What is the best way of talking about the surgical risks of obesity

Hey r/loseit, I am here to ask for advice. I am a medical professional, and a common task in my job is to discuss a procedure with a patient, explaining what it involves and the potential risks. One of the statistically proven factors (amongst many) that affects these risks is weight / BMI, and I am legally obliged to talk about this, at least briefly, as part of the process. I would like some guidance as to the best way to do this.

Now, some quick background - I have previously been obese myself, I strongly oppose all discrimination against anyone for any reason including their weight, and I believe that it is possible to be healthy at any weight. I am not spending very much time on weight in the consult - it is just one small part of the overall conversation - and I am obviously not shaming patients, nor do I advise them to lose weight (I am usually meeting people within a week of the planned operation).

Lots of us (including myself) have had negative experiences with medical professionals when they talk about our weight, particularly when it seems unrelated to the reason for the consult. I unfortunately don't have an option here, it is a legal requirement to discuss the risks and anything that alters a patient's level of risk - their medical conditions, age, exercise ability, if they smoke, what procedure they are having, etc. etc., and weight is one of these factors. I am looking for the least harmful way to conduct this part of the discussion. I have tried mentioning it briefly and saying it increases the risks before moving on, and I have also gone into more detail, saying that an elevated weight / BMI does raise the risk profile but it is one of many factors, and that I am making no judgement, and so forth.

My problem is that I don't know what approach is best here - it is not like I can ask my patients. I am asking reddit for help, and in particular I am hoping to hear from people who, as patients, have had positive interactions with medical professionals and what made the interaction good, as well as from other medical professionals who have found an approach that works well for them. Obviously feel free to share whatever opinions and stories that you would like, but I am well aware of the basic (and quite awful) things that are said to patients sometimes - shame, blame, criticism, bad advice about dieting, focussing on BMI / weight above the main issue of the consult, not treating with respect and kindness - and I think I am already avoiding these.

submitted by /u/danieljackson89
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