Weight Loss Clinics: Where do you go?

So, I’m wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with an endocrinologist over at the Mayo Clinic... like, what was the whole vibe? Has anyone actually managed to get their weight issues under control through them, or is it just a massive waste of time?

Hey there! So, I actually just put my order in. I’m set to head out there on December 18th, so we’ll see how it all plays out... honestly, I’ve been waiting for this for over six months now. I am seriously counting down the days until I can finally get there and see how everything goes!

ugh... I had no idea the waiting lists were *that* insane... but hey, if you end up getting through it, let me know how it goes! =))

Frank Hughes56 said:Hey there! So, I actually just put my order in. I’m set to head out there on December 18th, so we’ll see how it all plays out... honestly, I’ve been waiting for this for over six months now. I am seriously counting down the days until I can finally get there and see how everything goes!

I realize quite a significant amount of time has passed since this was originally posted, but I have reached the point where I would love to secure an appointment myself. However, I am feeling uncertain as to whether there is any actual logic in doing so, so I would truly appreciate hearing from anyone who might have some firsthand experience to share. 🙂

Thomas Fox67 said:So, I’m wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with an endocrinologist over at the Mayo Clinic... like, what was the whole vibe? Has anyone actually managed to get their weight issues under control through them, or is it just a massive waste of time?

Well, here is my experience: I decided to see Dr. Jelčić back on July 1st, 2011, and without following any strict diet, I have already lost five pounds.
He has an incredibly interesting approach that really resonates with me, and so far, things are going exceptionally well.
If you are interested, I would be more than happy to provide you with some more detailed information. 🙂

Thanks, but I actually went there at the end and it was a total disaster....

First off, they shove this 1200 calorie diet down your throat. There’s zero concept of actual healthy eating or anything. Since I was still in college back then, the lady literally told me she didn't care if I lived on Kinder Bueno all day long, as long as I stuck to my 1200 calories. 😲

Then she goes, "If you don't drop a specific amount of weight by a certain date, you're going on pills..."

And all over their website, they brag about providing psychological support, checking your metabolism, hormone levels, blah blah blah... none of that happened. Not even close...

Physical activity? To them, it's like a foreign language. Seriously, whatever.

Mayo Clinic Obesity Center 👎 👎 👎 I’d honestly rather tell people to just Google stuff than ever step foot in that place. I have no clue why they even think they’re qualified to work with people struggling in this area, but I guess it's like everything else in America—if you aren't paying for a private doctor, don't expect much from them....

Thomas Fox67 said:Thanks, but I actually went there at the end and it was a total disaster....

First off, they shove this 1200 calorie diet down your throat. There’s zero concept of actual healthy eating or anything. Since I was still in college back then, the lady literally told me she didn't care if I lived on Kinder Bueno all day long, as long as I stuck to my 1200 calories. 😲

Then she goes, "If you don't drop a specific amount of weight by a certain date, you're going on pills..."

And all over their website, they brag about providing psychological support, checking your metabolism, hormone levels, blah blah blah... none of that happened. Not even close...

Physical activity? To them, it's like a foreign language. Seriously, whatever.

Mayo Clinic Obesity Center 👎 👎 👎 I’d honestly rather tell people to just Google stuff than ever step foot in that place. I have no clue why they even think they’re qualified to work with people struggling in this area, but I guess it's like everything else in America—if you aren't paying for a private doctor, don't expect much from them....

It’s truly unbelievable; it feels like we weren't even at the same hospital. My doctors were completely transparent with me, but their advice was essentially the polar opposite of yours. They insisted I eat five small, light meals a day and cut out as much sugar as possible—so, absolutely no Bueno for me—along with bread and heavy doughs. They also mandated at least half a pound of vegetables daily, either steamed or in a light stew, and emphasized that without at least a thirty-minute walk every single day, I wouldn't see any progress whatsoever.
I wasn't put on a rigid, restrictive diet, but they did suggest staying within the ballpark of roughly 1,500 calories a day, paired with those walks.
I had my follow-up appointment yesterday, and I haven't lost any weight because I've been going through such a high-stress period lately. The doctor simply advised me to stay the course, be patient, and that the results will eventually manifest. She actually went as far as asking if I felt I needed psychological counseling, as she was prepared to refer me to a specialist.
Right from the beginning, I made sure to get all my tests done (including hormone panels) before we ever started the actual program.
It is quite staggering how different these experiences can be; what you're describing sounds frankly disgraceful.

