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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

I went to the Doctors to discuss weight loss etc - she said she didn't have time!

52 replies

MamaG · 27/08/2006 17:44

Felt really shit about it afterwards, she just said yes, you do need to lose weight, here's a leaflet, I don't have time to discuss it!

I stamped my foot a bit and she agreed to refer me to the dietician to devise a good diet/exercise plan and said if it doesn't work, she'll give me some pills - not quite what I was looking for.

Bitch.

OP posts:
anorak · 27/08/2006 17:46

Is there a HV or practice nurse you could talk to instead?

moondog · 27/08/2006 17:46

What is the problem with that?

Losing weight is hardly rocket science.

Eat less,move more.

{My cousin was similarly outragedwith her GP.Demanded a referral to dietician.}

KBear · 27/08/2006 17:47
  • yeah bitch.

Have you tried low-GI? I've been doing Rosemary Conley (I have my very own thread ). Lost almost a stone since March - slowly but surely I tell myself. It's a very healthy plan, very simple and the exercise is great - we've been doing salsa and it could only be improved by Patrick Swayze turning up for a bit of a merengue!

KBear · 27/08/2006 17:48

moony - a little sympathy please for my friend....!!

TheBlonde · 27/08/2006 17:48

If losing weight was that easy why do so many people have problems with it then?

moondog · 27/08/2006 17:50

Er..because they eat too much and move too little?

i wouldn't query needing help with motivation and education re diet,but I really don't think aGP wouldbe thebest point of contact.Howabout borrowing /buying a few books on nutrition?

niceglasses · 27/08/2006 17:50

MD, you could make millions with your wizard advice. Why didn't we all think of that.........

TheBlonde · 27/08/2006 17:52

Given how many health problems can be caused by excess weight the GP should make time to discuss it or offer a referral to someone with time

Original poster
MamaG · 27/08/2006 17:53

There are posters/leaflets in the surgery saying if you want help losing weight, see GP - so I did. I do eat healthily on the whole but I have a job where I sit down all day and a DS who gets up really early and every night during hte night - not the best recipe for running about like a loony every night. The problem is that I have times when I feel really low and self-esteem hits rock bottom and I sort of binge.

I was hoping for a discussion about why I binge and whether it was a symptom of something else, hence the GP visit.

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 27/08/2006 18:01

At least you got your referral

flutterbee · 27/08/2006 18:04

MD I have to say that over the last 24 hours every post I have read from you has been horribly bitchy.

MamaG your DR was very wrong to send you away like that and to offer drugs so quickly is just plain stupid. I hope the meeting with the dietician goes better for you.

Don't worry about MD's comments if she bumped into an anorexic she would probably offer the advice "eat more and stop feeling fat" because it really is that simple!!!

Original poster
MamaG · 27/08/2006 18:05

Thanks flutterbee

OP posts:
whoopsfallenoveragain · 27/08/2006 18:20

MamaG - When I saw my doctor and mentioned about joining the gym etc he told me to come back and see him in a couple of months to discuss ways that he could help boost my weight loss! I wasn't going to ask!

Glassofwine · 27/08/2006 18:46

You are quiet right to be upset.

hermykne · 27/08/2006 18:54

mamaG, i would be a bit miffed but not exactly devastated. it is a simple mindset and only u can decide to do it.
she probably would have had more empathy if you said you'd be starving yourslef for months and were still not losing weight.

liquidclocks · 27/08/2006 19:00

Being quite up to date with NHS plan/national service frameworks/local policies etc. I a APPALLED that a GP still thinks it's ok togive this sort of response - it's their bloody job to have time!!!! However, I'm unfortunately not surprised - I hoep you have better luck with the dietician. In the mean time if you can, consider changing your GP who can give a toss about your health.

Sorry, usually try and watch my language on here but situations like yours make me lose it a bit

satine · 27/08/2006 19:05

Sorry, but I agree with Moondog. We all know how to lose weight, but it's hard. There is no wonder diet - otherwise there'd be no fat people, so if it's motivation you need, perhaps look at WW, or find a friend to diet with you. I don't really see what a doctor can do other than tell you kindly to eat less and exercise more.

Glassofwine · 27/08/2006 19:19

But satine & moondog that is just the point, we do all know how to loose weight and yet still can't do it. Ever heard of self medicating with food? Ever heard of medical conditions ie. thyroid.

satine · 27/08/2006 19:33

Yes, some people have slow metabolisms due to certain conditions but you still have to consume tha calories to maintain or gain weight. And sometimes over eating is a self perpetuating cycle - if you can manage to do one thing, like go for a walk or a swim or do an exercise video (all better with a friend) then a bit of weight loss can boost self esteem and encourage bigger steps and so on. Try a food diary for a while - can be quite revealing.

suejonez · 27/08/2006 19:40

What were you looking for?

GP's only have about 7 mins for an appt, they don't have time to be supportive or caring any more. Join BigMoFo's on the weight loss threads if you have a lot of weight to lose - we know all about nutrition and exercise and the psychology behind serious weight problems.

"Eat less,move more" - thats really helpful advice, because being fat makes you stupid (I think the fat blocks your synapses in your brain) so you don't understand the calories in/calories out equilibrium.

Following this brilliant advice I will shortly be writing a series of best selling books:

"stop drinking alcohol" for alcoholics
"don't stick the needle in your arm and inject drugs" for junkies
"just stick the nipple in his bloody mouth" for those struggling with breast feeding

I shall be able to retire early having solved the problems of half the human race.

suejonez · 27/08/2006 19:44

the link for stupid fat people who don't understand eat less exercise more

Sunnysideup · 27/08/2006 19:50

oh suejonez, what a brilliant post; post of the day I reckon!

It puts the so-called helpful advice right in it's place....

Mamag, hope the dietician is useful for you. I definitely think a food diary is the way to go; it makes it clear what the bad habits are basically.

I found weightwatchers was the thing that educated me about what amounts of which food I should have on my plate and for ME that was the magic wand that made weight loss actually happen; I found I had much more veg on my plate, much less bread, less of anything processed. I also find having a weigh in looming just makes me that bit more committed.

good luck with it all.

mustrunmore · 27/08/2006 19:51

Not quite sure who's serious and who's taking the piss with these responses. Have to say that I've always struggled with my weight. I know what and how to do it, but have only been sucessful once (but once I made headway, it was alot easier). But gave up running due to my 2 kids (no time, no babysitters etc), and am only just getting back into it. But with me, its alll or nothing. I have to eat perfectly and train perfectly; the slightest deviation messes it all up.
So I do have alot of empathy for you. I'm going to take a headstart ; my friend is getting me some slimming tablets that are only on prescription here (but over the counter abroad), ready for when I stop breastfeeding.

mustrunmore · 27/08/2006 19:52

oh, and food diaries are great. Very revealing, even if you think your diet is ok.

satine · 27/08/2006 19:56

I'm certainly not implying it's easy, but I am unsure what the op quite expected from her doctor.