Doctor Xiang Ruilong, 46, born in 1980, works in the thoracic surgery department at Yueyang Hospital in Shanghai. Standing 1,84 m tall and weighing 150 kg, his excessive weight often causes patients to express skepticism when receiving prescriptions or health advice from him.

More than one chuc nghin years ago, when he was a new resident doctor, Xiang weighed approximately 110 kg. Due to work pressure, a lack of time for exercise, and a habit of consuming fried foods, his weight rapidly increased. Annual check-ups consistently showed his lab results were normal, with no signs of fatty liver or diabetes, but his waist circumference grew significantly.

Doctor Xiang Ruilong, 46, who works in the thoracic surgery department at Yueyang Hospital Shanghai, currently weighs 150 kg. Photo: Baidu

Xiang had previously attempted several times to lose between 10 and 15 kg through diet and exercise. However, the demanding nature of his work frequently interrupted these efforts, leading his weight to rebound beyond its previous levels. He attributes his condition to stress-induced obesity.

His excessive weight directly impacts his surgical work. "Standing for many hours during surgery causes intense back pain, and my large build also creates inconvenience in the operating room", Xiang stated.

Moreover, Xiang finds it challenging to persuade patients to control their diets. "They look at me as if to say, 'The doctor himself is obese, yet he's giving us advice'", he recounted.

Yao Zheng, Deputy Director of Yueyang Hospital, noted that medical staff often have packed schedules, from surgeries to consultations, which tends to foster unhealthy lifestyle habits. According to the 2024 Nutrition Report from the National Health Commission of China, 51% of adults in the country are overweight.

His large build makes it difficult for Doctor Xiang Ruilong to perform his duties and diminishes his credibility when advising patients on weight loss. Photo: Baidu

To prevent health complications, Xiang joined a weight loss training camp organized by Yueyang Hospital, which began on 11/5. This 28-day program is exclusively for medical staff with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 or higher.

Participants receive personalized treatment plans, combining nutritional management, exercise, meditation, and traditional medicine therapies to improve their metabolism. Cases of severe overweight receive specialized medical intervention.

Upon entering the training course, Xiang set a goal to lose 50 kg within one year through a scientific regimen, aiming to regain trust from his patients.

Minh Phuong (According to SCMP, The Paper)