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Original poster

Bigger ladies, do you try to avoid going to the GP?

59 replies

sprinkleyumnut · 03/09/2021 21:28

I'm a bigger lady, and losing weight slowly but surely. I don't go to the doctor unless I need to, because in the past I had a male doctor very bluntly tell me I wouldn't make 50 which greatly upset me. Ever since I don't like going because my weight is brought up. I'm not huge, I'm not morbidly obese, but I am obese. For example if I lost 50lb I would be quite a bit smaller. So I'm not huge but I am self conscious and doing something about it. So my question is bigger ladies do you feel the same about going to the GP?

OP posts:
Littleants · 03/09/2021 21:31

No, I laughed to a GP once that I was obese and was told “we don’t use that word any more”, then when I asked another GP with help losing weight, I was told I didn’t need help as I wasn’t that bad. I am.

Original poster
sprinkleyumnut · 03/09/2021 21:32

@Littleants

No, I laughed to a GP once that I was obese and was told “we don’t use that word any more”, then when I asked another GP with help losing weight, I was told I didn’t need help as I wasn’t that bad. I am.
You are a lot braver than me, odd they don't use the word anymore though?
OP posts:
Fluffypastelslippers · 03/09/2021 21:33

I don't go to the doctor unless I need to,

That's normal for the majority of the population. I don't see that as being because of your weight.

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Getafuckingdogwalker · 03/09/2021 21:33

Absolutely. I never go for anything.

YourBonesAreWet · 03/09/2021 21:33

I’m 13.5st and short. I was going to say no because I haven’t had a doctor comment on my weight but I have been having problems with my knee and haven’t been in partly because I know my weight isn’t helping it.

weegiemum · 03/09/2021 21:34

Yep, I never go to the doctor.

I have a long term neurological condition and spen

BareBelliedSneetch · 03/09/2021 21:34

After a GP told me it was my fault I had tonsillitis because I was fat, I actively avoid them Hmm

Original poster
sprinkleyumnut · 03/09/2021 21:34

@Fluffypastelslippers

I don't go to the doctor unless I need to,

That's normal for the majority of the population. I don't see that as being because of your weight.

No, I massively underexaggerated there. If I was a healthy weight I would go even if I didn't want to. I've now got to have a really serious reason to force myself to go.
OP posts:
SquirryTheSquirrel · 03/09/2021 21:36

I've now slimmed into the 'overweight' category (long, slow journey) but in my 'obese' days, I never got challenged about my weight by the GP ... for the simple reason that I smoke and that trumps being obese in the 'lifestyle factors doctors tell you off for' Sad.

Runningoutofusernamestochange · 03/09/2021 22:15

Yes. Two reasons, I know full well that almost anything I might possibly be suffering from
is likely exacerbated by my weight.
That I don’t want my current weight and associated risk factors on my records for employment screening and life insurance purposes.

CornishTiger · 03/09/2021 22:24

Yes I am now.

Recently went to see GP about some concerning physical symptoms. Absolutely to be expected after all the things I have experienced recently - all of which happened in close succession and the Mental health team had noted.

He solely lectured me on my weight and asked me when I was going to get the motivation to do something about it.

I listened then calmly asked him if he had read my recent notes. He said yes. So I said let’s focus on me getting to through each day at the moment. I’m sure the fact I’m not eating is also helping with the weight loss.

Then I told him I’m under the dietician and waiting for an appointment. He still didn’t shut up though.

OatcakeCravings · 03/09/2021 22:27

I won’t go due to being obese. However as they have been using an electronic platform during Covid I have used that since I don’t have to physically see them. When I’ve needed medication in the past I have bought it online.

tiredanddangerous · 03/09/2021 22:30

Yes i avoid it at all costs. I've been humiliated one too many times.

Plonkton · 03/09/2021 22:32

I think you have to remember a doctor is a medical professional qualified to give you advice on how to manage a healthy lifestyle and prolong your life expectancy.. I'm not sure how that can cause you offence.. You've mentioned you're obese, perhaps you just don't want to hear it? Unfortunately a doctor isn't going to lie to you to save your feelings.. I agree some of them can be tactless, but you unfortunately need to suck it up a bit.. It's different if it's a member of the public telling you you're obese etc, but this is a doctor. I wouldn't take offence at being told the truth by my physician if I was obese.

PinkFootstool · 03/09/2021 22:43

I'm 20st. I couldn't give a flying fuck. If I need medical help, I need it. I have a chronic condition which is unrelated to my weight so need to see various medical people at least 3 monthly.

