Doc's offices and stereotypes

I just wondered if anyone else has felt this way...

I went to my appointment at surgeons office today to turn in my 1st month of diet journal for insurance. They are putting me on a 1200 calorie diet, which is fine. The lady told me to:

*  "increase" my water to at least 8 glasses a day.
*  "stop eating at fast food places"
*  take what I eat and "cut it in half"

Okay... this made me feel really horrible.  I already drink a gallon to a gallon and a half of water each day.. I don't drink soda. I calculated my calories and they are actually increasing my caloric intake by around 2-300. They are ADDING fats to my diet. I already eat less than most of my family - my proportions are aleady healthy as I had to learn to eat for diabetes. The lady also stated that if I do this then my liver wont be so large at surgery and as it stands it's more than likely about 2-3 times the normal size.  Excuse me? I had to stop myself from smacking her.  I probably take in less fat than SHE does. =(  This appointment really blew - I felt like she was stereotyping me as the kind of "fat person" you see on television that shovels greasy, fatty burgers into their mouth all day long.  AND I wasn't the only one to notice the attitude.  My fiancee' is a skinny little bugger and when she said the thing about the water he blurted out "she drinks water like a fish ALREADY what do you want her to do??" then when we walked out he asked me what the lady's problem was.

Have any of you ever gotten the normal stereotype/snotty attitude from anyone in your offices? I KNOW I'm not the only big person out there who eats healthy and can't lose -_-

Do you remember when Jennifer Aniston said the Brad Pitt was missing a  "sensitivity chip"?  Well he isn't the only one in this world.  I am sure she treats everyone this way.  I hate it when I go to a place and am treated like crap by the office workers.  You could call and ask to speak to the office manager and complain.  (Or just smack her! LOL)  There are people in this world that can only feel good about themselves by belittling others.  When you go just remember that she is not better than you!  In fact she is the opposite.  These 6 months will go by faster than you realize.  Good Luck!

Thanks for your reply =)

I know time will go by much faster once I go back to school. I had to take a month off due to the fact I had the Flu AND food poisoning  at the same time. There was just NO way I was going to school like that.  I took a LOA for this module. I go back on February 22nd and I'll only have 4 classes in that 6 month time.  I'm studying to be a medical assistant and earning my associates degree in science as well.  School keeps me very busy but it also keeps me in pain.  My main reason for having RNY is because my back is totally messed up from being 430 lbs @ age 21..I'm down to 305-315 now but it's taken a toll on my back.  Even the chiropractor said the only way to ensure the ability to walk even 2 years down the line... is to drop the weight.  My surgeon's PA says there is no reason my insurance would not approve me but I have to document right and try to follow the plan.  

She also stated that all I would have to do is lose even one pound a month and it would show I followed the diet and insurance would approve me no problem.  Now I KNOW the pre-op diet AND the surgery will work for me ..the battle with flu and f.p. .. I lost 13 lbs over night -_- that's from all the water and nutrients being drained I know but it also shows that once that liquid diet hits..I'll start dropping.

OOOkay! I've talked your ear off..er..typed your eyes off? O_o I'm going to bed haha I'm rambling =) I'll apologize in the morning :D

Hi Kip,

I so relate to your post. They assumed I never exercised, but I did. In fact I've exercised regularly for the past decade. They also assumed I ate crappy junk food. I actually don't like fast food except for a few particular items and even then, I didn't eat those things often. I ate too much food and a lot of it were foods that would be considered "good".  I think some bariatric centers need some education in dealing with overweight people. When I told my surgeon pre-surgery that I was capable of being on an eliptical machine for 30 minutes and that it was something I did 3 times per week he acted so surprised you would have thought I told him I established world peace. He also said he didn't believe me when I told him I didn't eat fast food. The fact is some people can still be fat even if they exercise and eat healthy food (but too much).

It was cool you had your fiance there to validate your experience. I know I sometimes have the feelings of being dissed, but didn't have the validation and ended up hating myself.

I am glad you posted this!

MsBlues

I didn't get any of that from my surgeon or experience it at his office whatsoever.. some of which I think is because they are a certified bariatric center... but I did go through doctors in my search to find one who believed that I had an obesity problem that I could not handle on my own.  Several doctors laughed at me when I told them that I exercised regularly ate right (albeit too much) and continued to gain weight.  One even went to far as to ignore me while I was talking to him.  Several years, several tries at weigh****chers, and several nutritionists later... I finally found a doctor who believed me and helped me find my solution - she's great.. but not perfect either, I find I really have to assert myself to get results.  Don't give up.. and stand up for yourself... there are good doctors out there... but finding them is hard!  I can relate to what you are going through.  Love & Hugs~