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Old 07-26-2006, 09:30 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Americans getting too fat for x-rays/scans

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/26...eut/index.html

Quote:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- More and more obese people are unable to get full medical care because they are either too big to fit into scanners, or their fat is too dense for X-rays or sound waves to penetrate, radiologists reported Tuesday.

With 64 percent of the U.S. population either overweight or obese, the problem is worsening, but it represents a business opportunity for equipment makers and hospitals, said Dr. Raul Uppot, a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"We noticed over the past couple of years that obesity was playing a role in our ability to see these images clearly," Uppot said in a telephone interview.

Radiologists have their own term for it when writing up reports: "These images are limited due to body habitus."

Uppot's team looked for this phrase in radiology reports from 1989 to 2003. These included standard X-rays, computer assisted X-rays known as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

These scans are used to look for tumors, blood clots, broken limbs and other injuries and diseased organs.

"Overall, 7,778 or 0.15 percent of 5,253,014 reports were habitus limited," they wrote in the August issue of the journal Radiology.

"It essentially doubled over the last 15 years," Uppot said.

The researchers looked more closely at the records of 200 of the patients, who weighed, on average, 239 pounds.

"It is a major issue because ... the patient may still have a tumor, the patient may have appendicitis, the patient may have other inflammatory processes," Uppot said.

"This is affecting radiologists all over the country."

Ultrasounds are most affected, Uppot said.

"In an obese person, because the ultrasound beam does not get to the organs or get to them adequately enough, we cannot get a picture. It looks like a snowstorm -- I don't know if you have seen those televisions where it is just whiteout? It looks like that."

An MRI can get a good picture if the patient can fit into the tube or get onto the table, Uppot said. Some manufacturers have started to make MRI machines with larger-bore holes, but with the cost in the millions of dollars per machine, only large groups or institutions can afford them.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG has seen the market potential. "Increase Your Physician Referral Base with 1.5 Tesla MRI for Obese and Claustrophobic Patients" the company says on its Internet site at http://www.medical.siemens.com.

"It is a market out there. People who are taking advantage of it are making money," Uppot said. "We are in the process of buying and installing three of these machines."

One problem is with gastric bypass surgery, where the patients are by definition obese, Uppot said.

"If there is some complication -- abdominal pain or an infection or fever -- they are invariably at higher risk of not being able to be imaged with a CT or MRI," Uppot said.

"For the surgeon, he doesn't want to take the patient back to surgery to explore to see what the problem is," he added.

"For the patient, not knowing what is going on is a big issue. If you tell a patient 'I am sorry -- we just can't sit you on our CT scanner,' that is devastating to hear."
In my opinion, instead of building larger machines, maybe medical experts should be working more on getting people to lose weight. If people don't care enough about their weight, then why should medical experts spend their time building machines to accomodate people's bad habits?

That's just my opinion.
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Old 07-26-2006, 11:08 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Well, if people don't care to lose weight, how will pumping money into programs geared at making them lose weight work. I say, let them eat cake-and build the tubs bigger machines!
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Old 07-27-2006, 12:15 AM   #3 (permalink)
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I suppose that's why I'm not a doctor. I'd tell people that they're too fat for any scans and to come back whenever they lose some weight instead of wasting my time creating machines which facilitate obesity.
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Old 07-27-2006, 04:22 AM   #4 (permalink)
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What is most digusting of all, is the fat population is ruining everything for those of us who are NORMAL.

What happens when you make a MRI tube bigger? The diameter increases.
What happens to those of us who are of NORMAL size? We get further away from the actual scanner (In a MRI you are suppose to be a tight tube with little extra space around you.) and this results in a lower quality scan.
What does this mean? Because of the population that cant take care of them selves they are in turn killing (or at least hurting) those of us who do. You know damn well hospitals wont be able to afford to have a normal person MRI and a fat person MRI.

I find it pathetic really.

I'm with Infinite_Loser on this one... doctors just should help them lose weight, not pretend its not there and make the machines bigger.
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Old 07-27-2006, 04:32 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
In my opinion, instead of building larger machines, maybe medical experts should be working more on getting people to lose weight.
Unfortunately, the medical profession doesn't do enough to help people lose weight. In fact, it's better for the medical industry if people are overweight. Being obese causes a person to to be stricken with health problems and diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. People with health problems need to take drugs and be under constant medical care, which pumps more $$$ into the medical industry. Also, creating and providing larger and more powerful medical equipment means more $$$ for the medical equipment industry. The FDA also supports this by misinforming the public about appropriate dieting. It's all a big mess.

