10/28/2026
Being told to shrink before you can get care is exhausting and gatekeep-y
We hear it constantly. Someone needs a new knee and gets told to lose X amount of pounds first, even though the knee is the reason they can’t move the way they used to. Someone is ready for top surgery and gets handed a BMI number like a finish line. Someone is trying to grow their family and the clock keeps ticking while they’re stuck in a weight loss holding pattern.
Sometimes there are valid surgical concerns worth talking through. You deserve to know what they actually are. But a blanket number isn’t the same thing as individualized care, and the weight loss you’re being pushed toward can come with its own risks.
You’re allowed to ask questions. You’re allowed to get a second opinion. And you don’t have to walk into those appointments unprepared.
If you’re dealing with this, reach out. We’ll help you figure out what you need and how to ask for it.