I was shocked yesterday when I went to my gastroenterologist’s for a follow-up visit. He hasn’t been able to sort out my stomach problems that I’ve had for quite a while and I didn’t expect any miracle yesterday, but I was shocked by his behaviour. Every time I go to the clinic they weigh me and compare my ups and downs. I do not go there because I have a problem with weight but because I sometimes have very bad pains. But when he called me in I immediately realized that he was in a terrible mood and I was going to be told off for something. He told me that I had put on ONE kilo since the previous visit and that was not on. I told him that his (very overweight!) assistant had weighed me with my boots on and the boots were heavy but he said that they take into account the clothing otherwise I would have put on much more than that! He was thoroughly unpleasant as according to him I’m not allowed to put on weight. I know I put on weight when I was in Italy but who can resist these?
("Pasticcini" from my favourite cakes shop in Italy)
I’m still size 10 UK although in my forties so I do not think I’m overweight. I know that I have rather brittle bones and I need to be very careful but his attitude towards me was really awful. So I told him to look around as most of the nurses and assistants in his department are as big as elephants and should bully them instead of me! I do not think he will want to see me again! Some of these consultants are very patronising and I can put up with that but I cannot accept when someone becomes offensive. I’m thinking of complaining about him with my GP but what can that change? Another foreigner who cannot understand the rules…Sometimes I feel like that. Anyway, got to go for a run now, trying to get rid of that “terrible extra kilo”…Yes, all in all the gastroenterologist got to me. Now I feel officially fat and misunderstood.
(one of my favourite Italian desserts with strawberries, raspberries and cream/custard)
19 comments:
Clearly he was having a bad day. A sense of humour is defintely needed in these situations. Plus a firm and gentle telling off by you to him for his inappropriate behaviour. Go down town and have the biggest pastry you can find and a huge cup of hot chocolate. That should do the trick. Yes will let you know when I come York way again. It was just a last minute thing last time.
Good morning Antonella, it's Friday, yay! ;)
About your doctor, let's say he was having a bad day. But that does not matter, he cannot be rude to anyone! I’m sure he won’t be able to resist one of those delicious goodies you had in Italy ;) LOL! I'm trying to grab one of that AMAZING "pasticcini", yummy! I don't like the sweets they make here, I miss Italian sweets... oh, anyway I managed to put on 10 kilos since I landed here, argh! I know, I know, shame on me!
Have a happy day! Hugs!
Forget the angry doctor.
He was probably jealous thinking you went to Italy (a dream destiny for anyone), ate whatever you wanted of delicious italian food AND put on only one kg (an average tourist would have put on 3 kg, at least!).
hey, i need to go visit that dr! lol
he'd have a heart attack after weighing me!
he doesn't sound very professional to me.
yes, drs should say something if a person conts to put on excessive weight, but do it in a gentle manner.
have great wkend. ;)
huggies...
I have never had patience with angry/moody drs. You're there for help not parenting. If he was put off by something you did, he should of mentioned it in a kinder/gentler disposition. I've changed drs. at the drop of a hat for bad attitude towards me. (Hugs)Indigo
How utterly rude and uncalled for. That's not a huge fluctuation in weight, and it's not uncommon to put on weight on a vacation. Good for you for pointing out his overweight staff!
I probably wouldn't go back to the guy. Like Indigo, I have no patience for such treatment from a doctor. I was trying to find a new doc several years ago, and went to a guy recommended by my sister (a nurse). He may have been a good doctor technically, but when I tried to discuss things with him, I got very curt, rude answers. I never went back to him.
Hugs, Beth
Hi there. Just stumbled across your blog and am so glad I did. Love the way you write!
Hope you don't mind anew follower from Canada!
Terrible, indeed. Doesn't that doctor know that the secret of a healthy diet is ...self-confidence, self-esteem and a positive attitude to life? If he destroys yours, he doesn't help you at all! I think you should complain and ... find a better one!
Nice pictures!:)
MG
OFF TOPIC: I just saw you have 18°C and I'm veeeery envious! LOL! ;)
Blinkin' 'eck, if I'd gone to Italy and eaten those I would have put on more that 1kg. He was in a bad mood, but I would consider changing to a doctor with a better bedside manner. Tell your GP. Just because you're a foreigner (that sounds like an insult!) doesn't mean you should get treated like that!
If I would have gone to Italy and ate those yummy desserts, I would have gained alot more than that!!
Have a good weekend.
He was having a bad day, but that's no excuse. Complain. And if an apology isn't forthcoming, complain again. The local NHS Trust (his employer) would be interested to hear your views, I'm sure.
He was clearly having a bad day, and I often find that at these health clinics that they don't seem to take their own advice. As for those pastries I wouldn't be able to resist either.
