800lbs plus man

LydiaNN · Apr 5, 2006

And the point of this is...........?

I don't understand. It is a story about a man in a hospital and the challenges related to his care. It seems like a germaine topic for this board. Are you saying that it is inappropriate in some way?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

And the point of this is...........?

It's a health care issue we all deal with and will be dealing with more and more.

You want your blood to boil, read the comments. Those are whom you should question, not nurses here.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

I'm sorry to hear that he died. He looked so good there at end compared to what he's been through. That was inspiring that he was able to loose 400 lbs and was looking to the future.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

It's a health care issue we all deal with and will be dealing with more and more.

I agree, instead of dodging the topic in the name of hurt feelings (not encouraging insults, FTR), it should be discussed.

And it's a shame that something like this can't be posted as any thread without a person or people assuming some sort of hidden agenda (ex. an attack of people who are overweight) is the reason.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

We used to keep a list each day of pts. that would need additional bariatric considerations (so that we could get special tables in, etc), and that list had 2 people at the most. It now extends to 3/4 of a page, and this has increased in only the past 9 months. We're getting to the point where we're running out of equipment, because it's already in use on someone else.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

I don't want to get into trouble or anything, but why was the link edited?

I thought this was a very good story as well as an appropriate topic for a nursing board.

Jussurfin · Apr 5, 2006

And the point of this is...........?

The point, in general, is hospitals and staff having to "deal with the growing number of very obese patients."

"Last year, patient care director Colleen Becker decided to check the numbers. She looked at a daily hospital census - about one-third of the 900 patients weighed 350 pounds or more.

Startled, Becker checked another date, then another. The numbers were consistent. On some days, half the patients were obese. Some weighed 500 pounds or more."

SOURCE: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12099676/

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 5, 2006

The reason I asked what the point of this is, was because the link came from an entertainment site of some kind, which immediately raised my hackles because I can't think of anything LESS entertaining than the struggles of the super-obese.

And yes, I'll state this for the record: I am seriously overweight (although nowhere near the neighborhood of the folks discussed here) and yes, I'm a bit sensitive when the subject of obesity is raised---again---because a) it's been done to death, and b) inevitably somebody will throw in a post that's hostile and judgmental towards the overweight. It hasn't happened yet on this particular thread, and if it doesn't, it will be the first time........so please, carry on and enjoy the discussion, in the meantime I will excuse myself and go find a less, um, heavy thread to read. :banghead:

Meerkat · Apr 5, 2006

The reason I asked what the point of this is, was because the link came from an entertainment site of some kind, which immediately raised my hackles because I can't think of anything LESS entertaining than the struggles of the super-obese.
And yes, I'll state this for the record: I am seriously overweight (although nowhere near the neighborhood of the folks discussed here) and yes, I'm a bit sensitive when the subject of obesity is raised---again---because a) it's been done to death, and b) inevitably somebody will throw in a post that's hostile and judgmental towards the overweight. It hasn't happened yet on this particular thread, and if it doesn't, it will be the first time........so please, carry on and enjoy the discussion, in the meantime I will excuse myself and go find a less, um, heavy thread to read.

That's very well put. I totally agree with your reasoning, and super-obesity is nothing for people to be entertained by. For that matter, overweight in any degree is nothing to be entertained by. This seems to be a population toward which people seem to have carte blanche with cruelty. Not this board or this thread, but people in general.

FTR, I'm not overweight at 130 pounds, but many in my family are/were, including my twin sister, and it pained me greatly to hear the mockery.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

We had a 700lb+ man who was in for multiple medical issues and a suicide attempt. He was so depressed about his circumstances in life, not being able to walk or do his own ADL's that he had no hope left in life...truely sad and heartbreaking to see!

We had a bariatric bed for him, which he did say was extremely helpful and comfortable. He was just a sweety, with a funny nature and just a great guy! I was so sad he wanted to end his life.

It took 6 people to turn him, and that many to get him onto a gurney for his discharge to a care facility. Everyone was there to wish him well, and I think that really helped his self esteem! We transfered him with two slider sheets and three regular sheets...all of which ripped! We all just kinda tucked them under and kept that hush hush so as not to embaress him...but he pipped up "hey now, that isn't 250 thread count Egyptian cotton guys! These hospital sheets are so cheep!" we all laughed! We got him onto the stretcher after quite a long time, and off he went with all the docs and nurses in the hallway cheering him on and wishing him well!

I hope he does okay! He is a medical train wreck to begin with (before the weight gain), and not a canidate for surgery of any kind... . Even though all tasks with him were long and physically demanding (for both)...his sunny smile and humor kept it fun (even though I know inside his humor covers for his sadness).

grannynurse FNP student · Apr 5, 2006

That's very well put. I totally agree with your reasoning, and super-obesity is nothing for people to be entertained by. For that matter, overweight in any degree is nothing to be entertained by. This seems to be a population toward which people seem to have carte blanche with cruelty. Not this board or this thread, but people in general.
FTR, I'm not overweight at 130 pounds, but many in my family are/were, including my twin sister, and it pained me greatly to hear the mockery.

I remember a young woman I had as a patient back in the 70's. She weighed almost 700 pounds, with a fatty tumor that weighed almost 100 pounds. She had been of normal weight until she reached 18 when she began to put on weight. And she stated she never over ate. She was put on a 700 calorie a day diet and gained weight. She was a patient for several months until finally be diagnosed with a rae endocrine disorder. Once treated she lost the weight. But I can remember my peers making crude comments about her. And I can remember how angry I got.

I just watched a program on Prader Willi Syndrome. Another sad genetic disease.

Grannynurse:balloons:

chadash · Apr 5, 2006

Had a very young lady who was so large she could not move herself. She was patient and sweet, despite the fact I know she suffered from her condition as well as the attitudes of some of the staff.

This is such an important topic, it needs discussing. There are special care issues. I was always concerned about the shower bed we used. I am not sure it was as sturdy as it should be. Not so much a potential for collapse as a easy tip over. That would have been a disaster! Facilities need to have equipment that is adequate for very large persons.