What to Do When Your Doctor Is Not Your Weight Loss Ally

If your doctor is not able to provide an effective obesity management strategy for you, it's not because there aren't any treatment options available. Your doctor, for whatever reason, may not be making use of those available treatments.

If you find yourself in this situation and are wondering about your options, it can sometimes be as easy as asking your doctor about them. However, at other times, it is more complicated to obtain the treatment you need.

There are various medical treatments available for obesity management. But they are all fairly new, and many doctors are unfamiliar with them. The good news is that this is slowly improving as doctors continue their education, helping them adopt these new treatments. And if your current doctor is not responsive when you try to get help with your obesity, there is something you can do about it.

Finding specialized obesity providers

First, look for a doctor certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Because so few doctors are trained to manage obesity, this new board certification was created. There are just over 8,000 doctors in the United States who hold this board certification.

Of course, you may not want to switch doctors. Or perhaps there is no American Board of Obesity Medicine-certified doctor in your area or within your insurance coverage network. In this case, some self-advocacy may be required.

Your role in obesity management

It's essential to recognize that self-advocacy is a vital component in the current medical landscape. With so few doctors who are well-versed in obesity management, some persistence from you may be required. And the more you can learn about the treatment options out there, the more you can ask for those treatments from your doctor. Some doctors might be open to your suggestions.

Sometimes, it's helpful to bring in an "expert opinion" to share with your doctor and get the conversation going. One terrific resource for this approach is the Obesity Action Coalition. They have compiled a wealth of resources to help you initiate a conversation with your doctor. This pamphlet, for example, can be printed and serves as a helpful starting point for discussion.

Get in the right headspace for self-advocacy

One of the most difficult things about self-advocacy for obesity treatment is self-doubt. If your doctor is telling you that you "just need to eat less" and that you shouldn't need any help with obesity management, that can be hard to stand up to.

Unfortunately, because of pervasive weight bias in society, it is hard to not get discouraged by this narrative. It is, after all, the narrative many of us have been hearing our whole lives about weight. So, before you try to advocate for yourself and get access to the effective treatments you need, find a mental space where you believe that you deserve and need help.

Once you find that headspace, keep making follow-up appointments. Do what your doctor recommends, and come back with the full report of how it went. If it doesn't work, don't let it go. A doctor cannot ignore a proactive, dedicated, well-informed patient.

You're off to a great start by being here on Obesity.net and by learning more about your obesity and how to manage it. And if you need help, the community here is full of ideas!