Okay, so usually I'm pro-doctors. I've worked with them since I was 15 in different settings, and I'm a big proponent of preventative health measures, yearly check-ups, etc.
So last year I had my check-up in October - at that time the doctor was like, you know, you're obese, you need to lose weight - and she gave me really unhelpful tips (cut out dairy, don't eat red meat, etc). Now, I don't like dairy and I hardly eat red meat, and when I told her that she just kind of shrugged.
A few months after that (in either February or March, I can't exactly remember) I started WW at work. When I started it, I was 218 (I have 220 on my ticker because 223 was my highest "recorded weight"). I know that I had lost some weight from my "starting point" before I actually weighed myself at WW - people kept saying, "Oh, have you lost weight?" and I was like I dunno - then I joined WW, so I figured 220 was probably about right.
I'm worried because I'm going to the doctor's on Wednesday, and as far as I see it, I've lost 32 lbs (hopefully 33 by Wednesday). But I'm going to be really really upset if she kind of discounts it by saying, oh, you were XXX when you were here last, you're still obese, etc etc and doesn't give me at least some kind of "good job."
My other concern is my liver function - last time I was there my liver tests were at the high end of normal - liver disease runs in my family, so its a valid concern.
I'm just really dreading this visit. I'm kind of freaked out of my liver enzymes haven't gone down, I hope they have because of the 32 lbs I've lost a good bit of them have been from my stomach - when my sister did an ultrasound on me a few weeks ago, there was NO fat on my liver, so physically I should be in the clear, I just hope physiologically this is okay...
Sorry for the long-winded-ness - I've just never been so worried about going to the doctor's before.
EDIT: I lied - I have low fat cottage cheese every day - but I need calcium, and its 2%...
Last edited by stellarosa27; 11-23-2009 at 11:38 AM.
I always dreaded going to the doctors because they always want to tell you how fat you are... but they never really say it in a nice or helpful way... It's always this half *** comment like hey you know you're fat... duh!
Your doctor should be proud of you for taking charge and changing...however doctors are cold people and she may just blow it off... One day I hope to go to the doctor and not hear anything about my weight
Stella, Its probably pretty normal for you to be freaking out like this...
just remember, Doctors are normal people too. Some people are nice and considerate, some people are absolute jerks...and doctors can be either way...
if your doctor doesn't congratulate you for all your hard work, well who cares? WE know how hard you've been working and WE understand because we're going through the exact same thing right now...I mean yeah, it would be nice if the doctor noticed, but some people aren't just nice.
I think it's alot harder for people who have never been obese to understand how truly difficult losing the weight really is...maybe your doctor just doesn't understand...I mean once again, doctors are human, they don't know EVERYTHING...
if she discounts it by saying "oh you're still obese" just say to her "yeah I know, but I'm X number of lbs away from no longer being obese, and I know that I WILL do this." and maybe your doctor will be able to see how determined you really are.
I'm sure your liver function has greatly improved. It's really good that it's something you're thinking about...I know a lot of people who just don't care about what runs in the family...and who consider it inevitable so they don't even try to prevent it....but you've lost so much and you're doing so well...and I'm SURE that it's improved....there probably isn't much you can do to stop being nervous about it, but I bet once you find out how much better it is you'll be back here posting about how happy you are.
long story short....you'll be fine. Good luck at the doctor, and just remember even if the doctor is a complete jerk, we'll be right here waiting to cheer you up when you get home. =D
I agree with Divine! You know how far you've come and 32lbs is nothing to be shy about! I get super nervous going to the doctor because they always say well it's great you have lost this, but you need to lose more.
I am sure your liver tests will be on the lower end of normal!
No matter WHAT your doctor says.... 32lbs is no laughing matter! And honestly... whats better... some weight loss at least, or NO weight loss?? I think you're doing great... keep it up and don't let Sour Sallies get you down!
I feel ya on that one- in this year I've managed to take off and keep off over 25 lbs- and apparently that counts for nothing at my doctor's. She even referred me to a nutritionist and I went and I liked her more than my doctor! My doctor was telling me I should lose 3 lbs a week, the nutritionist said to her half a pound a week was good, a pound amazing! My doctor says I should work out 1 hour a day (yeah did that now I have tendonitis), my nutritionist said give her ten minutes a day of anything physical.
And the list goes on and on- HENCE why I am getting a NEW doctor
It's like they should be enouraging and don't offer nutrition advice- write a darn referral and send you to a nutritionist if you want, but other than that any loss should be encouraged, not made to look like nothing.
Hope everything turns out fine for you! I also hate going to the doctors because they always make it a point to mention my weight. I'm going to have to go pretty soon also but I'll be happy with myself because I know how hard I worked! Even if they tell me something I'm still proud of myself and you should be too!
Congrats on the loss! I feel you on fearing the doctor. I remember being nervous about the doctor and his chart even from when I was 8 years old...lol...Clownery. Just keep doing what you're doing no matter what the doctor says. You have lost weight and are keeping it off and will keep going. That is something to be so proud of.
I am 13 lbs away from being a non-obese BMI, so I can always retort with that if she starts saying anything. She's not a bad doctor, just like someone said, probably doesn't get how hard it is - she's "normal" weight - not too thin - but probably never had to do anything like this.
I understand where you're coming from. I've been in total stress mode about an upcoming doctor's visit.
Considering what I'm going in for, I just KNOW he's going to say something about how heavy I am and it's just making me so uppity. He's never met me, doesn't know my medical history (yet) and he doesn't know I've lost any weight albeit less than I wanted to lose by this point.
I just hope he won't be one of those tacky doctors about it though. Some can be perfectly nice and actually ask about your lifestyle and what you're doing to change instead of barking orders at you like a friggin drill seargent.
Oh well. Someday I'll get a congratulations on the weight loss from a doctor. Hope your visit goes well. Best of luck!
I really, really hope your liver looks much better at this visit. As for the weight issue, have you considered switching doctors? Usually there is more than one in the office, so you can still go to the same place, just change your primary doctor. I was lucky and chose a good doctor who is super nice and would NEVER say something like that. He would probably jump at the weight I've lost! Even back then, he never said anything really. He only gave advice when I asked.
i hope everything goes fine. Every pound you have lost and every pound you WILL lose in the future will help with your liver, so I am sure the results will be positive I remember going to my dr and asking her about my plateau and whether i could get some blood tests done or something. She told me to reduce my portion size Because I hadnt been doing that since day dot right? We are all proud of you, you dont need your doctor to be
i've been on the receiving and giving end of coversations about being overweight or obese so I definitely know how bad or well they can go. I was bummed that my doctor didnt comment last month on my 30 lbs lost, but it was a sick visit...
Strgazr - I actually like my doctor most of the time. It was just that one visit where she really laid into me, and I don't think I would have even minded that much if she had HELPFUL advice.
Like Icon said, reducing portion size...thanks...didn't think of that.
The Doctor's Office
i hope everything goes fine. Every pound you have lost and every pound you WILL lose in the future will help with your liver, so I am sure the results will be positive 
Because I hadnt been doing that since day dot right? We are all proud of you, you dont need your doctor to be 
