Question:
How do I handle ignorant doctors?

   — Teekay80 (posted on August 13, 2002)

August 13, 2002
hiya! man, that sucks!! i would definetely go back to your wls surgeon and ask for a wls friendly pcp but i would also take some of the research you've done and write a letter to your pcp. point out the incorrect information she has, if you word it nicely but firmly hopefully she will realize the mistake she has made and learn the correct information before she mis informs another patient! if you're going to write her something tho, i'd make sure to quote the reports and maybe even attach them...you know like when you do a book report for school and do a bibliography...a lot of work i know but it might be worth it to educate this supposedly educated doctor! good luck kate open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal weight: 135lbs current weight: 130lbs
   — jkb

August 13, 2002
I would'nt waste my time trying to "educate" an ignorant a##. Life is to short. Find another doctor, have the WLS and after you've lost all your weight I'd go back to the ignorant a## and show her what WLS can do! That would educate her and show her a thing or too besides. (I love revenge- lol). PS... I fully understand your problem with diets and WW's. I never could lose and keep anything off ether. I wish these ignorant butt heads that say, "try another diet, or it's your will power" would become obese, walk in our shoes and have some ignorant butt head taunt them. Now that would be justice.
   — Danmark

August 13, 2002
Find a new PCP, but once you have surgery and look good at goal go back and see the uninformed PCP. Help another MO, help retrain the miss informed...
   — bob-haller

August 13, 2002
I agree- find a new PCP. I wouldn't trust a PCP that I had to educate! After you find another PCP who has more education in such matters, then write her a letter and explain it to her. I would make sure it is informative, not hostile. Maybe it'll wake her up and she can do her own research on WLS. If not, well, you did what you could do. It's sad that so many PCPs and psychiatrists are so behind when it comes to WLS. You need to be 400lbs.?? That's ridiculous. I assure you that no all PCPs think that way, in fact, many recommend WLS. Don't give up! You will find help! Best of luck, Sweetie!
   — karmiausnic

August 13, 2002
I really dislike closed minded individuals especially when they are PCP's. If you are inclined to educate (No one knows everything - not even PCP's - but they should readily admit to their shortcomings!!) I sould go to ASBS.org and copy the "Rationale for surgery" and send it to her. It has all the info. written for MD's and has 50+ references that back the information. I would say that if she doesn't get it after reading that, she is not an individual I would send my worst enemy to! Good luck, I am glad you did research before you saw her!! :0)
   — Lynn L.

August 13, 2002
Your post reads well -- gets right to the point in a factual, non-attacking way. My vote? Print your post AND these responses, attach it with the "article" citing wls facts that is mentioned below, as well as your request that your medical records be sent to your new doctor's office, and hope for the best. If she can change, that could be inspirational, and you will have done a great favor to her other patients (of which 1 in 4 -- at least -- is overweight, statistically). If she is too much of a moron to change, you will never know, but you will have done the best you can. You don't mention if she is overweight. What I liked best was my MO PCP telling me about how fraudulent and ineffective WLS was, that I just needed to eat less. Uh huh. Because I only eat when I am hungry right, no psychological baggage, right? Drives me nuts, when people act like being MO is because we overeat. Don't we overeat because there are other problems (physical, psychological, cultural, etc...????) Maybe overeating is a symptom of a problem that hasn't been identified yet!!! Oh, now I am mad.
   — Karen F.

September 10, 2002
Hi everyone. I am the original poster. I just wanted to let you know that I Did actually complain about my doctor. I called the director of the clinic and made a formal complaint after that I sent a letter abong with a nice little "information packet" that I put together myself ( It actually ended up being about 20 pages long with foot notes and referrences. I sent a copy to both my ex-PCP and the director of the clinic. I hope her mond opens up. Thank you everyone for all of your responses
   — Teekay80