It's been a few months since I had my appointment and I'm reflecting on how big of a disappointment it was. I have PCOS and I've been trying to find a doctor to give me any remotely helpful advice for years. My gynecologist has never been very helpful, she just gave me the usual "lose weight and go on birth control" nonsense that every PCOS patient gets told. I want a real solution or actual ways to improve my health, not just a bandaid. Even before my PCOS diagnosis I've had many signs of hormonal issues between extremely bad cystic acne, feeling perpetually exhausted, brain fog, unexplained weight gain, etc. It's an extremely frustrating and invalidating experience to go to doctors that offer no solutions and just dismiss you outright. I thought seeing an endocrinologist might finally provide me with something useful but I left my appointment feeling more disappointed than ever. I have a degree in Exercise Physiology. I understand how calories work. I also know that the human body is a bit more complicated than a basic calculator and there are other things that can influence your weight beside how much you eat and exercise (hello PCOS). From the start of my appointment, Dr. Khong was just talking at me and not listening to anything I said. If he had taken even a moment to actually get to know me he would've realized I already knew everything he was saying about calories in, calories out but instead he gave me a rather condescending lecture that lasted basically the duration of me 40 minute appointment and never even addressed any of my concerns other than to say PCOS is about symptom management which is the same pathetic excuse I've heard from every doctor before. He wrote in his notes I've struggled with being overweight my entire life which is blatantly false and the RECORDS THEY HAVE even prove that. I've been a sutter patient my entire life so every weight they've ever taken has been recorded and I can even see it myself on MyChart. I never struggled with weight until I was in my late teens and there were 2 episodes I mentioned where I gained a significant amount of weight with NO CHANGE to my lifestyle. If anything I was *more* active, not less. He never acknowledged that, simply spoke over me. His entire take away was that I just needed to count calories and lose weight. Also never asked me whether I have a history of eating disorders or anything like that. I don't but since I've struggled with my weight for a while I have tried dieting before and it was a very unhealthy experience for my mental health so counting calories is an absolute no for me. I do however absolutely practice mindful eating as much as possible and I know when I'm eating more or less than usual. Just because other people don't necessarily do that, doesn't mean it's appropriate to outright dismiss that a patient might actually know their own body and lived experience more than the doctor. They had me schedule a follow up while I was there that I ended up canceling because I truly never want to see this doctor again. I really hope he reads this and learns from it because it was a crushingly disappointing experience for me. I was very, very upset afterwards, not only from the lack of help but with how small he made me feel in that moment. It's very difficult to be an overweight woman with health concerns because it's rare to be taken seriously by doctors and statistically, many of us die because of their lack of concern for us as human beings. In case it's not clear, I very much do not recommend this doctor. Book with anyone else. read more
