Nidhi Mittal, FNP-BC

Before age 50,(currently 52) I maintained a healthy weight. Since then, I have battled breast cancer and am thankfully cancer-free, but not without lasting effects. I have undergone six surgeries in the past three years and still have two more to complete. Due to complications, my doctors have recommended waiting another year before any additional procedures so my body can recover. My appointment was extremely disappointing. The provider walked into the room, looked at me, and immediately asked if I was there for surgery. I responded by asking if she had reviewed my medical history. Throughout the visit, I felt that my concerns about surgery, needles, and my past medical experiences were dismissed. I explained that the medication she recommended was not covered by my insurance under any circumstance and that I was hoping to discuss alternative approaches. As a cancer survivor, I am also concerned about potential side effects, including hair loss, and wanted to understand whether my… sleep apnea and heart conditions would make certain treatments inappropriate. Instead of addressing those concerns, she continued recommending treatments that were not covered by my insurance, emphasizing that they were "only" $500 per month or $109 per month. Those costs may not seem significant to some people, but they are not affordable for everyone. When I asked for alternatives, the suggestions were again treatments that my insurance would not cover. My impression was that if you are looking for injections or surgery, this provider may be a good fit. However, if you are looking for someone to help identify the underlying causes of your weight challenges and work collaboratively to find solutions, that was not my experience. When I requested to see another provider, she left the room. By the end of the appointment, I was in tears. I felt that my concerns, intelligence, and lived experiences had been dismissed. People struggling with weight deserve the same respect, compassion, and thoughtful care as anyone else. To make matters worse, tests were ordered that staff indicated would not even be submitted to my insurance because, in their words, "it's only $75." That decision should not be made on behalf of patients. I strongly encourage this provider to work on bedside manner and patient communication. I am fortunate to have several physicians and nurse practitioners who have consistently treated me with empathy and respect, and I know the difference that compassionate care can make. I sincerely hope future patients receive a better experience than I did.