So, I am in agreement that doctors should focus more on curing obesity, but the medical industry does not support this. It's left up to the public to inform themselves, and that's a losing battle.
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:56 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser
If people don't care enough about their weight, then why should medical experts spend their time building machines to accomodate people's bad habits?
That's like saying "Hey, some people smoke, how about we not give them treatment for lung cancer.

Here's my opinion. To start off with, I'm a pretty big guy. Being overweight and going to a doctor, they pretty much always mention weight loss. It's not like something a doctor ignores, they always try to convince you to lose weight and try to help with that. Saying the doctors are just there to keep people fat to make money is ludicrous. If you really believe that, you don't look around enough to notice diabetes advertisements telling you how to prevent it, same with other issues.

Should they build larger x-rays/scanners for larger people? Yes. Saying that ill people don't deserve medical attention because they're overweight is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. "Broke your leg? Well, we won't know for sure until you go jog some laps and lose some weight."

"Lung cancer? Well, take some deep breaths, do a little yoga, and come back to us in 6 months and we'll see if you've lost some weight so we can help you out"


Quote:
Originally Posted by Destrox

What happens when you make a MRI tube bigger? The diameter increases.
What happens to those of us who are of NORMAL size? We get further away from the actual scanner (In a MRI you are suppose to be a tight tube with little extra space around you.) and this results in a lower quality scan.
What does this mean? Because of the population that cant take care of them selves they are in turn killing (or at least hurting) those of us who do. You know damn well hospitals wont be able to afford to have a normal person MRI and a fat person MRI.
I think that almost pushes this thread into tilted paranoia... Unless you're a radiologist I don't think you have the understanding to be able to say that "Larger MRI=Dead Normal people" As much as you can choose not to trust the government and the FDA I don't actually believe that they would put out a machine that did not work for the general population in addition to the overweight population.
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Old 07-27-2006, 07:55 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:

Quote:
In my opinion, instead of building larger machines, maybe medical experts should be working more on getting people to lose weight.

Unfortunately, the medical profession doesn't do enough to help people lose weight. In fact, it's better for the medical industry if people are overweight
Um... what do you want them to do? I guarantee you every doctor tells fat people they're fat. Do you want them to lock them in a room and force them to exercise?

Quote:
I think that almost pushes this thread into tilted paranoia... Unless you're a radiologist I don't think you have the understanding to be able to say that "Larger MRI=Dead Normal people" As much as you can choose not to trust the government and the FDA I don't actually believe that they would put out a machine that did not work for the general population in addition to the overweight population.
You dont have to be a radiologist. MRI's work by using powerful magnets. With sensors they can determine the differences in magnetism in various forms of tissues.

Magnetic power is directly affected by distance. By extending the distance the power, and thus the clearity of the picture, is lowered. Lower quality of a picture leads to increased problems.
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Old 07-27-2006, 07:59 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Average_Joe
Unfortunately, the medical profession doesn't do enough to help people lose weight. In fact, it's better for the medical industry if people are overweight.
Sorry, the medical profession does not at all need job security, come on.

Quote:
That's like saying "Hey, some people smoke, how about we not give them treatment for lung cancer.
Not exactly.

It's not a matter of whether people "deserve" medical tests and diagnostics, it's a matter of can medical centers offer the same treament options to all, equally? I don't think that larger machines encourage obesity, they're SO freaking expensive, it's not like movie theaters who upgrade their seats to accomodate the larger American bum, you know?

It's just yet another reason people need to take their health and fat content seriously. It is going to degrade not only one's health, but the quality of healthcare they get. I truly do understand it's not just a matter of "Get out and lose the weight, Mr. Scapegoat!". It's a huge process for which one has to be emotionally prepared and willing to go through. I do think that many, many people convince themselves that they *can't* when in fact they certainly can. But until *THEY* reach that point of accepting the responsibility and the task (much like smokers or alcoholics or some drug abusers), no one can guilt, pressure, or whatever else someone else into doing something they are not willing to do.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:11 AM   #9 (permalink)
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God dammit, I wish we focussed more on healthy eating habits. It's disgusting what fast food, lack of food education, and body image has done to our society as a whole.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:12 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Ok on a completely unrelated note that maybe will help out some of you someday if you go into health professions.