Take care
Yasmin
xx
If I lived anywhere near those delicious looking pastries I would gain about a kilo a week! Chalk it up to the scale being off! They probably do it on purpose so they have something to talk to you about! As long as you are happy with yourself at whatever size than you are perfect!
xoxo
ym
Size 10! You're tiny! He's nuts, ignore it.
Yes, those looks yummy.
Hope you get to the bottom of your tummy problems. I ended up having surgery for mine, I'll tell you all about it one day.
Can I put this post up on expat mums blog?
@Mo: Yes, a bad day, but a doctor should never take out his/her bad temper on a patient. Maybe that’s why we are called patients!!! Let me know next time you come to York, please.
@Kia: Ciao Kia, I’m a bit more relaxed about the “accident” by now. I love Italian sweets, especially “pasticcini”, panna cotta and tiramisu but I’m also totally addicted to scones. I’d give up everything but not scones! Especially cherry scones, so yummy! Have a nice week.
@Monsal Varga: Thanks for your visit. Love your name (at least I hope it is your name). Is it really the name of an ancient god? It wasn’t much the reproach about the putting on of weight to upset me but his attitude and patronizing manner…Anyway, water under the bridge by now.
@Sugar: I think that in a VERY bad way he wanted to warm me for the future. I suffer from a condition called osteopedia, ie. my bone density is less than expected at my age. It is a stage before osteoporosis, so I have to be very careful. But I think the doctor exaggerated quite a lot.
@Indigo: My dear, it is not so easy to change doctors here in the UK. The private system is very expensive and the National Health System is as it is. I’m already lucky to have been by a gastroenterologist twice!!!
@Beth: As I said above, I cannot choose my specialists. My GP has been kind enough to refer me to one! Maybe next time there will another doctor! Fingers crossed.
@ModernMom: Thanks for visiting. I think you probably find my English a bit strange because I’m not English! LOL. I love Canada and it is one my dreams to visit your country. All the best.
@Maria Grazia: Ciao MG, thanks for visiting again. I complained to my GP and he was rather furious for upsetting me. He knows well that some of my problems are caused excessive stress. He said he would write an email to the consultant, but unfortunately, as I wrote above, I cannot change him. Take care.
@notSupermum: I think some of these doctors (especially consultants) feel superior to all of us and I think some of them are rather conservative and not terribly happy to treat “foreigners” on the NHS, regardless if these foreigners have been paying heavy UK taxes for almost 15 years like me!!! Ciao.
@Missie: Hi Missie, I cannot access your blog anymore. Have you gone private? Pls let me in!!!!
@The Dotterel: Hi Tim, as I wrote above, I complained to my GP who’s really very nice and helpful (and he sometimes gets some “pasticcini” from Italy!!!). Maybe it would go further may be not. But next time (if there is a next time with that bloke) I will go prepared. Ciao.
@Yasmin: I cannot complain about the NHS otherwise. My daughter was born here and I had a perfect treatment both provided by my local surgery and the hospital. I suffered from pre-eclampsia and I owed them big time if my daughter and I are alive.
@YummyMummy: I’m sure you wouldn’t have put one anything. You are so lovely slim and gorgeous! I feel fine as I am but when a doctor tells you off you tend to take it seriously, don't’ you?
@ModernMother: I’m not that tiny. I’ve to be very careful because of my thin bones, so in a way the doctor a bit right. Wrong way to tell people, though! Hope you are well now with your stomach. I should have had a laparoscopy examination but I’m too scared! Yes, you can put this post on expat mum blog. It’d be an honour. Ciao.
Oh Antonella, how can that doctor call you overweight when you are only a size 10. I`m the same size and I wouldn`t take it very well if the same was said to me. There`s no excuse for his rudeness at all. If I were offered such tasty looking cakes and desserts I`d never refuse them ever and would probably put on tons of weight...lol! :o)
Love and Hugs
Sandra xxxx
That is really shocking. I would be offended, and I'm a good UK size 16. You're right, I don't know that complaining will achieve anything, but I don't think that's a reason not to complain. They need to be told, and hospitals do usually take complaints seriously (as they're worried they'll be sued). I'm not sure it would change anything, but you never know, maybe you're not the only person who has complained about his rudeness. If a number of people have complained, maybe the managers will have a case to do something about it.
@Sandra: He did not tell me directly I was overweight but that I shouldn't put on more weight. It's mainly because of this problem with my bones but the way he treated me was totally wrong and I have complained about him. Ciao. A.
@Jackie: As I wrote above I've complained to my GP and he has written a complaint to the hospital. He was furious as well! I'd be satisfied if I can avoid someone else to be mistreated like that!
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