Friday, April 24, 2009

Your doctor: unwittingly killing with kindness?

What do you think of this? (Caution: Grody picture of surgery is the first thing you see. Scroll down)

It seems more and more people I speak to have doctors advising weight loss surgery to their patients, even when weight loss is working well on it own. Are these professionals getting kickbacks? Referrals? Are they merely raining on your parade? Are they well-meaning?

If a doctor recommends altering your body in the wake of successful weight loss, it’s time to consider another doctor (if you can’t just ignore the questionable advice).

I have the best doctor in the world. More than my physician, he’s my professional partner in healthy, long term weight loss. He knows exactly the plan I’m following, is supportive, and has integrity to know that when something’s not broken, you don’t try to fix it.

In no way a slam on those who choose weight loss surgery for themselves based on careful research and fully understanding the risks (beyond what businesses are willing to share), any doctors who prescribe elective medical procedures for no real reason should be confronted in the exam room. The fatality rate and complications over time for WLS are much higher than what is being advertised by those making money from the procedures.