for you or something. I kind of think how my husband and I choose to handle birth control is none of my Dr's business unless I ask for a prescription or it has a direct effect on my health.
  • nancypnurse
    nancypnurse Posts: 123 Member
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    I am phobic about the doctor's scale, ever since my pediatrician would mention it every time I went for my physical (FYI, I was NOT overweight-- he would just say, "Be careful-- you don't want to gain more than a lb next year.." ) Oy. Nowadays, the primary care doctors have exactly 6 minutes per appointment to cover any problems that you may have, per insurance guidelines. They don't have time to discuss much, unless you ask. Sad.