I’ve written recently that I think doctor’s should be more proactive when it comes to helping obese people with regards to weight management. Even if the patient doesn’t take their advice, at least the doctor  tried. I only had comments on my weight twice during my obese years, and both times the comments were rather offhand and not focused. Here’s two little stories about two good experiences I had at the doctor’s office, one from years ago, and one just recently.

After my third child’s birth I lost my usual 15 pounds and was depressed to realize I would once again be gaining weight. I felt so out of control and incredibly unmotivated. In spring of ‘97 I went to the doctor for a check-up. I weighed 279 pounds at that visit. It was after that visit that the desire to be successful with my weight loss finally kicked in and I got started. I cut back on fat, portions and started exercising. It took me 14 months to lose 150 pounds. That following spring I went back to the doctor for my annual exam. I hadn’t seen the doctor since my last embarrassment on the scale.

I arrived at the office, parked my car and went in. I walked up to the receptionist, signed the sheet and sat down. Only one other person was in the waiting room at the time, and he was soon called back. I waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, the door to the inner sanctum opened and the nurse stuck her head through the crack in the door. She looked at the chart, looked at me, glanced around the waiting room and shut the door. Confused, I looked anxiously at the door, wondering where she had gone. A few seconds later the door opened again and the same nurse called my name. As I was walking across the room towards her she said, “You are Diane aren’t you?” I nodded. She said, “I looked at the chart right before I came to get you and noticed the previous weight. When I opened the door and saw you sitting there I thought I had the wrong chart!”  I said, “I’ve lost some weight.”  “SOME WEIGHT!” she exclaimed, “I would say so.” This time, when I got on the scale I felt a feeling I had never felt before. I felt proud that I finally was the weight I should be. As we walked to the exam room, she told everyone she saw, “She lost 150 pounds!”  For a change, I didn’t mind that appointment!

Another positive experience at the doctor’s office was just a few months ago. My littlest child had a scheduled 15 month check-up. He really hates the doctor and lets us all know it. When we got back to the exam room the nurse told me to undress him so we could weigh him. After I took off his little outfit, we walked to the scale. When I tried to put him on the scale he screamed and grabbed at me so hard the nurse couldn’t weigh him. She said, “I’ll just weigh you both and then subtract your weight.” I agreed, noting privately that I would have pitched a fit if a nurse had suggested that when I was obese. I still didn’t particularly like being weighed, but I wasn’t overly embarrassed either. When the baby and I got into the exam room and met with the doctor she laughed when I told her that the baby’s weight might be a bit off because of how we had to weigh him. She looked at me and said, “Well, you’re small so you probably didn’t mind being weighed. If it had been me I would have refused!” I laughed with her, happy at the doctor’s office for a change.

Experiences like this help reinforce to me that weight lost and weight maintenance affect all the experiences we have in our lives. Although I didn’t put off going to the doctor because of my obesity, I do know people who do. I would encourage you to get regular check-ups, etc. Every time I visit the doctor these days I’m so thankful that despite any other problems I may have, obesity isn’t one of them. What good experiences are you enjoying as your weight loss success builds? What good experiences do you still want to have? Use those experiences and desires as just another reason to continue on your journey.  Good luck!  Diane