BOSTON (AP) When Mary Lou Conton lost 300 pounds (135 kilos) following stomach reduction surgery, doctors at New England Medical Center wanted to take her picture for a promotional brochure touting their weight-loss program.
She says she was thrilled until she got to the hospital and a doctor stuck a rubber pig nose on her face and laughed while a photographer snapped away.
``I felt humiliated and ashamed,'' said the 38-year-old nurse. ``I was in tears before I hit the sidewalk.''
Conton filed a lawsuit against the hospital, four of its doctors, a dietitian and a public relations person. The suit alleges emotional distress, suffering and humiliation.
The suit said Dr. Edward Saltzman, a weight-loss specialist and co-author of ``The Idiot's Guide to Losing Weight,'' took out the pig nose during the photo session in February and put it on her nose while pretending to scold her.
In a statement Wednesday, the hospital said the alleged incident occurred during a moment of levity and that the gesture was intended as ``a mockery of the ignorant stereotype of obesity.''
The statement said Conton didn't complain at the time and ``joined in the frivolity.'' She denies it.