In All of Me, which aired as part of PBS's Independent Lens series, filmmaker Alexandra Lescaze examines some less than obvious issues related to obesity and weight-loss surgery through the experiences of three people who are members of Austin's Big Beautiful Women (BBW) community (they call themselves simply “the girls”). After trying unsuccessfully for years to slim down via diets and other means, Dawn and Judy had lap-band surgery and a gastric bypass, respectively; Zsalynn (now starring on the TLC-aired reality series My 600-lb Life) is saving money for a bypass. Now middle-aged, they all found that excess weight affected their health in adverse ways, but their stories illustrate both the pros of being hefty (including the interest of men who are attracted to plus-sized women, and the joy of validation through BBW events and the Size Acceptance Movement) and the cons (such as coping with the social stigma, and dealing with mobility issues). The women talk about why food became important to them in childhood (Judy started adding pounds after her mother died; Dawn was prescribed diet pills and bulked herself up as a protection from abusive parents). Although more focused on the psychological than the physical aspects of the procedures, the documentary does feature doctors who briefly explain (with diagrams) the surgical options. Following Dawn and Judy for two years after their operations, Lescaze captures how these extreme weight loss methods can affect friendships and marriage, sometimes in dramatic and unexpected ways. An unusual examination of the often negative and unanticipated ramifications of weight loss, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
All of Me
(2014) 53 min. DVD: $89: public libraries & high schools; $250: colleges & universities. DRA. The Video Project. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 30, Issue 3
All of Me
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