General Question - Why Do Doctors Push for Surgery?
Replies
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I understand you’re just venting. But I encourage you to consider trying to get a better understanding from your doctor, I think it would eliminate a lot of your frustration.
One reason he may be offering this to you now instead of before is that you have almost lost the minimum lbs required in order to be an eligible bariatric candidate. Many clinics, surgeons will not touch an obese patient until they’ve met a 30-40-50lb milestone with diet and exercise.
Not saying you should or you shouldn’t consider it, but I do think it is likely he’s not being unreasonable in trying to at least inform you in just one more matter related to your health.
I’m glad now this option wasn’t offered to me, I’d have taken it. Great job on your weight loss, by the way.
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My doctor was super impressed with a style of dieting because he had a patient lose a bunch of weight doing it. When I first visited him I had lost over 70 pounds on my own and he completely ignored my progress and how I said I was doing it and recommended that I read a book. It was surreal because I had just told him I seem to thrive on a moderate carb diet and the book was a high carb diet. He hadn't even been really paying attention because he was fixated on the other results.
Now I am the jewel of weight loss in his crown he is pushing what I do on others. He pays very close attention to everything I say. Since my plan is pretty much do whatever is easiest to stay in a calorie deficit I suppose it is a good thing.
Your doctor probably has a patient or two that has done very well using WLS and he is impressed with the results so he probably annoys all of his overweight patients with it like mine was doing.18 -
Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
That's a rather sweeping statement - and not my experience of doctors at all after working with many of them for over 3 decades.
Most are healthier than the general population and I certainly wouldnt say most are unhealthy.
and yes of course they know the real reason why people gain weight - just like anyone with any basic knowledge knows the real reason - they eat too much , they move too little ie they eat more than they burn.
Cannot imagine any doctors not knowing that.
Yes of course there are various backgrounds to why people do this - but for most people knowing how to tackle it does not require a specialized couch.
Way to make something seem far more complicated and specialised than it is.
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Don't be fooled by ANY doctor. Whether it's surgery, medications, or regular "routine" visits, ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY - PLAIN & SIMPLE. Even if the doc appears to be a good person, they still have to tote the corporate line.37
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Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.8 -
Generally, I don’t think most doctors push for surgery. From what I have read, surgeons that specialize in WLS require potential patients to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery is preformed.
I do think that primary care doctors often times don’t know a lot about nutrition and losing weight, but it’s up to us as patients/consumers to ask questions and get satisfactory answers.
I seldom actually see my doctor anymore. The PA, is who actually sees me. I know she suggested cutting carbs for me, when I had already lost a lot of weight through moderation and portion control of all foods. All my labs and BP, are good and I’m on no prescription medication. I ignored her advice.3 -
While money might be involved my first thought was the old adage "to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail". One of the main things a doctor can offer in terms of weight loss is surgery, so you offer it to everyone who needs to lose weight.5
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Don't be fooled by ANY doctor. Whether it's surgery, medications, or regular "routine" visits, ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY - PLAIN & SIMPLE. Even if the doc appears to be a good person, they still have to tote the corporate line.
Well, of course they have to make a living, that goes for anybody in any occupation, - but I don't see how it is all about the money or toeing any corporate line or trying to fool anybody.
And certainly here in Australia, it makes no financial difference to the doctor whether they refer you for WLS, refer you to a dietician,prescribe medications, suggest WW or MFP or whatever to you or, conversely, say nothing about your weight at all.7 -
lovelylosses wrote: »Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.
Whilst I accept that there are some people with dysfunctional relationships to food who benifit from counselling/ therapy, I think the main reason most people don't lose weight and keep it off is our modern lifestyles - high calorie food is abundantly available and modern life ( cars, sedentary jobs, apartment living for example ) leads us to move less.
Speaking for myself - I have lost weight and kept it off for nearly 6 years without any deep understanding or psychological or emotional work.
I eats less, I move more now than when I was overweight - that's all5 -
OMG I haven't been able to come back to read the responses and am overwhelmed so many took the time to read and write on this.
Thank you to all!
