9193 - Thursday.

[scottobear]

50 things I've done meme continues with item 33. I...

33. I did not punch a doctor in the face yesterday, despite his smarmy, holier than thou attitude, poor consult practice, shit-eating grin and "you could beat me up just by sitting on me" comment. If I were a less in control sort of guy, I'd have ripped his spine out via his neck, reversed it, and shoved it back into him rectally.

Adrenaline-removed details below.

Dr. D really took quite a lot of wind from my sails yesterday regarding my back. I'm more than a little disappointed and dismayed, but I am happy that a fix is available, contrary to my prior concerns that I have no options.

The short form - I have gained back much of my former lost weight - I'm at 364 lbs. Pulse 82, BP 148 / 88 (far higher than my usual 120/80)

BMI is 42, according to my height vs weight, which is in the very [edit: morbidly] obese category - I obviously need to get back on the stick, health-wise. (some shortcomings of this reference)

His bedside manner was lacking in the extreme - said that I was in a lot of trouble, that my spine has some severe damage that needs to be repaired and the rub is I have too much mass to properly operate on me... he can't get down past all of the tissue, (both fat and muscle) to take care of it.

I won't go into his overly condescending talk about weight loss, but the bottom line is that he feels that he can't work on me now... but he'd prefer that I come back to him in a year after I've lost about 100 lbs - then he thinks that he can repair the damage to my spine and fix the nerve short-circuit in my leg. Meanwhile, I'm going to have to suck it up, and just deal with the pain and numbness issues a bit longer... I don't mind getting on a healthy diet and workout regimen.. it's just a shame that his idea of finding a good one is "pick up a magazine" - rather than guiding me to a trainer and / or dietitian as I'd asked.

So, part of my journal is going to be recording and tracking my weight / workouts again - I'm going to resume my points-based WW program on the palmtop, and we'll see if I can get myself into fighting trim at a reasonable and healthy rate.

I will continue to see that doctor until I find a better one - but meanwhile I'm just happy that there is a chance for repair in the future. I'm disappointed that I still haven't gotten a cortisone shot, but there is a chance of one next visit to my general prac.

After much stress at the Doc's, we swung by the local Games Workshop store (right across the street). It was odd to see a store devoted to just mini wargaming, specifically warhammer fantasy, warhamer 40k and lord of the rings miniatures. Apparently the Glen Burnie site is the USA headquarters for the Games Workshop with dozens tables of goodies set up for play. I was surprised to see the one in Annapolis hopping with people - mid-afternoon on a Wednesday... I'd figure everyone that would want to get in on it would be at work or school. I was impressed by the quality of the paint jobs on the armies... a lot of labor of love going on there. BHK and I both really dug the red and yellow lizard men.

We picked up a very late lunch at Lemongrass Too - it was excellent as usual. More tofu with peanut/curry vibe and spicy-sweet green beans.

We were going to check out Be Kind, Rewind - but it was too late. The only showings at the Bowtie were at 3:30 (missed it) and 9:30 (not on a school night!) - So, while we were in the plaza, BHK shoe shopped - she really liked the keen ones... Timberline, venturea, and malibu styles. note to self for future presents!

On our way out of Annapolis we did discovered the ATW man got gussied up for St. Patty's Day (pictures to follow)... and he also has a myspace page ! Lots of pictures that I didn't have of his past exploits - we went inside ATW and got a floor mat... the reciept mentions where to locate him on the web. I've added him as a friend, but he hasn't reciprocated yet.

Dinner was boiled eggs, salad, and leftover veggie taco "meat". good stuff, solid for the end of the day.

---

As for today - went to work, worked, got on the bus, headed home, wrote a long entry on the ol' PDA.

BHK made some amazingly tasty split pea soup, with chick peas, carrots and cabbage. Lovely for St. Patty's.

Point budget is 35, using the weight watchers points system. I still can't abide weigh-ins and meetings, but the plan has worked for me in the past. Monitoring using the wwcalc program on the palm.

I'll export the results here in the future.

I can bank a few points for the weekend, where I'm pretty sure I'll go over when we dine out.

