Comments on: You Know it is Time for a Gastric Bypass When…..

By: KC_the_professional_pt.

KC_the_professional_pt. — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:59:34 +0000

Well goody-goody for “cl.” I am one of those poor bastards that has every flippin’ card stacked against them for being obese & thanks to high doses of steroids, we’re talking decadron baby, the elephant gun of glucocorticoids, I have gained 110 lbs., which came off of me in months when the immnuosuppressant were working for me, so if you are lucky enough not to have gained immense weight to match your moon face, good for you (mumbles under breath: you shallow tool!). We have genetics, we have endocrine disease, & after being on steroids for 5 years, I am DOOMED to always being a big ol’ fatty! I’ll NEVER weigh 130 lbs. unless I am dying! I am literally carrying approximately 60 lbs. of water weight at this very moment. My legs have swollen up & all I can do for it is to double up my dose of HCTZ & pray I don’t piss myself! It is sad that there are a few of us fatsos out there that are not eating McLardos or other fat & calorie laden foods & the only exercise is either to lift a fork, click the remote, & wobble off to the fridge, but guess what: we, the lonely few of the group that may get a little slack from some, we are often treated to the love (sic) of those around us. I will not ever be a candidate for bariatric surgery of any sort thanks to auto-immune disease, a really nasty one at that. Let me weigh in (hardee har har) here about bariatric surgery, & I’ve seen 2 of my friends die from the roux-en-Y procedure, due to malnutrion & stupid doctors! Yes, stupid doctors. Just like the rest of our society, there are bound to be stupid docs out there, just be smart enough to move on when you feel that you have one. Physicians are a sort of commodity, they are “selling” a service & you, as a consumer, can “return” them & look for one who is better suited to care for you. I have had to do so & even though some of my docs can be less than friendly & chipper, but damn, they know how to treat me & keep me alive! I may be flippin’ huge for most people’s tastes, but I am not trying to appease the masses, I’m simply trying to stay alive, whether I am fat or acceptably thin enough to be amongst the “beautiful people” (but keep in mind beauty does not = smart), I AM ALIVE! That in itself is a miracle of sorts as I have had 3 of my docs tell me that they are truly flying blind when it comes to my care. I’d also like to lay myself out, so to speak, before I got sick, I was judgmental of others by the way they’d look too. Thanks to the way things seem to go for A-holes of that sort, let me tell you that I first got fat, then had to have my teeth pulled, all of them, because I had constant infections, even a nasty bout with endocarditis, & my docs & I figured that it may be a wise & prudent step to make sure that it wasn’t coming from my teeth (as they were prone to all sorts of problems & decay), so there I was; fat & toothless, now just to really make things funny for some, & a true kick in the arse for me, my beautiful light brown, curly hair, which is long & oh so thick, will probably be the next to go, as the next step in trying to rein in my wild immune system is chemo! Ha ha! So, just to stay alive, I’ll have to suffer being a fat, toothless, bald bitch! The lesson I’m hoping some of you shallow folk can take from my experiences: don’t judge by looks! Instead of worrying about your body size, why not try to broaden your education by investing in reading more, talking to others you judge as “too fat, too ugly, too thin, etc.” & see if you can’t learn a thing or two that you didn’t know? One of my favorite things is to read while I waste time on the stationary bike at the gym (the only piece of equipment I have gotten the green light to use by my docs & the gym’s trainer for the time being) & I also love to learn new languages. Broaden your horizons in a mental way.
As for all of the detractors & those I suspect of having mad cow disease who read this doc’s blog: go screw! Working in an ER is the most stressful, trying, horrendous, & at times, most rewarding job there is. Whenever you are having to care for the lives & mishaps of the public, some who are liars, cheats, nasty to the core, sick as hell & basically “time wasters,” you need an outlet to vent. This doc is not writing to upset people, he’s letting out the blackness & trying to be humane. I’d rather he let out what’s getting to him, & doing it with humour, than being a provebial closed ear prick to his patients & the staff around him. I’ve seen those sort, have had the misfortune of being in their care & it because of that that I wish it was mandatory for all health care workers would use blogging instead of drugs & alcohol, are just out & out meanness to vent their woes. Keep making me laugh doc, as they say, laughter is the best medicine & golly, you’re a funny one & a veritable “good read!”

By: cl

cl — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:57:50 +0000

Most things that are worthwhile aren’t easy. I am on steroids for colitis. I do end up with the moonface, but I maintain a healthy weight. How? I focus on healthy diet. Plenty of veggies and fruits even if I have to boil them so that my digestive system tolerates them. I get out and go for a run even if I have to carry toilet paper and run in the woods. It’s a matter of being proactive and doing what it takes to be a healthy. It’s not just about the weight, but also good physical and mental habits.