When it comes time for anatomy lab, be sure to get a skinny body. Luckily someone warned me about that prior. Anatomy is hard and disgusting enough as it is without cutting through a foot of fat to get to the parts you are supposed to study.

Quote:
Originally Posted by la petite moi
God dammit, I wish we focussed more on healthy eating habits. It's disgusting what fast food, lack of food education, and body image has done to our society as a whole.
Its not just fast food its restaurant economics. Look at the size of the portions at most restaurants. I'm not sure how you tie in body image though, I thought the whine about body image was people were too thin.
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Last edited by Ustwo; 07-27-2006 at 08:13 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:14 AM   #11 (permalink)
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If they have to pay for two seats on an airplane, then let them pay double for a larger machine. Do HMOs cover gastric bypass surgery?
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:16 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Hi, my name is warrrreagl, and I'm fat.

And pretty ashamed of it too. I hate the way I look. I have no excuses, but there are plenty of reasons. My wife deserves better (she's in great shape) and my cats deserve better (they have nightmares that I'll step on their tails). I lose weight from time to time and get close to my target, but then something goes wrong, my weight shoots back up, and I end up weighing more than I did when I started.

My father is in FANTASTIC shape and he runs, lift weights, walks, bicycles, etc. He's 74 and looks younger than I do, so I can't blame it on genetics. I'm just a disgusting fat-body. I don't want to be. I'd LOVE to be smaller because I really like wearing nice clothes and I want to be healthier for my family.

It's hard. I know that I need to simply eat less and excercise more, but the routines always fall apart after a few days. I can cognitively tell you EXACTLY what I need to do and should be doing, but I just can't make myself stick with it. And what's even worse is that I get nasty with Grancey when she tries to help out, so she's totally lost as to what to do.

Me, too.

Blame me for the stretched-out MRI's.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:17 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willravel
If they have to pay for two seats on an airplane, then let them pay double for a larger machine. Do HMOs cover gastric bypass surgery?
Some cover it. At least in Texas the teachers insurance covers it because two years ago my gov teacher was a pretty big lady and she was in a legal battle with my school district since it didn't cover it even though by law they were requird to.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:19 AM   #14 (permalink)
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Being a former heavy weight, although not medically obese, I find myself in a category not unlike those of exsmokers in that I have little tolerance for those who complain they're fat as they shove potato chips and big macs down. I understand that it's work and commitment to lose the weight and it has to be a desired goal. As a 200 lb pregnant woman, I couldn't fit into restaurant booths, I couldn't walk more than a few feet without sitting down to rest. As a 175 lb 'fatty', I had trouble with my knees, among other things. I'vd had MRI's done back then and I don't think I would have fit with another 25 lbs tacked on, but today's MRI's are 'open'-you're strapped down ala the bride of Frankenstein and the machine comes down on top of you and scans you. CAT scans are tight, but they're not THAT tight-you'd have to hover around 600 lbs to not fit in one.
As stated, I'm a bit intolerant of obesity, but this sounds like just another scare tactic aimed at the overweight-that they won't be able to get any help for all the maladies already associated with obesity because, well, sorry, Big Guy, you won't fit in our stuff.
Of course, the simple solution would be get out there and lose the weight and it'd be great if all made the effort. But, as it is with us pariahs, the smokers, it's easier said than done.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:22 AM   #15 (permalink)
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If we're going to focus on blaming the medical profession for not treating obesity, we have to blame insurers too. Too few insurers have caught on to preventative medicine, because they don't want to pay out unless there's a problem. Despite the fact that preventative medicine costs less, lots of insurance doesn't pay for it yet. A lot of insurers don't cover appointments with dieticians, when they should.

The fact is, the blame lies with the American people. Our lives have gotten more and more sedentary with time as we eat more and more unhealthy foods. We have no idea what a real portion size looks like. I doubt many of us weigh out our foods or label-read. I think a great many people really have no idea what they're putting into their body, and I think many of them don't care--modern medicine will fix it. Well, sorry, but obesity is one of those things you can't fix in modern medicine without major surgery, and in the meantime, the extra weight has taxed your cardiovascular system and joints to the point of permanent damage. This will remain true until we move towards a preventative model, which doctors are TRYING to do.

