response 26 of 378:

Mar 4 07:34 UTC 2006

I didn't say that a doctor should tell a patient they should lose weight 
(though it is a reasonable thing for a doctor to do).  Because of your 
sensitivity to the subject of losing weight I said "Isn't it reasonable 
for a doctor to tell people....... what their most healthy weight would 
be?" Then you can decide what you will do about it (but don't blame the 
doctor if you get sick).

I don't understand the argument that doctors should not tell patients to 
lose weight because the patient will inevitably (really?) gain it back 
again. That sounds like the patient intends to gain it back again. After 
all, if one goes through the trouble of losing weight, it is less trouble 
to keep it off. 

Re #24: I am surprised that Jim's doctor thinks a cholesterol level of 145 
is too low. Mine is 135 and my doctor is delighted.