On June 17, 2016 This American Life aired an episode every bariatric surgery patient should hear. In fact, if you’re related to a bariatric surgery patient, a friend or colleague of one, or like so many Americans, just have an opinion on fat people, this is the show for you.
The show is about fat people and bariatric surgery patients. It talks about many of the issues we all deal with on a day to day basis, not to mention issues we’ve dealt with all our lives. Of particular interest is Act Two, Elna Baker’s story of her weight loss surgery, skin reduction surgery, and the emotional issues she’s tried to understand in her post surgery relationships.
Listen to the whole episode on the This American Life website, or play the segments below.
Prologue
Ira Glass and Lindy West explore the new phenomena of “coming out” as fat.
“I was determined to not be fat forever, and my worst fear was, ‘What if I am?’ -Lindy West.”
Act One: The Day Scales Fell From Her Eyes
Lindy West leaves the shame of obesity behind and describes her journey towards embracing who she is.
Act Two: It’s A Small World After All
This. This is the segment by Elna Baker that you need to listen to if you have received bariatric surgery, are contemplating it, or are in a relationship with someone who has had it.
Act Three: How Are You Doing With Sizes?
Roxane Gay relates life as being both obese and black in America.
Act Four: Cross Training
Daniel Engber discusses the impact of the Christian weight loss movement.
Act Five: An Immodest Proposal
An excerpt from Lindy West’s book, Shrill.
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