Besides, don't you imagine that it's a little fearful for the doctor to tell some 40-year-old woman she's obese? I can just see that fight. They may move slow, but they're heavy.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:30 AM   #16 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by warrrreagl
Hi, my name is warrrreagl, and I'm fat.

And pretty ashamed of it too. I hate the way I look. I have no excuses, but there are plenty of reasons. My wife deserves better (she's in great shape) and my cats deserve better (they have nightmares that I'll step on their tails). I lose weight from time to time and get close to my target, but then something goes wrong, my weight shoots back up, and I end up weighing more than I did when I started.

My father is in FANTASTIC shape and he runs, lift weights, walks, bicycles, etc. He's 74 and looks younger than I do, so I can't blame it on genetics. I'm just a disgusting fat-body. I don't want to be. I'd LOVE to be smaller because I really like wearing nice clothes and I want to be healthier for my family.

It's hard. I know that I need to simply eat less and excercise more, but the routines always fall apart after a few days. I can cognitively tell you EXACTLY what I need to do and should be doing, but I just can't make myself stick with it. And what's even worse is that I get nasty with Grancey when she tries to help out, so she's totally lost as to what to do.

Me, too.

Blame me for the stretched-out MRI's.
You're very lucky in that your father exercises. Have you considered exercising with him?
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:47 AM   #17 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by willravel
You're very lucky in that your father exercises. Have you considered exercising with him?

*SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

I love the man dearly and consider myself incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful father. However, he is the single most competitive man I've ever met, and there is no simple way to exercise with him (I've tried). He would demand ever-increasing distances each day with faster and faster times until I would have to kill him. Plus, he lives in another state.

He used to play pick-up basketball with the college athletes in the area until my mother made him quit. He would punk them so bad on the court that they kept knocking out his teeth in anger and frustration and my mother was tired of paying his dentist bills. THAT'S how competitive he is.
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Old 07-27-2006, 10:23 AM   #18 (permalink)
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He would demand ever-increasing distances each day with faster and faster times until I would have to kill him.
Actually that's how you're supposed to work out. If you dont constantly increase your distance, or alternate your program your body will decrease the effectiveness it gets out of said workouts.

Your body adjusts to what you do. If you do the same rep/intensity/distance/etc your body will produce just enough muscle to do it and then quit.
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Old 07-27-2006, 10:29 AM   #19 (permalink)
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I did the exercise thing this fall but I'm too lazy. Luckily the 'less food in the piehole' method worked for me and it can work for anyone

I still gotta hit the gym though, I would like to be a stud for a while before I get old and have to buy HGH at minor league ball parks.
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Old 07-27-2006, 11:09 AM   #20 (permalink)
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Um... what do you want them to do? I guarantee you every doctor tells fat people they're fat. Do you want them to lock them in a room and force them to exercise?
Well, people aren't necessarily fat because they are stupid or lazy. They are just misinformed about what is healthy to eat and what isn't and how much food is too much.

At my last doctor's visit, he told me I was 20 pounds too heavy for my height. I also had high blood pressure & high cholesterol. He basically told me to lose weight and change my diet. OK, fine, but what kind of exercise and how much? What kind of diet? What foods will help me to lose weight?

Also, some people are overweight due to stress, a malfunctioning thyroid, and allergies to some foods. Diet can help, but what diet? Most people don't even know they have these problems.

Why can't doctors simply give out information on why people may be overweight and how to lose weight. Give out information on what foods are good and bad for losing weight. Maybe some doctors do this, but my doctor doesn't. Also, any information a doctor gives to a patient has to be approved by the AMA or some other authority. For example, a doctor can't tell a patient to follow the South Beach Diet because it is not approved.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Sultana
Sorry, the medical profession does not at all need job security, come on.
I'm not necessarily talking about doctors only as the medical industry. A person gets fat, develops high cholesetrol and diabetes, and the doctor prescibes medicine. The drug company makes money. Do you think that the pharmaceutical company hopes that this person loses weight?

Quote:
Originally Posted by onesnowyowl
If we're going to focus on blaming the medical profession for not treating obesity, we have to blame insurers too. Too few insurers have caught on to preventative medicine, because they don't want to pay out unless there's a problem. Despite the fact that preventative medicine costs less, lots of insurance doesn't pay for it yet. A lot of insurers don't cover appointments with dieticians, when they should.

