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Does your doctor comment on your weight?

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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Had my yeary physical check up today. I weighed in at 188lbs. By BMI standards I'm basically obese. But my doc stated that I look fantastic at 188lbs and my muscular body exceeds many 30 year old men she's seen. And I'll be 60 in 4 months.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    Hope this isn’t a weird question but what’s your BF% ? That seems to be more important than BMI for athletes typically right? Congrats on the mostly great checkup.
    right now about 23%.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    At nearly 60 with your amount of muscle mass I can see why the doctor thinks you
    look great. Quick Google search says 41-60 yrs old: Underfat: under 11 percent, Healthy: 11-22 percent, Overweight: 22-27 percent, Obese: over 27 percent.

    Do you agree with the idea that your muscle mass contributed to your higher BMI count but putting you in the barely overweight category instead of the obese category? Or do you feel it still doesn’t represent you?
    I'm a little overweight yes. By about 15-20lbs. But will get that off by Jan 2024 when I'll be celebrating my 60th bday on the beach in Boracay.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    BuiltLikeAPeep wrote: »
    Does anyone else have a problem with a doctor addressing weight and nothing else? I have been to several different doctors who, after explaining why I was there, would start out with "ok, but what are you doing to lose weight?" Like, what does that have to do with (insert non-weight related issue here)? I could understand if i was being seen for bad knees or hips, but not things like ear aches. For example, last year I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. I was released with an appointment for a covid test and a diagnosis of "obesity ". I turned to the back of my discharge papers and found out my blood pressure, glucose, hemoglobin, vitamin d, potassium, magnesium and creatnin were all low.
    I was just wondering if it happens a lot.

    I once went to the ER with stomach pain. (I'm with the VA and that's what they told me to do.) I told them I had very large uterine fibroids and while they did some tests, they stopped looking. And on my discharge papers I saw the supposed reason for my visit was fibroids, when that was only an FYI, and the very clearly stated reason for my visit was stomach pain.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Moijo2022 wrote: »
    Always, it’s the next level … first they blame everything on smoking so you stop smoking then they blame everything on your being over weight then it’s ‘your over 40…’ months m sure the last one will be you’re 100 how are you not dead yet 🥴

    I’m not offended it’s just annoying 🙄

    Yes, back in the 90s I was having neurological symptoms and was told it was due to my age. I was 30 O_o

    The building I worked in turned out to have toxic mold. I'm so grateful the next doctor I went to specialized in environmental illness.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited September 2023
    paperpudding wrote: »
    oh dear. :*

    I work in health care and I certainly dont get any kickbacks from Big Pharma or Big Shopping or any other such thing
    Neither do the doctors. They don't get paid any money to prescribe anything

    I must be in wrong country :*

    I'm only aware that it is a thing in the US. And not a direct "pay to prescribe" thing.

    We Found Over 700 Doctors Who Were Paid More Than a Million Dollars by Drug and Medical Device Companies

    ProPublica has been tracking drug company spending on doctors since 2010. We just updated our database and found that companies are still paying private doctors huge sums for promotional talks and consulting.

    Back in 2013, ProPublica detailed what seemed a stunning development in the pharmaceutical industry’s drive to win the prescription pads of the nation’s doctors: In just four years, one doctor had earned $1 million giving promotional talks and consulting for drug companies; 21 others had made more than $500,000.

    Six years later — despite often damning scrutiny from prosecutors and academics — such high earnings have become commonplace.

    More than 2,500 physicians have received at least half a million dollars apiece from drugmakers and medical device companies in the past five years alone, a new ProPublica analysis of payment data shows. And that doesn’t include money for research or royalties from inventions.

    More than 700 of those doctors received at least $1 million.

    Read more: https://www.propublica.org/article/we-found-over-700-doctors-who-were-paid-more-than-a-million-dollars-by-drug-and-medical-device-companies
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,655 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    oh dear. :*

    I work in health care and I certainly dont get any kickbacks from Big Pharma or Big Shopping or any other such thing
    Neither do the doctors. They don't get paid any money to prescribe anything

    I must be in wrong country :*

    I'm only aware that it is a thing in the US. And not a direct "pay to prescribe" thing.

    We Found Over 700 Doctors Who Were Paid More Than a Million Dollars by Drug and Medical Device Companies

    ProPublica has been tracking drug company spending on doctors since 2010. We just updated our database and found that companies are still paying private doctors huge sums for promotional talks and consulting.

