Unfounded Statistics & Percentages

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

There are excellent sources of information out there with great statistical data that was collected in a scientifically acceptable and accurate manner. There are also well published documents which are not skewed to support someone's hidden agenda.

What I don't get are when people throw out WLS numbers and percentages without accurately verifying them or just make them up because they believe, from their non-researched opinion, that it is accurate .

At the very least this could be misleading, at the worst it could affect someone's health or influence their decision on what WLS procedure they should get (or to avoid it all together), scare them into assuming there is a very high risk or a false sense of security that there is no risk from the procedure or influence vitamins/supplements & quantities they should/should not take, to name a few without consulting a physician.

If you don't believe me, 90% of the people agree with me, 15% disagree and 5% aren't sure.

(I know this adds up to more than 100%)

[Valentina 2,642]

I couldn't agree more.

Unless one is the personal physcian of person asking the question, there should NEVER be any medical advice given. EVER

We can give our "opinion", but our comments should reflect that fact--that what we suggest is ONLY our personal opinion.

I believe and hopefully convey, that if one is concerned enough about an issue to post it on an internet site, then one first needs to CALL THEIR MD'S OFFICE.

As far as percentages go, every person is personally responsible to do their own research and only take what they read here as an incentive to double check the "facts".

I never take "percentages" posted on this site as fact, ever. But then, I've always been lousy with numbers.

Thank you for caring enough to post on this issue.

Take care.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

97.36% of all statistics on the internet are made up on the spot

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Not trying to stir up a vaccine discussion, but he makes the same point...

[Valentina 2,642]

97.36% of all statistics on the internet are made up on the spot

Actually, I "know for a fact" that the percentage of statistics on the internet that are made up on the spot is 97.37% ! Please get your facts straight...

[AvaFern 3,516]

I feel like most people who are using statistics are not totally making them up but read them somewhere. The problem with statistics is that if the study was not randomized, it is very easy to end up with really wrong data. Like Valentina joked when she changed to the last digit...something as simple as rounding up can make us think information is wrong. The other day I read a study that had 97 participants and one of the results noted that 1% of the sample had improved in one variable. I was like, what the heck, there aren't 100 people in the study so how did they get that number? I read later in the methods section that they rounded all of their results up, so 1 person showed an improvement in that factor. Also, a lot of studies use convenience sampling, where they basically collect results from people who happen to be in the same place at the same time or some other method that doesn't require full randomization, which then really limits the validity of the results.

So...I don't think most people quoting stats are intentionally being untruthful, but I don't think they evaluate the evidence they are citing for potential reasons why the stats might not be correct. If you pick any major issue and you look at a website of a group that is pro and one that is con, you will find stats that "support" totally different perspectives. Are they lying? No, not really, but they chose to use a sample that was not actually representative of the population so that they could end up with data that favored their position. Since their stats are not scholarly, they are not required to discuss the methods they used to get those numbers and most people don't bother to question it.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@AvaFern - excellent response. We humans have many great things going for us, but we do slip up from time to time. Always best to aggregate the opinion of bigger groups than one "expert." See: https://www.ted.com/speakers/james_surowiecki. Or just look at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ and see how it matches up with your movie selections.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@4MRB4PHOTO

If people are asking for advice on the internet from strangers, they are getting the advice they deserve.

People come here all the time asking which surgery to have. Why would anyone ask people that know nothing about their lifestyle, personality or health issues, what surgery to have.

The responses are just as ridiculous as the questions.

[Valentina 2,642]

Your response:

The responses are just as ridiculous as the questions.

Touche'

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

@@4MRB4PHOTO

If people are asking for advice on the internet from strangers, they are getting the advice they deserve.

People come here all the time asking which surgery to have. Why would anyone ask people that know nothing about their lifestyle, personality or health issues, what surgery to have.

The responses are just as ridiculous as the questions.

I mostly agree with your statement, but I don't think they "deserve" misinformation.

Yes, not doing extensive research on the internet through reputable sources (leading hospitals in this field, professional societies and published studies in JAMA, the ASMBS, etc.), going to a WLS seminar in their local hospital, assessing their medical conditions THEN speaking to their PCP & surgeon with their findings to have a well researched Q&A discussion on which approach may be best for their specific medical condition(s) and deciding after that.

The people replying back mean well, but most people don't have a medical background, are speaking only for how it relates to themselves and do not know the physical condition and medical history of the person who is asking that question.

That is why, with my lack of medical training, when someone asks "Should I get the sleeve or the bypass", I recommend to get the parasite (tapeworm) approach:

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Misinformation is a strong word, especially when a lot of doctors and programs give varying advice.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

Misinformation is a strong word, especially when a lot of doctors and programs give varying advice.

I don't want to get in a pissing contest, but I stand by the definition I intended: "...false or inaccurate information".

I never said the intent was deliberate.

We have all read posts where people, in good intentions, give information that is inaccurate, or at least not well agreed upon by the medical community, but provide that advice to people.

I will research the information before I act upon it and consult a medical professional if necessary for advice.

Not everyone is that proactive. Some of the advice can have serious potential health risks for some individuals.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@4MRB4PHOTO - If you do the math, you realize half the population is below average (and the bottom half seems to account for most of the online comments, I can't prove this, just my opinion). But even a stopped watch gives the correct time twice a day. I do try to be careful not to base my health on sites where they are selling something, or the person writing it doesn't have the expertise to draw conclusions. Caveat Emptor.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,900]

@@OKCPirate

Unfortunately, not everyone may be as savvy and as well informed as you.

I started to get occasional muscle cramps, there are many causes, but I read about the benefits of taking magnesium and potassium. I researched and looked up the side effects and assessed my personal medical condition and felt a low dosage supplement of each, every other day would be fine.

My PCP recommended that I don't take additional potassium supplements (other than what is in my multi-vitamin), just in case I develop kidney disease; she was fine with the magnesium supplements.< /p>

So the medical advice, although sound, was not appropriate for me.

Imagine someone with a kidney issue taking mega-doses of potassium because someone advised them to do so.

As much as Darwin's theory may hold true, people should research, then consult medical professionals AND double check their diagnosis too in case they have made a mistake.

Edited April 14, 2016 by 4MRB4PHOTO

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@4MRB4PHOTO - That was good advise on the potassium supplement by the way. It is potentially very dangerous and shouldn't be taken unless the doctor recommends based on blood work. Very rough on kidneys when done wrong.