How do you get the most out of your visits to the doctor? Whether you’re sick or just getting a checkup, you’ll want to take some steps to make the most of your visit.

• Make a list of questions, issues, etc. that you’d like to talk about before you go. Sit down with your spouse or another family member and talk about any issues you might want to bring up while you’re there.
• Print out copies of notes you’ve taken about your condition or concern. If you’re referring to books or websites, take copies with you if possible.
• Don’t be shy about asking the questions. Get out your notes and go through the things you want to talk about. If you think the visit will be a long one, alert the staff when you make your appointment to allot extra time.
• Take notes during your visit. Ask your doctor to repeat things, spell them, whatever is necessary.
• Don’t let your doctor put you off. If your doctor seems as if he’s in a hurry to go or doesn’t have time, then politely ask if you should make another appointment to get your questions answered. Chances are, you won’t.
• If your doctor blows you off or acts as if you’re silly to ask these things, seriously consider getting another doctor. You have a right to understand your health and your care.
• If your doctor’s directions or advice differ from what you expected, then ask about his reasoning. You have a right to know why a course of action is being prescribed.
• Ask your doctor if there’s a website or literature you can get for more reading.
• Your visit doesn’t necessarily have to end when you walk out. If you have concerns, call and speak to a nurse or leave a question for the doctor. Don’t worry about being a pest, it’s your health.
• Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Often doctors working in the same practice will have varying ideas on how to proceed with a patient’s care.
• Do your own research. No, you’re not a doctor, but that doesn’t mean you can’t, or shouldn’t, understand everything about your health that you can.

In case you’re wondering, I have a reason for posting these tips. I’ll write about it in a few days, once I’ve had time to get over my frustration. If I wrote about it down, it would just be a bitch session. Let’s just say that I had a less-than-positive experience with my new doctor. I’m grateful that I’ve begun to get more assertive with my own medical care, and I’d like to help others do the same.

If you take nothing else away from this… it’s your health, your body, your future. Your doctor is just a person, capable of making mistakes, having a bad day, or simply not giving a crap. No one cares more about your health than you do, so step up and take charge of your medical care.

Emoms at Home has a great article today. She talks about struggling with depression and feeling inadequate. You’ll be surprised at what you can really do, or “you can do more than you think you can…”

Thinking about this in terms of your health and weight loss, think about what you’ve accomplished already. What changes have you made. How are you taking better care of yourself now than you were a few months ago?

I believe that the biggest hurdles we face are often our own negative thoughts. As long as you think you won’t be able to do something, you won’t. On the other hand, believing you can do something is often 90 percent of the battle. Unfortunately, we continue to tell ourselves we can’t do the things we want, and we allow other people to do the same to us.

Spend some time today reminding yourself of all the things you have done, and can do. If someone, including you, tries to say differently, don’t listen.

So, what can you do?