My recent doctors visit

[BeeBee]

I went to the doctor recently because of a lumbar strain. I experience this several times a year and it's usually due to lifting something heavy. This time the PA told me that she thought that my weight was partially responsible for these lumbar strains. I'm 5 ft 1 inch and weigh 210. And then she proceeded to recommend a gastric bypass. I was shocked. She went on to tell me how I was at the weight for my height now that my insurance would cover it. And she proceeded to tell me of the success some of the people working in that very office have had with it.

I'm in shock for several reasons. One is because I'm blind to my own weight. When I look in the mirror, I never see what is actually there. Never. Sometimes I don't think I look so bad and other times I think I look worse than I do. So for someone like this PA to see me for my real weight, was shocking.

Second, is because of the ordasity of this PA to suggest a thing before even asking me if I felt I needed any kind of medical help with my weight issue.

And third, I'm shocked at how non-chalantly she marketed this proceedure. As if it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. She didn't even tell me of the risks involved or nothing. She was obviously very pro gastric bypass.

I am completely appalled. How about some feedback on my experiece, and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this too?

[Neagrm]

BeeBee, I can understand your shock and wanted to let you know I hear what you're saying. I hope someone will soon be along with more to say. I will chekc in later (allergies are really bothering me and I need a nap).

[kelliegirl]

BeeBee, that's awful. Did you think you will go back to that doctor again? I don't know that I would.

I've had a friend that had excruciating back pain. She visited several doctors and she couldn't get relief. Some never laid hands on her, others criticized her weight. One night she fell down her steps because something in her back just snapped. She was still subjected to ridicule by the hospital staff as they decided that she was crazy and had ordered a psych eval. As she sat writhing in pain in the ER a random doctor passed through and examined her. He saved her life - well her spine and the quality of her life anyway. If the other doctors hadn't have been so closed minded to her weight they could have prevented that from happening.

[BeeBee]

Actually this isn't a doctor, she's a Physicians Assistant. Unless you're dieing anymore, you don't get to even see a doctor. It's a damn shame. I suppose I could request not to see her again, it would be my choice. It would have been one thing if I'd have approached the subject or weight loss but I didn't and then she just rattled on like I was stupid and didn't know anything about proper nutrition as she went on about healthy eating and stuff. I tried to stop her a few times and get a few words in edgewise. I told her of the support group I have here about having read numerous GREAT books about eating etc. It was almost like listening to a programed robot to hear her. I hate that about doctors, they look at you and see a problem and assume you're not smart enough to have researched it and have some facts yourself. *sigh*

[Lizrox]

call your insurance company and file a complaint against her. I have done this before. If you need any more info PM me..

Liz

[DaVinci2]

There are a whole host of problems that come with gastric bypasses. This should only be used as a last resort for someone who is so over-weight that drastic measures have to be taken. The doc should've given you more information on nutrition if she/he was concerned with your weight.

[BeeBee]

Originally Posted by Lizrox

call your insurance company and file a complaint against her. I have done this before. If you need any more info PM me..

Liz

Hi Liz, I don't have insurance, I'm self pay.

[BeeBee]

Originally Posted by DaVinci2

There are a whole host of problems that come with gastric bypasses. This should only be used as a last resort for someone who is so over-weight that drastic measures have to be taken. The doc should've given you more information on nutrition if she/he was concerned with your weight.

I know and that's why I'm so surprised she marketed it to me like it was this really simple and great thing........................well maybe that's just it, marketing........that's what doctors and PA's are paid to do anymore now isn't it?

[Pony]

gosh, I'm sorry I just saw this thread...... I Shocked as well.

Beebee, I am sorry that you had to endure that kind of treatment. That PA should be talked to.....put in her place !! That was just soooooooo wrong. My mom has been overweight for years.....most of her adult life. She has been referred to lots of nutritionalists and weight loss programs. It wasn't until recently that she was referred to this surgery... gastric bypass or the Lap Ban proceedure. But only because it has become urgent that she lose the weight. Her kidneys are being affected and if she gets the weight off, there's a chance she can come off some of the diabetic med's that are causing the problem.

