Comments on: Weighty Issues

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 01:48:23 +0000

Well, being overweight myself, I have a comment…
I think he did the right thing. No matter how many times it has been suggested that I lose weight, it never really sank in until my doctor told me that I will not live to see my daughters grow up, go on their first dates, or get married. I think he finally got through to me and I am working on it.
It is harder to lose weight than to stop smoking. Trust me, I know. I have quit smoking.
Anyway, enough of my rambling…Sometimes, the truth hurts.
I don’t think, however, calling someone a “lardass” is effective. In my case, it would have put me on the defensive quicker than anything. I prefer Beth.

By: L

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 12:29:19 +0000

Bruce, can you give me a link to the research that suggests calling someone Lardass will help them lose weight? That’s something I would love to see.

By: cardioNP

cardioNP — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 23:12:20 +0000

Have anecdotal experience that supports Bruce Small’s posting. As a primary care provider I had counseled an overweight smoker who was had a hx of an anterior MI multiple times, had offered nicotine patches etc. to no avail.
But when the cardiologist saw him she yelled at him and asked if he was stupid – he quit smoking the next week and started an exercise program.

By: Bruce Small

Bruce Small — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 21:39:32 +0000

Actually, there is research on the subject of abrasive doctors. We all say we prefer kind and gentle physicians, but the abrasive ones have a better cure rate because we pay attention to them.

Which one would you be more likely to remember:

“Well, Larry, it appears you are a little overweight. Maybe you ought to consider losing 200 pounds.”

“Well, Lardass, it appears you are 200 pounds overweight so you probably will be prone to the following health problems.”