No Surgery For The Obese

[Drusilla]

Three Suffolk Primary Care Trusts are refusing to perform hip and knee replacement surgery on patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30. (The average is between 18.5 and 24.9).
Do you see this as discrimination against the obese, or a prudent use of limited financial resources in our health care system?

[shaneystar]

Well I think Bupa must be a bit ill informed. I have osteoarthritis and have had since I was about 50..I am now pushing 58.I don't consider that old.Middleaged maybe...ancient ..No!
.I am not obese.The last time I played sport was at school although I have always been a keen swimmer.As far as I know it doesn't run in my family.I was told by a rheumatologist about five years ago that they will leave a "younger "person as long as possible for a hip replacement as they only have a limited shelf life.
.We have BUPA and even when I went to see an orthopedic surgeon with them..he said they are reluctant to do hip replacements too early .For example if I had one tomorrow I may possibly need another one in ten years time when I would be sixty eight and it may not be a success the second time around.
I think if someone is a bit over weight and needs a replacement joint their own common sense should tell them to try and get a bit of weight off prior to an op for the own benifit so as not to put overdue pressure on the new joint.And to treat it with respect afterwards.
As for refusing people I think this is just one of many cutbacks across the board in the NHS.I am of the opinion that there will come a time when it no longer exists and we will all have to pay for treatment like they do in America and will have to take out own insurance.

[Oneeyedvic]

Stevie - but it only lasts 10 years!

Anyway, I think there is one thing we can agree on - it shouldn't be a choice between who you can treat - everyone should be entitled.

If I run for Primeminsiter and have you running as my second in charge of the NHS, I reckon we can get in - and I will reiterate that I won't run a full third term ;-)

[stevie21]

"Anyway, I think there is one thing we can agree on - it shouldn't be a choice between who you can treat - everyone should be entitled."

Nope - my point all along is that I'm not the nicest of people and I'd withold treatment. People who abuse their own health aren't entitled to get treatment so that they can prolongue the abuse : they should, instead, change their lifestyle and help themselves.
Obviously this doesn't apply to EVERY person seeking treatment, just to those who have the choice of helping themselves and choose not to.

Discriminate - it's good for the economy (and gives me a warm glow).