Dying from Obesity Complications

[LC_Dave]

Has anyone had a family member or friend that has passed away because of Obesity ?

It is so saddening that this occurs. Maybe this could of happenned, or might happen to me ?

My heart goes out you if this has occurred. Maybe talking about it may help ?

[liz175]

I think we need to be careful about a discussion like this. While obese people might be more prone to some medical conditions, attributing a specific medical condition in an individual to obesity is very difficult. For example, if an obese person dies because of complications of diabetes, do we say that their obesity killed them? If we do, what do we say when a thin person dies of complications of obesity? (Yes, there are thin Type 2 diabetics.) A statistical correlation at the population level is very different from a causal relationship at the individual level. I, personally, don't feel comfortable making my leap.

Here's an example of what I mean (although it doesn't involve complications that would kill someone). My husband, who has never been overweight in his life, has serious back problems. I don't. However, I'm sure that if I did have back problems and went to the doctor about them, the doctor would blame the problems on my weight. Yet, my husband has the same condition and it's not blamed on weight because he doesn't have a weight problem.

The same thing could be true of almost any problem which has been linked to obesity. While obese people may be more likely to get certain conditions, saying that their obesity caused the condition is a big leap of faith. What causes any specific condition in any individual is likely to be very complex.

[Bat Spit]

I'm with Liz.

I really think that Obesity is the effect of greater issues, not the cause. There are plenty of skinny Type 2 diabetics, on high blood pressure meds, on CPAPs, with bad knees and backs....

But if an obese person goes to the average doctor for a hangnail, they're sure to blame being fat.

Any doctor who warrants obesity as the proximate cause of death should be sued for malpractice.

[dianna9234]

Dave.. I posted in your journal instead of here.

dianna9234

[Lobstergal]

My mother died on December 13 2002 because of complications from obesity.
She had developed heart disease and diabetes 2 from being morbidly overweight.
I do not need to talk about it. It happened, it's in the past, I grieved and I am fine now.

[potatofree]

I think it's good to talk about things when it comes up, Dave.

I lost my Dad to complications of stomach-stapling surgery, and have had several relatives and friends die from conditions aggrivated by their weight, so I have been thinking about it a lot. I try not to get mired down in the "if-onlys" but I do know I need to stay on track now to avoid becoming one of them myself.

[LC_Dave]

Hi Guys and gals,

I wasn't too sure about posting this thread, because it's such a personal topic. I had read on another thread where someone had lost a love one due to obesity and thought it might feel better to share.

I definately do not want any debate about this or that.

I know that a lot of people thought I would die, and often times I thought I would.

I think it's always prudent to be mindful of others feelings and be respectful. Not that anyone has posted anyone bad, I just thought it's a good idea to set some ground rules.

potatofree & Lobstergal I am sorry for yopur losses and my heart goes out to you both. This issue is very close to my heart.

Please if someone doesn't want to contribute, do not feel you have to.

[mskllsws]

I am a family physician. Knowing all I know about the risks obesity plays in many diseases I still allowed my weight to climb to 280 pounds.

Let us call a spade a spade. It is perfectly legitamate to put cause of death obesity on a death certificate. Obesity is directly linked to many diseases,
hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypercholesterolemia to name a few.

If someone had a heart attack, with all the above diseases, I have no doubt that obesity played a role.

But by the same token if we are going to start using obesity as a cause of death, then we must also start listing smoking as a cause of death, and alcohol, or substance abuse. Lets also list verbal abuse, physical abuse and neglect, low self esteem, and sexual promiscuity. There are diseases that are fatal that are tied to each one of them (major depression/suicide/ cirrhosis/ AIDS etc)

Let's not "sugar coat" any of it. When I weighed 280 I still had not had my obesity catch up with me because I was one of the healthy fat people in this world. But I am not so foolish to know that my time was coming and that the longer I lived the closer I was to having all those obesity related diseases.

this is just my humble opinion. You all are free to disagree.
Karen

[southbel]

A bit off topic, but wow, a physician on our boards that believes in LC. That's great!

One of things that mskllsws said that did resonate was that we should put down the smoking, alcohol, etc as causes of death too. A nice perspective on this. I think we all know, on this board (especially here in TDC), that our obesity caused multiple physical manifestations and often times medical complications.

I, for example, have had about five knee surgeries. I had this problem in the Marine Corps, when I was not overweight. However, now any complications I get with my knees are blamed solely on my weight.

Back to topic...Both of my grandparents died of congestive heart failure, which was blamed on obesity. They equated food with love and whenever you were at their house, they were constantly trying to feed you. A lot of their issues with food came with living through the Depression. However, they really bought into the processed foods that came along during the 70s. These processed foods increased as a proportion of their diet as they aged, due to the ease with which to make them and the cheap cost. I, and in fact our entire family, noticed that as they ate more of these foods, they had more and more medical issues. My grandmother got a brain tumor, diabetes, thyroid issues, and heart problems. My grandfather mainly suffered from heart issues, but he may have had some sugar problems (he refused to believe the doctor and therefore didn't get proper treatment).

What is so upsetting is that they were diagnosed with these medical issues and advised to eliminate the processed foods from their diets. However, by this time, they were so addicted, they couldn't let them go. I truly believe it is what ultimately caused their deaths. My grandfather was in his late 60s and my grandmother was in her 70s when they died. In our family, this is quite young to die, since most of my family and even my ancestors lived well into their 100s. Of course, my family used to be mainly fishermen until they moved to the US. Interesting, I think.

Sorry for the long post, but it's something that I have both speculated on and lamented for a while. It's really too bad LC eating wasn't better known at that time. They would have greatly benefited from this WOL and I think, with our genes, they would have been with us quite a bit longer.

[veggielove]

Let's keep it real. Obesity does put you at higher risk for certain conditions that could potentially lead to death.

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not here because of my body image. I think I'm pretty good looking even at this weight. Even if I wasn't I don't think I'd care. I'm here because I want to be here (on Earth) for as long I can. I want to spoil my grandbabies someday (my son is only 6) and I want to see my DH as an old man. I really don't think I'll get that being over 200 pounds. It's not about absolutes, it's about likelihood.

karla

[Analog6]

Yes, I'm with veggielove. I want to grow old with my DB, not pop off at 60! I feel so much bettersince losing weight. I'm looking better too, but I have always considered that a side benefit. I want to be well.

[LC_Dave]

Yes, I'm with veggielove. I want to grow old with my DB, not pop off at 60! I feel so much bettersince losing weight. I'm looking better too, but I have always considered that a side benefit. I want to be well.

You are doing well Odille!