Misc health info -

10 minute brisk walk to the bus, light level. not worth any points, really.
10 cups water - just healthy.

Researched utility of using company gym during lunch - distinct possibility. 3 bikes, a treadmill and some free weights that might do the trick.
Bring gym clothes, allot 20 min for lunch, 20 for workout, 20 for changing/shower.

---

1 year ago - wrongly accused have to pay back rent for jail time

2 years ago - sunday walkies, path and pics

3 years ago - calle ocho, aroo, writing, chronic, tulips, mummified head of Mata Hari,Idahos mugshots, Girl Scout cookies remind me of Katt and Wendy, Monkeyhot or not, fonts, cool tools, Yu-Gi-Oh! suicide

4 years ago - CoH, Batroc, Bro, uncles, crazy yarn, comic styles, DP reboot (dang Byrne), dance cyclopedia, people as mexican food (metaphor)

5 years ago - Nordis = el sucko, LAN setup, Bellsouth, Lovely gifits from Dani, palm update

6 years ago - Applelard's BDAY!, the moon, cadbury craving, dead website linkies,bilhicks, hairball poll, skijump, silly supers, network names

7 years ago - sweet dreams, evil news, why blowing up buddha isn't so bad

Comments

Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

The more I think about it the more I think that he did not want you for a patient--for whatever reason--past malpractice, bad luck, lower pelvic region not his area of expertise etc. After calming down and thinking about it and comparing it to lawyer horror stories I've heard--his behavior was so egregious as to make me think that he was trying to push you to get a second opinion and another doctor. I'm pretty cofident that doctor number 2 will tell you that losing weight will help but that your weight won't be an estoppel to surgery.

I'm glad you've looked up some of the crap he spewed and discounted it---like figuring your BMI which is NOT 42% of that I'm confident! I think get a real reading of BMI using calipers OR the more accurate flotation is necessary he did neither.

Here's just one article--the most positive I could find on skipping meals---as he suggested---even it says that meal skipping leads to binging later---which is more unhealthy than eating regularly
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20030607/food.asp

Thank you for posting the names of those shoes---I'm gonna do an ebay search and see if I can find some cute cheap ones :D Probably need to look for jeans or pants too since I'm boycotting every major pants retailer in the region :D

But you know me I'm an uppity cuss that doesn't just let things slide if they get under my skin :D

I love you sweetie!

AND OMG that Weight Watchers list has EVERY restaurant on it---SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


THEY even have California TORTILLA!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and P. P. P. S. I'm right by your side with the losing weight getting into fighting trim! I'm gonna hold your hand and walk down that path right by your side with you!

Also Squid Shake
Also how many points is a squid shake?

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Squid,cooked 3 oz. 2 points

Milk shake,any flavor,fast food 1 9

I'd say at least 9. :)

or, mcdonalds medium chcolate shake is 12 points, so add 2 points for the squid - bleagh!

[kat78731.livejournal.com]

If the guy's advice for losing weight was skipping meals and randomly picking a diet out of a magazine, he sounds like a very flawed source of information. Maybe he knows his own areas of expertise better than that, but then again maybe he doesn't... I vote for the second opinion/new doctor route as well.

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

Thank you and GP for the bolstering---it was a real bummer and kind words from friends help tremendously. :D

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I'm in agreement there. "sure, ice cream is good for computers - spoon it right in!"

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[graypumpkin.livejournal.com]

Sorry it went so rough, some doctors are like that, that is to say pompous asses. I definitely go to another doc.
And yeah some exercisers and diet plan, what's matter buddy in a rush to go get your paitient quota in? I guess do no harm dosen't extend to giving lousy advise.

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

I guess do no harm doesn't extend to giving lousy advise.

Or flinging verbal abuse....he was a true asshat.
I keep walking around chanting a little rhyme to myself---"Dr. Drucker, he's a fucker"---makes me feel sooo much better.

Ode to Dr. Tucker

[graypumpkin.livejournal.com]

Here's a little ditty I threw together. And yeah I call every piece of dogrel I throw together an Ode, cause I'm a simpleton and it's about the only poetry related word I know.

