Looking for an "Overweight Friendly" OB/GYN Who Accepts UPMC Insurance (Pittsburgh: homeless, office)

[Hopes]

I can't recommend a doctor for you becuase you're so overly sensitive.

My favorite OB/Gyn told me I was 'getting old' when I was 36!

I remember returning to work. My girlfriend asked, "What did he say?" And I responded, "I'm getting old!"

I certainly didn't stop seeing him!

I've been to MANY OB/Gyn's in Pittsburgh. They're a weird group. I hate most of them.

He has zero personality. He has zero sense of humor. But I LOVE him!

Why do I love him? He tells it to me like it is. You might not like that, but it's priceless.

Furthermore, he also doesn't push for unnecessary surgery like the other doctor's I've seen.

I remember when my husband and I decided that whomever had the least risk would get fixed.

I asked other OB/Gyn's and they said the risk was equal. Mine told me the truth---it was a bigger risk for me to go under anesthesia.

My husband had a vasectomy because my OB/Gyn wasn't trying to make a buck off of me.

I think you need to stop letting yourself be so sensitive. So what. You have a weight problem.

Even though I'm not overweight, I can't imagine anything worse than being old at 36!

[ddietrich]

Originally Posted by donnjz

but to completely disrespect not only me but my mother and newborn baby girl, was absolutely uncalled for. This experience made me very hesitant to put myself in the position again

I don't diagree that it was uncalled for and rude. But, if that's the only time someone has ever made a rude comment to you about your weight, you're damn lucky. And because of one rude person (btw, rudeness knows no boundaries by profession!) you've held a grudge for 17 years and counting against an entire profession. That sound like more of a personal problem in that you've let that hold you back for that long, and perhaps if you have that much anxiety and trepidation regarding going to a gyno, some sessions with a mental health professional would help put you more at ease.

[onwardandupward]

It's funny how things stick with you. I still remember a doctor telling me he thought I was faking my extreme fatigue when I was recovering from pneumonia. He may have thought he was trying to "snap" me out of something, but at the time, it just upset me more, as he was totally off the mark.

Regarding our own health issues, I think most all of us know exactly what our faults are, and even what we should be doing about them, so a doctor (or anyone, for that matter) thinking that a nasty comment will spur someone on to change, is often mistaken, and can have the opposite effect. While I agree the OP may well be overly sensitive, I find that kindness and compassion goes a whole lot further in changing behavior than sarcasm and nastiness. I do think her doctor's comments at the time were very much uncalled for. The fact that it caused her to avoid doctors for so long is at this point, history. Let's help her find someone with a better approach.

[camj]

Donnjz, try Dr. Noe Copley Woods with Greater Pittsburgh OB/Gyn. She's very, very nice. I wish I could have stayed with her, but the group went UPMC and I don't have that insurance. I saw her in the South Hills but I believe when I last called she was only seeing patients in Cranberry? maybe. I don't remember where it was but I know it wasn't the South Hills but I would have driven there to see her. I believe see had a child and was limiting her work somewhat at that time ( a little over a year ago), so she may be back to full time at this point. Good Luck in your search!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by camj

I wish I could have stayed with her, but the group went UPMC and I don't have that insurance.

I hope you're aware that you don't need to have UPMC insurance to go to a UPMC doctor.

Although some insurances aren't accepted by all doctors, I just thought I should mention this because the wording of your post could be interpreted either way.

[rothbear]

I go to Dr. Elizabeth Seiders who is part of Magee Women's Center out of the Monroeville office (across the road from the Target). I originally went to her because my other OB/GYN wanted me to have a hysterectomy because I had one bad bleeding period. Hubby insisted I get a second opinion and was I glad! She got me through it all without any surgery. I am also overweight and although we might discuss it, she never judges. In fact the last time she praised me saying that at my age (57) she is happy that I have kept it steady over the last 3 years and not gaining any. Yes, she would like me to lose some, but she doesn't push or judge. I like her so much that I continued with her even though I lived in Kittanning, which is an hour away. I currently now live in SC, but since we haven't been able to sell our house up there, and my health insurance doesn't cover down here, I made a trip up north (9 hours) to go to all my docs, including her.

The only thing is that she is only GYN and not OB. So if you are planning on having any more children you might want to skip her.

[donnjz]

Originally Posted by rothbear

I
The only thing is that she is only GYN and not OB. So if you are planning on having any more children you might want to skip her.

Nope...I'm 51 so no more children. Thanks for the info. She sounds quite promising. My family doctor is the same way -- not judgemental but shows concern that I'm overweight and is working with me to help me lose it and I really like her.

[DoulaKaren]

Don't forget that midwifes do well woman care too! I would recommend Patrick Thornton and the midwifes at the Midwife Center. I think there is a strong bias against overweight women in both ob/gyns and in midwifery and while it's not inappropriate for a health care provider to address an issue such as weight, it's important to not alienate a woman.

[amsherwo]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good OB/GYN who will take patients without health insurance? I moved to Pittsburgh in August and I won't have health insurance until probably May. I'm thinking of checking out the Planned Parenthoods...anybody know of anyone good there or have any other suggestions? Thanks!!

[Hopes]

Any Pittsburgh doctor will take patients without health insurance. You just have to make your payments at your office visit.