Quick answers to give you an idea of where he's coming from:
First, no this is not a clinic for weight loss - just my regular doctor.
The doctor, is a healthy, youngish guy. Quite fit and thin.
As for me:
I never said my current weight was a healthy range. In fact, I said my goal still put me in the overweight range. Not sure where anyone got that idea from? What I did say was I have no underlying medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. that make me high risk and my understanding is that surgery is typically reserved for those who have other at risk issues along with being way over their recommended weight.
I'm not even going to get into whether or not I'm being accurate or not. There are just some here who will never believe that someone is being truthful about this and that it's just possible that some people lose more slowly than others. Everyone works their plan the way they see appropriate for themselves and as long as one is consistently losing and they are happy with their results, to me, that is all that matters. I wasn't complaining about my rate of loss at all. I'm completely happy with my progress and proud of myself for sticking with it, staying on track, not losing focus at all this past almost year. I feel like for the first time in my entire life, I have my eating under control and am not letting food dictate my life. It's quite remarkable in fact.
Anyway, I do appreciate all the comments and am taking all of them into consideration, even those which sting somewhat. I am sure there is some room for improvement even if it is only a small tweak here and there so thank you all for responding.
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Clarifying one point:
When I wrote I average 0.5 pounds a week what that means is over this 9 month period, taking my weight loss in total and dividing it by 9 months it equals 0.5 a week.
However, that does not mean I only lose 0.5 a week. Some weeks I don't lose like on our 2 week vacation for our anniversary (but at least there was no gain). Some, I've lost a pound or a bit more.
So, the weight loss is not a static number. It fluctuates based on calories in/out and activity - just like everyone else - it just has average to 0.5 a week over time.8 -
Clarifying one point:
When I wrote I average 0.5 pounds a week what that means is over this 9 month period, taking my weight loss in total and dividing it by 9 months it equals 0.5 a week.
However, that does not mean I only lose 0.5 a week. Some weeks I don't lose like on our 2 week vacation for our anniversary (but at least there was no gain). Some, I've lost a pound or a bit more.
So, the weight loss is not a static number. It fluctuates based on calories in/out and activity - just like everyone else - it just has average to 0.5 a week over time.
You've done really well and should be proud of yourself. There is nothing wrong with your progress, however I worked out your average loss to be more than 0.5 lb a week, but even if it is, its great2 -
lovelylosses wrote: »Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.
Not everyone gains weight because of some kind of "issue." I put on about 40 Lbs very slowly over the course of about 8 years...I didn't have some big issue to deal with causing me to overeat. I went from being a very active college student who walked or road my bike everywhere to sitting behind a desk 10-12 hours per day and commuting by car.
I lost the weight years ago and have been in maintenance for over 6 years.9 -
Clarifying one point:
When I wrote I average 0.5 pounds a week what that means is over this 9 month period, taking my weight loss in total and dividing it by 9 months it equals 0.5 a week.
However, that does not mean I only lose 0.5 a week. Some weeks I don't lose like on our 2 week vacation for our anniversary (but at least there was no gain). Some, I've lost a pound or a bit more.
So, the weight loss is not a static number. It fluctuates based on calories in/out and activity - just like everyone else - it just has average to 0.5 a week over time.
You've done really well and should be proud of yourself. There is nothing wrong with your progress, however I worked out your average loss to be more than 0.5 lb a week, but even if it is, its great
OP, I agree with nooboots.
You are doing great and should be proud of how well you are doing!🌸3 -
First, a huge congrats on your loss, especially in such a short period of time! Second, I didn't read everyone else's replies, so this is just my take on it. If I were you and my doc pushed for surgery that I already told him I don't need, and that you obviously don't need (you don't weigh enough to warrant surgery) I'd simply find another doctor. I don't know what his personal agenda is, but it sounds like he gets a kick back for every surgery candidate he sends the surgeon's way. And yes, even here in the States, sad as it is to think about it, this DOES happen, and quite often. So yeah, my first move would be to check for a new doctor.3
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Clarifying one point:
When I wrote I average 0.5 pounds a week what that means is over this 9 month period, taking my weight loss in total and dividing it by 9 months it equals 0.5 a week.
