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This does not directly address the topic of this post but is an example of the bias against larger people, making it difficult for us to get the care we need. I am dealing with spinal stenosis. I'm going to have to have some sort of surgery and am hoping I'm a candidate for one of the less invasive procedures. I've already been told by one orthopedist that I'll need to, you guessed it, lose weight because larger people run "a higher risk of developing infections."

My dude, being diabetic means I run a higher risk of pretty much everything, but I doubt that if I were thin, you'd be making me jump through hoops to get surgery. I cannot walk more than a quarter mile without needing a walker. My ability to function in the world is severely compromised. Despite my diabetes, I'm actually in reasonably good health, and my diabetes is well-controlled. But who cares about any of that unless I can get below a certain arbitrary number on the scale.

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