    Back in 2013, ProPublica detailed what seemed a stunning development in the pharmaceutical industry’s drive to win the prescription pads of the nation’s doctors: In just four years, one doctor had earned $1 million giving promotional talks and consulting for drug companies; 21 others had made more than $500,000.

    Six years later — despite often damning scrutiny from prosecutors and academics — such high earnings have become commonplace.

    More than 2,500 physicians have received at least half a million dollars apiece from drugmakers and medical device companies in the past five years alone, a new ProPublica analysis of payment data shows. And that doesn’t include money for research or royalties from inventions.

    More than 700 of those doctors received at least $1 million.

    Read more: https://www.propublica.org/article/we-found-over-700-doctors-who-were-paid-more-than-a-million-dollars-by-drug-and-medical-device-companies
    I’m absolutely gobsmacked and horrified by that information. The NHS is broken in lots of ways but at least not in this way! Wow. 😮
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    wow, @MacLowCarbing
    Thanks for telling that story, and I'm really glad you are on the mend. :flowerforyou:
  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 3,802 Member
    I saw my Dr. In March. She prescribed a new blood pressure pill, a statin for cholesterol. Next time I saw her was September. I lost 40 lbs during that time. The nurse didn't mention it when she weighed me. The Dr. didn't mention it in the 30 minutes we talked. Just talked about blood pressure. Other people are noticing. Other people are mentioning it.
    What's up?
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,985 Member
    Not directly. If I see a specialist they usually write in their letter that I'm petite. Across a table they only see my slim face I guess. I mean, I'm not overweight but carry a lot of weight on my lower body.
  • Veta2018
    Veta2018 Posts: 646 Member
    Several years ago, I went to the doctor with fatigue, ankle pain, and pitting edema. She said "You're just fat". Just like that. I went to another doctor and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which causes weight gain.
    Recently, my doctor, mentioned I have a vitamin deficiency. I took it has away for her telling me I need to eat healthier. So I'm here to lose some weight by eat fewer calories each day without intentionally restricting any nutrients.
  • loulee997
    loulee997 Posts: 273 Member
    I've struggled with depression through Covid. I put on 25 pounds and I was already overweight BEFORE the 25 pounds more.

    I talked to my doctor about my mood several times and my weight. She finally told me to destress and gave me a pre-printed pamphlet on portion control. She never brought either up again or followed up with me on either. I put on 10 more pounds.

    She constantly pushes me to get a colonoscopy even though I have no family history and no issues. My chances of colon cancer with no family history and no symptoms is 3-7%. It's not a horrible idea, but she ignores things that really worry me. My chance of long-term heart and kidney issues from the weight problem AND a family history of genetic high blood pressure...is a heck of a lot higher than 3%.

    And switching doctors doesn't really help--the last two were the same.

    So even if you bring up your weight, you may not get any help.
    The same with depression.

    It's frustrating. If you have a good doctor, hang onto them.

  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 3,802 Member
    I agree totally. Doctors hounded me and hounded me about colonoscopy. I said no, but I'd do Cologard. I've been seeing the same dr. for a year. She finally agreed. Did it. Peace. Still hounding me about blood pressure. Average at home is 114/70, but have some serious white coat.
  • ddsb1111
    ddsb1111 Posts: 885 Member
    @loulee997 I understand the frustration and the difficulty of your situation, believe me. Out of curiosity what kind of help are you looking for? I ask because, from what I understand, doctors aren’t really experts on weight loss, although they should know how to provide a source for you to receive help. Can you call and ask for a referral to a dietitian? If they’re still not helpful, I would look into some in your area with great reviews. I think working closely with a dietician and psychologist might be the most effective. I’m sorry you’re being ignored, you deserve so much better than that.
  • MaggieGirl135
    MaggieGirl135 Posts: 1,033 Member
    @loulee997 If you’re in the US, many insurance companies do not require a referral from your doctor to see a mental health therapist. Search for ‘counselors’ or ‘psychologists’ or ‘behavioral healthcare’ on your insurance company’s website for an in-network provider. Then, see if any of the therapists have a website and find out more information about the services they offer. Also, if you don’t have insurance or have difficulty paying due to a high deductible or other, check out local non-profits that offer a food pantry/job training/etc. They may offer free counseling or know if therapists that do. Don’t think that it is just in the larger cities, it is true for my (very) rural area.

