Last year, I was diagnosed with pseudo tumor cerebri, a neurological condition that most commonly effects obese women of child bearing age. It mimics a brain tumor, and can cause blindness. I was first diagnosed when my sight was nearly gone. My neurologist suggested that if it could not be maintained with a spinal tap and medicine, that I should get gastric bypass surgery to help control the disease. (control, mind you. not cure) I had the spinal tap, the medicine works fine, and I went to the meeting for gastric surgery, but being deathly afraid of going under the knife, I’ve decided not to have the surgery. The neuro said that this was fine, and just to keep to the medicine call him if I need another spinal tap, and to keep trying to lose weight on my own. Fine, good, and dandy.

My family has not been so supportive. Anytime I get my headaches or dizzy spells (common even if you are medicated), my mother and father will lecture me about not going to the surgeon. My grandmother, who has harassed me about my weight as long as I can remember, has told my mother to call the surgeon, pretending to be me, and schedule the surgery against my will. My father joyfully tells me about his cousin who had the surgery, lost a ton of weight, and now has a full blown panic attack anytime she gains a pound. There’s being concerned about my health, and then there is just disregarding any thoughts or feelings. Even me saying that the neurologist has said I don’t have to have the surgery falls on deaf ears. Apparently, I just need a new neurologist. I am a 25 year old woman, and I am smart enough to understand my options and make the best decision for my own health. I am currently shopping around for cheap insurance and looking for another job, so I can finally get some autonomy from my parents, but thus far, it looks like I’m stuck for the time being

Thin privilege is your family allowing you to decide for yourself what the best options for your health are. Thin privilege is not being afraid that the next time you get into the car with your parents, you’re going to make an unexpected detour to the gastric surgeons office.