Weight stigma and healthcare
Have you ever felt like your doctor treated you differently or made unfair assumptions about you because of your weight?
After pointing out to my doctor that according to my online records with her office that I have gained 20 lbs. in the two years that I have been seeing her, she seemed puzzled by my request for a weight-loss consultation at my next appointment. At that appointment, she did her usual checks and renewed my meds. When I asked her about weight-loss strategies, she told me to "eat less and exercise more". My previous doctor had put me on a daily calorie intake of 1200-1500. It' hard to eat less that that! I also have permanent bilateral sciatica due to arthritis, which makes many exercises difficult. This doctor has only seen me walk from one side of the office to the other, during exams. I use a cane for balance, and she has also told me that I am "too young to need a cane". I feel a real lack of connection with her as compared to my previous doctor, who retired.
Hi
. I can see why you're frustrated. Here you are, doing the right thing, trying address the weight gain before it gets out of hand, and you are ignored. I know it can be emotionally taxing to find new doctors, especially since you only recently started with this doctor, but maybe it's time to switch again. I've had great success calling doctors' offices and asking the staff whisch doctor is the most compassionate and communicative. They tend to be honest about it. I have found my favorite doctors that way. You need and deserve better care. Warm wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
I have these nots the size of silver dollars on my wrists, they were the size of a pea awhile back asked Dr. about them she said that is just clumps of fat don't worry lose weight
My heart aches for you,
. No one deserves that kind of treatment from the medical community. I hope you consider a second opinion for the knots on your wrists. I'm not sure how your doctor can be certain they are fatty deposits without a scan and/or a biopsy. Have you carried this extra weight for a long time now? Have you found any effective treatment for your thyroid that you can tolerate? Please know we are here for you whenever you need us. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
YES, I have several medical issues that cause me to have to take certain medications that help with gaining weight (side effects) and mixed with steroids I gained over 100lbs in a month, and the doctor says to many calories, then I find out my thyroid is bad (can't take medication very hostile side effects) so then I ended up in an emergency room the doctor acted like I was diseased so I was not examined I was given a pain killer and sent home , that is just one incident of many
Yes. Had knee surgery and dr repeated many times he didn’t know if the surgery will work because I am a big girl. Last thing before surgery and 1st thing I heard coming out. Had lost 147 lbs before this and weighed 165 at the time.
How awful! Aside from all the other disturbing issues this situation touches on, it frustrates me when doctors fail to recognize that joint pain can LEAD to weight gain and that relieving that pain can lead to weight loss. I hope you recovered quickly and fully and left that doctor stunned. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
