Fern Britton Gets A Gastric Band - Part Two

Wow! Fern Britton's gastric bypass/gastric band surgery is big news. Since writing yesterday's post, it seems that Ms Britton is the second This Morning presenter to go under the knife to help reduce the pounds. Apparently, Alison Hammond - she of Big Brother fame - also took the surgery option to shrink.

It's got me thinking about why so many people feel so strongly about Fern's private - until yesterday - decision.

Some feel that she lied - promoting certain weight-loss products - and that she should have been up front about HOW she lost all that weight. Others feel she has 'cheated' because surgery is seen as an easy option (as if!). I wonder if Fern will become the symbol of people who are 'too lazy to slim' in the same way that women who have elective cesareans are dubbed 'too posh to push'.

I also wonder why Fern felt she couldn't go public about her surgery. Except, of course, I am not really surprised she kept silent. As my LighterLife Counsellor sometimes observes, it's obvious that people like us have an issue with food ie an unhealthy relationship with food. And whereas smokers, drug addicts and alcoholics can hide their addictions, we can't! And the British media does not take any prisoners in the weight loss wars. If you are not a blemish-free and size zero woman, you are lampooned for not making the grade. Did Fern feel too ashamed to admit that she and food may not co-exist happily in the world? Was Fern uncomfortable admitting that food is her drug of choice?

For someone as successful as Fern Britton, it seems it's open season on her weight. And are the criticisms because we expect our celebrities to be perfect or is it because, deep down, we know that - much as we would love to believe that there is a magic bullet for permanent weight loss - there really isn't?

I hope Fern's surgery works for her; I hope she has managed to make peace with food. Sadly, the statistics from the US are not encouraging but I hope that she will prove to be the exception to the rule.

Comments

[goombagirl]

I'm not a fan of the concept of surgery for weight loss but I do feel sorry for the woman. Of course she didn't admit what she did - she knew there would be a huge fuss and lots of unkind comments. If she lost 5 stone over 2 years then that's not exactly a fast, drastic loss - some people do that on Foundation! I say good for her - she's likely to be alive longer to be a mother to her children. And Mrs L - hope your day is a good one.

[Peridot]

Oooh I tell you it's caused such a kerfuffle on the IPD board - people have practically come to blows! It's got a bit personal and nasty to be honest.

love
Peridot x