Should the NHS treat Obese patients or smokers

[PixieThunder]

Hi All....I have a discussion group coming up and one our subjects is:

Should obese adults or individuals who smoke have healthcare withdrawn until they redress their lifestyle choice?

I have lots of my own opinions and have researched this thoroughly on the net, I just thought I would post it on here and see what others thoughts were, as in britain they're so many initiatives and programs in place for healthier lifestyles etc, but if people dont start taking these on board is it acceptable to expect the NHS to pick up the bill?

Anyway, hope u guys have some good opinions about this.

[english_nurse]

well if beds in the usa are only big enough for 14st patients then im really in trouble...

speaking of which, since my burst appendix ive manged to put 10lb of my atkins loss back on and im starting to feel scared, will have to start again although hubby is not keen, hes half blaming the diet for my recent illness.. plus of course i cant exercise, tried to change the duvet covers yesterday and cried cos i hurt my belly, how stupid!! Anyway, yes i do have a way with words dont I? Im well known for it at work, they miss my humour when im not there so they tell me :)

SD, i think you and I have talked about the weightloss surgery thing, after working with this girl, i know that your weightloss has depended on alot of determination and control, the girl i work with was drinking ensures and build up drinks, eating lots of crisps and choc cos they sort of melted in the mouth, and this meant she could eat all the time, then she asked the surgeon to loosen the band cos she threw up when she ate normally... now we have a monthly trip to the surgeon, she has it tightened, looses a few lb then wants to eat so has it loosened the following month, the next month when she weighs shes put weight back on so has it tightened, this has been going on for two years!!!!!! she has lost weight, but not loads, about 4 stone, which on a 24st frame isnt a huge percentage, the thing is the surgery hasnt dealt with her food problem, she still abuses food and thinks about food all the time, she had no support, all they did was take her money from her and i dont think thats right really

anyway, off topic abit im sorry, but being a fattie myself i have plenty to say on the subject hahahaha.....plus im bored... speaking of which... while i was tying this i could have been eating biscuits instead..... OMG... ive wasted biscuit time....arggggggggggg

[Labor Nurse]

Smokers are forever being told to quit but when it comes down to giving them assistance (smoke cessatoin meds, etc) the insurance companies won't pay a cent for it but surgeries and meds for obese are paid for. Makes no sense to me at all.

Hmm, I pay dearly for my health insurance. I am overweight for my 5' nothin small frame. My insurance says no way to surgery. They don't pay for it no matter what, including a health crisis. They will pay for healthcare , cancer etc related to smoking. If you sky dive and have my insurance. They will pay for your healthcare. The thousands and thousands of dollars I have paid out through the years and they not only won't pay for any type of weight loss surgery but if your medication is under $25. YOU pay for the medication, insurance kicks in after that but if it is over $75. they can refuse to pay at all unless you take another cheaper med and it fails to help at all. I SO hate insurance companies!!:angryfire

[CrohnieToo]

Until they refuse to treat drunks and druggies they have no business even considering refusing treatment to smokers and those who are obese.

Ahhh, but alcoholism and addiction (as long as its not to nicotine or food) is an ILLNESS. I forgot.

[stormforce]

Until they refuse to treat drunks and druggies they have no business even considering refusing treatment to smokers and those who are obese.

Ahhh, but alcoholism and addiction (as long as its not to nicotine or food) is an ILLNESS. I forgot.

I know I would have similar concerns for any patient who was booked for surgery if they had any co-morbitiy, be it obesity, smoking or drugs and if I felt any of these increased the risk of an anaesthetic it would be flagged to the doctors for consideration when they assess for an anaesthetic

[CrohnieToo]

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, has an EXCELLENT 8 day in-house smoking cessation program. It is an intense program w/a success rate in the realm of 45%. It is expensive and insurance coverage isn't particularly good for this program unfortunately. They use all the amunition available: counseling, medication, exercise, diet .....

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, has an EXCELLENT 8 day in-house smoking cessation program. It is an intense program w/a success rate in the realm of 45%. It is expensive and insurance coverage isn't particularly good for this program unfortunately. They use all the amunition available: counseling, medication, exercise, diet .....

Hi

this post is in the UK forum

[CrohnieToo]

Thank you. I thought that program might spark some interest to be duplicated or at least drawn upon to help w/smoking cessation anywhere in the world.