I just read that in the UK surgeries for smokers and obese people will be denied. I'm talking about non life threatening surgeries. Knee and hip replacements mostly. The article mentioned a BMI that they use and I didn't know mine so was curious and went to a site that calculated it. It's 22 which is normal but I wasn't expecting it to be high anyway since I'm not overweight. I know we have members from the UK here so what's your take on this article...is it accurate? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...mokers-banned-from-all-routine-operations-by/ Also, a BMI measuring site. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
It 'was' accurate Chrissy, now there's a backlash against the proposal, so will probably be done under a guise ........... I'm only a size 10, but would defend anyone that couldn't get their just desserts - unless of course they're just too darn greedy
I can imagine the backlash. But I can also see the reasoning. Doing knee surgery on someone obese isn't very useful probably. I don't know how smoking affects knees but being overweight does.
BMI is body mass index? I don't fully understand it but I know it is pointing to obesity. I am obese depending on the definition. And if surgery would be denied me because of my weight then I probably have to do something about it, I mean my weight. But what about those obese who couldn't taper down? One former colleague is just 5 feet 1 inch but is 300 pounds (to our estimate) and she has difficulty in walking. So I guess surgery will be refused because aside from her obesity, she is already 70 years old. I think that ruling on surgery is unfair not only to the obese but even for the smokers. And what have they got against those people? I wonder.
This was in the UK, Corie so I have no idea except that money was an object and they were trying to save on needless surgeries?? I don't know what smoking has to do with it either, I know someone who is 92 and smokes and is in great shape. Anyway, I think it's been vetoed or shut down from going further. I can understand the knee surgery. No matter what they do 300 lbs and up and nothing will help your knees. Too much weight on them.
According to that BMI measurement calculator I'm just teetering on the edge of being overweight...hmmm....you've seen me Chrissy, do you think I look overweight?
No, I'm pretty close to it too on the chart. It must be a strict chart. I wonder if they are all the same?
@Chrissy Page Thank you for the link Chrissy! I found the write-up to be very informative. BMI 25.1, I'm in trouble! Ha!
My BMI is listed on the report I get from each doctor visit. It is slightly over 23. My weight for my height and therefore my BMI are okay but I still have too much belly fat. I can see where a knee surgery on an obese person maybe would be a waste, but it seems a doctor should determine that in each case rather than having another law.saying no obese person can have the surgery.