RE: Back from my pcp appt.Diane

June 28, 2000

Boy, am I glad that someone sees it my way. I totally agree with you. He has

said to me in the past that some of my " issues " were from weight and that I

would find that when I lost the weight, the " problems' would be gone. I just

wish I had listened to my husband last year and switched doctors. I think he

IS living in the dark ages. The other thing that scares me is that he told

my that my cervix has dropped but it's nothing to be concerned about. When I

go to the uroligist next week, I'm going to talk to him about it. I jsut

can't wait until August when I can switch and be from the HMO health care

shackles.

I live in Maine, midcoast. I am going to a support group meeting on Monday

night to meet a potential new doctor. He is approved under my " new " health

care plan. He also does wls surgery. I look forward to meeting him.

Thanks for your 2 cents. This is all new to me so I appreciate any feedback.

You didn't scare me. I've already been worried since he told me that the

past 4 yrs I've had blood in my urine and he hasn't done anything about it.

Believe me, if the dr. does find " something " my doctor will be hearing from

my lawyer. Geez, I can't believe I stayed with him this long......I feel

kind of like an idiot. Oh well, lessons learned. Time to move on.

Thanks again,

> Re: Back from my pcp appt.Lyssa

>

> " He said to me, the scale is the only measurement of success for losing

> weight "

> ,

> I am appalled by this statement. It sounds like your doc is living in

> the dark ages!!! Any competent physician would disagree with that

> statement. When exercising it is not uncommon for weight loss to slow.

> You are building muscle mass, which weighs more than fat. Those precious

> inches are a beacon of success. Don't listen to this guy.

> Aside from the fact that this is obviously a man with obesity issues,

> he could prove to be a danger to you! You have had blood in your urine

> for 4YRS, and he has done NOTHING about it???!!! When my husband was in

> the military, I had a doctor once who obviously had no patience for heavy

> people. He actually had the gall to tell me that my problems stemmed from

> the fact that I was fat and just needed attention. He suggested that I

> stop wasting his time, and seek the attention from my husband. Mind you,

> I had female problems since age 12, a medical record that was 2ft deep.

> All he saw was a fat person, he would not even look at my medical records.

> He basically told me that if I would lose weight there would be no medical

> issues. Thank God I went to another doctor, because I found out I was

> pre-cancerous. I had to have a hysterectomy at age 28, and I thank God ,

> because I believe I wouldn't be here today otherwise!!! My surgeon said

> my uterus was no longer recognizable as an organ, as it was so badly

> deteriorated with cysts. He also said that if I had only weighed 98

> pounds, the outcome would have been the same!!!

> I am not trying to scare you with this story of mine. I just think

> that your doctor sounds like many that see obese people as unmotivated and

> that all medical problems must stem from our being fat. I don't know

> where you live, but I have a wonderful doc in MA, who is worth the 1 1/2

> hr drive from NH. I switched to him in order to get my referral.

> This is your health, don't be afraid to assert your needs. After all

> you know your body better than anyone. I hope you don't mind my 2cents.

> I was just really moved by your message.

> Good luck,

> diane

>

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> <http://click./1/6025/14/_/675032/_/962199235/>

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> <http://adimg./img/6025/14/_/675032/_/962199235/468x60greypull.

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June 28, 2000

--You do not have to wait until august. you have the right to change

your primary care physician when you want, some HMO's have regulations on

it, but they are pretty flexible. Maybe you can go to Ruthanne's doctor,

knowing that they have already given a referral for WLS. My HMO will let

me change PCP's once a month, and my old one will let me change everyday if

I want to!! I think that you should change PCP's now, and get in to see a

doctor mainly for the blood in your urine. This can mean a kidney or

bladder infection or a UTI. IF left untreated it can do permanent harm to

your organs. Then if you want you can request a referral to see a WLS at

the same time. Just a suggestion

Re: Back from my pcp appt.Lyssa