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Can I refuse being weighted at the doctor?

CinderLorel

281d

Can I refuse being weighted at the doctor?

4

16

16

Eating Disorder

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Top reply
    • 55isMe

      270d

      It's only numbers. It can help them treat you more effectively. Don't let a number control you.

      0

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    • 55isMe

      270d

      It's only numbers. It can help them treat you more effectively. Don't let a number control you.

      0

      Reply
    • Jellibean_Lover

      270d

      I always look away and say to whoever’s weighing me to please not tell me the weight before I even step on the scale.

      0

      Reply
    • Spydrette

      270d

      It depends on the doctor and how long it's been. At 2 different doctor's offices the said it wasn't necessary. BI joked that I know how much I weigh, I just hate to get weighed.

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      Reply
    • Smiley.96

      272d

      If you don't want know but you can't help but look, Ask if they have a weighing chair. I've seen many people, along with myself, be weighed by sitting in a chair and the digital scale is on the back so you can't see. Only way to find out is if they tell you. X

      0

      Reply
    • SandyMoss

      275d

      I always refuse nowadays. this is a freedom I get to take advantage of now that I'm no longer subject to involuntary treatment 🥳 there are few situations in which your doc really needs to know your exact weight (like Owlstoe said).

      1

      Reply
    • Jayde7890

      278d

      Dose anyone here have a service dog?????

      0

      Reply
      • Bijoux_bean22

        275d

        @Jayde7890 I have a SDiT, do you want to dm? I could use a SD friend too

        0

        Reply
    • Jayde7890

      278d

      Im not sure cause I have never asked that

      0

      Reply
    • TiffanyAnne

      278d

      You can not look at the scale when. You can ask the nurse not to tell you the number (weight).

      1

      Reply
    • Owlstoe

      280d

      If it’s your dietician then no, they need to keep track while you’re seeing them. But at your PCP, 100% you can say no. I say no every time and they know I have an eating disorder. They typically don’t say anything against you and in your chart under weight it says “refused”. If you need a weight for a certain medication, then you can talk to your doctor about stepping onto the scale backwards and then not putting it in your chart for you to see. Same goes for ER visits, you can refuse a weight there as well as long as it’s not medically necessary (which most often it is not). Medical professionals do not need to know your weight unless it will harm you if they don’t (like getting the proper dose of medication or a dietitian keeping track of your progress). If it is hard to say no in person you can write it out as a statement and hand it to them or there are are options online to print a business card that says you will be refusing to get weighed. It’s your body and it’s your right to say no to medical professionals. You can always get a weight or an approximate weight if needed later in that same visit!

      2

      Reply
    • bahramuuu

      280d

      I will typically turn my back to the scale. I don’t think refusing to be weighed really makes a lot of logical sense. It’s good to have an accurate weight on file for dosing medication. Weight is just a number absolutely, but your doc being able to track it (in my opinion) is important. Making sure you are keeping a consistent weight, tracking gains or losses, and again for dosing any medications are all reasons to be weighed. Often on the paperwork they send you home with, the weight will be printed on it. You could ask your nurse to black out the weight or just simply toss the papers. Knowing my weight can be harmful for me, but it’s definitely a valuable tool for medical professionals.

      1

      Reply
      • Owlstoe

        280d

        @bahramuuu unless medically necessary, you do not need to get weighed while at the doctors. Not even for an eating disorder. If you need a weight later on (for a medication dose or diet change) that is something you can discuss with your doctor to understand the reasons before just jumping on the scale any time a medical professional asks you to. Here’s to self advocating! Knowing my weight while trying to recover made it last much longer. I would always ask them to block it out… but that doesn’t work 100% of the time when it’s not just on the paper but also in your online record that you can look at. Saying no has helped me recover while still getting medical care I need. And if something serious ever happens and I need a weight, that’s different, I can get the weight and take necessary precautions (I’ll have time to talk about it in therapy and make a plan before it happens). It’s your body, you can say no. I say no to a weight to every doctor now and it has been life changing.

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        • bahramuuu

          280d

          @Owlstoe I never said you have to get weighed at the doc. I said to me and for me, it doesn’t make logical sense not to. I read your post below. I think you are right, it is important for certain providers especially to have your weight more than others. Honestly anyone that is prescribing medications (typically) will want some kind of accurate weight, so they can keep track of potential gains or losses due to those medications or other reasons. For me, I have other medical issues and it has come in handy for doctors to have a an accurate weight because sometimes they will call in medications for me, without seeing me in person, as I am in there often. If I would have refused a weight, they wouldn’t have an accurate weight on file and then I would 1. Have to go in just to be weighed or 2. Provide them with a weight. I’d rather avoid that. You are right, it is your right to say no, as it is your body. I also would like to add that it’s a providers right to things as well. Weight can be an important tool for providers. And that not getting weighed could lead to things not being caught as early or making things more difficult for your provider. It’s all a game of weighing what is best for an individual. I simply shared my experience, as you shared yours. It’s okay if you don’t agree with me, but I did not say that you must get weighed. I shared why I think it can be helpful to be weighed and ways that I avoid knowing my weight when I am weighed at the doctors.

          1

          Reply
    • leelee72

      281d

      i believe they’ll still weight you, but you can ask them not to tell you what it is

      1

      Reply

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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