Why doctors have a hard time talking about obesity

“For someone with your breast size, the risk of a complication is pretty high.  I would recommend against the surgery.” I smiled at the 50-year-old woman who sat in front of me wearing a pink, paper gown and a crestfallen look.  She had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was planning on undergoing a mastectomy as part of her cancer treatment.  Her breast surgeon had referred her to me to discuss the possibility of beginning her breast reconstruction at the time of her mastectomy:  an immediate breast reconstruction. Prior to her arrival, I had reviewed her chart in the electronic medical record — the body mass index was lit up in a highlighted yellow: “42.”  Morbidly obese. I glanced to see if this had been documented in the patient’s problem list — it was not.  It appeared that no one, including her primary care physician, had listed her morbid obesity as a disease to be tracked and followed.  Every other condition associated with it had been:  type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and knee pain. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Obesity Source Type: blogs