By: nic

nic — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:11:18 +0000

u ppl r a disgrace to mankind, is this the way u speak of ppl that r too blak, or too white, or too gay or too jewish, get the fuk out of here, i am humiliated to even think that i share a country with ppl who r so closeminded, i hope one day…”nurse k”…that u have a child that is overweight, lets see how u feel when they come home from school in tears bc sumone like urself made fun of them…and if ur soo fukin smart try to look up hereditary things…like being over weight, do u think that ppl who r born with cancer or any other disease or abnormailty chose to live with that…no…….go fukin kill urself…..or maybe one day ull piss off the wrong “fat”bitch

By: bitter_reprisal

bitter_reprisal — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:54:53 +0000

Everyone in my family is overweight…except me. I worked hard to do something about my weight because I recognized that it was unhealthy. My sits smoking and eating fried chicken and brownies and talking about how much her legs and back hurt. I got some antidepressants, a gym membership (I go 5-6 days/wk) and a fridge full of HEALTHY food. I researched calories and fat and fiber and portion sizes. Hate to break it to you, folks, but sometimes things take EFFORT. Also, my mom has diabetes, CHF, COPD and will probably not live to see 55 as she’s already almost died several times and is still in her 40’s. You are where you are because you want to be. (With the obvious exception of those FEW with a valid medical excuse that they literally can do nothing about.)

By: Violet Bifulk

Violet Bifulk — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:06:40 +0000

Oh yes. While we’re on this line of thought, might I add that eating a healthy, natural diet has recently become more expensive than buying highly processed, shelf stable foods, probably because of fuel prices in combination with the highly perishable nature of natural food. This is really sad. It costs more to make it yourself than it does to buy it in a box!

By: Violet Bifulk

Violet Bifulk — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:03:14 +0000

Hello, I had the opportunity to work at the U of M with a professor of food science & nutrition for 6 years. He wrote an interesting treatise about the obesity epidemic in America while I was working with him. He defined obesity as “a state of malnutrition created by the American food industry”. Food companies add sugar, salt, and fat to food as a cheap way to maximize flavor; they also substitute more expensive natural ingredients with chemically derived formulas. This technique is called, “Value Added”, the goal being to to maximize their profit and keep the stock holders happy. Add to that the typical American’s sedentary lifestyle–sitting at a computer at work, driving everywhere, watching television, etc.–and you have an epidemic of obesity.

Nobody chooses to be obese. They are, simply enough, victims of a terribly dysfunctional culture.

By: Food Service Ninja

Food Service Ninja — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:15:29 +0000

my 2 cents

I think some are forgetting the main purpose of many blogs is to vent about the authors life which usually is work related. SO the thought and comments here are what the posted thinks not what they actually say to the overweight in the flesh.

At least I hope the medical professionals here have a better bedside manner -its one think to practice tough love and point out what needs to be done to lose those pounds.

I think you need to realize anyone over 300 lbs has an addiction like problem. You do not just fix it immediately nor easily. Exercise is far from easy if you have gotten to the point you have joint problems. I have a bad knee and exercise with only that problem is far from easy as it is very difficult to not over do it.

I suggest you direct some of your antimosity and lobbying to the food producers –>reduced portions/healthier options in restaurants and processed foods so full of chemicalized ingredients the stuff is plan toxic to the eater.

By: m (2)

m (2) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:52:23 +0000

“If you choose not to do anything, that’s fine, but being angry at someone else for your decision isn’t exactly fair.”

It seems to me that obese people field more anger from other people than they direct toward other people. I’ve only been awake for an hour, and have already read so many intolerant posts (on various subjects), I’m ready to turn off my computer for the day. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.

By: Troy

Troy — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:06:32 +0000

“Believe it or not, people do not do this to themselves on purpose. Do you know anyone who sets out to be the fat guy as a goal in life? Because I don’t.”

Knowing you’re overweight and choosing not to do anything about it IS doing it on purpose. You’re making a conscious decision to remain overweight. Your choices are (A) Do something about it, or (B) Don’t do anything. If you choose not to do anything, that’s fine, but being angry at someone else for your decision isn’t exactly fair.

By: Phil E. Drifter

Phil E. Drifter — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:58:39 +0000

Fat people should be executed. Don’t give me that ‘they cant help it’ bullshit, they absolutely can. In fact, they’re the only ones to blame for their own obesity.

By: ERP

ERP — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:36:24 +0000

Well, actually, the obesity epidemic is sad and pathetic. Our country is pathetic is ways. People don’t walk enough - they just drive. People sit at desks all day. People eat terrible food. Our diabetes and HTN rate are disgusting. Much of this is avoidable which in my opinion is reprehensible. I don’t just blame people themselves - I also blame the food industry and the car/suburban cul-de-sac culture that has helped create it. They start advertising to kids and bad life-long habits are imbued. Patients often don’t have or can’t afford healthy food choices. Doctors need to intervene early to help patients get back on track and once diagnosed, need to really work with patients to control their disease and hopefully change these habits. More dietitian referrals need to be made. I am not saying Europe is perfect, but they do walk more, they do (still) eat healthier and they are thinner. And Shellraiser, you have some serious anger management issues to work through.

