you don't have to get on the scale
Wow. I think I would find a new PCP. That is ridiculous because many times whatever you are seeing your doctor for has nothing to do with your weight. Why should I have to get weighed if I want a flu shot?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
It is likely because the new electronic medical records software they are using (whihc is mandated by the government) REQUIRES an entry for weight (and BP and probably temperature as well) for each visit. Your doctor has no choice. One more loss of civil liberties in the name of big-brother government...
Lora
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Interesting point. From another perspective, though, is the fact that our weight is to some degree a measure of our overall health. If we lose weight without really trying, it can be an indicator to our doctor that something may be wrong, and lead the doctor to further investigate why the weight loss is occurring. For example, if a person is in the "normal" weight range, but has gained 10 pounds since his last visit, it might be something the person is not aware of, and having that information available allows the doc to discuss it with the patient in order to help him/her prevent that 10 pounds from turning into 20, 30, or 100.
I would hope that a good pcp (or any other doc we might be seeing) would look at not just what we're there for (a sinus infection, a persistent pain in our stomach, contant heartburn, whatever), but also at how we're doing overall, just as a matter of course. The weight is just one tool the pcp can use to determine how we're doing in that regard.
Of course we all have the right to refuse to be weighed, but is it really in our own best interests?
Just my humble opinion here.
Beth
I would hope that a good pcp (or any other doc we might be seeing) would look at not just what we're there for (a sinus infection, a persistent pain in our stomach, contant heartburn, whatever), but also at how we're doing overall, just as a matter of course. The weight is just one tool the pcp can use to determine how we're doing in that regard.
Of course we all have the right to refuse to be weighed, but is it really in our own best interests?
Just my humble opinion here.
Beth
Consult WT: 312 SW: 274 CW: 244
Is it a fact that weight is a measure of our overall health? Was I really healthier at 128 than I am now at 138? Where is the evidence for that?
Is it likely that I'm not aware I've gained ten pounds? Isn't it more likely that I have noticed that my jeans are a bit tighter, even if I haven't weighed myself? Do I need my doctor to point out those ten pounds in order to prevent them from becoming 20 or 30 pounds? Is it even a bad thing if they become 20 or 30 pounds? And do you really think it is likely that if my doctor does not point out that I have gained ten pounds, that I will soon gain 100?
I'm certainly not suggesting that anyone not get on the scale if they feel it is in their best interests to do so. I am only suggesting that it might not always be necessary or even helpful, and pointing out that we dont' have to if we don't want to.
Is it likely that I'm not aware I've gained ten pounds? Isn't it more likely that I have noticed that my jeans are a bit tighter, even if I haven't weighed myself? Do I need my doctor to point out those ten pounds in order to prevent them from becoming 20 or 30 pounds? Is it even a bad thing if they become 20 or 30 pounds? And do you really think it is likely that if my doctor does not point out that I have gained ten pounds, that I will soon gain 100?
I'm certainly not suggesting that anyone not get on the scale if they feel it is in their best interests to do so. I am only suggesting that it might not always be necessary or even helpful, and pointing out that we dont' have to if we don't want to.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Kelly, I was not trying to argue your point. I was only trying to bring a different perspective to why doctors may want our current weight prior to our visit. You're right, you might be healthier at 138 than 128. And you're right, a lot of people will know they've gained 10 pounds. But I'm sure there are also a lot of people who aren't as self-aware, and who maybe didn't realize they'd gained that much. From the perspective of preventing a 20- or 30-pound weight gain, I'd say it is a big deal, because in my case, I got to be 300 lbs. one pound at a time; when I gained 10, the 10 turned to 20, and the 20 turned to 30, and on and on and on.
Over the years doctors have pointed out my weight gains, and I think they were right to do so, no matter how much I hated hearing it. I don't think a doctor who fails to mention or address weight gain is doing his job, even if I'm being seen only for some minor complaint. I agree that the issue of weight might not be necessarily relevant to the visit, but personally, I'd rather be seen by a doctor who looks at all of me rather than focusing on only one small part of my body.
Peace!
Beth
Over the years doctors have pointed out my weight gains, and I think they were right to do so, no matter how much I hated hearing it. I don't think a doctor who fails to mention or address weight gain is doing his job, even if I'm being seen only for some minor complaint. I agree that the issue of weight might not be necessarily relevant to the visit, but personally, I'd rather be seen by a doctor who looks at all of me rather than focusing on only one small part of my body.
