The Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Blog: Failing as a Physician

Lat night I went to a local restaurant and they sat me and Nataliya at a booth next to a medical patient of mine.  (He is not in the SP Program and will not read this entry)  I just saw him for a physical exam several weeks ago and he has multiple medical problems, many of which are associated with his morbid obesity.  Obviously, during the course of the visit, I (politely) reminded him of the importance of weight loss in hiss efforts to become healthier and rid himself of medications.  He is a  highly intelligent person and of course, knows the consequences of his weight.   I offered him the SP Program and he told me he would ‘think about it”.  Last night as I was walking to the table, I saw a plate of nachos in between he and his wife and that was clearly an “appetizer” as there was a burger and fries in front of him as well.  Clearly, my words and efforts failed.  As I think about this, I do start blaming myself a bit, believing that perhaps I can deliver the message in a more impactful manner.  Should I be more “tough”, like keep a casket in a room, walk an obese person over to it, ask them to hop in and see that their near future will be, should I make my suggestions in a different manner?  Should I market the SP program more aggressively?  I guess if I cannot get my medical patients to pursue a weight loss effort, whether it be SP or other, I have failed as a physician for that person.