So for the first time in my life (57 years old) I passed out. Fainted, face planted...whatever you want to call it. I was with my sister on line waiting to purchase tickets to a show we want to see. Was doing fine...my sister, who is obese, was sweating and had to take off her coat. This is what happens to her when we're just walking quickly, which we were. Doesn't happen to me anymore. I stood on line with her with my jacket closed and not a drop of perspiration (thank you lapband!!) Suddenly I got light-headed and dizzy. Sounded like everything was under Water and told sis I needed to sit down. That was the last thing I remember till I woke up with sis in my face calling my name.

The theater manager called 911 even though I asked them not to. The EMTs come running in, take off my coat, put a BP cuff on and ask me questions. I know they're checking my cognitive function. They knew I was OK when they asked me to get in the ambulance so they could do a quick ECG and I said OK as long as my sister stayed on line for the tickets.

So..here's the NSV. First one...no embarrassment over this. No feeling like ugh..the fat woman is sick. She must have done something to herself. No one staring at me..only concern on their faces. Second NSV..Being able to climb into the ambulance. Never had to do that before and I know that when I was heavy, it would have been impossible. Third...no worry that the BP cuff would fit. Fourth..no worry when they asked me to sit on the 'bed' which was really just a shelf with a plastic cushion. Fifth...and truly the best NSV...the relief that my weight would not be an issue or even be mentioned. I'm normal sized now and that's what everyone sees.

So I'm fine today and will wait to see if my doctor wants me to come in. I did tell the nurse what happened and she said she'd let me know if I need to come in. But that's not really the point. The point is that I felt like a normal person and was treated like a normal person in a rather unusual situation. Those of you who are/were morbidly obese as I used to be will understand where I'm coming from.

BP is fine... Dr. wants me on a Holter monitor. Crap. I know what a pain in the a$$ they are. I worked on hypertension clinical trials where Holter data was collected so I know....

Glad you are doing better. Hope the monitor helps find the cause so it won't happen again. I can completely understand how this can be an NSV. Thanks for sharing.

pam

Oh I know EXACTLY where you are coming from! I have not had anything like you experienced happen since I have had surgery (and I hope everything checks out OK for you!). I have lost over 200 pounds, and I know all too well the way I was treated “differently” as a morbidly obese patient!

Earlier this month I had to go in for my first Colonoscopy (I am now 51). It was SO NICE to be treated like a ‘normal’ patient!! I think the only things that made me stand out was that I got really cold and I was dehydrated after the prep so my blood pressure was low and they had to give me IV Fluids. I would guess that these are two things they see in a LOT of patients – probably more that are close to a normal BMI (which I am). I am sure we all have stories that we could share about the horrible treatment by the medical establishment

BEST NSV that I have read in a really long time! Thank you so much for sharing!!

Carol