Peace!
Beth
Consult WT: 312 SW: 274 CW: 244
I'm not trying to argue your point, either. I think it's good to ask questions and to look at things from many angles. I know sometimes that looks like I'm arguing. If you've read enough of my posts, you may have noticed I can "argue" both sides of many issues. That's 'cause I'm not really trying to argue, I'm just trying to ask questions and think about issues. And I think many issues are pretty complex, even if on the surface it seems pretty simple.
I actually want a doctor that looks at all of me too, instead of just focusing on one small part of my body. In at least some cases, though, I think doctors look at our weight and that small part of our bodies that actually brought us to the doctor and don't look at all of us. Thus we have people that see doctors for all sorts of medical problems and instead of receiving treating for their medical problems, are simply told to lose weight. People have visited doctors for broken ankles and instead of doc ordering x-rays and then treatment for the broken bone, have simply been told "Well, you're overweight, your ankles are gonna hurt. Lose weight and you'll be fine." Of course not all docs do that, but it's happened, and not just once or twice, either.
I think choice is a really important thing. You want your doctor to mention your weight if you gain. And if that's what you want, that's what you should have. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people don't want their doctors to mention their weight, and there's nothing wrong with that, either. My point really isn't that no one should get on the scale at the doctor's office. It's that you can choose whether or not you want to.
I actually want a doctor that looks at all of me too, instead of just focusing on one small part of my body. In at least some cases, though, I think doctors look at our weight and that small part of our bodies that actually brought us to the doctor and don't look at all of us. Thus we have people that see doctors for all sorts of medical problems and instead of receiving treating for their medical problems, are simply told to lose weight. People have visited doctors for broken ankles and instead of doc ordering x-rays and then treatment for the broken bone, have simply been told "Well, you're overweight, your ankles are gonna hurt. Lose weight and you'll be fine." Of course not all docs do that, but it's happened, and not just once or twice, either.
I think choice is a really important thing. You want your doctor to mention your weight if you gain. And if that's what you want, that's what you should have. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people don't want their doctors to mention their weight, and there's nothing wrong with that, either. My point really isn't that no one should get on the scale at the doctor's office. It's that you can choose whether or not you want to.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Although I generally agree that, if a doctor is to be thorough, (s)he needs to look at weight, especially if there is a sudden change, BUT... it is one thing if a patient is 30 or 40 pounds overweight; it is entirely another when a patient is SMO. When a patient is over 300 pounds, it is clear to everyone that weight is a serious issue and that the weight is probably significantly affecting that patient's physical and emotional well-being.
At a certain point, the physician has to recognize that, if they want the petient to be willing to come in for care, they likely need to be sensitive to the patient's discomfort with the subject (and accept that the likelihood of that patient doing anything (with out of lack of willignness or lack of ability) to lose the weight is small). Many obese people don't seek medical care even when they need it because of the fear and humiliation of being scolded about their weight. Scolding or nagging someone about a problem that are already aware of but feel powerless to do anything about serves no purpose, and may keep the patient from getting care that they truly need.
I'm not saying that a doctor should not even mention the weight issue, especially if it is contributing to physical ailments, but there are some doctors that blame any complaint a patient has on their weight or take every opportunity to lecture them on the perils of obesity. Neither is useful.
Lora
At a certain point, the physician has to recognize that, if they want the petient to be willing to come in for care, they likely need to be sensitive to the patient's discomfort with the subject (and accept that the likelihood of that patient doing anything (with out of lack of willignness or lack of ability) to lose the weight is small). Many obese people don't seek medical care even when they need it because of the fear and humiliation of being scolded about their weight. Scolding or nagging someone about a problem that are already aware of but feel powerless to do anything about serves no purpose, and may keep the patient from getting care that they truly need.
I'm not saying that a doctor should not even mention the weight issue, especially if it is contributing to physical ailments, but there are some doctors that blame any complaint a patient has on their weight or take every opportunity to lecture them on the perils of obesity. Neither is useful.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Also, doctors probably don't need to weigh the SMO patient and mention their weight over and over again. If I was weighed two months ago when I was treated for a sinus infection and now I go to the doc wanting a flu shot, I don't think I need to know if I am still just as fat and I don't think they doc needs to point out again that my health might improve if I lost weight. I probably remember that information from my last visit.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
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