doctor?

BeautyFromPain
BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,951 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been losing weight for a while but wondering what the benefits of going to talk to your dr are ?

Replies

  • SetecAstronomy
    SetecAstronomy Posts: 470 Member
    I have been losing weight for a while but wondering what the benefits of going to talk to your dr are and should I waste my money on it?
    If you see it as "wasting money", perhaps you need a different doctor. Losing weight is one thing, but doctors should want to know what's going on INSIDE, as in your blood. Your blood will tell you a lot about what's going on with you, such as your sodium and cholesterol levels.

    A nutritionist can suggest ways to help you properly lose, gain, or maintain your weight, but they can't tell you what's going on inside. That's what the doctors are for.

    At the very least have an annual physical. Depending on the results of your lab work, s/he may want to see you more frequently.
  • jellyfishjen
    jellyfishjen Posts: 1,787 Member
    My doctor/s is a great support to me. I have 2 female doctors at the clinic I go to. They are both supportive. See if you can find some bulk billing doctors near you and that way you can find one you are happy with, without any cost.
  • timgordon24
    timgordon24 Posts: 53 Member
    As one of the previous posts mentioned, if you consider seeing a Dr. as a waste of money, then you need to visit another doctor or change your thoughts about it. While I too am leery of some of the medicine they put you on, most of the cause of the medication is bad choices on the part of the patient (you).

    For example, I take medication that many would consider a "water pill" or one to reduce hypertension/high blood pressure. This medication, if maintained for too long a period of time or too much of a dosage, can cause kidney failure. If I didn't NEED it, I wouldn't be taking it, but because I am overweight and the weight was causing my blood pressure to rise to the point I was having nosebleeds, the affect is my fault, just as the cause (the weight) is mine.

    Nonetheless, there may be factors that your doctor will be able to read from having your blood drawn that, if left untreated for a period of time, could have the potential to cause you fatal injuries to yourself. It's best to at least "waste your money" on going at least every six months...

    I was once instilled on a small bit of advice: "What good is money if you're not longer around to spend it." For your health safety, please see a doctor.
  • cjw6
    cjw6 Posts: 94 Member
    Depends what your health is like overall and how much weight you are planning on losing and how you plan on doing it. I can tell you aren't in the Uk from the 'whether to waste money' comment! If you have other health issues such as liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease, are planning on losing a large amount of weight, use a programme like lighterlife or are on medications (which may need doses adjusting as your diet and weight changes) then its probably worth a visit. If you are a young person with no major health issues who is planning on making healthy life changes and doing some exercise then realistically your doctor is likely to say 'great, go for it', and pat you on the back, but not a whole load more. Things like cholesterol, blood pressure etc are likely to improve with weight loss and healthy lifestyle and so now is probably not the best time to get them checked or think about starting treatment unless they are very abnormal.
  • beccarockslife
    beccarockslife Posts: 816 Member
    God, Americans always remind me of how lucky I am in the UK to go to the doctor and not worry what it costs.

    Anyway, generally they can check you over and make sure you aren't going to do yourself an injury. For example I ended up having X Rays on my unstable pelvis which led to me finding out I shouldn't run or I was going to totally knacker my hip and need a replacement at 40. Worth knowing in my book.

    Plus they can give you a base line to see how your health is improving as you lose weight.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    If you have insurance, most of them will cover preventative services at 100%, like check-ups. If you go in now for a check-up or physical, then you'll spend less than you would going in when something is actually wrong. That and it's always good to know if there's actually something wrong with you.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,951 Member
    Medicare gives us usually about half back - I would usually pay $60 for just a normal check up and get about $30 back. But with other issues, it can be quite expensive. When I went to talk to my GP for the first time about my depression it ended up costing me $200.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    Medicare gives us usually about half back - I would usually pay $60 for just a normal check up and get about $30 back. But with other issues, it can be quite expensive. When I went to talk to my GP for the first time about my depression it ended up costing me $200.

    I would definitely try to fit in a check-up, then, if you get the funds. Better safe than sorry, I figure.
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