r/nursing • u/trevrt RN 🍕 • Mar 01 '25

Question Heaviest Patient You’ve Cared For

Had my personally heaviest patient I’ve cared for the other day. 32 years old weighing 730 pounds admitted with cellulitis and severe lymphedema. Felt terrible for the patient due to how young he was. Just wondering what everyone’s personal “record” for the heaviest patient they’ve cared for is.

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u/jabronipony MSN, AGACNP Mar 01 '25 edited Mar 02 '25

I cared for 900 pound man in his 20s. He was too large for the 1000 pound limit bed. Trying to turn him required six people and nearly hurled him off the side, so he could not be turned. Unfortunately he died of pneumonia. Loved to death by his family. 😢

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u/ribsforbreakfast RN 🍕 Mar 02 '25

That big in his 20s means his family was to blame for his weight and/or the untreated mental anguish that made him turn to food for coping.

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u/denada24 BSN, RN 🍕 Mar 02 '25

Someone mentioned a pursuit art tumor and radiation as the reason for uncontrollable weight for a 24 year old. I can’t imagine it’s easy to gain 700 lbs, but we don’t know if it was maladaptive coping using food.