Tariana Turia and stomach stapling
January 25, 2010 in Uncategorized
This morning I awoke to the news that debate is developing for more public staplefunding for stomach-stapling operations. In fact only yesterday Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia led calls to boost public funding of the procedure claiming she had already dropped 13 kilograms and shaken off her diabetes just nine weeks after having the $28,000 operation. She did look fantastic at the press modelling the latest in Baywatch fashion.
Mrs Turia, who is an associate health minister, said she absolutely believed in more publicly funded stomach-stapling operations. “We already pay billions of dollars for the care of diabetics … All of that is huge money that the state has to pay.” Her call won support yesterday from National Party MP Chester Borrows, who had the operation in July 2007, and it is also rumoured that other National Party MPs have also had the operation.
I can’t believe this proposal by our MPs. I am no doctor so feel free to slash and burn me but from my experience being overweight is probably a combination of 3 things – eating, exercise and genetics. Therefore, there are probably times when the stomach staple is an option for some people. But to parade stomach stapling around as some health care ‘right’ as these MPs seem to be doing, is not going to help anyone. And the fact that we currently pay billions in health care is no good reason to waste money on an expensive surgery when other options are available.
The obvious question that must be asked is where does personal responsibility come into the equation? Is being obese solely a genetic thing that can’t be stopped, contained or managed? I believe it can be managed and would gladly help someone shed pounds by coaching them to complete a triathlon- just leave your name and email below. But the idea of stomach stapling every person with diabetes and those that tip the scales at 120kg is just ludicrous
When we as a society start to treat obesity in this way we actually take away the idea of any personal responsibility. By doing this we subconsciously give them no way out and tell them that they can’t control their weight and it is not their fault.
Getting people to pay for it would be a start. People have loans for everything nowadays and I am sure putting your stomach staple on HP could be an option through local District Health Board. The government could even offer help and as the Student Debt spirals out of control, alongside that we could have the ‘Stomach Debt’ where people could gain access to interest free loans to shed some pounds.
Rather than the stomach staple is the mouth staple a better option to reduce weight? I will leave you to think on that.
Another thing that gets to me is that it seems that this operation has changed the lives of a few MPs and they now seem to believe it should be open to everyone. In fact it seems that it is the only option they have thought of. Has the idea of forced exercise and restricted diet been investigated? I enjoy triathlon and it keeps me fit and trim. It probably costs me about $1000 a year to enter various events and pay for my lycra consumables. Why couldn’t that be an option to people or on a very personal level with cheap entry into marathons for those over a certain weight, coupons for local triathlons or subsides for your local gym could all be added to the next budget for a fraction of the price of a $28,000 operation.
Lindsay Mitchell also has a little to say on this topic.
joe said on January 25, 2010
The way I see it is its a $30,000 operation to improve someones quality of life and prevent a life threatening and costly illness.
Obesity is preventable, but isn’t everything?
What’s the difference between an obese person who needs a $30,000 operation and a rock climber who fell and needs a $30,000 rescue and an operation?
What if you got knocked off your bike and was run over, after you pulled out in front of a bus. You need a intensive care and an operation costing over $30,000.
Should we stand there and point the finger? “What an idiot, doesn’t he know you’re supposed to look out for buses”
We all do stupid stuff.
I don’t believe in personal responsibility to that extent, New Zealand should be able to provide all people with health, education and employment, these three key necessities should not be reliant on personal responsibility.
Ozy Mandias said on January 26, 2010
Thanks for the input Joe. Long time no hear??
I agree with you in the most.
Firstly, the stomach stapling idea is probably the best option for a small percentage of the populaton. However, if you read the news papers the way they talk about it the operation should be available to every man and his dog!!!
Secondly, in the main I think this issue is more about healthy lifestyle and that should be the idea the governement pushes. This is hard, because a healthy lifestyle costs more, but there needs to be thought around that.
Thirdly, the other thing that annoys me is that these MPs have had the operation and think it is the been knees. It may have worked for them and been needed for them but that amy not be the case for everyone. It would be like Rodney Hide, after shedding pounds on Dancing with the Stars, saying that every overweight person should attend Salsa classes!!
Finally, I think paying a little for accident compensation could be a good think in NZ. Perhaps not with cycling or very common activities but if I decide tomorrow to climb Mt Cook in my jandals as a fundraiser and something goes wrong I think I should pay some of the price to fix me. Why should everyone in NZ have to pay for my stupidity. There are plenty of good insurance policies out there for extreme sports that dont cost the earth.
