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NC doctor told patient she's fat, faces discipline

Submitted by WWAY on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:31am.READ MORE:

News
NC

RALEIGH -- A North Carolina doctor could lose his medical license after a patient complained he made cutting criticisms, including telling her she was fat. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported the North Carolina Medical Board will decide if Dr. Earl Sunderhaus of Asheville overstepped the bounds of professional decency. The eye doctor's patient complained Sunderhaus poked her thigh and told her she is fat, and also scolded her as irresponsible for being unemployed and relying on taxpayers to pay for another pregnancy. Sunderhaus admitted he told the patient that her thick thighs and diabetes could cause her to go blind. He made his points again by writing the patient, Gov. Beverly Perdue and blasting the medical board. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Ouch

Submitted by Daver (not verified) on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 7:45am.

Yes, we have to be politically correct in what we say, so people dont get too upset, have a lawsuit and then have to go to therapy. Pathetic. If the statement is true, then its true. Being over weight can cause the problems he stated, so deal with it.

They should give this DR.

Submitted by ROGER FLEMING (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 6:05pm.

They should give this DR. a medal or an award of some kind. KUDOS to you Dr.Saunderhaus. S/F ROGER FLEMING

maybe we need to think he is

Submitted by huh (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 11:19am.

maybe we need to think he is giving her hard love. Maybe all the other resources that he used were not working. A friend of mine was told that by her doctor and she lost 74 pounds and is no longer on diabetes medicine. it is done all through diet and jogging.

Unbelieveable. She's fat,

Submitted by Guest1111 (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 7:43am.

Unbelieveable. She's fat, diabetic, unemployed, and expects the taxpayers to pay for another pregnancy and all the complications that will go along with it and he is the one in trouble? Let me tell her then because there is no license the state medical board can take. You are fat. You are diabetic. If you weren't so fat, maybe you would not be diabetic. Since you are already pregnant with another child for me, as a taxpayer, to help foot the bill for, when you have it get up off your fat lazy behind, put the kids in daycare, get a job and help feed them and at the end of the day at least you will have burnt some calories and maybe be too tired to produce another child on the taxpayers' dime. Don't like hearing it? Tough.

its a free country.

Submitted by Guest276548 (not verified) on Sat, 11/21/2009 - 7:36am.

sorry the poor fat lady cant handle the trueth. and her health is probly in danger. if you dont like being called fat. then loose the weight. where is this doc. I think i'll use him. I like a doctor that is not afraid to tell the trueth. ive been told to lose weight. and to stop smoken. I took my doc's advise i lost 30 pounds. not fat any more. smoken is another story. to bad she dont have the will power to loose the pounds.but i'll tell her what worked for me. stop cramming food down your face. it worked for me. if you cant do that then shut up fat lady.

Although everyone is

Submitted by Guest1986 (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 8:03pm.

Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion the doctor is the paid professional in the situation. That's like me as a health care provider for the elderly telling them they are old.

One of the most confusing

Submitted by Guest28480 (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:51pm.

One of the most confusing things in life I have never been able to understand is the concept of "fat people" on "welfare". Not saying that people on supplimental income should look like a prisonor from Dakau. But in a country where people can take my hard earned money and use it for free beer, steaks, air jordons, and cellphones... where does the madness stop...or more so...I worry that the taxpayer madness will begin...

They can't handle the truth

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:05pm.

Has Ms. Lardbutt offered any evidence that's she's not fat, and not a financial boat anchor around the necks of the taxpayers? I didn't think so....

about time

Submitted by Guest9 (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:03pm.

this man is my new hero. its about time someone told it like it is other than common.

NC Doctor Told Patient She is Fat

Submitted by Guest999 (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:05pm.

I have to wonder about our society when the truth is kept at bay for fear of stating the obvious. I also wonder how things like this tie up our judicial system with lawsuits when REAL crime is left unattended. Since when is it overstepping the bounds of decency for a professional to tell a patient that she is fat/overweight and that this is a detriment to, not only HER health, but to our society as well. Not only that, but also to bring a child into a situation where obviously she cannot support or take care of the infant. Who suffers here? We all share in the burden!! I certainly hope that the NC Medical Board has the intelligence to dismiss this ridiculous charge. The Truth is always welcome and if your fat, you have no one to blame but yourself!!

Doctors need to be honest with patients!

Submitted by Tired of stupid people (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:19pm.

So she can't handle the truth about herself? Maybe she should find another doctor that will just hold her hand instead of telling the truth. He has the right to express his opinion to a patient. If she doesn't like it than she can go elsewhere.

I was told that I was fat

Submitted by Clevenative on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:56pm.

I was told that I was fat and lazy. It is true in my case.

Patient told she is fat

Submitted by Janice (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 6:15pm.

I find this hilarious. Doesn't she have a mirror. Does she not have to buy clothing, thus, find THAT difficult? I know that no one wants to be told the truth. I don't. BUT!!!!! There is a time, place and way to state the obvious. This "doctor" has a poor bedside manner. If he can't speak nicely, take away his license. I'm sure bedside manner is taught in med school!

Take away a doctor's medical

Submitted by Guest2222 (not verified) on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:42am.

Take away a doctor's medical license because of a poor bedside manner? Are you nuts? I can be rude freely you see because I am not a doctor. Did you ever stop to think that this doctor had tip toed around this lady and used all the politically correct words already and she just isn't getting it? I have heard doctors tell relatives if they did not do this or that they were going to die. Sometimes that is what it takes to get through to them. This loser (and I don't mean weight wise) is looking for a reason to sue this doctor and drain him dry. When she does, the state should recoup all of the money it has spent towards supporting her fat lazy behind over the years.

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