"Fatphobia at the hospital"

I had an iron transfusion done recently at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

When I was having my blood pressure checked the healthcare professional assumed I was pregnant (I am definitely not pregnant, just overweight).

The doctor came to run a line and it seemed was having trouble locating a vein in either arm. I felt they were shoving a needle around which was very painful and said they could not get it into a vein.

I recall they said verbatim my veins are buried under my weight.

I laughed as I felt uncomfortable and informed them I was having weight loss surgery next week; to which I believe they replied: I should have started running before I came in. The doctor was laughing as it was a joke, but I hadn’t made any jokes about my weight to preface this.

I felt so bad that I was overweight and kept apologising to them for making their Job harder - because I was overweight.

Obviously I’m doing something about it which is getting weight loss surgery so why would they seemingly think it’s ok to demean me in that way?

I also have had multiple bloods taken through pathology leading up to surgery which they always find a vein quickly so I feel like it wasn’t due to my weight that they couldn’t find a vein?

I felt pretty worthless and like I didn’t deserve to be helped at the hospital due to my weight.

I didn’t want to say anything during my visit as I didn’t want any service to be denied.

I will say I’ve always had such good experiences at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital so this visit surprised me.