The fact is, the blame lies with the American people. Our lives have gotten more and more sedentary with time as we eat more and more unhealthy foods. We have no idea what a real portion size looks like. I doubt many of us weigh out our foods or label-read. I think a great many people really have no idea what they're putting into their body, and I think many of them don't care--modern medicine will fix it. Well, sorry, but obesity is one of those things you can't fix in modern medicine without major surgery, and in the meantime, the extra weight has taxed your cardiovascular system and joints to the point of permanent damage. This will remain true until we move towards a preventative model, which doctors are TRYING to do.

Besides, don't you imagine that it's a little fearful for the doctor to tell some 40-year-old woman she's obese? I can just see that fight. They may move slow, but they're heavy.
I agree with your statements for the most part, but I don't see the doctors trying to move toward prevention rather than curing.

My health insurance provider through work (HMO Blue) has just started a wellness program that is free to all employees that is a preventative program. However, my work and a handful other companies are the only ones in the state of MA that have such a program in place. So I do see the health insurance companies making an effort by offering the wellness program.

Last edited by Average_Joe; 07-27-2006 at 11:17 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old 07-27-2006, 11:38 AM   #21 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Average_Joe
I agree with your statements for the most part, but I don't see the doctors trying to move toward prevention rather than curing.
I go every year for an annual exam. Every year at this exam we discuss my BMI, we discuss healthy eating options for women, whether or not I exercise, whether or not I smoke, and whether or not I drink. The fact is--we need to be having these conversations with our doctors, whether they ask us these questions or not. We need to be equally proactive.
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Old 07-27-2006, 12:15 PM   #22 (permalink)
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Doctor - "Just so you know eating an entire bucket of KFC extra crispy per meal is not a good idea if you want to lose weight."

Patient - "Oh really, I had no idea, why didn't someone tell me sooner!"

Blaming doctors for people being fat is like blaming doctors for not telling you its bad to stick a fork in your eye. Diet is a basic life style choice and it should be learned long before a doctor sees you. While a true 'balanced' diet might be hard to figure out, it shouldn't require a M.D. to tell you that donuts for breakfast, big macs for lunch, and fried chicken with extra beer is going to make you get fat.
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Old 07-27-2006, 12:30 PM   #23 (permalink)
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I don’t see what the problem would be with building a higher power x-ray machine. A large portion of the population is big. It is what it is, we just have to deal with it, and it not going to change, at least for a long time. Building higher power x-ray machine would be catering to their needs. How is that bad? We have special medical equipment that is only used my a select amount of individuals, how is this different? I don’t think fair to simply say loose the way to tough shit.

Would this new machine hurt us in anyway? I can’t think of how it would.
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Old 07-27-2006, 12:51 PM   #24 (permalink)
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It doesn't hurt anyone per se, but it does reinforce the notion that it's okay to be obese. Saying that "People are what they are" is simple ignoring the problem, in my opinion.

I still believe that medical experts should work to get people to reduce their weight rather than catering to obesity (If that makes any sense). If people don't want to be at an appropriate weight level, then that should be between them and themselves only. There isn't any reason to waste resources building machines for people who don't care about their health to begin with.
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Old 07-27-2006, 01:08 PM   #25 (permalink)
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With extremely rare exceptions being fat is a choice a person makes. By making that choice they also choose to endure the inconveniences and possible early demise that come with it. I find it difficult bringing up tears for someone when they get what they chose.
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Old 07-27-2006, 01:08 PM   #26 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ustwo
Doctor - "Just so you know eating an entire bucket of KFC extra crispy per meal is not a good idea if you want to lose weight."

Patient - "Oh really, I had no idea, why didn't someone tell me sooner!"

Blaming doctors for people being fat is like blaming doctors for not telling you its bad to stick a fork in your eye. Diet is a basic life style choice and it should be learned long before a doctor sees you. While a true 'balanced' diet might be hard to figure out, it shouldn't require a M.D. to tell you that donuts for breakfast, big macs for lunch, and fried chicken with extra beer is going to make you get fat.
I agree that it's not the doctor's fault for people being too fat. All I'm saying is that if a doctor advises a patient to lose weight, they should give them all the information available on how to lose the weight and get healthy. What would be so hard about giving a patient a diet and exercise plan to follow? Obesity is a form of sickness. If I went to a doctor for dealing with migranes, I would expect them to do more than just say "You have to get rid of those migranes". I would want them to help me to try to figure out what is causing them, and then prescribe some plan to cure them. If they couldn't figure it out, refer me to a specialist. Why can't they put the same effort in for curing obesity? It's much more common and more deadly.

