[deh]

Frank doctor in trouble with authorities over advice
ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — 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 she 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."

[angelize56]

Originally Posted by deh

Dr. Terry Bennett says he tells obese patients their weight is bad for their health and their love lives

The only part I see as remotely wrong and a tad degrading is his getting personal and mentioning her love life...please....there are many men out there who accept women of size just the way they are. The rest is just telling her the truth...and obviously the truth hurt her! BUT...he certainly doesn't deserve to even be remotely threatened with losing his right to practice medicine in the state!

Originally Posted by deh

"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.

I think this lady could make a case FOR the woman by her comment!

[Ciberblade]

This thread should be merged with the ACLU thread -- so they can take on the fight against telling people the truth

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by angelize56

The only part I see as remotely wrong and a tad degrading is his getting personal and mentioning her love life...please....there are many men out there who accept women of size just the way they are.

I think you misinterpreted what he probably meant. Poor health affects you physically and "love life" is physical. The better shape she is in, the better her love life is likely to be from a physical standpoint. I don't believe he was implying because she is fat, no one will sleep with her. She may have complained to him about poor libido, which is a common problem with people who are significantly overweight. I don't see that as personal at all.

[Wino]

Break out the flour!

[angelize56]

Originally Posted by Mulder

She may have complained to him about poor libido, which is a common problem with people who are significantly overweight.

But one mustn't assume!

Before I lost 125 lbs my libido was the same as it was afterwards...just had a larger pick of men!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by angelize56

But one mustn't assume!

That's exactly my point and exaclty what you did--assumed he meant her love life was affected due to her being unattractive and there is no way you can assume that from that quote. I simply provided another interpretation (and to me a much more likely one) of the quote.

Originally Posted by angelize56

Before I lost 125 lbs my libido was the same as it was afterwards...just had a larger pick of men!

And people smoke and live to be 100--that's anecdotal. The fact is that obesity affects your health, including libido adversely. That's a medical fact. It doesn't mean its true in every case.

[Mulderator]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/.../hb041207c.htm

Low libido

Obese people report less sexual satisfaction
By Jayme Swain

When Dr. Evil stole Austin Powers's mojo, the sex-crazed British spy became "shagless." If you're overweight and feeling a little bit like Austin, and even a Barry White CD playing on the stereo doesn't get you in the mood, the extra pounds could be the problem. Researchers at the Duke University Medical Center conducted a survey to find out what effect, if any, obesity has on libido.

What the researchers wanted to know: Does obesity interfere with the quality of a person's sex life?

What they did: The researchers recruited 1,210 people from the community and from the Duke Diet and Fitness Center to answer a 31-item questionnaire. Of the participants, 928 were considered obese, and 506 of those were seeking treatment at Duke. Obesity is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. The average BMI of the treatment-seekers was 41, and that of the non-treatment-seekers was 40. The remaining 282 participants in the survey had an average BMI of 22.

What they found: Obese people were 25 times as likely to report dissatisfaction with sex as the normal-weight people. About 65 percent of treatment-seekers and 41 percent of obese people who weren't getting treatment said they had problems in at least one of four areas: lack of sexual enjoyment, lack of sexual desire, difficulty with performance, and avoidance of sexual encounters. Only 5 percent of those in the normal-weight group had any problems in these four areas. About 40 percent of treatment-seekers said they avoided sex altogether, while 24 percent of non-treatment-seekers and just 2.5 percent of the normal-weight participants avoided sex. According to the results, women had more problems than men in both weight groups.

What it means to you: Research has already shown that obesity can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart attacks and diabetes. And now it looks as if obesity has an effect on behavior in the bedroom as well. For some, losing weight may help them get their mojo back.

Caveats: The results of this study were presented at the annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, so this study has not been peer reviewed. Also, consider that the study was funded by Duke Diet and Fitness Center.

Find out more: Learn more about obesity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figure out your BMI using our calculator.

Tips for healthful ways to lose weight from the Food and Drug Administration

A study shows losing weight helps with erectile dysfunction.

Read the press release online: http://dukemednews.org

[angelize56]

Believe me I know all about obesity and it's associated health risks...both from being formally obese and from being a nurse! Food is so addictive though! Even now it's a struggle to keep the weight off...especially being sedentary from my knee problems. I feel sorry for the woman....but yes....the Dr. was just being honest with her. I'm sure she knows she is adversely affecting her health by remaining overweight.

Originally Posted by deh

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

That should have been the end of this!

Wino...you're a pig!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by angelize56

Before I lost 125 lbs my libido was the same as it was afterwards...

Mulder loves a woman with a healty libido! That's what's so great about you angel--and moony, and valley, and Aca, and Jonesie, and Hotty, and . . . oh well, you get the point!

[angelize56]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Mulder loves a woman with a healthy libido! That's what's so great about you angel--and moony, and valley, and Aca, and Jonesie, and Hotty, and . . . oh well, you get the point!

I get the point quite often!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by angelize56

I get the point quite often!

Yes--Mulder sure knows how to make a "point", doesn't he?

[angelize56]

Mulder: I'm viewing your Caribbean photos...very nice! And tell Mrs. M. she looks lovely despite her worrying about the ten lbs. the camera adds!

[angelize56]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Yes--Mulder sure knows how to make a "point", doesn't he?

Drives the other TSG men mad with jealousy!

[WarC]

Geeez.

This is sorta like when that fattymctubbs group sued the airlines for the fact that they couldn't fit in a single seat and therefore had to buy more space aboard the plane.

If you are legally obese, you really shouldn't be insulted when your doctor tells you as much. Being "obese" is completely preventable at any age and you don't have anything to blame but your own poor eating habits.

Stuff like this irritates me. Personal responsibility people. I was unhappy with my weight in middleschool and highschool. So, I started to watch what I ate and I started to exercise before it got to be a big problem for me. A year later I had lost forty five pounds and have kept it off. It isn't that hard.