What is so unhealthy about being over or underweight anyway?

I always make sure to keep up with my annual exams, not only because it's healthy but because it's a nice experience for me. But recently I've gained a few pounds, and as always I carry extra weight in my belly. I haven't had a doctor comment on this since I was a much younger chubby kid, until my last appointment with the gynecologist.

She was a new doctor. I change doctors often because I travel a lot, and it is usually fun to compare them. But as soon as she pulled the paper sheet back to examine my belly, she frowned and asked, "Is your abdomen usually this size, or is it swollen today?"

Of course I had to tell her that I just happen to have a plump tummy. She kept on frowning for the rest of the exam and talked a lot about how I should make sure to eat healthy and exercise, although she didn't ask me about my diet at all. I like a little humiliation, and it turns me on to think about it now that it's over, but at the time I was mortified. It made me think of failed appointments with playdocs who decided I weighed too much for them. It wasn't a nice feeling.

Have any of you ever had a doctor comment that you were too heavy or too thin? Would you like a playdoc to talk about your weight during a play exam, or would you just feel ashamed?

And finally, how fat is too fat, and how thin is too thin? Should I maybe think about losing some of the weight I'm carrying around in my belly, and what might happen to me if I don't? It's nice to think of all the exciting medical procedures I could go through if I were unhealthy, but of course I don't want to actually make myself sick.

In my experience, when a doctor talks about diet and exercise, or the size of your abdomen, it's a good sign that he or she thinks you need to lose weight. She may not have talked to you about your diet because she's not a dietician, bariatric specialist or endocrinologist.

Some things you might want to ask yourself; are you pear-shaped and heavy through the hips as well? This could be a sign of diabetic syndrome which is a precursor of diabetes. When was your last blood glucose test? Do you have high cholesterol levels? How much exercise do you get? What is your BMI? Last, and most important, are you happy with your weight? Does your weight cause you to be self-conscious?

Weight loss doesn't have to be a big deal, in fact the basics are pretty simple. Eat less and move more. I know that sounds condescending but as one who has been there, it really does work. I practice strict portion control, never put food in my mouth after 8 PM, I don't buy snack foods and I walk 1.5 miles every day. I reduced my weight slowly and set reasonable goals. I rewarded myself with non-food items like a French manicure and a drawer full of sexy new panties in a smaller size.

Because of my medical condition, weight is very important. One of the transplant centers where I am being evaluated won't even interview patients if their BMI is over 38 because the likelihood of a successful outcome is so decreased. I recently lost 10 pounds in less than 2 months. When I say lost, I mean just that, I wasn't trying to lose weight and I have no idea where it went! My doctor spoke to me quite firmly about that.

If you are happy with your weight and appearance, and your weight is not causing health problems, that's fine. On the other hand, if it is causing problems, you might want to schedule an appointment with a PCP for a complete physical, blood work, and guidance on sensible weight loss.

Certainly I've had doctors comment about my weight when I was younger, I was quite underweight and they had some cause for concern. It seems to have balanced itself out now though.

I'm quite plump and I personally love being weighed and will often request that they check it during appointments, they generally don't seem too interested as it isn't directly linked to the appointment itself. I find it really enjoyable to have them look over my shoulder at the dial and read off the numbers, I'll always ask if "that's okay" in the hopes of being told off. Medical/humilation is totally hot! Unfortunately all the doctors and nurses I've been to are generally very polite and will normally say that I'm "average" or "a little heavy" 😢

Thankfully they've now started doing waists measurements too, which means my chubby belly gets some attention and at 45" they can't really deny it either 😄

Even had one nurse say "you need to lose some of this!" and grabbed my spare tire. Heaven!

Certainly I've had doctors comment about my weight when I was younger, I was quite underweight and they had some cause for concern. It seems to have balanced itself out now though.

When I was a child I was underweight due to a metabolic imbalance. It seemed to get worse during my teen years compounded by low grade dyspraxia. I was sent to physical therapy to minimize the symptoms and improve my coordination. I had to take medication to correct the imbalance. Being underweight is not all it is cracked up to be.

Losing weight and gaining weight have been such you have to do these things but the fact is most weight problems whether over or under are the result of other medical problems not eating.

My doctor has told me about my weight. I’m losing some just to stay healthy but I won’t get not even close to my BMI ideal weight.

This year my labs all came back normal and she said that whatever I’m doing to continue. I tell her I’m body positive and she laughs.

It's sad that doctors who should know that a heavy patient can be healthier than a fit skinny one, act like that.

Losing weight and gaining weight have been such you have to do these things but the fact is most weight problems whether over or under are the result of other medical problems not eating

Maybe or maybe not. A lot of obese people don't choose to be obese or overweight due to medical or hereditary issue. But too many overweight people lack proper diet, exercise, self control, or lack the fortitude and discipline to address their weight. Obesity is a big problem in the US and has got worse over the last century - sedentary lifestyles have significantly contributed to it.

We've always been weight conscious and fortunately don't have medical issues that make us over or under weight. For those that legitimately don't have a choice due to medical, hereditary or other health issues I wish you all the best. For those who do have a choice and are too lazy to simply take the bull by the horns and do something about it, no sympathy.

I've been overweight my entire life so I'm used to comments from doctors. A few times I've even gotten cute/playful comments; one doctor rubbed me on the belly and called me a buddha, hehe. If it was a different setting I would say he was almost hitting on me!

Unfortunately it's kinda gone to an extreme in the other direction for me. Literally last year almost, I had a knee doctor tell me I was going to get diabetes and die soon no matter what I did, even if I got bariatric surgery. I told my PCP that and she was like “wtf…?”

I am obese

At my heaviest I was 132kg. Today I am 107kg. With the help of a zity dom I am steadily losing weight. Last Monday I came off my bike. I have lots of bruising, had a thick lip and a minor fracture of my wrist. I dread to think how much worse it would have been if it had happened when I was at my heaviest.

Weight is not as important as BMI. I am short so when they look at my desired weight it's quite low. However, with my muscle mass, I'm allowed to “carry” more. However….I do have unwanted “fat” as well…which my BP and other numbers reflect. So, I try to keep that part lower….

A bit off topic - but if you plan on losing allot of weight rapidly; be careful as it can cause gallstones. I speak from experience, and wished I had been given Ursodiol as a preventive.