With the beside manner of a run amoker
comes the condescending prattle of Dr. Tucker
With soapbox speeches he's like a drunken fucker
but comes to helping he is a shruker
So this I say to you oh Dr Tucker
I bend over and you pucker.

Re: Ode to Dr. Tucker

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

AWESOME! That's a good one!

Re: Ode to Dr. Tucker

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

somehow, I got semi-lyrics from south park's "uncle fucker" tune caught in there!

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I've got johns hopkins up here, so I should have a few solid options!

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[juliabee.livejournal.com]

The doc suggested skipping meals?!! Oh, my. :(

We've heard for years that skipping breakfast contributes to weight gain, and articles about that very thing have been showing up (once again), all over the place, in just the past month. How the hell does does any doctor not understand that skipping *any* meal can cause binging?

:(

Re: Pea Soup makes Pea Poop! HAHAHAHAHAA

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

did say that skipping breakfast is the meal not to skip, but still... he's not the doc for me.

[uberbastard.livejournal.com]

Sir, don't even talk to me until you are MORBIDLY obese.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Well, color me in the club, son!

Morbid obesity is defined as being about 100 lbs. overweight or having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of around 40 or above.

[uberbastard.livejournal.com]

Geez, is there a level above that because I think that's where I live

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Hey, nothing wrong with being the spherical lyrical miracle!

[kat78731.livejournal.com]

Morbidly is just a mean descriptor. Why don't they just use Freakishly or Horrifically?

[acoolsecretary.livejournal.com]

I've had my share of bad bedside mannered doctor's. If a doc tells you to lose weight, in your case a significant amount, the least they could do is give referrals for help in achieving these goals. They gave me high blood pressure medication and to this day no one has told me that there are other things I can do to bring it down.

I've had to alter my eating habits and with a bad back that extra weight can put a lot of pressure on the back. It's hard, believe me, but you sound like you have the best attitude. Hey, you're also a very tall person.

Get another doc, one you'll be more comfy with, this one sounds like a whack-job!!!

Happy weekend!!

[juliabee.livejournal.com]

You sooo do not look obese or morbidly (that's a ridiculous word to describe it) obese to me. The luck of being a tall-y, I suppose. ;)

I'm aware the medical community lowered the weight for what's considered obese in recent years, though. Good for health reasons, I guess. Stuff that I grapple with myself.

[juliabee.livejournal.com]

Oh, and waiting a year?? What if something got much worse with your back in that time? I don't get the year long weight.

Have you thought about sending him a letter about his bad bedside manner? Send him about 5 of those articles (from different reputable sources), about skipping meals being a ridiculous idea. I'm still stunned the doctor suggested it.

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

Nah a letter wouldn't work---I'm putting the word out there that he's a F*****--its a small community the word will get back to him!

Get a new doctor. Drop Dr. Asswipe.

[rhyyss.livejournal.com]

This guy is not just a dick. He's a bad doctor, which is much worse. You need
1) a doctor who actually wants his patients to be healthy
2) a doctor who has a fucking clue.

Lots of people need to lose weight. A few helpful ideas should not be a stumper of a question. And if he cared, he would have offered a couple.

You know the basic math - eat less, exercise more. You didn't need that. But he could have suggested exercises that won't hurt (and might even help?) your back. Maybe some tips about making a plan. A book title or website. Something! Skipping meals is not just bad advice, it is counter productive and dangerous.

Doesn't the Hippocratic Oath include something about "First, do no harm."? Dr. "Doesn't-Give-A-Shit" must have missed that class.

Being a jerk is unfortunately common with doctors. But you would at least hope that their superior attitude comes with sound advice. Bad advice AND bad attitude - stunning. Absolutely stunning. I am really sorry you had to put up with this crap hole.

Re: Get a new doctor. Drop Dr. Asswipe.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

You and me both... thanks for the thoughts!

