A pediatrician vent!!!!

[Disneyland1084]

4 months ago I took my DD4 in for a doctor's appointment with her pediatrician. She was weighed, and according to her BMI she's about 7 pounds overweight. It was a concern, so her doctor ordered some blood tests. They ALL came back negative, and she's healthy. When we went back in to go over the results, we talked about cutting back on carbs, making healthier choices and increasing physical activity, which DH and I are doing with her. The downside is she LOVES mac and cheese, and the only time she gets it is when she goes to her aunt's house. Before we left, the receptionist scheduled another weight check in December. I called today to schedule her 5 year check up for the end of January, and at the same time I said I wasn't going to go to the "weight check" appointment in December because I didn't feel there was a need to. I told them I can weigh my own daughter. All they do at those weight checks is weigh the kid, and ask what they've been eating, etc.. It's a complete waste of time. I know it's important to take good care of my daughter's health, but I said it was a waste of time to go in since we'd be going in 4 weeks later. The receptionist spoke to the doctor. After a few minutes she comes back on the phone and says in these exact words "Dr.******* said if you don't keep that appointment without a valid reason then to find another provider." At first I was speechless, then said whatever and hung up. I'm angry. So far a couple people recommended three other pediatricians, but neither are accepting new patients. Looking at my daughter, you can't even really tell she's overweight. I know that's no excuse, and I really have been better about watching her diet. Was her pediatrician out of line for saying what he did? Have any of you disers been in a similar situation?

 

[minneylovesmicky]

My opinion - way out of line, if your daughter is happy, healthy, eating well and eating good foods and is active, then I wouldn't be concerned about her weight at all.

I think this Dr did you a favour by saying find another provider, as if it was me, I would not take my child back to him at all.

Edited to add - my daughter has always been opposite, Drs thought I was starving her, thought she was anorexic, she was so under weight. She eats and eats and eats but doesn't gain weight, she burns it all off too fast. We found a new Dr for her and haven't been happier

Basically you know your daughter better than anyone, go with your gut feeling

 

[Belle5]

My opinion - way out of line, if your daughter is happy, healthy, eating well and eating good foods and is active, then I wouldn't be concerned about her weight at all.

I think this Dr did you a favour by saying find another provider, as if it was me, I would not take my child back to him at all.

This. Ridiculous!

 

[sahmoftwo]

I must say that your post made me so upset for you and your daughter! I have never heard of a pediatrician saying such a thing and I think they were completely out of line! Personally, I would never, ever go back to that doctor. I am a big believer that I am the mother and the doctor is to offer guidance not dictate and control my decisions. Family practice doctors and internal medicine doctors can see children and might have more availability for new patients. Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

My opinion - way out of line, if your daughter is happy, healthy, eating well and eating good foods and is active, then I wouldn't be concerned about her weight at all.

I think this Dr did you a favour by saying find another provider, as if it was me, I would not take my child back to him at all.

Basically you know your daughter better than anyone, go with your gut feeling

Yeah, he definitely did you a favor. If he's going to be this anal over 7-lbs in an otherwise healthy child, I can't imagine what he'd do if something was REALLY going on. I say get the hell out of Dodge and don't spend one more second worrying about this nutcase. Even if you have to put off the 5yr checkup. I'm sure you can find another pediatrician in the next 12 months.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Thanks for all the support. I definitely won't be going back to this doctor. I can totally understand going in for regular weight checks if there was an underlying disease, but when there's none, I believe it's just a scam to get more money.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Definitely out of line. My daughter has always been a bit overweight. Not obese, but a bigger girl. Her pediatrician has asked what she eats, and asked how much exercise she gets. Her diet is good (occasional treats, of course, but she does eat lots of healthy stuff). In the way of organized activities, she does 3 hours of tumbling a week, has done Girls on The Run (training for a 5K) a few semesters, and in the winter is playing basketball.

As her doctor said, a person can be overweight, and as long as they eat healthy and are active, can actually be a healthier person than someone who is an "average" weight, but is sedentary.

Unless your child were obese, or extremely underweight (where it's unhealthy), then the doctor should not be so obsessed with the number on the scale.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What a jerk. Good riddance.

 

[minkydog]

Thanks for all the support. I definitely won't be going back to this doctor. I can totally understand going in for regular weight checks if there was an underlying disease, but when there's none, I believe it's just a scam to get more money.

I can't understand what his issue is? I mean, it's not like you're not taking her in at all. Why is it so urgent that she be seen in December and not wait 4 more weeks?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I can't understand what his issue is? I mean, it's not like you're not taking her in at all. Why is it so urgent that she be seen in December and not wait 4 more weeks?

Probably mad about the hole in his schedule.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I can't understand what his issue is? I mean, it's not like you're not taking her in at all. Why is it so urgent that she be seen in December and not wait 4 more weeks?

It's just a scam to get more money.

 

[CPT Tripss]

A five year old should weigh how much? 40, 50 pounds? 7 pounds overweight isn't trivial.

 

[hereyago]

You bruised his ego.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I think better now that when she becomes a tween. Sounds like a jerk.