  • loulee997
    loulee997 Posts: 273 Member
    MaggieGirl135 wrote: »
    @loulee997 If you’re in the US, many insurance companies do not require a referral from your doctor to see a mental health therapist. Search for ‘counselors’ or ‘psychologists’ or ‘behavioral healthcare’ on your insurance company’s website for an in-network provider. Then, see if any of the therapists have a website and find out more information about the services they offer. Also, if you don’t have insurance or have difficulty paying due to a high deductible or other, check out local non-profits that offer a food pantry/job training/etc. They may offer free counseling or know if therapists that do. Don’t think that it is just in the larger cities, it is true for my (very) rural area.

    Counselors and psychologists cannot prescribe meds. in my area, most are family therapists, drug therapists, or pastoral. I went thru two or three until I found a decent one. She is an okay therapist--although she also agrees that I have a chemical imbalance and need meds. She said 'talk to my GP'. She wrote my GP a letter. I got brochures on meditation from my GP. I finally hired a prescribing psychiatric nurse online and she works with my therapist. It costs a lot out of pocket, but it's working.

    I used to try to get a better GP--but Kentucky is a pain.

    No worries, I found a way around it. But they made it so much harder than it needed to be. I'm in an okay place. I'm lucky I could afford to pay for the prescribing therapist and the cost difference on the regular therapist. And my GP office visit costs. Health care ---what can you do...

  • ddsb1111
    ddsb1111 Posts: 885 Member
    loulee997 wrote: »
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    @loulee997 I understand the frustration and the difficulty of your situation, believe me. Out of curiosity what kind of help are you looking for? I ask because, from what I understand, doctors aren’t really experts on weight loss, although they should know how to provide a source for you to receive help. Can you call and ask for a referral to a dietitian? If they’re still not helpful, I would look into some in your area with great reviews. I think working closely with a dietician and psychologist might be the most effective. I’m sorry you’re being ignored, you deserve so much better than that.

    It was more a combination of depression and weight gain. I was hoping to get a mild anti-depressant to just help me through a dark time in my life. I was also hoping if I got the crying and mood swings under control, I could get back to exercise and control my food intake. Since I also have a family history of thyroid disease and auto-immune--I also wanted to be sure it was tied to something physical. The year before, I went through six months when my hair was falling out by the handful. She wasn't helpful with any of these issues. My hair was falling out. My scalp couldn't be touched it was so painful. She told me it was stress. Ugh. Doctors.

    I tried the therapist route. I needed meds. Most of the therapists in my area are psychologists, counselors, or social workers. They can't prescribe meds. So therapist told me meds and to talk to my GP. My GP tells me to meditate.

    Now I pay out of pocket for an online prescribing psychiatric nurse to work with my therapist and get me the meds I need. Insurance will cover (partially) 12 visits a year to a therapist. It will not cover both a therapist and a prescribing person for therapy. We are still working on dose--so once that is right, I will only have to pay for the prescriber every 3 months instead of monthly.

    It's a couple of extra $100s a month that I really don't want to spend.

    I'm doing better. It was just more work than I needed it to be. I was really struggling and they made it so much harder.

    T





    Okay, this makes perfect sense! Obviously not making recommendations for you specifically but Wellbutrin has been the most helpful in dealing with my “stuff” and the concurrent weight concerns. Might be a worthwhile conversation if it hasn’t been already? Sometimes medication is the answer when nothing else helps. Dr. Says is great resource I’ve used for years! Hopefully you get some other options, but I wanted to provide what’s working for me.
  • loulee997
    loulee997 Posts: 273 Member
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    loulee997 wrote: »
    ddsb1111 wrote: »
    @loulee997 I understand the frustration and the difficulty of your situation, believe me. Out of curiosity what kind of help are you looking for? I ask because, from what I understand, doctors aren’t really experts on weight loss, although they should know how to provide a source for you to receive help. Can you call and ask for a referral to a dietitian? If they’re still not helpful, I would look into some in your area with great reviews. I think working closely with a dietician and psychologist might be the most effective. I’m sorry you’re being ignored, you deserve so much better than that.

    It was more a combination of depression and weight gain. I was hoping to get a mild anti-depressant to just help me through a dark time in my life. I was also hoping if I got the crying and mood swings under control, I could get back to exercise and control my food intake. Since I also have a family history of thyroid disease and auto-immune--I also wanted to be sure it was tied to something physical. The year before, I went through six months when my hair was falling out by the handful. She wasn't helpful with any of these issues. My hair was falling out. My scalp couldn't be touched it was so painful. She told me it was stress. Ugh. Doctors.

    I tried the therapist route. I needed meds. Most of the therapists in my area are psychologists, counselors, or social workers. They can't prescribe meds. So therapist told me meds and to talk to my GP. My GP tells me to meditate.

