I haven't been since I was about 50 pounds lighter, and I'm terrified it will be this totally humiliating experience. I need to go. It's been almost 3 years (I know, I know). Any advice for expectations?

What exactly are you going for? Just a checkup or do you have a health issue you want to discuss?

I completely relate to your concerns.

I had a very bad experience at a doctor's office so I was really reluctant to go to a doctor. When I weighed in, the scale was in an open area near the receptionist's desk and the nurse said my weight out loud - in front of other people! The doctor told me to exercise seven days a week and to "watch every bite I take". He actually yelled at me and then rushed out the door to the next patient. I was so upset that I thought I would never find a good doctor that is right for me - and it took me a long time to even try to go to a doctor.

What I did was to talk to different people and ask them about their doctors and their staffs. Get a referral from a friend, neighbor or family member. Ask about their style of dealing with patients. My boss referred me to a terrific doctor and now I go regularly. I hope you can find a doctor with a staff that are supportive and professional.

Best wishes to you. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

I've only been to nice/good/professional doctors. I tell them I am trying to lose weight and what I am doing for exercise. None of them has ever said anything further about my weight. They know I am trying, nothing else really to say since I don't have any weight-related health problems.

You should definitely go. If you feel uncomfortable or are treated in a less than compassionate way (like the poster above whose medical staff were rude!), find another doctor. I have a young woman doctor who is very supportive and helpful. She weighs all of maybe 95 pounds soaking wet (so it's a love-hate thing, LOL), but she is so very nice and takes me seriously.

Women at our weight have potential health risks that need assessment on a regular basis, everything from possible diabetes, high blood pressure, underactive thyroid (which will keep you from losing, even if you're doing all the right things!), reproductive system issues like PCOS, depression, etc. You need to be screened and monitored by someone who can help get your system back in line.

It's easier for me to go when I remember that I'm not just about losing weight--I'm about getting healthy, and that is a bigger picture and might require professional assistance. When you go, tell your doc about your plans and get his/her approval and assistance. See if you need to see a dietician or endocrinologist. Be very proactive in getting all the help you need on this journey. There is no shame in seeking medical advice, and, in fact, medical professionals can actually assist you in your weight loss efforts.

Go! You're worth it.

Oh, Paradise, I know just exactly how you feel. I had a doc at one point who was a pretty nice guy, but I think he might be a drug addict or something. I sat in his office an hour PAST my appointment time once and THEN his receptionist came out and told me he was staying home today with a "migraine". I went probably 2 or 3 years just avoiding the situation, then when I had some health concerns I could no longer ignore, I called to make an appt, got the voicemail, and the mailbox was full! My sis needed to get some medical records from him from a car accident, and could not get ahold of him until she subpoena'd him or something. Anyway, that's not the issue is it? But crazy!

Well, I obviously decided it was time for a new doctor, and I couldn't find anyone at work or elsewhere who could recommend someone good in my area (and my sis was going to crazy-doc!), so I ended up finding my new doctor on the internet. Some of the search sites have reviews, and I found one where an overweight woman said she went to her and found her very professional and compassionate. I'm happy to say she was right - I love this doctor. I was scared to death to go, because yes, I am morbidly obese and the effects of it were starting to show. I was embarrassed about the state of health I let myself get to, and I was super sure that no medical professional could possibly have anything but scorn for me.

She did some baseline tests such as an EKG, blood work, and ordered me the sleep study which I believe has ended up literally saving my life. I am going there once a month to weigh in, and she is nothing but encouraging and caring.

Now that I am seeing a doctor that I trust and keeping a much closer eye on my health issues, I believe that getting regular medical check-ups is a very powerful tool in this weight loss journey we're on. It has forced me to really LOOK at what is going on, and without really acknowledging something, it's kinda hard to change it. I thought going to the doctor was going to be a humiliating and defeating experience, but doing it has done nothing but empower me.

Best of luck to you!

Shannon, JessLess and LiliK all make really good points.

It's not just about the weight - it's about overall health and well being.

It is empowering to have a supportive doctor. Since I am now happy with my doctor and his nurse practitioner, I go in for regular weighins, which keep me on track.

I think that most medical professionals understand the weight struggle and are pretty good to talk to - so please don't worry.

I think as overweight women we tend to let our weight hold us back from doing and being so much. You have the right to go to the doctor and be treated with respect and dignity. Most doctors are great and understanding, but if you happen to go to one who isnt stand up walk out and DONT pay them a dime. Honestly,I have have been heavy my whole life,I've seen a lot of docs, and I dont have one horror story to tell. Even when I was pregnant and shot up to 380 they were all still nice(which they should be!)

You're all right. I definitely need to go. It's been too long, and I have some stuff I want to discuss (irregular periods, anxiety). I guess it's time to suck it up and hope for the best

When you do go and if the doctor brings up your weight instead of addressing the issue, you need to firmly tell him/her that you're willing to discuss weight loss...but not until s/he addresses your other complaints first. Been there, done that...and it changed her attitude completely.

I definitely agree on getting feedback from friends and family about doctors that they like. A lot of people don't like the doctor that I used as my general practitioner b/c he lost his license for a few months a while back due to a situation where he was sleeping w/ a patient and providing her w/ pain pills. Now granted, I know that what he did was unethical and I get that...but I also think that it was more of a situation where he was involved w/ this woman and eventually decided he wasn't going to provide her w/ her pills anymore and she "told on him" out of spite. Either way, he's always been very professional w/ me. He's very upfront about recommendations for weight loss and the problems caused by being overweight (he's overweight himself). He caught my gallbladder problem due to some off numbers in my labwork...apparently my liver enzymes were slightly elevated which can sometimes be due to gallbladder problems. Scheduled an ultrasound and, sure enough, my gallbladder was full of gallstones and needed to come out.

My doctor actually recommended Southbeach to me and it has been GREAT. When I went back to see him in June I had lost 45 pounds and he was SO pleased that he told me I had inspired him to try Southbeach again. So I'll accept his past mistakes and look past them...b/c he's a doctor that I like and trust and that's WAY more important than his past indiscretion.

Actually, go and expect the best - you're worth it! And if you don't get it, change doctors again. I had to argue and do test after test for 3.5 years before a GP (I changed twice) would send me to a specialist. He took one look at my file, asked 'why the H did this take so long!" and took out my thyroid two weeks later. They found cancer, and that was partially the cause of my weight gain. So yes, there are bad experiences out there, but now I have a GP who so far seems pretty good (I've only seen her twice). I'm tackling another cancer now, and spoke to her about my weight. She said she would be willing to send me to a weight management clinic once this cancer thing is beat. That's the first time I've ever had that kind of support re: my weight, and I have to say it feels pretty good.

Long story short -- definitely insist on getting the best, and also listen to that voice in your head that is telling you to take care of yourself!

Good luck!!! I've been going to the same doctor for about 10 years. We recently determined that I finally weigh less than I did when I started seeing her!!!

She is fabulous and supportive and has been quietly been encouraging my on my journey always. She knew I wasn't ready and made sure I knew she was ready when I was!

There are fabulous doctors out there. Hope you find one!!!

SeaWave, I'm so sorry about the cancer Good for you for persisting until they got it right.

I totally understand how you feel. I didn't go to the doctor last year because I had gained weight. A year later I've done nothing but gain more. My wife has given me until Oct to go to the doctor whether I like it or not. It might be embarrassing but you really should go. I know you feel bad about gaining but just think, the next time you go after this you'll have lost. Won't that feel good? You can do it ParadiseFalls.