If you are here for the Doctor’s Office Survival Kit, just scroll down! If you are looking for more support, I have a video workshop called “Dealing With Fatphobia At The Doctor’s Office (with a pay-what-you-can option) and you can find that here!

Last week on Grey’s Anatomy (no spoiler) former Scrubs star Sarah Chalke guest-stars in a plotline about a mother who has to strongly advocate with her doctors because she believes that her son is sick and they don’t. This was more than an acting job, it was taken from Chalke’s real life – and lots of other people’s as well.

These days doctors have very limited time with patients and when you’re fat many doctors simply diagnose you as fat and prescribe weight loss, no matter what you came in for. I’ve been prescribed weight loss for a broken toe, separated shoulder, and strep throat. People close to me have had sudden onset back pain, and an acute knee injury blamed on weight. Getting access to appropriate, evidence-based, affordable healthcare can seem almost impossible.

I started getting much better care when I decided that my healthcare was going to be a dialog between my healthcare providers and me, rather than thinking that I had no right to ask questions, challenge advice, or request that I be treated based on my values. To be clear, we shouldn’t have to do this, and not everyone is in a position to do it. I want to give us options to self-rescue from fatphobia among health care professionals, while being clear that we shouldn’t have to do this and that the ability to do so is an expression of privilege, and that other biases – like racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, ageism and more will make this process even more difficult for fat people with multiple marginalized identities.

Over the years I’ve developed some strategies that help me deal with health care professionals who are harboring weight bias. By far the one I use most often when I’m told that something is caused by my weight is “Do thin people get [this issue].” The answer is always yes so I follow up with “What do you prescribe to them? Let’s try that.” I also talk about research, including asking the doctor how, when there isn’t a single study where more than a tiny fraction of people lost weight, and no study that shows they were healthier for it, does she think weight loss qualifies as evidence-based medicine?

I’ve had readers request that I make cards that they can take with them. I decided that today is the day. They are below and you can print them out to take with you.

Some notes about the cards:

Of course feel free to re-word these into phrasing the feels comfortable for you.

Use your own discretion – you’ll need to decide if you think that the situation will best be handled by you giving the card to your provider, or discussing it with them, or both. I highly recommend calling ahead and letting a new provider know that you practice Health at Every Size and asking them if that’s something that they can respect and work with, in order to smooth the way.

The tone and timing are also things to consider. I try to have this conversation with new practitioners before they prescribe weight loss so that I’m not starting off with conflict but with discussion. With existing providers I might say something like “I feel like I’ve been having trouble getting my healthcare values across to you, I brought in this card to help us have a dialog.” or something that means that, but that you would actually say.

I recommend practicing before trying this with the doctor/healthcare provider – you can practice in the mirror, in your car, with a friend etc. Practice can help you stay calm and get the healthcare that you deserve.

The doctor card says “I practice Health at Every Size…” because this is what I have found to be the most effective phrasing when working with healthcare practitioners. It is imperfect in that some people do not consider themselves Health at Every Size practitioners. I’m absolutely open to suggestions on this.

I encourage you to actually read the research that is referenced. All research has limits, this is a start for conversations.

Consider other resources you can pass along to your healthcare provider, this paper is incredible both in content and references, Linda Bacon also has a great list of other resources specifically for healthcare providers.

If you have other phrases, research, resources etc. that you’ve found helpful working with the doctor, please feel free to leave them in the comments!

Here are the cards (they are also available in French!)

Copies without my website info:

Doctor Postcard – Front

If you appreciate the work that I do, you can support my ability to do more of it with a one-time tip or by becoming a member. (Members get special deals on fat-positive stuff, a monthly e-mail keeping them up to date on the work their membership supports, and the ability to ask me questions that I answer in a members-only monthly Q&A Video!)

Like this blog? Here’s more cool stuff:

Wellness for All Bodies Program: A simple, step-by-step, super efficient guide to setting and reaching your health goals from a weight-neutral perspective. This program can be used by individuals, or by groups, including as a workplace wellness program!

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Body Love Obstacle Course

This e-course that includes coaching videos, a study guide, and an ebook with the tools you need to create a rock-solid relationship with your body. Our relationships with our bodies don’t happen in a vacuum, so just learning to see our beauty isn’t going to cut it. The world throws obstacles in our way – obstacles that aren’t our fault, but become our problem. Over the course of this program, Ragen Chastain, Jeanette DePatie, and six incredible guest coaches will teach you practical, realistic, proven strategies to go above, around, and through the obstacles that the world puts in front of you when it comes to living an amazing life in the body you have now.

Price: $99.00

($79.00 for DancesWithFat members – register on the member page)

Love It! 234 Inspirations And Activities to Help You Love Your Body

This is filled with thoughtful advice from the authors Jeanette DePatie, Ragen Chastain, and Pia Sciavo-Campo as well as dozens of other notable names from the body love movement, the book is lovingly illustrated with diverse drawings from size-positive artist Toni Tails.

Price: $9.99 softcover, $7.99 Kindle, ($6.95 + free shipping for DancesWithFat Members)

Non-Members click here for all the details and to register!

Book and Dance Class Sale! I’m on a journey to complete an IRON-distance triathlon, and I’m having a sale on all my books, DVDs, and digital downloads to help pay for it. You get books and dance classes, I get spandex clothes and bike parts. Everybody wins! If you want, you can check it out here! (DancesWithFat Members get an even better deal, make sure to make your purchases from the Members Page!)

Book Me! I’d love to speak to your organization. You can get more information here or just e-mail me at ragen at danceswithfat dot org!

I’m (still!) training for an Iron-distance triathlon! You can follow my journey at www.IronFat.com .

If you are uncomfortable with my offering things for sale on this site, you are invited to check out this post.