Voluntary insanity

The weight loss obsession seems to have reached an all-time high (or low, depending on how you see it). Here is an example that is both hilarious and disturbing.

I would've considered this an April Fool's joke, except it appeared on April 16. It is most definitely an example of how an evolved brain like ours can be trained to have the absolutely wrong priorities in life. This one beats crash dieting and even bariatric surgery by a long...tube.

What is the great obsession with looking good at one's wedding that one is willing to risk lives for it? It is almost like creating this wonderful portrait of yourself, because soon your loved one are going to need something to remember you by as you'll try something even more stupid.

The article comes with quotes from doctors themselves, emphasizing that the procedure has no "adverse side-effects" (except that its not healthy to lose so much weight so quickly). One patient actually said she quit 2 days earlier because she had reached her weight loss goal. I'm sorry, but isn't "worsening delusion" an adverse side-effect? Wouldn't those who opt for this procedure be likely be among those who cope by hogging food?

And which prized nincompoop of a doctor started this "optional out-patient procedure for weight loss"? Believe me, that's what they'll call it when they sell it (there is a huge billboard advertising bariatric surgery on the way to my daughter's daycare). What's next: optional induced coma so that you can go hungry and not be conscious to fight the hunger pangs?

ABC news and yahoo commit blasphemy once again by giving this enough publicity. Note, this is in their "Health" section, not "comedy" or "entertainment". Through my blog I'm hoping it receives some counter-publicity.