Uncle Honky said on January 26, 2010
Just as long as you don’t go get your stomach stapled Ozy – otherwise the ‘Undies for a Year’ challenge could prove a bit difficult.
joe said on January 26, 2010
It would be great if the government did push healthier lifestyles, but for some reason, this is not what the average New Zealander wants. The last Labour government lost the election on this very issue – “the nanny state”. The public decided they would prefer it if keeping healthy was difficult, under this imaginary banner of ‘freedom of choice’. There was outrage that the government would stop schools from selling unhealthy foods, even though the government was picking up the bill on treating obesity, etc. Some people equate buying a peanut slab at 10.30am with freedom.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0706/S00040.htm
Tax junk food, and cut the tax on fruit and veges, this would also stimulate our agriculture sector. Fortunately for New Zealand this will happen in the future, as I’ve said before, Greens policy is laughed at, but in a few years it often becomes Labour policy and a few years after that it becomes National’s policy.
I’m not sure what you consider a ‘paying a little’ for ACC, for me at the moment (looking at my bank account), if I broke my arm $20 would be a lot. For someone trying to raise a family on $14 p/h (which is very, very common) I’d say $5 would be a lot. And if you could come up with a stupidity equation, to gauge the level of stupidity in a single act, we may be able to sort something out. You may consider climbing Mt Cook in jandals as being stupid and cycling not. To others, cycling is dangerous and stupid, but getting drunk and stumbling across busy roads is a common activity.
Mrs Mandias said on January 26, 2010
I suppose he could always staple the undies to his stomach????!!!!!
Uncle Honky said on January 26, 2010
Maybe he should to that anyway to make sure he sticks to his goal!
Ozy Mandias said on January 26, 2010
No need to staple anything people. If they were stapled on I couldnt wash them every night like I do!!!
joe said on January 28, 2010
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_should_we_be_shaming
Linda said on March 5, 2010
I raised a loan to pay for a Lap Band operation.I also had a hiatus hernia repair.Now, insurance MAY pay for the hernia repair, but not the Lap Band, because that is ‘cosmetic”. i have been over weight since losing thyroid fuction and contracting an illness that saw mw treated extensively with steroids.Both these condition cause weight gain, and because of the weight gain, i couldn’t walk easily, the joint pain of my illness was made worse by the weight gain. So…Catch 22 situation. Since the operation I have lost 23 kgs already( plus $18000.00)and I am a beneficiary!Now, I will get my health back-just when I qualify for Super and nobody wants to hire me!I have saved the Government many many thousands of dollars in medications as I have dropped more than half of them, all of which were subsidised.Tell me that Government funding of this sort of operation doesn’t make good financial sense!!Come on, folks! It isn’t ALWAYS gluttony and laziness, you know!
Ozy Mandias said on March 6, 2010
Hi Linda
Thanks for dropping by. As I mentioned in the above post there are times when an oeration is the best option for some people. I also agree that probably a stomach staple saves the government money when weiged against pills, doctors fees etc.
However, that does make the system sustainable in the long term or a benefit to society. There are thousands of over weight people in New Zealand who have got to that position because of lifestyle choice. Surely a better option is to educate them rather than providing a quick expensive fix.
Linda said on March 7, 2010
I have to agree with Joe’s comments on this. There is stupidity and then there’s stupidity..there’s hardship and there’s hardship. I, too, would be hard pressed to pay more for acc.
As for govt funding for obesity, if a person meets the criteria and has other co-morbidities, it should be ! I am not speaking of someone who is maybe 10kgs over..that usually CAN be dieted off. However, the very act of dieting makes the problem worse, but that’s another ball game!! Moreover , when somebody is very overweight, it is often impossible for them to exercise properly- YOU try it with bum knees and hips.In cases like that, then, yes, this operation should be funded.
My point is, I met all criteria, but was still unable to get govt help or private insurance help. (I would have thought getting me healthier is more profitable for my health insurer in the long run.)So, for me, a loan was my only way out.At almost Superannuation age, and living on an invalid’s benefit, that is one big ask. But, I did it, because there was no alternative, for me, and many like me.
Ozy Mandias said on March 21, 2010
Linda if that is the case why dont we have a cut off system for none medical conditions. Once you get to 10 kgs over your age avergae BMI you have to go on a diet – get rid of that weight.
My point is that personal responsibility must come into the equation. People should not be able to make bad choices about diet and then not have to face the consequences later in life.