I think it's just become a popular "in thing" to do these days..... as if it's the easy way out. It's still not that easy and it has it's own side effect as I know you already know about.

I am going to do it the old fashion way..... and eventually get it done....losing weight that is. Making changes to my eating habits and food choices and getting in the exercise is my life style change.

[BigSis]

OMG... Beebee. I am so sorry you had to experience that.

What I have to admit are two things -

1. I was seriously considering lapband or other WLS surgery and investigating it a LOT at one point. Until I got more information, I too was "on the band wagon". I happened to get into program at about the same time, so I was also still fully in my condition of loving to "tell everyone" how to live their lives. Thank my HP that He never allowed me to be in a position of such power and influence over others as is that PA. I am sorry you had to experience that.

2. I have been, and still am at times, guilty of making judgements about people due to their weight. And I am fat. At 5' 10" and 305, I think I qualify as morbidly obese. So when I made those judgements, I have to believe I was projecting my own self-loathing out on others. I am sorry you had to experience hers.

What I know today is that -

A. I am addicted to sugar (at the very least), and likely am just a general "food addict'.

B. WLS surgery might be a tool that can work for some, but I am likely to be one of those people who would be able to "eat around" the surgery.

There are folks here on SR who share that they discovered their alcoholism as a DIRECT RESULT of the WLS. Indeed, alcoholism is now being listed as "side effect" of the surgery. What a thing.

That your other symptoms were discounted by the very ones who are charged with keeping and getting you well is unconciounable. A letter to the office you went to might go far in educating those people. It can't make them LESS empathetic, that's for sure.

I hope things get better soon... (((BeeBee)))

[BeeBee]

You know, I just saw a piece on the national news this evening about how people are trading eating addictions for alcohol and shopping addictions. HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE SOCIETY AND DOCTORS UNDERSTAND THAT A FOOD ADDICTION CANNOT BE CURED BY SIMPLY EATING A HEALTHY DIET AND GETTING EXERCISE!!! IT PISSES ME OFF TO NO END EVERY TIME I SEE A NEW ADD FOR ANOTHER DIET PRODUCT OR HEAR OF ANOTHER SURGICAL PROCEDURE!!!! WHEN ARE THE DOCTORS AND THE REST OF SOCIETY GOING TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER, MUCH MORE UNCONTROLLABLE GOING ON HERE??????!!!!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[BigSis]

Oh girl, you are so preaching to the choir... can I get an A-men!! Yeah!


(((BeeBee)))

[BeeBee]

Aaaaamen, I said Aaaaaamen, Aaamen, Amen, Amen. Altogether now......Aaaaaamen, Aaaaamen, Aaamen, Amen, Amen!!!!!!

[Neagrm]

Amen!

[BigSis]

(((BeeBee))) Got me laughing out loud, now... and grinning and HUMMING!

Thank you.

[gratefulgal]

BeeBee,
unfortunately, a lot of the medical wold does not understand the disease of food addiction. They think that a surgury will eliminate all the problem of weight, and it might, but it might not. I know a lot of people who have had the surgury only to gain the weight back. I belive it is a personal choice, but for me personally, if I had had the surgury, it would have made me more neurotic than I already was. I would not have been able to physically eat like I wanted to (binge, eat high fat foods, etc.) and that would have driven me crazy. Today I have a solution, and that is a food plan free of the addictive substances (sugar, flour, wheat) and working the 12 steps.

[pedagogue]

It's not about the food.

It is difficult for many to understand this simple statement (professionals included), which is why it is important to work with people who understand the issues at play.

Try and hang in there.

-p

[Misscat]

Weight is a personal issue, but it is also a medical issue. If you had cancer, you would expect that your doc would recommend the best care possible. Although it may be hard to hear, your doc may have just been informing you on your MEDICAL conditions rather than thinking of it as an emotional one. After all, he/she is a doctor, trained in medicine, not in public relations--they are looking out for your best interests in that realm.
I say this out of concern, not to be rude--I wish you all the best.