Since health care has become a money making venture, the medical care offered to just about everyone has taken a nose dive. It began years ago and has gotten even worse. The doctors rarely decide what is the best treatment for their patients, some financial wizard decides if its cost effective. As a result Health care is a booming industry and as with any money making business they want to make more. So now we are expected to stand by while they decide who they want to treat, which is actually who can we make the most money off. Those who don't need us, yes those who are healthy.

Think the question is silly? I can not only tell you it isn't but that it has been happening for years. Its subtle but it definitely happens and I can attest to it since I am both obese and a smoker. Because of these factors I am treated differently and my medical complaints have often been ignored. As a result of the treatment I have received I learned to avoid doctors...going only when absolutely necessary. Any patient who was talked to and treated as I have been, would do the same. While I am not so stupid as to suggest that my weight and smoking don't impact my health in general, they are not the cause of every symptom I experience either.

From the moment I walk into the doctors office it is communicated to me that I am not wanted there. First there is no place for some one my size to sit. I am pear shaped and have very broad hips...every chair in most doctors offices have arms on them. If I request an armless chair (providing there's someone to ask) staff often don't have any or I am forced to sit on end tables...regardless it is embarrassing and humiliating. Part of the information gathering process is to weigh a patient, but most doctors don't have scales that reach to my weight and either I look smaller then I am or medical assistants aren't paying attention because I almost always have to tell them they won't be able to weigh me. Face to face with the doctor, it doesn't matter why I have come, my weight must be mentioned, it doesn't matter that I have tried just about every diet on the market, that many times I have lost large amounts of weight only to have it come back with more and on at least one occasion after explaining the reason for my visit the good doctor simply said "your fat" and walked out. As a result I continued to have problems for 4-5 years before accidentally discovering the reason behind my symptoms.

My smoking is less obvious then my weight but

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