Proper diet is not as easy as knowing that donuts and eating 12 pieces of chicken at KFC are not good dietary choices, that's obvious. But where does one learn what a good diet is? If your parents fed you a steady diet of pizza, soda, pancakes, and Big Macs throughout your childhood, that may become a normal dietary habit into adulthood. It's up to somebody to teach about proper diet. Do public schools teach this? Not during my schooling years, and I'm guessing public ed hasn't changed much. The food in the cafeterias certainly weren't geared toward weight management. Since obesity is a heath issue, doctors should do everything they can to help since they are the first line of attack in health care.
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Old 07-27-2006, 01:32 PM   #27 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Average_Joe
Obesity is a form of sickness.
I think this is where I disagree. I don't see it as a sickness but as a poor life style choice. Doctors are not taught much nutrition beyond the basics, they are trained to deal with diseases. While the concept of your doctor covering all aspects of health in depth sounds great, its not practical, there is only so much training one can get, and specializing is the best way to get the best care for specific aliments. A lot of people want to promote the idea of the doc who does everything, but most of those people are really trying to lower costs, not improve care despite the words they use. I would say your doctors best path should be referring you to some sort of nutritionist but it’s a waste of a doctors training and limited time to explain to everyone how to eat.
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Old 07-27-2006, 01:49 PM   #28 (permalink)
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I am in the same boat as Warrrreagl, I am a big person. I will always be a big person. When I was 18 I joined the Army at 180 lbs, I was 5 foot 7, and had a BMI of 29.9%, just under the max for females. Before I went to bootcamp they sent me to FTC(fat camp) basically, all you do all day there is work out. I was there for 3 weeks and I did not lose any weight. However my pushups, situps, and running greatly improved so they sent me on to bootcamp. When I graduated from boot I was bigger than ever. I had not lost a single pound, and the clothes I wore there would not fit. My jeans would not even go over my thighs. And I wasnt sitting around eating junk, yes it buffet style, but I had white rice and fish almost everynight.

Some people are naturally larger than others, we are not all petite 5 ft 2, and a 120 lbs. Why shouldnt there be different sized machines?
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Old 07-27-2006, 01:57 PM   #29 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by cookmo
I am in the same boat as Warrrreagl, I am a big person. I will always be a big person. When I was 18 I joined the Army at 180 lbs, I was 5 foot 7, and had a BMI of 29.9%, just under the max for females. Before I went to bootcamp they sent me to FTC(fat camp) basically, all you do all day there is work out. I was there for 3 weeks and I did not lose any weight. However my pushups, situps, and running greatly improved so they sent me on to bootcamp. When I graduated from boot I was bigger than ever. I had not lost a single pound, and the clothes I wore there would not fit. My jeans would not even go over my thighs. And I wasnt sitting around eating junk, yes it buffet style, but I had white rice and fish almost everynight.

Some people are naturally larger than others, we are not all petite 5 ft 2, and a 120 lbs. Why shouldnt there be different sized machines?
Have you ever counted the calories you eat vrs the estimated calories you burn? I hate to sound harsh but no one violates the laws of physics, and if your intake is less than your output you will lose weight. Some people have it easier, some are different body types, but only to a degree. I'm 6'1" and know that eating more than 2000 calories a day will start to put weight on me if I'm not working out.
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Old 07-27-2006, 02:36 PM   #30 (permalink)
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It does seem like being fat is the new gay. Being in bad shape will kill you sooner. Being gay will only kill you sooner if you live in the South (badum bum).

If you're overweight and fine with it, that's cool. Understand that you will be considered less attractive to the average person, you'll have less energy, you'll get sick more often, you're clothes will have to tent over your tummy, and you are probably shortening your life. But you're free to do that. I see it as being similar to smoking (having been addicted to food and smoking in my life).

If you aren't fine with it, then do something about it. I'll do everything I can to help.



On the up side, no more claustrophobia in the cat scan machine for me!
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Old 07-27-2006, 03:07 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Seaver
Um... what do you want them to do? I guarantee you every doctor tells fat people they're fat. Do you want them to lock them in a room and force them to exercise?
Well... No, and No...

Actually, there have been frivolous law suites for doctors telling people straight up that they are fat. They can suggest losing some pounds, and hint and wish all they want, but because of PC the phrase "You are too fat, and you NEED to lose weight" never leaves their mouths.

