Most people find it difficult to talk to their doctors regardless of the topic but when it comes to the sensitive topic of weight loss many patients would much rather skip the conversation entirely.
Patients are reluctant to open up to their doctors about their weight management struggles because they feel ashamed, embarrassed, or like they will be judged.
But the truth is, your doctor is here to help and the more honest you are about your struggles around weight loss, the more likely you are to succeed as they can better treat the issue.
Starting the conversation about weight loss with a doctor is the hardest part of the process. "What should you say?" Fear not, we are here to provide you with our top five tips on how to talk to your doctor about your weight management concerns.
1.) Keep the conversation honest. Let your health care provider know about your struggles. The more honest you are, the easier it is for your doctor to pinpoint the issue(s) and recommend the best plan moving forward.
2.) Share some of the issues you have faced with cravings and hunger. Feeling like certain emotions trigger your hunger? Try to identify situations where you feel you need the most support when it comes to combating hunger and cravings.3.) Talk about your goals. How much weight would you like to lose? What does your "goal self' look and feel like? Do you want to fit back into your favorite skinny jeans you haven't worn in years? Do you want to be able to go for hikes with your friends? Knowing your motivation, and end goals help your doctor develop a plan to get you there.
4.) Discuss your overall health. Does your weight cause shortness of breath? Sleep apnea? Achy joints? Digestion issues? The more your health care provider knows about your overall health, the better they can understand how big of an impact weight plays in your complete well-being.
5.) Use your personal weight loss assessment to guide your conversation. Our personal weight loss assessment is intended to help you reflect on your weight loss efforts as well as serve as a guide on what important points to bring up with your doctor including past diet efforts, the success of past efforts, and challenges you've encountered.
Your doctor is there to help and support you on your journey. Losing weight isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, it's individualized. By having open and honest conversations with your doctor, the more tailored your program will be hence the higher chance that you will succeed.
CON-1445-001 11/22