Diet Advocate

Oh, Paradise, I know just exactly how you feel. I had a doc at one point who was a pretty nice guy, but I think he might be a drug addict or something. I sat in his office an hour PAST my appointment time once and THEN his receptionist came out and told me he was staying home today with a "migraine". I went probably 2 or 3 years just avoiding the situation, then when I had some health concerns I could no longer ignore, I called to make an appt, got the voicemail, and the mailbox was full! My sis needed to get some medical records from him from a car accident, and could not get ahold of him until she subpoena'd him or something. Anyway, that's not the issue is it? But crazy!

Well, I obviously decided it was time for a new doctor, and I couldn't find anyone at work or elsewhere who could recommend someone good in my area (and my sis was going to crazy-doc!), so I ended up finding my new doctor on the internet. Some of the search sites have reviews, and I found one where an overweight woman said she went to her and found her very professional and compassionate. I'm happy to say she was right - I love this doctor. I was scared to death to go, because yes, I am morbidly obese and the effects of it were starting to show. I was embarrassed about the state of health I let myself get to, and I was super sure that no medical professional could possibly have anything but scorn for me.

She did some baseline tests such as an EKG, blood work, and ordered me the sleep study which I believe has ended up literally saving my life. I am going there once a month to weigh in, and she is nothing but encouraging and caring.

Now that I am seeing a doctor that I trust and keeping a much closer eye on my health issues, I believe that getting regular medical check-ups is a very powerful tool in this weight loss journey we're on. It has forced me to really LOOK at what is going on, and without really acknowledging something, it's kinda hard to change it. I thought going to the doctor was going to be a humiliating and defeating experience, but doing it has done nothing but empower me.

Best of luck to you!