I had a doctor who let my family go because I questioned the way he was treating me over some problems I was having, lack of caring etc. I called him out on it. First he dropped me, then he dropped my husband, then dropped both my children all for now reason. My husband is actually very healthy and maybe saw the doctor twice a year. Yep, he too was a jerk. So don't feel bad.

Ask around, check the internet for reviews and healthgrade. You will feel much better when you find the doctor that clicks.

So sorry this happened to you!!!

 

[disneychrista]

Why not just do her 5 year check at that "weight check" appointment? Or ask to reschedule to do BOTH at one time. I see no reason to make this a separate appointment.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Why not just do her 5 year check at that "weight check" appointment? Or ask to reschedule to do BOTH at one time. I see no reason to make this a separate appointment.

I tried to get them both done in January. They won't do a 5 year check up until she actually is 5. They adamantly refused to wait to do the weight check at the same time.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

It's just a scam to get more money.

They charge for weight checks????????

Wow.

Back in the dark ages (19 years ago ) they told me just to stop in anytime during that week/month/whatever and have my premature son weighed. It wasn't an appointment and they certainly didn't charge me.

 

[Disneyland1084]

They charge for weight checks????????

Wow.

Back in the dark ages (19 years ago ) they told me just to stop in anytime during that week/month/whatever and have my premature son weighed. It wasn't an appointment and they certainly didn't charge me.

Yep, I paid the $30 co-pay last time.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'll be honest even though I'm in the minority.

Before we left, the receptionist scheduled another weight check in December. I called today to schedule her 5 year check up for the end of January, and at the same time I said I wasn't going to go to the "weight check" appointment in December because I didn't feel there was a need to. I told them I can weigh my own daughter. All they do at those weight checks is weigh the kid, and ask what they've been eating, etc.. It's a complete waste of time.

I don't think this was a good choice of words on your part. It's offensive to a team that thought it was important for your daughter to have a weight check in the office in December. We can't know your tone, but my guess would be that the conversation sort of "inflamed" the receptionist, who then, in turn, inflamed the doctor about it, who reacted angrily with his words....

It broke down into a power struggle, essentially.

I know it's important to take good care of my daughter's health, but I said it was a waste of time to go in since we'd be going in 4 weeks later. The receptionist spoke to the doctor. After a few minutes she comes back on the phone and says in these exact words "Dr.******* said if you don't keep that appointment without a valid reason then to find another provider." At first I was speechless, then said whatever and hung up. I'm angry

I think you should take a deep breath and think more about it. You are in a partnership with your medical team with the shared goal of your DD's health. Don't you think the same thing will come up with another provider? Do what you want, but I think it's important to show you're on board with the plan of care for your DD and if you don't think she needs to be weighed in the office, it's probably something you should negotiate at your visit in direct conversation with the doctor. Also, it's really not a complete waste of time, it's an assessment of how she's doing with her nutritional goals. I think it's good to have a doctor that cares so much. YMMV

BTW, all of us have bad days; bad moments. Even parents and doctors. I'm sure, if you decided to, you could have a conversation with the doctor and sort of "start over"; clean the slate. But that's up to you. I just suspect that this is probably going to be an ongoing issue that you're sensitive to, that may come up no matter who you see. Oh, and I wouldn't be happy about a co-pay like that for a weight check, either. But again, maybe it's something you could talk directly to the doctor about - he may not even realize there's a charge associated with it. At the very least, it's a better reason to say than "it's a complete waste of time", kwim?

 

[Disneyland1084]

I'll be honest even though I'm in the minority.


I don't think this was a good choice of words on your part. It's offensive to a team that thought it was important for your daughter to have a weight check in the office in December. We can't know your tone, but my guess would be that the conversation sort of "inflamed" the receptionist, who then, in turn, inflamed the doctor about it, who reacted angrily with his words....

I think you should take a deep breath and think more about it. You are in a partnership with your medical team with the shared goal of your DD's health. Don't you think the same thing will come up with another provider? Do what you want, but I think it's important to show you're on board with the plan of care for your DD and if you don't think she needs to be weighed in the office, it's probably something you should negotiate at your visit in direct conversation with the doctor. Also, it's really not a complete waste of time, it's an assessment of how she's doing with her nutritional goals. I think it's good to have a doctor that cares so much. YMMV

I respect your opinion. Maybe I should have worded it differently, but the receptionist asked why I wasn't going to go in December, and I told her. I told them at her last appointment I didn't think it was necessary to go in when it was so close to her 5 year check up. They refused to have it any other way. Her blood tests came back normal, so the weight checks ARE a waste of time. I told her doctor I will watch what she eats. He's only doing it for the money. And for the record, this doctor has gotten a lot of bad reviews. He's NEVER on time. I remember interviewing him when I was pregnant with my first DD, but ended up going with another pediatrician who was a woman. She retired two years ago, so we went to him. I read the reviews online and thought they were absurd. He was so nice and professional, but only to my face. I realize I might have this problem if I do go to another provider, but no final decisions can be made until I get my new insurance under the ACA taken care of.