    Now I pay out of pocket for an online prescribing psychiatric nurse to work with my therapist and get me the meds I need. Insurance will cover (partially) 12 visits a year to a therapist. It will not cover both a therapist and a prescribing person for therapy. We are still working on dose--so once that is right, I will only have to pay for the prescriber every 3 months instead of monthly.

    It's a couple of extra $100s a month that I really don't want to spend.

    I'm doing better. It was just more work than I needed it to be. I was really struggling and they made it so much harder.

    T





    Okay, this makes perfect sense! Obviously not making recommendations for you specifically but Wellbutrin has been the most helpful in dealing with my “stuff” and the concurrent weight concerns. Might be a worthwhile conversation if it hasn’t been already? Sometimes medication is the answer when nothing else helps. Dr. Says is a great resource I’ve used for years! Hopefully, you get some other options, but I wanted to provide what’s working for me.

    It was one of the first ones I tried. I had a horrible reaction to Wellbutrin--both versions. It made me sleep 22 hours and made me super irritable. For most people, Wellbutrin gives you focus and energy. For me, it made me exhausted and extremely irritable. Finally was diagnosed with moderate chronic depression and adult ADHD. Taking a low dose of ADHD meds has helped with a lot of the symptoms. We're still working on finding the right depression meds.

    But I'm doing better. All my sisters and half my nieces/nephews are on anti-depressants. Genetic.


  • SweeetNSourrr30
    SweeetNSourrr30 Posts: 29 Member
    When I was a kid my Dr (pediatric) would always comment on my weight at every visit. I remember being so sensitive to talk to her about it and would even get emotional at times.

    The moment I got older and transitioned to a new dr from then on they never talked or even mentioned anything about my weight. Even up to this day I still have this mindset with how my Dr is going to bring up the weight topic because of my experience as a kid.
  • stegeem
    stegeem Posts: 165 Member
    The only doctor that commented on my weight was when I was at a community college. I got annoyed with her because I had already lost 15kg and was halfway to a healthy weight. I guess she hadn't met me before. I've been much heavier since and they only talk about my weight if I mention it first (I think).
  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 3,802 Member
    Went to the Dr. Today. She still didn't mention my 45 pound weight loss, but the nurse did notice that another Dr.'s office listed my height as 5'8", not 5'10" like they had listed. She asked how tall I am. I told her 5'8". We'll see if she changes it.
  • E43V15C
    E43V15C Posts: 8 Member
    edited February 8
    I think society as a whole has lost its bearings around food/weight and needs to recollect itself- give it time- maybe one day professional weight opinions will make sense/be based in reality- maybe not, I'm not going to hold my breath- don't use them as a weapon against yourself if you're that way inclined- they're not trauma informed- they don't really have our interests at heart- they're short w/ people so be discerning
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,302 Member
    I disagree.

    I think " proffesional weight opinions" are based on reality ( ie sensible evidenced guidelines) and do make sense.
    And I do think your doctor has your best interests at heart.

    Whether they are short with people depends on their personal style - obviously medical profesional are human and have human variation, like everyone else.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,497 Member
    E43V15C wrote: »
    I think society as a whole has lost its bearings around food/weight and needs to recollect itself- give it time- maybe one day professional weight opinions will make sense/be based in reality- maybe not, I'm not going to hold my breath- don't use them as a weapon against yourself if you're that way inclined- they're not trauma informed- they don't really have our interests at heart- they're short w/ people so be discerning

    What "weight opinions will be based in reality" Don't you think weight ranges/classifications are reasonable?
  • caffeinebuzz10
    caffeinebuzz10 Posts: 40 Member
    edited February 9
    one of my big "Dad" speeches to my son was this

    You will find very few people in life who truly love you and show you love. These are people like your mom and I and some of the very special friends and family members to whom you are close. There will not be many like this. On the other hand, you will encounter truly evil people who will go out of their way to make you their victim in one way or another. Thankfully, you'll encounter very few of these as well. To the other 99.999% of the world....YOU DON'T MATTER!! They may not seek to harm you, but they won't go out of their way to help you unless there is something in it for them.

    I've found these percentages to be pretty true in real life. Of the pastors, and business owners, cops, teachers....and yes doctors....there are some good ones..some really evil ones....and the vast majority who will do nothing for you unless compelled to do so.

    The only one looking out for my health is me. It helps to remember that 1/2 the doctors out there are below average. :D

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