Brooke Shields tells all as she reveals the offensive question that two doctors asked after her medical emergency. Additionally, she shares how one male doctor completely crossed a line with her during a surgery.
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Brooke Shields Deals With Offensive Question From Two Doctors
When speaking to Good Morning America, Brooke Shields admitted that she recently had a grand mal seizure. According to the Mayo Clinic, "A grand mal seizure causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions." This is the seizure that most people picture when thinking of seizures. The star admits that she suffered from the seizure while preparing for her one-woman show at the Carlyle in New York City.
According to her interview with Glamour, her sodium had dropped too low after drinking copious amounts of water for an extended period of time. She recalled the surreal moment of being in the back of the ambulance where she mentioned that "Bradley f—cking Cooper" was holding her hand. While many people have one of these seizures and never have another one, the model decided to get checked out.
However, it was during these check-in's with doctors that Brooke Shields got a rude awakening. Two male doctors asked her the same offensive question. They asked, "Are you restricting yourself for dietary reasons?" While the question may not seem too brash, Shields took offense. Her response, "You wouldn't say that to a man."
While we may want to defend the doctors' honor, I have a feeling that she is right. It is more common for women to diet due to sociatal pressures to look a certain way than men. Additionally, women are more likely to be told that symptoms or experiences are in their head, or a result of hormones rather than being taken seriously. Dr. Stephanie Trentacoste McNally MD, an Associate Physician Executive of Obstetrics and Gynecology, had this to say on the matter. "There's still this pervasive belief in the medical community that anytime a woman complains about her health, it's either related to her hormones or all in her head."
Not Taking It Lightly
While Brooke Shields is fully aware of the gaslighting in the medical community toward its female patients she did not scream at her doctors. Instead, she addressed the issue by reminding them they would never ask a man that question. Thus, reminding them to focus on her as a whole rather than just as a woman.
From there, she quipped back, "No. I am a 59-year-old woman who looks younger bloated. Give me some potato chips!" While she is addressing her doctors' offensive questions in her new memoir, "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman", she had something to say to the ladies out there.
"We just have to be secure in what we believe and to be heard," she stated. Then she continued, "Because we're not going to get anywhere by just screaming." The model argues that yelling doesn't inspire change. But being bold, and proud, and secure in your beliefs can. Challenge those who don't stand for what is right, but not in an aggressive way.
A Line Was Crossed
Despite her incredible strength and determination, another doctor still crossed a line when it came to the actress's health. This doctor's actions makes the other doctors' offensive questions seem like a joke. Brooke Shields had gone to a plastic surgeon for a labia surgery.
When speaking to Us Weekly she shared that she awoke to find an unwanted surprise. The doctor informed her that she had "received a little bonus" from him during the surgery. The male doctor had taken it upon himself to give Shields a vaginal rejuvenation. While there are medical reasons to receive a vaginal rejuvenation, Shields did not need one.
Thus meaning that this surgical procedure was completed in an attempt to enhance the appearance and function of her vagina, for sexual purposes. Typically, it is used to tighten the vagina by "decreasing the average diameter of the vagina." Call me crazy but I don't think that doctor would have ever tried to enhance a man's penile function while he was unconscious and undergoing a different surgery.
The actress and model equated the surprise surgery and "irreversible invasion" to "a rape of some kind." Honestly, I can see why she would feel that way. This doctor completely crossed a line. Entering someone's body and performing a surgery that is irreversible and unauthorized by them is completely unethical. She should sue and he should lose his license.
Hopefully, that was the last of offensive questions and invasive acts from doctors for Brooke Shields.
