Worth Reading

A fascinating article about the psychological and physical effects of weight-loss surgery, with lots of intriguing personal stories.

"In the annals of obesity literature, this is not a topic that’s received a ton of attention. But attend any bariatric support-group meeting, and this much is clear: One has to learn to be skinny. Even the smallest adaptive behaviors take years to shake—buying clothes too big, deeming a subway seat too small, refusing to be first through a crowded bar."

“I was amazed . . . I’m still amazed.” She stops, puts down her cup. “It just amazes me to see how much power comes with prettiness."

"If the woman married when she was thin, had kids, became obese, and then had the surgery, the marriage almost always got a lot better... But if the woman married someone while she was obese and then became pretty...well, then she found a job. Got her colors done. Felt better about herself. And almost every one of those marriages ended in divorce.”

I don't much care for the word "pretty" being used as a synonym for "thin" in that sentence, just for the record. Thanks to Nadeen for the link!