[silentyrs.livejournal.com]

Hi Scotto,

That doctor was a fuck-tard. I know you're doing WW but I thought you might like a link to a wonderful gym community on LJ where they focus on dispelling fitness myths and giving solid advice on training. I've found them to be really helpful but I'd double check all back-stressing excercises with your Physical Therapist first.

http://community.livejournal.com/gymrats/profile

Much hugs!
~Karen

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Hey, great! thanks for the lead!!

:D

Hi

[richykid.livejournal.com]

I'm just a lurker, but I saw what the doctor said to you and it pissed me off. I used to be quite overweight, and people don't understand just how terribly hard it is to loose weight once you have it.

Anyway, you may already know all this stuff, but I thought I'd share some advice from what I learned from my own experience.

100lbs to loose in a year is going to be hard. You can definately do it, but it will take a lot of dedication, will power, and hard work, be mentally prepared for that before you start.

Do not try and starve yourself. Do not skip meals. It may give you short term success, but in the long run you'll end up gaining everything back and more. It is much more effective to change *what* you eat rather than *how much*. You should go for low-fat, high fiber, high nutrition, and get rid of refined sugars and refined carbohydrates.

By low fat, your total fat intake should account for about 30% of your total calories.

Foods high in fiber are good for your colon, your heart, and they'll make you feel fuller so that you don't have the desire to eat more than what you need.

DON'T EAT REFINED SUGARS OR CARBS. This is all white sugar, white bread, corn syrup, and some people include potatoes in this. Avoid "high fructose corn syrup" like the plauge (which is very hard because the food industry pumps everything full of it because it's a cheap ingredient). The reason is that these things are just empty calories, no nutritional value. When you're hungry, you're not just hungry for calories, you also feel hungry for nutrients. You will feel hungry until you have all the nutrients you need.

Go for whole grain breads, flours, and whole sweetners. These things have lots of nutrition.

Like instead of white pancakes with syrup made of refined sugar, or corn syrup, eat pancakes made of whole grain flour and real maple syrup instead. It'll be much better for you.

Personally, I'm not sure if I trust weight watchers foods. Most I think are still packed with refined sugars. The same stuff as everything else, just smaller portions of it.

If you have a sweet tooth, look for things that have "evaporated cane juice" instead of white sugar. Same plant, just one has nutrients and the other doesn't. Avoid artificial sweetners (they're not good for you either). The only no calories sweetner I know of that isn't bad for you is Stevia.

DO NOT GO ON ATKINS. Atkins is very bad for you. The reason people loose weight is because there bodies can't process all the protien, so you just end up pissing or pooping out all of your food. This isn't much better than being a bulemic (sp?).

Okay, now exercise. To loose weight you have to burn more calories than you take in. It is, in my experience, far more effective to get rid of calories by burning them in exercise than it is to starve yourself. If you haven't exercised much before then aerobic exercise is going to be very hard, and it's going to hurt, and it won't be as effective at burning calories for those reasons. It may sound weird, but I suggest circuit training, or weight lifting with lowish to medium resistance and high repititions. Build up your strength first for a few months before trying to jog or do intense aerobic activity for more than 20min. Circuit training, building up strength actually burns more calories in the long run.

Also, 100lbs is a big goal. 1lb is 3500 calories (I think). To loose 100lb in a year, you'll have to burn 2lbs a weak, thats 7000 calories. So, you'll either need to burn 1000 calories a day through exercise, or withhold 500 calories from your diet, and burn 500 calories with exercise. (Don't try to diet more than about 500calories of what you need to maintain your current weight, or you'll just gain it all back again later.) Burning 500 calories is going to take a minimum of 30 min of fairly intense exercise, and depending on what you do, might take as much as an hour. I know this sounds like a long time to put toward exercising, but it's more realistic than what all the ads in magazines tell you.

Hope this all helps. If you feel overwhelmed with all this feel free to ask questions.

Re: Hi

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the good advice! I'm certainly not into using the WW foods - just the points idea, which is a pretty solid way of just observing how much you eat.

circuit training is what I'm looking at - glad you reaffirmed it!

I'll be taking a lot of info in the next few weeks!