I’m actually looking into that other hospital now😲

If they’d treated me like that, I would’ve stayed in a heartbeat. Seriously, everything you’re saying sounds amazing... the reason I left was just because all those glowing reviews I heard about them didn't match my actual experience at all. They didn't say any of that to me.

And none of that stuff you mentioned about nutrition? Not a single word from them. Like, I already know the drill—I’ve tried basically every diet under the sun to lose weight—but they acted like they had no clue what my history was. Same thing with exercise... there was some comment about how I shouldn't worry about working out until I "fix" my diet first, or something like that. I can't remember the exact wording, but it was totally useless...

After we talked, they told me to come back for a follow-up in two months. Two months! That felt way too long... I get it, they have a ton of patients, but when you look at private doctors, they’re checking your food diary every single week or something. They actually care about you on a regular basis and help you through the rough patches—especially since some people eat their feelings, and you need someone to teach you how to stop doing that. This whole thing was just a nightmare...

Honestly, you’ve got me so curious now that I’m going to go find out who did my initial screening... might even try to get back in with your Dr. Jelacic instead.

No 😬

Jelčić just gives everyone the exact same pitch, which means there’s zero personalized care involved...
On top of that, he's incredibly rude, arrogant, and just plain unpleasant to deal with.

The only silver lining was that after endless searching, I finally tracked down the psychotherapy I desperately needed. ☕

Can you, like, expand on that a bit? Why exactly do you think he was being such a jerk and all that?...

And did they just hand you the tests and the meds right away, or did you have to fight them for it? How'd that whole thing go down?

Thomas Fox67 said:Can you, like, expand on that a bit? Why exactly do you think he was being such a jerk and all that?...

And did they just hand you the tests and the meds right away, or did you have to fight them for it? How'd that whole thing go down?

After talking to some of his other patients while waiting for my appointment, I've realized it isn't just me or my subjective impression😳

The guy is genuinely unpleasant, I don't even know how to put it into words🤷
He won't let you get a word in edgewise, he just goes on these patronizing monologues. If you actually try to ask him something, you end up offending his ego and his whole persona🙄, everyone else (the other doctors) is clueless and incompetent, while he obviously knows everything there is to know. You, as the patient, are just incredibly stupid and insignificant in his world, and he just repeats the same clichés over and over again🙄

Anyway, I'm really unhappy with his attitude and how he carries himself. If I keep going there, I'll be looking for a different doctor☕

There wasn't any pushback regarding the lab results.

Since I haven't actually stepped foot back in that clinic since my first appointment, can someone please fill me in on what kind of follow-up tests they actually run? And seriously, can I just get my primary care doctor to order them instead of dealing with all that headache at the hospital?

Look, let’s just leave the healthcare system to deal with people who are actually critically ill. They have limited resources, so they should be using them more effectively instead of wasting them on this. If you’re worried about your mental state, maybe try cutting back on the chips, the Bueno bars, and all that McDonald's junk. Spend less time glued to a computer screen and get outside for a walk more often; you won't need psychological counseling if you just fix your lifestyle.

It’s all mental. Stop overeating and you'll be fine.

omg 🙈

Thomas Fox67 said:Since I haven't actually stepped foot back in that clinic since my first appointment, can someone please fill me in on what kind of follow-up tests they actually run? And seriously, can I just get my primary care doctor to order them instead of dealing with all that headache at the hospital?

If you're looking into obesity-related issues, the standard panel includes
Fasting glucose, C-peptide, HbA1c, uric acid, a full lipid panel, AST, ALT, GGT, T3, T4, and TSH. For women, doctors often screen for PCOS by checking cortisol and ACTH levels. If those initial results come back abnormal, they'll dig deeper with a full glucose profile (fasting plus a 2-hour post-meal test), a 24-hour urine glucose test, and specialized adrenal function panels.

vividsailor7 said:If you're looking into obesity-related issues, the standard panel includes
Fasting glucose, C-peptide, HbA1c, uric acid, a full lipid panel, AST, ALT, GGT, T3, T4, and TSH. For women, doctors often screen for PCOS by checking cortisol and ACTH levels. If those initial results come back abnormal, they'll dig deeper with a full glucose profile (fasting plus a 2-hour post-meal test), a 24-hour urine glucose test, and specialized adrenal function panels.

