Hello all. Im 5 feet tall. 206lbs. BMI 40. No health issues. Went to the lab this morning to have my blood work done. Why did the lab tech feel the need to tell me i dont need to do something as drastic as surgery. Why dont you try on your own. You're not that big. Duh. Dont you think ive tried. That's a life changing surgery. Once again duh i know that too. Im big. Im carrying too much weight and if i dont do something now i AM going to end up with high blood pressure diabetes. Or have a stroke or heart attack. MY body MY life MY decision. This is why u only tell a few select people what you're doing. Sorry. I was just venting.

it's a worthy vent, I agree with you, do these people think that you haven't thought everything through and tried EVERYTHING else before taking this giant step? it's a personal decision and it's a great one I have made for sure! Good luck!

I had the same thing happen while having my labs drawn. The tech noticed all the work the Dr ordered and asked "are you having that stomach surgery?" I said yes and she proceeded to tell me every horror story she ever heard because of course she has no first hand knowledge. I was completely caught off guard and mad. That was the first and last person outside of my household and two close friends that I told. I find myself wonder would she had done the same thing if I was having open heart surgery.

The thing is that everyone thinks because this is elective that it is their business to make a judgement. But these people don't know your personal history, or how many times you have tried to lose weight or anything. People are jerks. But shake the haters off. Your body, your decision, your life.

That stinks! Surprised at how many so-called medical professionals will ask such inappropriate questions.

For such intrusive questions, I recommend saying "why do you ask?". It's usually enough to get "Nosy Nate" to back off. As for the unsolicited horror stories, I would interrupt immediately with "thanks for your advice, but my doctor and I know this is the right decision for me".

Good luck to you!

Thank you all for your comments. I know I'm making the right decision. I see my primary doctor on the 30th so he can sign off on my paperwork. He is onboard with my decision. he has been after me for years to drop tne weight.

Well I have told NO ONE about my surgery. And don't plan to. My circle of friends are people who love to eat and many are overweight. I did not want the Debbie downers and negative nellies in my head. It was difficult enough for me to come to this drastic decision to have 80% of my stomach removed. In the or holding area the nurse asked me why did I decide to do it. I really had no answer. She then told me she was using God's help to help her lose her weigh. I did not respond. When I went for the leak test the young lady in the lab asked " so why did you get the sleeve?" I looked at her and did not answer.

I have only told three people. My other half a co worker and a lady at the hairdresser. They are both happy with their decisions. They both lost 100 pounds. Sleeve took 9 months. And bypass took 1 year.

A med tech or lab worker do not have any business asking those questions. It's unprofessional at the very least.

Here's what I have done in this circumstance as it did come up at the GI doc nj EGD prep :

I think I didn't get a copy of your privacy policy would you mind asking the office manager to bring it to me right now before we go further in this discussions ?

Perhaps she could join our discussion and you can rephrase that comment to me

Needless to say she did not return and a different med tech did. Who said nothing.

As a medical technologist please do not confuse a phlebotomist with a medical technologist. I perform the tests and deal with the instruments. I am certified in my field and hold a BS in my field.

That being said those questions that the phlebotomist asked you were inappropriate as a medical provider and should be brought up with the lab manager or director so that this person can be educated on what is appropriate so that he/she does not ask the same questions to the next person. No medical personnel should express their feelings about a procedure unless it's your dr.

I'm sorry you had to deal with this unprofessionalism.

anyone who has been told not to have a medical procedure or been told horror stories by the person drawing their blood, should immediately report this person to the hospital they work for or the director of the lab.

a person who draws your blood (or do any other test on you) is way out of bounds commenting on your medical status in any way. its unprofessional, unethical and just plain wrong. and this person's supervisor should know what she is doing do it can be corrected.

Edited July 22, 201412 yr by moonlitestarbrite

I live in a small, gossipy town. The phlebotomists and other health care providers are all very friendly and chatty. But I have never encountered one who would overstep that far. It's too bad you were so polite. I would have said something about the unprofessionalism.

I agree with those that said this should be reported. I'd also tell my surgeon. They probably wouldn't be too happy that the lab is trying to scare away their patients.