Katriona O’Sullivan: “I felt like a fat bride, and I still hate the wedding photos”
Bestselling author and psychology lecturer Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan has spoken openly about her lifelong struggle with body image, revealing that she still dislikes her wedding photos given that she felt like “a fat bride” on her wedding day. The candid reflection came during an appearance on Brendan O’Connor’s RTÉ Radio 1 display, where she discussed the emotional toll of societal expectations and her resistance to pursuing surgical solutions despite repeated temptations.
O’Sullivan described how body image concerns have persisted throughout her life, stating that she has never known a woman who does not grapple with similar insecurities. She explained that these feelings often intensify during moments of self-doubt, leading her to consider drastic measures such as gastric sleeve surgery, which involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach. Despite researching the procedure and even contacting providers in Turkey where such surgeries are commonly marketed as a quick fix, she has consistently chosen not to undergo the operation.
Her decision stems from a deep conviction that altering her body surgically would not equate to self-acceptance. Instead, O’Sullivan advocates for a path rooted in self-compassion and psychological healing, emphasizing that true acceptance comes not from changing one’s appearance but from transforming one’s relationship with oneself.
As the author of the bestselling memoir Poor, which charts her journey from a childhood of poverty and neglect to earning a PhD and campaigning for wider access to education for the disadvantaged, O’Sullivan continues to leverage her platform to challenge harmful beauty standards and promote mental well-being. Her honesty about her own struggles resonates with many who have faced similar battles with body image, offering a powerful reminder that self-worth is not determined by size or appearance.