Thanks 🙂

Thomas Fox67 said:Thanks 🙂

Don't mention it. Happy to help anytime.

Thomas Fox67 said:Can you, like, expand on that a bit? Why exactly do you think he was being such a jerk and all that?...

And did they just hand you the tests and the meds right away, or did you have to fight them for it? How'd that whole thing go down?

It feels once again as though we are discussing two entirely different people.
Before starting the program, Jelčić gives a lecture to the patients, and the one I attended was excellent—witty, clear, and very thorough regarding the common pitfalls of dieting and weight loss. He explained in great detail why frequent smaller meals are vital, why reducing fats and carbohydrates is necessary, and why keeping a food diary is absolutely essential.
During my follow-up appointment, he discussed my specific challenges with calorie restriction and how my perimenopause might be impacting my weight fluctuations. He was incredibly polite when addressing my questions about potential hormone replacement therapy.
I came in for a check-up after the summer break having lost only one pound, which made me feel a bit self-conscious. Not only did he not scold me, but he actually commended me, noting that most patients typically gain two or three pounds over the summer, so my one-pound loss was, in his eyes, equivalent to losing three or four pounds.
Having spoken with other patients myself, I can tell you that you hear all sorts of things. It is rare to find anyone who admits they aren't following the rules; everyone claims to be perfectly disciplined, fasting regularly, exercising constantly, and yet, goodness knows, they barely lose any weight at all. I am not sure how he handles those cases, but personally, I tend to take those patients with a grain of salt. 🙂

And did you receive your lab results and treatment immediately, or was there a struggle to get everything sorted out? How did that process go?

There wasn't a struggle at all; in fact, his first step was to write me a referral for every possible blood test and lab work imaginable. He insisted that I come back with the results for a consultation *before* even considering entering the weight loss program. He even cautioned me that we would need to monitor for any signs of depression, as depressive symptoms are often a contraindication for this type of program.
To be honest, he can be a bit gruff, but my personal impression is that he is truly an expert who genuinely cares about his patients.

Jamie Howard3 said:Look, let’s just leave the healthcare system to deal with people who are actually critically ill. They have limited resources, so they should be using them more effectively instead of wasting them on this. If you’re worried about your mental state, maybe try cutting back on the chips, the Bueno bars, and all that McDonald's junk. Spend less time glued to a computer screen and get outside for a walk more often; you won't need psychological counseling if you just fix your lifestyle.

It’s all mental. Stop overeating and you'll be fine.

omg 🙈

Up until 2008, I was quite slim (5'7"/132 lbs), but then I fell ill. I spent 13 months on medical leave, confined to my house undergoing treatment. I literally took about 1,500 pills during that time, without any exercise or a normal lifestyle, and I gained 66 pounds. I’ve tried various diets to lose it, but nothing worked.
I don't believe that overweight people are just undisciplined slackers who are draining the healthcare system. We have a legitimate issue, and we are trying to address it before our weight turns into something truly, SERIOUSLY life-threatening.

Jamie Howard3 said:Look, let’s just leave the healthcare system to deal with people who are actually critically ill. They have limited resources, so they should be using them more effectively instead of wasting them on this. If you’re worried about your mental state, maybe try cutting back on the chips, the Bueno bars, and all that McDonald's junk. Spend less time glued to a computer screen and get outside for a walk more often; you won't need psychological counseling if you just fix your lifestyle.

It’s all mental. Stop overeating and you'll be fine.

omg 🙈

Look, I have PCOS. I couldn't get pregnant, so I was taking Duphaston, and I gained 15 pounds even though my diet stayed exactly the same. Once I finally conceived, I kept taking the Duphaston and gained another 30 pounds... I lost about 25 during delivery, but not a single ounce since then. I've been breastfeeding for a while now, and the weight just isn't coming off. Believe me, I have zero desire to be overweight, and this isn't some matter of "diet and exercise"—I walk and I work out regularly... So, perhaps it's better to just stay quiet, because some of us are dealing with genuine medical issues that have nothing to do with overeating.

My LH/FSH levels were the only thing off; everything else in my labs came back normal...

Look, please stop nitpicking over posts like that. There’s a reason they get flagged and removed by the mods. 🙂