A review by sunshine169
Stranger Here: How Weight-Loss Surgery Transformed My Body and Messed with My Head by Jen Larsen

3.0

I picked up this book because I wanted to get a glimpse into the mind of someone who had weight loss surgery. What I found was reconfirmation that I do not want to put myself through such a trauma.

Weight loss surgery does not solve all your problems. You will lose all the weight (and put some back on) but you will still have body image issues and a poor relationship with food if you don't try to understand how to eat properly... I am no expert here my relationship with food is terrible but I am working on it.

Weight loss surgery can cause you to develop problems that you never had before such as Jen's dumping experience before a job interview. Not to mention the slew of problems I have seen my family go through after there surgeries.

I hate how losing weight is praised. How having a fat body is frowned upon. How all of a sudden she was thin and everyone could not stop telling her how beautiful she is. However, I do appreciate how she confesses that she regrets not living life to the fullest as a fat person. I also appreciate the resources she provides at the end of the book.

Conclusion... I still refuse WLS but I don't deny people's right to have it. The doctors in this book clearly just wanted her money. I mean they gave her a list of their doctors to go to that would approve her all the way through until surgery day. The diet and weight loss industry make me sad and angry. People who shame larger bodies make me sad and angry.

Anyone else want to know what the heck was Andy's problem?