By: shellraiser

shellraiser — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:50:46 +0000

Quote: My first day back after vacationing was a rude re-awakening. I never realise how much you simply “forget” when you are away just thinking about what is for dinner and whether to order Chianti Classico or Nebiollo. I forgot how sad and pathetic our obesity epidemic is in this country.
Unquote.

Thanks—but I don’t want a doctor who has “memory” problems. What else did you forget?

Have you seen anyone about the “big-head” you have?
It’s really very unbecoming. In fact—it makes me want to puke.

By: CAM

CAM — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:48:44 +0000

Let me find out what hospital you work in, and I will copy all of these threads and send them to your Chief of Staff.

You are the most unprofessional, ignorant and arrogant Doctor I have ever heard.

I am truly disgusted by your comments.

Perhaps you should take a permanent vacation from medicine and sip your Chianti to a slow and painless existence.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:37:02 +0000

Reading this blog, and the comments here, just reinforces what I had suspected. Most health care professionals are ignorant and biased and don’t see the “person” part of “fat person”, they just see the fat.
There are medical conditions that cause obesity. And sometimes obesity is caused by meds, mental problems, depression, etc. But regardless of how a person became obese, they may also still be sick and in pain and require treatment and (hopefully) compassion. Think about if one thin and one heavy patient came into the ER. They both have fallen on the ice and broken an ankle. Does the thin patient get all the compassion while the overweight one gets the lecture on being too fat? Considering the source here, I am going to say yes. Regardless of what an overweight person is seen for, you people will jump to the conclusion that their obesity is the cause.
Toothache? Too fat. Brain tumor? Too fat.
Believe it or not, people do not do this to themselves on purpose. Do you know anyone who sets out to be the fat guy as a goal in life? Because I don’t.
Help them, and stop being so smug and judgemental!

By: JMK

JMK — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:06:37 +0000

“There is no disease or medication that will make you gain weight if you do not consume excess caloric intake. EAT LESS - THAT SIMPLE. You dont need exercise (though it is recommended for many other health benefits) or do anything at all -all you need is eat less.” Max

I’m joining a little late here, but - have any of you heard of endocrine problems? It’s attitudes like this that make it so hard to get a diagnosis, the doctor sees “fat” and nothing else. I watched my son grow to almost 300 lbs by the time he was 16, my daughter gained almost 100 lbs in one school year.
It’s truly sickening to see the medical community dismiss fat as just fat. Interestingly, one doctor who told my son that his only problem was his weight, was the same size as my son!! He didn’t seem to be sick though, so why did he tell my son that was his problem? Oh, because he was to lazy to actually investigate.

By: vicki

vicki — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:43:39 +0000

YOU KNOW OVER WEIGHT PEOPLE HAVE FEELINGS TOO. JUST BECAUSE WE ARE FAT DOESN’T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO MAKE FUN OF US. WOULD YOU MAKE FUN IF IT WAS ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS? I DON’T THINK SO. BECAUSE IF YOU DID YOU ARE A PIECE OF CRAP.

By: vicki

vicki — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:42:54 +0000

By: MsPress

MsPress — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:43:39 +0000

Who do you people think your are? Just remember you
can keep your mouths closed as easy as we can put a fork down, didn’t your parents raise YOU right? With a little respect towards other people? OR did they teach you that it was ok to say things out of rudeness? Must be your upbringing!!

By: ERPA

ERPA — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:25:05 +0000

I believe that most 7 year old children are fat due the way they are brought up and the food that is being served to them by their parents. Its interesting that Beth’s’ parents are heavy, especially the mother. Is that nature or nurture? Was it the food her mother fed her father all those years what has caused him to be obese, overeating at every meal a little, or was he just destined to be fat? Did they eat a lot of high calorie cheap fast food with non diet soda? It tastes great but is horrible for your waist line.

I think Beth has learned to overcome some of the problems that caused her mother to be heavy such as eating better, more healthy alternatives. I hope she has passed this on to her family as well so they don’t have the stigma of being obese. Remember a minute on lips, a lifetime on the hips. Is that food really worth it? Say no thank you.

I see children all the time in the ER. Fat children have fat parents. They sit in the ER and eat out of the vending machines and drink regular soda. The most ridiculous patients are in the ER for chest pain and keep disappearing to go smoke or are eating McDonalds (brought in by their supportive lovely family members) when you enter the room to discuss the case.

A small number of obese people suffer from physical Disease that causes obesity, but rather have disease due to obesity.

By: TK

TK — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:42:53 +0000

Max, an example of a medical condition or medication that will cause weight gain in virtually all cases would be steroid dependent conditions. Chronic long term glucocorticoids cause fluid retention and weight gain (trunk and face) to some degree in most patients - no matter what they eat (unless they essentially starved themselves and became malnourished). This is a minority of people - the main problem I think is that many, many obese people have simmering psychiatric conditions (not that they are “crazy”, just self-esteem/depression issues)which makes it very hard for them to “put the fork down”. Another situation is that in certain ethnic groups (and socio-economic classes), being obese carries no stigma - and may be DESIRABLE, so there is no incentive to not get big until one develops severe medical problems.