So I went to the lady doctor yesterday

The last time I went to the doctor (GP) I didnt get to see my normal lady doctor which I prefer and it was a young, cute, guy doctor and he mentioned my large weight gain since the last time after looking at my charts. I was so embarrassed! He was very professional about it and not judgemental at all! But I have been wanting to go back so he can see that I have lost the excess plus a few more! lol...but not wanting to get sick lol

I don't understand why doctors don't mention weight issues. It doesn't make sense to me that something that could cause such dangerous health issues is not even mentioned.

I just assume it is
1.) They aren't supposed to. ....sicker people mean more $$$
2.) They have taken enough abuse from patients to just stop saying anything, assuming people KNOW they have a weight problem, and wanting to keep patients - again with the $$$
3.) They are so pressed for time, that they simply deal with the problems that are the most pressing or that the patient is concerned about.

It makes no sense, no matter what the reason. I have cured all my health issues by cleaning up my diet, exercising, and losing 50 pounds. So the $$$ should follow prevention, in my book.

What makes me angry is when I was at my highest weight (181) my doctor didn't even TALK to me about it. I was in partial denial, but I think it should be discussed.

I went to the Uni Dr about my weight and he said I could carry it off due to my height. He was pretty old and it felt as if he was basically saying that he thought i was still attractive enough!

Screw your doctor. Way to go on the loss!!!!

I've never had a lady doctor comment on my weight even though I'm in the "extremely overweight" range. Even when I visit a GP, unless I'm going for a yearly physical, the doctor won't comment on it.

First of all congrats on the awesome weight loss. While my "lady doctor" never comments on my weight, I'd be a little miffed if I were you...

I have rheumatoid arthritis and my rheumatologist couldn't say enough about me losing 20 lbs! She kept telling all her assistants/nurses to look at me, what a great job I did. I wish more doctors were like that!

I was at the doctor a week ago and both she and her nurse commented on my weight loss and how great I've been doing. (My doctor also commented on my awesome arm definition.)

i always bring it up at annual exams but usually say something like..."are you happy with your weight?'. that usually leads to a discussion and i get a feeling if a person really wants advice or not. i try to be sensitive and always bring it up if there is a large loss or a large gain...many times there are other emotional issues involved then.

My doctor never mentioned my weight... then again I am thinner than she is.

I work for a nonprofit healthcare organization and in talking with a lot of professionals, there are several reasons doctors do not talk about weight with their patients regularly.

1. Time - with all the newer regulations and cutbacks on payments from both government and private insurance, doctors need to fit in a certain number of patients each day to keep their practice going. This means anything that is not an immediate concern is glossed over.

2. Tunnel vision - If a patient is there because of a cold or flu, they focus on just the patient's reason for coming.

3. Limited record reviews - With so many patients, doctors usually don't remember more than the basics of each of their patients (if that). Even pulling their charts and skimming them just before seeing them won't necessarily remind them to talk about other health-affecting issues like weight, particularly if you haven't had any weight-related issues in your chart lately.

Fortunately, at least where I am, we have two major initiatives that are improving this: EMR/EHR and ACO.

EMR/EHR is Electronic Medical Records/Electronic Health Records, and it is more than just putting all the paper information into the computer. This allows all the available information from multiple locations to be combined, so the doctor can see any notes, prescriptions, test results, procedures, etc., regardless of where you had them (at least for in network - many out of network professionals are not up to speed on EMR/EHR, so their records can't be brought in). The system also automatically flags items for review (which includes weight), and has built in workflows that the doctor has to check off while visiting with you, to make sure anything relavent to your age, gender, past medical history, and current conditions are addressed.

As an example, if you show up due to a sinus infection, but it has been a couple years since you were last checked for cholesterol, it will prompt the doctor to schedule you for a test, even though it is not related to the reason you are there.

It doesn't catch everything, but it lets the doctor cover a lot more in a shorter period of time, and almost eliminates the time he needs for writing up notes, since he does it electronically while he is in the room with you. It also reduces medication errors, as he can electronically submit prescriptions directly to your pharmacy for you - ensuring the right medication and dose is ordered without the pharmacist having to translate his chicken scratch.

The other important piece is ACO - Accountable Care Organizations. This is a new federal program for physicians to be rewarded with a share of the cost savings from managing a patient's all around health (particularly chronic conditions). Advantage: encourages physicians to be proactive in addressing issues that can lead to future health issues. Disadvantage: patients must cooperate with their PCP for it to be fully effective.

TL;DR: Technology and new programs are coming/in place to encourage doctors to cover all aspects of your health, and better track changes that happen.

congratulations on the weight loss! I wouldn't be surprised though if the DR didn't even bother to take down your previous weight! My doctor doesn't even bother weighing me when I go in and I am WELL over weight!

Well I think its fantastic, and I think that maybe he/she was focused on other things like what your appointment was for?

I could honestly careless if my obgyn commented on my weight loss or weight gain or tried talking to me about being over weight (if I was). That is not why I go to him. I go to him for pap smears and stuff like that. Your primary doctor is the one to talk to you about it. In their field that is what they focus on your OVERALL health. Whereas your obgyn is just there for lady parts, making sure you dont have precancerous cells or if you do to get a pap smear twice a year instead of once. Or the occasional breast exam to make sure there is no lumps. Thats all.