Frustrated and blue and seriously need to toughen up

I have a real weakness with doctors -something about having to bear your weaknesses to people who don't know you makes me vulnerable.  However if I'm gonna survive this journey with my GP i'm gonna have to toughen up - a lot .

This is the same gp who would never help with any weight loss - when I worked up the courage to talk to him about my weight I was told 'its simple maths Amy, less input more output" I did wonder how I'd never thought of that before.

I saw him today as my consultant wanted me to get iron and calcium prescribed from him - he asked me how long I would be needing them for.  I said it'll be a permanent thing - he laughed and shook his head and said 'you really think this is worth is do you?'  I did say its only a couple of dietry supplements - but what I really wanted to do was burst into tears and hide in shame for all my misgivings.

I have a million different replies in my head now for all the good that does. But instead I've just gotta find another way to toughen myself up, cos I have to deal with this jerk a lot from now on.  Worst of it is, he lives 2 doors away from me, and I have to see him and be judged by him every day. Grrrrrrrr

Ask to see a more sympathetic doctor or change practices.  He is lying and refuses to use the scientific method.  As over 95% of diets fail, this means that diets don't work to a statistically significant level.  Losing weight is a multifactorial problem, human beings are not machines!  Get rid of the jerk or tell him that his prejudices should remain out of the consulting room!  Best of luck!

That's awful! I am so lucky that my GP is 100% behind me. He even asked me some things about the band to tell another patient what banded life is like. But he told me he can't prescribe vits etc as they count as supplements not medicines and so I can only get them on the NHS if I have a deficiency - not to prevent one! But it is probably different for RNY because of the malabsorption element.

Kate

Not being familiar with your medical system I can only ask if you can't get another PCP?  There's nothing worse than having to deal with the uninformed.

RNY means you will mal-absorb--therefore, you are not dealing with a "want to" you are dealing with a "have to" situation. And why couldn't your consultant take care of the cal citrate?  They can't do prescriptions?

The next time you see that supercilious twit in your neighborhood, just keep on walking and don't pay him any attention at all.

Hang in there, Toots!

Consultants usually only prescribe short term, things we need to collect as a one-off from the hospital pharamacy. Our long term meds always come via our GPs who deal with all our day-to-day medical care. The logic is that, taking advice from the expert (the consultant),  it is the GP who monitors our on-going health.

We can and do change GPs but I do can sympathise with the idea that it is more difficult when it is someone we know outside the surgery.

But your GP should follow the suggestions of your consultant! That is why we have consultants - not just for us to consult but for the GPs to get advice as well.

Kate

Hi!

I am SO sorry you have to deal with this craziness!! There is NO excuse for such behaviour!

I certainly understand being very shy when it comes to talking to the docs about my needs. I also had a VERY difficult time with speaking up and would go home in tears.

I moved to England a year ago and knew I had to REALLY tackle this issue in a new way. I research EVERYTHING I talk to my GP about. When I come to her-I have a list-with references on the Internet. LOL!

One of two things has to happen for your own well-being. Get a new GP-and as the others have said--you absolutely can change GPs. Or-decide that he is just ABSOLUTELY uninformed and ignorant of your needs. It sounds terrible-but it is clear.

I think there is a difference between the GPs that just aren't' experienced with WLS and those that take "issue" or have other PERSONAL ideas about it. It is the second group that worries me the most and I believe we need to stay clear of those.

It's business when you go to your GP. It's your body-it needs something. If you can make a list-if you need help or support prior to your appts-please feel free to come here. I am SURE many folks here could help you sort out what you want to cover.

Hang in there. YOU Deserve much more than this!!

Hugs,
T

Thx so much for your support - I'm a week away from it all now - but stupidly the thought of sorting it out is still upsetting.  However, I do have a better perspective on it now, and know what I need to do.  I don't really want to leave the practise for the kids and various other reasons - however his wife is also a doctor at the practise,  I will ask to speak to her, and ask her outright her feelings on the subject and unless she can totally make me feel secure about it, then I will change practises. 

I've just gotta work up the courage to do it, which sounds really weak, but hey ho, confrontation is never fun.

Again thank you all for the support, it does make a difference to talk it through with people who know how you feel.

Amy
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