"I don't know why you need surgery, you're not that big."

[Bobbe Schu 53]

The technician who did my pre-op EKG told me the same thing (even with my 53" waist). "You don't look like you need surgery. You're not that big." I told her that she had better call my surgeon then, and tell him she disagrees with his diagnosis. That shut her up.

PRICELESS!!!! I've gotten that "you're not that big" comment myself. Won't hesitate to use that comeback next time! PRICELESS!!!!

[maggie409 765]

I've never had anyone tell me that before

[Nikasio 59]

I am guilty of clumsily trying to be reassuring to people. With men it is a reflexive habit to be supportive to the ladies around us. We'll say anything and then regret it. I am sorry to hear that even medical professionals are guilty of this. The following is a little off topic, but it is meant to reinforce the premise that stupid things are frequently said.

Comedian Brian Regan, "I met this woman, I could've sworn she was pregnant, let me tell ya'. I believe the rule is, don't guess at that ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever. Something like that. I don't have enough evers memorized. I said, "Hey, when's that BABY due?" You ever feel a word comin' out but it's too late to stop it? "When's that BABY due? BABY!" "What baby?" "Uhhh..."

[losing_the_band 133]

I went to my last class before surgery and actually heard this from the other PATIENTS! It made me question my decision which really ticked me off. I felt like I was being ganged up on by two of the girls. I was hoping to find a support buddy but that clearly didn't happen.

Same thing happened to me when I was jumping through hoops for my lap-band. The "ladies" at the support group meeting that I was required to attend decided to tell me that they didn't think I needed surgery, since I was "so small." Yeah, no. I had a BMI of 39-40 at the time.

[carebear42 82]

I went to my last class before surgery and actually heard this from the other PATIENTS! It made me question my decision which really ticked me off. I felt like I was being ganged up on by two of the girls. I was hoping to find a support buddy but that clearly didn't happen.

Same thing happened to me when I was jumping through hoops for my lap-band. The "ladies" at the support group meeting that I was required to attend decided to tell me that they didn't think I needed surgery, since I was "so small." Yeah, no. I had a BMI of 39-40 at the time.

EXACTLY! My BMI was 40. My surgeon didn't argue the case so why would they?

[scarletwitch19 302]

I think people say that when they don't know what else to say. It's basically their nice way of saying 'why don't you just diet and exercise'. I heard this multiple times too, and I was not a low bmi patient, my high weight was over 300. Ugh. It seems we will always be fighting the battle to prove that surgery is not the 'easy way'