Today in France, 15% of the population suffers from obesity, or 7 million people. For 5 years, Karine Le Marchand has sought to understand the origins of obesity and its consequences. Through the program “Operation Renaissance”, Karine Le Marchand gives the floor to 10 witnesses suffering from morbid obesity who recount their fight against the disease and their support by the greatest specialists in overweight. Exclusively for PasseportSanté, Karine Le Marchand looks back on the origins of “Operation Renaissance” and on one of the greatest adventures of her professional life.

Karine Le Marchand – “When I create a project, it’s a host of small events, meetings that begin to enter my head unconsciously and the desire is born. »Explains Karine. “In this case, I met a specialist in reconstructive surgery who reconstructs the bodies of people who have undergone bariatric surgery, because massive weight loss leads to sagging skin. 

This introduced me to reconstructive surgery that I didn’t know about, which repairs the after-effects of massive weight loss. This surgeon made me read the thank you letters from his patients explaining how much of a rebirth this had been for them. All the patients used the word “Renaissance” and it was like the conclusion of a long journey for them. I traced the thread to weight loss surgery to understand. I told myself that obesity was commented on by everyone, but that no one explained its origin. Everyone gives their opinion on obesity, but no one talks about how to cure it in the long term, nor gives a voice to the sick.  

I conducted the investigation and called my friend Michel Cymes, who advised me on the names of specialists, including Professor Nocca, who founded the league against obesity, and who implemented bariatric surgery in France from the United States. I spent time at the Montpellier University Hospital where I met patients. I had to understand the phenomenon of obesity, in order to be able to adapt a specific protocol, by bringing together specialists who never meet. “

Karine Le Marchand – “I went to see the Ministry of Health, the Council of the Order of Physicians and the CSA (Superior Audiovisual Council) throughout my writing to find out what I could do and not do , what were the limits. I especially did not want reality TV. »Karine insists.

“They all denounced the fact that certain specialists apply fee overruns (sector 2 or not contracted) and tell patients who are not necessarily morbidly obese to gain 5kg, to benefit from social security coverage * (the reimbursement basis). However, these operations involve risks as you will see in the program. It was important for me to deal with sector 1 surgeons, that is to say without exceeding fees. »Specifies Karine Le Marchand.

“The Ministry of Health, the Council of the Order of Physicians and the CSA told me that they did not want a reality show that only shows the virtues of bariatric surgery. It was necessary to show the reality, the consequences and the failures. Among the patients we have followed, there are also 30% failures. But our witnesses know why they were unsuccessful and say so.

I interviewed the specialists and realized that the psychological origins of obesity were fundamental. They are not well supported and are not reimbursed postoperatively in patients. If the basic problem is not solved, people gain weight again. It was fundamental, for patients reluctant to psychotherapy, to bring them to a field of reflection and introspection.

Self-esteem is major in the treatment of obesity, both upstream and also as a result. Self-esteem is a bit like plasticine that keeps evolving according to the events of life, happy or unhappy. To have a solid base, you have to go through introspection, which most of our witnesses refused to do. As part of the protocol, we designed photolanguage cards (to associate situations with emotions). I developed them with the Montpellier University Hospital where Pr. Nocca and Mélanie Delozé work, Dietitian and Secretary General of the League against obesity.

I also designed with the experts, a book “15 steps to learn to love yourself”. The idea of ​​a fairly fun book to fill in, forces you to think. I worked a lot with Dr Stéphane Clerget, Psychiatrist to design this book. I investigated self-esteem and anything that could be at the root of weight-related issues. I asked them what we could do concretely, because reading does not require introspection. »Explains Karine. “Reading can make you think. We say to ourselves “Oh yes, I would have to think about that. Yes, it makes me think of myself a bit. ”But that does not mean that we have to face the issues. Often times we are in a system of flight and denial. With the book “15 steps to learn to love yourself”, you have to fill in boxes, you have to draw page after page. These are things that seem easy enough, but which confront us with ourselves. It can be very painful but also very constructive.

We made working groups and our experts validated each step. A graphic designer edited the book and I had it edited. I sent it to the patients and it was so revealing to them that I thought to myself that it should be shared with everyone, everyone who needs it. “

Karine Le Marchand – “They are nice people but they had low self-esteem, and the eyes of others did not help them. They have developed great human qualities such as listening, generosity and attention to others. Our witnesses are people who were asked things all the time because they had trouble saying no. I realized that the greatest difficulty for our witnesses was to recognize themselves as they were at the start, but also to come out of denial. Learning to say no was very difficult for them. There are points in common among our witnesses regardless of their history. They often put off until the next day what seemed insurmountable to them. It all has to do with self-esteem. “

Karine Le Marchand – “There have been so many and there are still more! Each step was moving and I felt useful each time. But I would say it was the last day of filming, when I put them all together to take stock. This moment was very strong and moving. A few days before the broadcast of the show, we are living very strong moments because it is like the end of an adventure. “

Karine Le Marchand – “I really hope that people will understand that obesity is a multifactorial disease, and that the psychological support that we have not put forward for years is fundamental. Both upstream in obesity, and to support weight loss. Without psychological work, without changing habits, especially by regularly practicing physical activity, it does not work. I hope that as the episodes go on, the message will get through. We have to take things in hand. This means that you have to face your demons, do psychological work with a qualified professional and play sports 3 times a week. This program, even if it talks about people in a situation of obesity, is also addressed to all those who cannot lose a few pounds in a sustainable way. There are plenty of nutritional, psychological tips … that will help everyone.

I would also like us to change the way people look at obesity. I find it amazing that all of our witnesses were insulted by strangers in the street. I’m very happy that M6 allowed me to do this show over 3 years because it takes time for people to change in depth. “

Find Opération Renaissance on M6 on Monday January 11th and 18th at 21:05 pm