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Original poster

To think no I bloody do not want to know what I weigh so just shut up about it!

86 replies

HarrietKettleWasHere · 18/05/2018 14:20

Ugh I'm so annoyed.

Went to GP today to get contraceptive pill. Had blood pressure check and went to step on the scales, and I said politely to lady GP 'would you mind if I don't know what my weight is, I'm just going to step on but not look'

She said, 'why on earth not?'

So I said 'because I used to suffer from an eating disorder, and the numbers will say I'm a lot bigger than I would have been happy with back then, so I'd rather not obsess about it'

GP 'so how would you know if you were overweight, you won't even be able to work out your BMI'

Me 'I go by how my clothes fit, or belt hooks and that' I'm a size 10, so not really at a point where I'd worry I was overweight, although of course mentally I'll always think I'm positively rubenesque)

GP 'well with vanity sizing nowadays I think you really need to be aware of what you weigh, so you can deal with weight gain at the first sign'

And then she told me WHAT IT BLOODY WAS.

Rationally it's fine, it's a healthy weight, mentally I am now looking at myself in elephant proportions and feeliing enormous.

Why can't people just bloody well LISTEN Angry and they think they know best and just do the thing you asked them not to anyway?!!

I have my first wedding dress fitting next month and I'm freaking out about that now.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 18/05/2018 14:23

My GP laughed when I refused to look at the scales and accepted I did not want to know.

CaptainCabinets · 18/05/2018 14:23

Awww OP that wasn’t very fair of her!

Fair enough they check your weight to make sure the pill is safe for you to use, but if you didn’t want to know, she shouldn’t have told you, especially given she knows your medical history!

Some GPs are not very tactful. Could you see a nurse next time?

ClareB83 · 18/05/2018 14:25

I'd complain to the head of practice that's really poor.

CaptainCabinets · 18/05/2018 14:25

Posted too soon!

Wanted to give you some Flowers and a Brew and a big well done for overcoming your ED.

At a size 10, you’re a healthy size. I know you won’t always feel like it but you’re doing wonderfully.

Good luck with the dress fitting!

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 18/05/2018 14:26

She should have respected your wishes.

thecatsthecats · 18/05/2018 14:26

That's awful. She should absolutely know better regarding eating disorders.

I told my GP that I didn't want to know because I prefer to stick to my personal trainer's weigh ins. She was happy with that, and said I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

NeverHadANickname · 18/05/2018 14:38

I'm sorry they did that to you. I would seriously consider complaining. It sounds like you are in a good place right now but it could happen to someone else who is not.

Oraiste · 18/05/2018 14:41

That's awful. I hate being weighed and my GP always asks if I want to know. She doesn't mind if the answer is no.

SilverHairedCat · 18/05/2018 14:46

In your situation, I'd be putting in a complaint to the practice manager. Your explanation was reasonable and in no way disproportionate.

UnsinkableRubberDuck · 18/05/2018 14:49

That’s rubbish. I’m guessing that when she took your blood pressure she didn’t tell you the actual numbers, just said, yep all fine, in normal range. Don’t know why she couldn’t do the same with weight.

Good luck for your weddding.

rosie1959 · 18/05/2018 14:59

Sounds to me that the Dr was the one with the weight obsession Have never known anybody that is a size 10 and overweight
Good luck with the wedding

picklemepopcorn · 18/05/2018 15:00

Definitely complain. That is completely unacceptable.

Well done on having a sensible, rational approach to your size. Your clothes fit, you are doing well.

KathyBeale · 18/05/2018 15:01

I think that's completely outrageous. Definitely complain. As someone who's recovered from an ED myself, I know how awful that situation could be and what the repercussions could be.

Sending love and strength to you. I put off my own wedding dress shopping so long that I ended up having to pay extra to have it made in time - but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. In fact, I'd almost - almost - say I enjoyed it.

DerelictWreck · 18/05/2018 15:02

you won't even be able to work out your BMI'

As a GP she should bloody well know that BMI is bollocks anyway!

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/05/2018 15:04

Complain. You explained your medical need and the doctor didn't respect that.

Dwellerfromunderthesink · 18/05/2018 15:04

That’s not on at all. I always ask the same thing (ex anorexic) and it’s always been respected. Sometimes we do know what is best for us and if knowing your weight is likely to cause distress,panic,a slide back into limiting food intake etc, it is really important that HCPs listen. I would have a word with the practice manager. And I agree, how my clothes fit and feel and how I look is as much information about my weight as I need or can handle.

lunaraygreentree · 18/05/2018 15:05

That's awful she should of respected your wishes!
When I went for a procedure recently and had to be weighed I said 'I'm going to close my eyes because I don't need that negativity in my life knowing how much I weigh'
The nurse laughed and accepted it when she wrote it down she actually turned the paper over so I couldn't Accidentally see.
I'd complain she went against what you asked and that's not acceptable!

KnownUnknowns · 18/05/2018 15:08

Definitely complain, she sounds like someone who thinks there is only one right way. And how stupid to think someone size 10 is overweight - even with vanity sizing, a 10 is pretty small.

NoMorePills · 18/05/2018 15:09

That's poor
It's very basic for her to understand this.

MrsPreston11 · 18/05/2018 15:10

100% complain.

I'm so sorry a so-called "professional" treated you that way.

MatildaTheCat · 18/05/2018 15:13

She’s likely to be the same GP who, when my friend took her daughter to see her suffering from anorexia, said, “Oh don’t worry, Clare, my mum is always saying I don’t eat enough.”

Complain because she overrode your entirely reasonable and sensible request. It’s actually a serious breach of her professional code.

mistermagpie · 18/05/2018 15:15

How unprofessional and ridiculous of her, I would definitely complain. I'm sure they would have had a discussion with you about health if you were obese or very underweight, but those things can generally be ascertained by just looking at you anyway for the most part. If you're a healthy weight, which you are going to be at a size 10 then why is she bothered whether you know the number or not.

I'm always wanting to weigh less and kept moving the goal posts when I manage to lose some weight. I'm like you and am better off not knowing the number.

expatinscotland · 18/05/2018 15:17

Complain.

'GP 'well with vanity sizing nowadays I think you really need to be aware of what you weigh, so you can deal with weight gain at the first sign' '

I'd have told her, I don't really give a rat's arse.

litereally · 18/05/2018 15:20

Ugh, massively sympathies. I did the same once and the nurse slapped my arm and called me a child. Absolutely complain, I wish I had.

PopGoesTheWeaz · 18/05/2018 15:21

Please complain.

I think it's more than just a "she didn't honor my request". She actually put you in harms way. You explained that the number could trigger an unhealthy reaction for you.