PearlyBooks

Low stock: 2 left

By the time Neil Bakewell was admitted to the hospital for a gastric bypass in March 2009, he weighed a staggering 600 lbs. He had been told in no uncertain terms that if he did not undergo the operation, he would die within a few years. Yet because of his weight, even undergoing the surgery posed a risk to his life:but it was a risk he simply had to take. A year after his operation, he has lost 280 lbs and has more weight to lose. His life has changed beyond recognition. In this touchingly honest memoir, Neil tells his fascinating story with insight and humor. He recalls how, as a child, his pronounced stutter shattered his confidence; he found comfort in eating, which spiraled into a dependency on food. As he moved into adulthood, his eating habits became more extreme and he gained weight rapidly. Post-surgery, he is now doing things that his size prevented him from doing, like going to the movies and traveling on an airplane. His confidence has been restored and he is taking on new challenges, such as training for a marathon and public speaking.