Fuck your GP. If you need help, you need it. Same as underweight people.

HopelesslyOptimistic · 03/09/2021 22:57

Absolutely challenge these doctors if they say anything insensitive or rude. Who the bloody hell do they think they are. Same goes for doctor receptionists. I just wouldn't let them go unchallenged. You pay for that service so please please use it.

Pandoracharm · 03/09/2021 23:03

Yes if I went to my doctors with a broken arm would be because of my weight! Had a doctor tell me before I didn't have high blood pressure, had fat arms (machine was too tight!) Had a nurse say about my weight before which is OK but she was twice my size, had a Mars bar wrapper in her bin! Have blood tests I don't have high cholesterol or diabetes think nurse was in shock!

SirB0bby · 03/09/2021 23:10

@Plonkton

I think you have to remember a doctor is a medical professional qualified to give you advice on how to manage a healthy lifestyle and prolong your life expectancy.. I'm not sure how that can cause you offence.. You've mentioned you're obese, perhaps you just don't want to hear it? Unfortunately a doctor isn't going to lie to you to save your feelings.. I agree some of them can be tactless, but you unfortunately need to suck it up a bit.. It's different if it's a member of the public telling you you're obese etc, but this is a doctor. I wouldn't take offence at being told the truth by my physician if I was obese.
This
Plonkton · 03/09/2021 23:10

I work in a hospital and you wouldn't believe the amount of obese health care professionals there are.. I observed an obese dietician in the canteen and just didn't have the words.. If I was obese I wouldn't mind a health care professional of normal weight telling me what I'd already know, but I couldn't take an obese health care professional seriously if they were addressing me about my weight.. I'd just think, you bloody hypocrite.

Keroppi · 03/09/2021 23:15

No, I've thankfully never experienced this. My last GP was obese, also.

I haven't had anything physically wrong with me that my weight would play a role in, tbf, and if I did I would still go but try and beat them to the punch by mentioning my weight and how i'm exercising/mitigating the effects

IncyWincyGrownUp · 03/09/2021 23:32

I only go when I really absolutely have to, so usually when my asthma is at the point where it’s going to be time for a steroids prescription.

I have many things I would like to fix, but my weight was thrown at me as an avoidance tactic when I asked for help with my mental health, migraines, and even my hay fever at one point.

So now I just struggle on.

NotMyCat · 03/09/2021 23:45

@Plonkton

I think you have to remember a doctor is a medical professional qualified to give you advice on how to manage a healthy lifestyle and prolong your life expectancy.. I'm not sure how that can cause you offence.. You've mentioned you're obese, perhaps you just don't want to hear it? Unfortunately a doctor isn't going to lie to you to save your feelings.. I agree some of them can be tactless, but you unfortunately need to suck it up a bit.. It's different if it's a member of the public telling you you're obese etc, but this is a doctor. I wouldn't take offence at being told the truth by my physician if I was obese.
The thing is, it's not like we don't know we are. Eyes and mirrors...

But I've had
A doctor tell me losing weight would help my asthma. I don't have asthma
Told to quit smoking and lose weight to help with my skin condition. I was diagnosed with that as a lanky non smoking 12yo, I HAD quit smoking and had the worst flare ever. My mum also has it, and has never smoked
Advised on exercise. I can't exercise so...

Osrie · 03/09/2021 23:50

Yes most definitely. As I do anyone else that really doesn’t help. All my life I have struggled on, year in year out, up and down so do not need to be made to feel any worse about myself. The really sad thing is I ended up like this because I was led to believe I was too fat. Looking back I can see how it set me on the wrong route. I had an appointment once to see a gp about something and had built myself up to ask for help only to find the doc was bigger than me. I have a two acquaintances who are in the medical profession and they are both bigger than me.

Tinpotspectator · 04/09/2021 06:53

Plonkton is right, though. We seem as a nation recently to be blaming our doctors for everything. So weird, especially in a pandemic. Of course, it won't exist soon, or it'll be privatised in some way, so you won't have the problem.

FlorallyBankrupt · 04/09/2021 07:06

I'm not offended by a doctor telling me I'm fat, I have eyes and I know what I am. I'm just offended if they are resistant to the possibility that my symptoms might be caused by something other than being fat.

DH is currently nagging me to see a GP about the terrible joint pain I get in the night, as he's worried it's arthritis or osteoporosis or something. I'm reluctant to go because obese = joint pain, even though I don't suffer pain in my hips, spine and wrists when I'm walking for miles, only when I'm laying down at night.