My cousin is an x-ray tech. Just working in the hospital, she sees overweight people come in with joint and foot problems all day long every day, and the doctors always do the same thing:

"Well, it would help if you tried to lose a little weight, but we're going to try this...."

Whatever this turns out to be, it never works, and they are back, telling the doctors that they still have problems, while being just as heavy, if not heavier.

And yea Ustwo, no one can violate a very specific law of energy... "Energy In + Energy Generated = Energy Out + Energy stored"
Energy In= Food; Energy Generated= Burned Fat; Energy Out= Work Your Body Does; Energy Stored= Fat Added to the Storeage.

I don't hold it against fat people, but for most it's a lifestyle they got used to from day 1 in this world. I have to imagine it's hard to break a routine you've had since a kid.

Personally I think we as a people are to focused on being "Full" when we eat. I eat until I'm not hungry anymore... Not until I'm "full" There is a differance.

An aside, I read an article the other day that said my generation is going to be the first in many many moons to make the average lifespan of a human DECREASE, due to heart related problems, mostly from being overweight.

Oh the pride.....

As far as the machines... Yea, I think the companies who manufacture them should offer larger machines. No thoughts on forcing hospitals to purchase them. And personally... Do I want a more powerful xray machine?? FUCK NO. I hate getting hit with those things as it is.

Last edited by krwlz; 07-27-2006 at 03:19 PM..
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Old 07-27-2006, 03:35 PM   #32 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Ustwo
When it comes time for anatomy lab, be sure to get a skinny body. Luckily someone warned me about that prior. Anatomy is hard and disgusting enough as it is without cutting through a foot of fat to get to the parts you are supposed to study.
Eeeep! Thanks for the warning...taking anatomy in the spring
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Old 07-27-2006, 04:07 PM   #33 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Average_Joe
...Proper diet is not as easy as knowing that donuts and eating 12 pieces of chicken at KFC are not good dietary choices, that's obvious. But where does one learn what a good diet is? ...
This is the problem I ran into last year after several surgeries caused my activity level to drop. I started packing on the pounds. To the tune of almost 30 lbs in a year. I tried to adjust my eating habits and found no success. I began to feel more and more tired. Finally I had to ASK my Dr for a Thyroid test (which btw was a little low) and I had to ASK my Dr how to loose weight. Until I did that all I heard was - yeah loosing a few lbs would be good too. Lotta help that was. Also I had to start doing a lot of research myself to find out what a better balance was for me. Only recently have I really started to loose any weight. The majority of the reason is not eating less because according to all sources I should not eat less than 1000 calories a day (and that's a low count from what I understand) and I've not been eating more than a hundred or two more than that on a regular basis. I am an active person too as well. The activity that finally started the weight loss was working construction for 8-10 hours a day in 90+ degree heat.
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:17 PM   #34 (permalink)
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All I'm saying is that if a doctor advises a patient to lose weight, they should give them all the information available on how to lose the weight and get healthy. What would be so hard about giving a patient a diet and exercise plan to follow? Obesity is a form of sickness. If I went to a doctor for dealing with migranes, I would expect them to do more than just say "You have to get rid of those migranes".
Point to me a single person... ONE SINGLE PERSON who does not know that if you eat more calories than you burn you will gain weight.

It's not migraine headaches, it's simply eating too much and exercising too little. There's nothing to explain at this point, everyone knows. Fat people especially know they need to work out. I went through a back surgery and I couldnt work out for 1.5 years, I got fat. Afterwards I lost 40lbs in 3 weeks because *gasp* I burned more calories than I took in.

Quote:
Also, some people are overweight due to stress, a malfunctioning thyroid, and allergies to some foods. Diet can help, but what diet? Most people don't even know they have these problems.
Stress does not make you gain weight, allowing it to prevent you from working out and eating right does.

VERY VERY VERY few people have the excuse of thyroid problems, not the 1/3 of Americans that are overweight.

And allergies? So you're allergic to broccoli... so you eat a dozen donuts a day? Please explain that logic.

