Woman Offended by Doc's Obesity Advice

AP ^

[Millee]

As doctors warn more patients that they should lose weight, the advice has backfired on one doctor with a woman filing a complaint with the state saying he was hurtful, not helpful.

Dr. Terry Bennett says he tells obese patients their weight is bad for their health and their love lives, but the lecture drove one patient to complain to the state.

"I told a fat woman she was obese," Bennett says. "I tried to get her attention. I told her, 'You need to get on a program, join a group of like-minded people and peel off the weight that is going to kill you.' "

He says he wrote a letter of apology to the woman when he found out she was offended.

Her complaint, filed about a year ago, was initially investigated by a board subcommittee, which recommended that Bennett be sent a confidential letter of concern. The board rejected the suggestion in December and asked the attorney general's office to investigate.

Bennett rejected that office's proposal that he attend a medical education course and acknowledge that he made a mistake.

Bruce Friedman, chairman of the board of medicine, said he could not discuss specific complaints. Assistant Attorney General Catherine Bernhard, who conducted the investigation, also would not comment, citing state law that complaints are confidential until the board takes disciplinary action.

The board's Web site says disciplinary sanctions may range from a reprimand to the revocation of all rights to practice in the state.

"Physicians have to be professional with patients and remember everyone is an individual. You should not be inflammatory or degrading to anyone," said board member Kevin Costin.

Other overweight patients have come to Bennett's defense.

"What really makes me angry is he told the truth," Mindy Haney told WMUR-TV on Tuesday. "How can you punish somebody for that?"

Haney said Bennett has helped her lose more than 150 pounds, but acknowledged that the initially didn't want to listen.

"I have been in this lady's shoes. I've been angry and left his practice. I mean, in-my-car-taking-off angry," Haney said. "But once you think about it, you're angry at yourself, not Doctor Bennett. He's the messenger. He's telling you what you already know."

[samm1148]

I have to wonder. No problem with what you posted.

"Because she didn't really want to know how to fix the problem. She wanted someone to pat her hand and agree with her while she cried about how men are such pigs because they won't talk to her and about how unfair it is that no one makes "cute clothes" in XXXX-circus tent size.

Most of all, she wanted this doctor to nod in agreement when she blamed her weight problem on "bad glands" or "stress", and not on the three boxes of Little Debbie snack cakes and the two gallons of syrup-sweet iced tea she shoves into her maw every single day of her life. But this doctor wouldn't play that game."

I think there is a whole lot of truth there. I just can't get over how many fat women and men that let themselves go to that point. Granted I did the military for 20 years and that builds sort of an athletic regimen in a person's mind (and I enjoy working out).

But for the love of God these people can't have any respect for themselves! It's not about looks but how one feels as far as I'm concerned. A person can't feel good when in 20's or 30's they can't walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to catch their breath.

Okay I ranted enough. By the way we DO NOT need a government program for fat people.

[RedMonqey]

Careful now...lol

[RedMonqey]

Ouch!

[toldyou]

"Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Bridget Bardot or (especially) Ann Margret, verses Twiggy. Although I must admit I've always liked the looks of Goldie Hawn, who's almost as thin as Twiggy, but a foolish consistency (especially in such matters) is the hobgoblin of small minds."

I agree with you that the women you named above are very attractive and are, or were, desirable, but I never thought of them as "plump." And I never did understand why Twiggy was so popular.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

And stupid people annoy me. Fact is...people don't want to be around people who don't take care of themselves. If one treats himself badly...how will he treat others? Its common sense and a reality of life.

How are you treating others right now? Should I surmise that you're fat, from your post?

My sister was extremely overweight, and she was probably the kindest, most generous person I have ever known. Any person here would have been richer for having known her.

Oh, well. Back to the drawing board.

P.S. I think this lawsuit is completely absurd - but I also think the doctor should have kept his "love life" concerns to himself. Lots of overweight people are very much loved, both emotionally and physically.

[foreverfree]

bump