Last week, the world learned that Alana Thompson will undergo weight loss surgery. Well, a procedure.
Alana has been on television for a long time, but she isn’t even 17 (quite) yet. This is a big deal.
Even Mama June Shannon, who does not always have her priorities in order, has concerns.
She’s supporting her teenage daughter as much as she can … but this is too much, too young.
16-year-old Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson is planning to get a suture sculpt endoscopic sleeve.
She will be 17 when she undergoes the procedure — as her birthday is one month away.
Mama June: Road to Redemption began as Mama June: From Not to Hot. Now, it’s Alana’s turn.
But … should it be Alana’s turn?
A lot of fans immediately reacted with horror, for multiple reasons, when news broke of Alana’s weight-loss plans.
Yes, it’s her body, but this is a major procedure that will impact her health for life.
And she’s a minor. Some medical treatments cannot wait, but some things should wait for adulthood.
It turns out that Mama June Shannon, who is no stranger to dramatic weight loss surgery, is in the same boat.
Alana’s somewhat estranged mother spoke to TMZ on the topic.
“I’m supportive if this is something Alana wants to get,” June began.
“But,” she acknowledged, “I would say she needs to wait until she’s 18 years old.”
Did June tell her that before she signed up for the procedure? Well, not exactly.
See, June also revealed that Alana didn’t even tell her about the procedure plans until she decided to get it.
Turnabout is fair play, one imagines, since June didn’t tell her family about getting married.
She also does not have custody of Alana — which, no matter what we think of Alana’s plans, is for the best.
Remember, June underwent multiple surgeries and had her own well-publicized weight loss journey.
She also regained 100 pounds later, and it wasn’t purely because of her downward spiral.
Simply put, the human body adapts and will find new ways to store energy. Yes, even if you’re dieting.
Based upon her experience, June says that this isn’t a decision for Alana to make lightly.
She plans to advise Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon to hold off.
Lauryn is Alana’s older sister and her legal guardian.
“It kind of bothers me that Pumpkin didn’t tell me,” June then admitted.
“If Alana wants to do it,” she continued.
June advised: “She should wait to sign her own paperwork at 18.”
Like so many of us, June’s first thought was that production had coaxed Alana into taking this drastic step.
However, TMZ reports that this is not the case.
Instead, Alana has elected to do this privately instead of as part of the show.
So no, it won’t be Alana Thompson: From Not to Hot, though we hope that no network would consider that title for a minor.
And those of us with concerns about the procedure can at least take some comfort. It’s not surgical weight loss.
Will the rapid weight loss be good for her health? Certainly not. But at the end of the day, it’s her body and her health, not ours.