However, that does not mean I only lose 0.5 a week. Some weeks I don't lose like on our 2 week vacation for our anniversary (but at least there was no gain). Some, I've lost a pound or a bit more.
So, the weight loss is not a static number. It fluctuates based on calories in/out and activity - just like everyone else - it just has average to 0.5 a week over time.
That’s what I was going to point out too! I agree you are doing great and there’s no reason for surgery that could potentially mess up your body forever.
1/2 lb is a 1/2 lb and as someone who has backslid and gained 18 lbs after losing 98, I wish I was back to losing 1/2 lb a week.
As Dr Now says - if you’re not losing, you’re gaining and he’s absolutely right!
PS I’m 60 also
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paperpudding wrote: »Don't be fooled by ANY doctor. Whether it's surgery, medications, or regular "routine" visits, ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY - PLAIN & SIMPLE. Even if the doc appears to be a good person, they still have to tote the corporate line.
Well, of course they have to make a living, that goes for anybody in any occupation, - but I don't see how it is all about the money or toeing any corporate line or trying to fool anybody.
And certainly here in Australia, it makes no financial difference to the doctor whether they refer you for WLS, refer you to a dietician,prescribe medications, suggest WW or MFP or whatever to you or, conversely, say nothing about your weight at all.
I think there is probably a fair bit of difference between Australia and the US in this regard. In the US, there is a lot of financial pressure on doctors, and billions in marketing spent to encourage doctors to prescribe specific medicines and procedures. What the pharmaceutical industry in the US does with marketing to doctors ranges between highly unethical and flat out illegal. It's a big reason the opioid epidemic is as big as it is in the US.
I believe ultimately, most doctors are good people and got into medicine with the right intentions. Most still probably have those intentions. Without knowing more about OP's specific doctor, I wouldn't ascribe any particular ulterior motive to him. The likely answer is that he thinks weight loss surgery would be the most effective option for her, and is making his best recommendation for her. That doesn't mean that he's not wrong, but I wouldn't assign any bad faith to him without evidence, of which we don't have any.
But there is significant financial pressure on doctors in the US that there aren't in other countries, and it's not unreasonable that sometimes those pressures inform their decision making more than they would like to admit in certain situations.9 -
lovelylosses wrote: »Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.
People gain weight when they take in more calories than they burn, on average.
You stated that "gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them)." However, being overweight does not mean you have any of these "issues." It simply means you overate. Some people have emotional or psychological reasons for overeating. Some do not.7 -
lovelylosses wrote: »Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.
People gain weight when they take in more calories than they burn, on average.
You stated that "gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them)." However, being overweight does not mean you have any of these "issues." It simply means you overate. Some people have emotional or psychological reasons for overeating. Some do not.
No I didn’t. You’re replying to the OP I think (I replied to your comment but I’m not the original person who said the above).0 -
lovelylosses wrote: »lovelylosses wrote: »Most doctors are unhealthy themselves. They're trained textbook style, and don't know the real reason why people gain weight. Gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them). Knowing how to tackle that requires a specialized coach. A holistic health practitioner or a qualified therapist.
Gaining weight is caused by consistently being in a calorie surplus.
Knowing how to tackle that requires understanding how to consistently create a calorie deficit.
Absolutely what you said above makes sense, but how can a person truly lose weight and keep it off, without understanding why they consistently overate to begin with? If it was truly as simple as calories in/calories out without any psychological or emotional work required, many, many more people would be at their goal weight and maintaining without issue.
People gain weight when they take in more calories than they burn, on average.
You stated that "gaining weight is usually a spiritual, psychological, emotional, or mental issue (or a combination of all of them)." However, being overweight does not mean you have any of these "issues." It simply means you overate. Some people have emotional or psychological reasons for overeating. Some do not.
No I didn’t. You’re replying to the OP I think (I replied to your comment but I’m not the original person who said the above).
Sorry, you did not say the quoted text.
It is still true that some people, but not all people, overeat due to psychological or emotional issues. It is not correct to claim that all or most people have psychological or emotional reasons for overeating.0
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