I am a nurse. I know many surgeons. They do not want to operate on obese patients for ELECTIVE surgery. They are hard to move, anesthetic dosage is difficult to calculate because you have to factor dosage vs metabolism ( easy to under or overdose due to fatty tissue vs mucle which absorbs differently) , they have a high rate of complications, especially infection. They are harder to intubate, tissue retraction is difficult, they run a high risk of DVTand PE.
The surgery takes twice as long. They are slower to mobilize postop. They require special gurneys, wheelchairs and x ray imaging is harder to visualize.
They are hard on nursing staff. I have seen many nurses ( including myself ) get injured taking care of obese patients.
What really gets me is the attitude i get from obese patients. We are not allowed to say obese anymore, that might hurt their feelings. Crazy.
I remember working in a clinic where a woman who was easily 500 pounds asked me if she should use a wheelchair to move around at work. I told her that she should walk, as that is more healthier. She made a complaint to administration because I told her to walk. We all had a good laugh at that.
You go ask any surgeon what their weight cutoff is. I know some surgeons whose limit is 35, others 40.
If you have no respect for own health to get fat, then dont expect the medical caregivers to risk their health and livelihood to take care of you.
BMI is much more of a factor to surgeons than smoking.
Hey, I sympathize and agree with you 100%. My favorite people are nurses and sterwardesses (yes, I am old school). I’ve had three surgeries since 2009 and a number of “procedures”. Also, in 2009 I had a 9 day hospital stay thanks to ice and 7 broken ribs/bruised lung. In all cases I’ve loved the nursing profession. I am a little overweight (220, 6 ‘) but not preposterous. My beef wouldd be rejection for surgery because I smoke...a pipe and rare cigar. Never had any complaints or problems with doctors. Morbidly obese people are another issue. Hard to gin up sympathy.
Love you RN’s!