And they dont know they have problems? If they wake up in the morning and can not find their penis.. no one is going to say they didnt know they're fat.
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:34 PM   #35 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Seaver
Afterwards I lost 40lbs in 3 weeks because *gasp* I burned more calories than I took in.
While I of course agree with what you are saying, this seems a bit 'hardcore' in terms of weight loss. I know most diets err well on the side of caution, but thats a ton for so short a time.
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:37 PM   #36 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ustwo
Have you ever counted the calories you eat vrs the estimated calories you burn? I hate to sound harsh but no one violates the laws of physics, and if your intake is less than your output you will lose weight. Some people have it easier, some are different body types, but only to a degree. I'm 6'1" and know that eating more than 2000 calories a day will start to put weight on me if I'm not working out.


I totaly understand what you are saying about intake/outtake but my body holds its fat, I dont know why. I breast fed by son for a whole year and managed to gain 30 lbs. Who gains weight when they breastfeed? The only way that I can lose weight is by not eating carbohydrates, but that makes me terribly depressed. Some may say that there is not a link, but when I cut them out of my diet I am a crying mess, and when I add them back in its almost like I get high.
My weight doesn't bother that much though anymore. My energy level is average and I have never had the flu, let even a cold in the last ten years. What bothers me is other peoples perception of my character because of my weight, and that is just something that I will have to deal with, have dealt with.
Joke inserted here...Perhaps the apocolypse will come and when all the skinny people are rotting in the dirt from starvation, Waerrragle and I will finaly be considered "healthy" and besides, fat people are harder to kidnap
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:51 PM   #37 (permalink)
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I think environment is a big factor. The American diet is simply awful, and if people were fully immersed in Japanese, or French style diets their calorie intake would be greatly decreased because the portion sizes are more reasonable. I think many people genetically are not suited to eat the western diet and stay in a respectable weight - example certain Native American's gain enormous weight on the American diet simply because their genetics were designed to keep them alive in scarcity of calories.

So, I do think it is fair to point out that it is not equally easy for everyone to get to certain weights. I have always been scrawny - I can eat as much as I want and not get real weight, probably because I burn calories very quickly. On the flip side - I have great difficulty gaining muscle.

Exercise is good though, and doctors should recommend that everyone who is overweight get on a real exercise plan that is ambitious - that is one of the best ways to lose weight, because it will over time increase their metabolism and help them keep the weight off.
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Old 07-27-2006, 05:56 PM   #38 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rofgilead
I think environment is a big factor. The American diet is simply awful, and if people were fully immersed in Japanese, or French style diets their calorie intake would be greatly decreased because the portion sizes are more reasonable. I think many people genetically are not suited to eat the western diet and stay in a respectable weight - example certain Native American's gain enormous weight on the American diet simply because their genetics were designed to keep them alive in scarcity of calories.

So, I do think it is fair to point out that it is not equally easy for everyone to get to certain weights. I have always been scrawny - I can eat as much as I want and not get real weight, probably because I burn calories very quickly. On the flip side - I have great difficulty gaining muscle.

Exercise is good though, and doctors should recommend that everyone who is overweight get on a real exercise plan that is ambitious - that is one of the best ways to lose weight, because it will over time increase their metabolism and help them keep the weight off.


Thats a good point! Maybe its one of my problems because I am mostly American Indian and German. I gain muscle way to easily, and bieng a female that is not such a good thing

Last edited by cookmo; 08-09-2006 at 08:25 PM..
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Old 07-27-2006, 06:07 PM   #39 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cookmo
Thats a good point! Maybe its one of my problems because I am mostly American Indian and German. I gain muscle way to easily, and bieng a female that is not such a good thing-I have been described as bieng "built like brick shit-house".LOL.
Muscle might not be great for weight, but its great for fat loss as it raises your basic metabolism. My wife didn't lose much weight while breast-feeding. She started a weightlifting program which helped her a ton. Exercises like cardio alone are not great for weight loss unless you really push it to an extreme most people don't have time for.

She lost weight but she also gained a lot of muscle which shaped her and made her look better.

You might also want to look into a doctor that specializes in weight loss as you sound very atypical and there might be an underlying issue. You seem to have a great attitude about it all but it sounds like something you would feel better about if you could change it.

Now some bad news is that a lot of American Indians are known for having issues with carbs as its not part of their 'natural' diet, which is a big part why diseases like diabetes is so high in their populations. You might need to do some experimentation with lower carb intake (not elimination).
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Old 07-27-2006, 06:23 PM   #40 (permalink)
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hmmm. Thanks for the advice, I had never heard that before. I am gonna go do some research!
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