I’ve had some fantastic medical staff take care of me over the last 4 years. But there are a few who have clearly not believed me when I say I don’t drink or smoke.
I had my tonsils out last week (I’m sure it’ll be great once healed but it’s bloody hard recovery wise, don’t do it lightly! I did have a wisdom tooth removed 2 weeks before and that’s still a bit sore though). Surgeon who came round looked and saw I had my appendix removed 4 weeks beforehand and asked if I drink a lot? I said no, no drinking. He said how often do you smoke? I said I do not smoke. He said yes but how much did you smoke if you’d smoked before? I said I have never smoked… he said ‘never?’. No, never.
I had my gallbladder removed 18 months ago. The surgeon (a different one), who came over to see me asked if I drink a lot at night. I said I really don’t drink, I don’t like the taste. He said ‘Hmm, interesting 🤔’… obviously I can’t relay his exact tone over text but it was really condescending
He saw me again after surgery and said ‘It went well, I hope that’s it for you and no more surgeries. That’s a lot of going under for a 25 year old! Take it easy now and stay well’ as if these surgeries were caused by not taking it easy
In the space of under 4 years, I’ve also had an ectopic pregnancy removed under GA and also a staple of my bottom (piles that were internal but sticking out got stapled via surgery). Nobody asked me this questions then because it’s not related to drinking and smoking
i know drinking and smoking are risk factors! Huge ones. But it’s as if some doctors don’t believe me when I tell them the truth.
I have naturally very white teeth too and I assumed smokers didn’t? But anyway, I do neither and find it so frustrating