While I’m aware of the common association of cultish tendencies within MLM companies, it’s not something I tend to dwell on.

Extreme fans can be found cheering anything on, so I think definitively drawing a line between fanaticism and a cult is pretty difficult. And it’s not made any easier by those inside or who have left often not willing or feeling unable to speak up.

A recent VICE documentary on LuLaRoe has shed light on a gastric sleeve pressure group within the company.

With compelling testimony from someone on the inside, this is some of the creepiest MLM related behavior I’ve ever come across.

For those unfamiliar with
gastric sleeve surgery
, ‘
the stomach is reduced to about 15% of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach
‘.

This reduces food consumption, with weight loss being the intended goal.

According to former consultant Courtney Harwood, she became aware of LuLaRoe’s gastric sleeve group at a hotel dinner with co-owner DeAnne Stidham.

At the time Harwood was ranked Mentor, the highest obtainable LuLaRoe consultant rank.

According to Harwood, Stidham and her son were discussing splitting a meal.

Sensing confusion on Harwood’s part, DeAnne purportedly explained;

The reason we split meals is because our stomachs are really small, because we’ve all had the gastric sleeve.

Then came the pitch.

As recounted by Harwood;

She goes, “You know my sister Lynnae coordinates it all.

Me and her will work with you. And you go to Tijuana, you have the gastric sleeve and then you can come back to my house the next day in California. Then we’ll fly you home.

VICE’s documentary includes bizarre footage of DeAnne Stidham appearing in what seems to be a
testimonial video
for the Mexican clinic.

Further research reveals the clinic is named Obesity Not 4 Me and run by Dr. Alberto Michel.

In the testimonial video, DeAnne boasts about having “lovingly and excitedly brought down” eighteen surgery referrals.

After the hotel dinner, Stidham added Harwood to a private “Tijuana Skinnies” group chat.

According to Harwood, the group consisted of LuLaRoe consultant who had either gone down to the Mexican clinic, or were thinking of doing so.

Upon joining the group, Harwood states Lynnae Knapp began texting her every day.

Recalls Harwood;

Lynnae, I mean she was texting me everyday;

“Courtney we’ve got to get you on the schedule. I’m taking six people down there, we have room for one more… let’s go and get (you) on the schedule.

Apparently Stidham and her sister referred to taking LuLaRoe consultants down for surgery as “the schedule”.

A tearful Harwood recounts that having been otherwise comfortable with her appearance, the pressure on her to have the surgery left her feeling betrayed.

They had hyped me up to feel so beautiful, and I was looking in the mirror going “they’re looking at me, and I’m fat… and I need to have this surgery to be like them”.

Harwood eventually opted to try a weight loss balloon

🤖 Quick Answer

What is a gastric sleeve procedure?
Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss procedure where the stomach is surgically reduced to approximately 15% of its original size through removal of a large portion of stomach tissue. This restriction reduces food intake capacity and promotes weight loss.

What recent documentary exposed concerning behavior within LuLaRoe?
A VICE documentary revealed the existence of a gastric sleeve pressure group operating within LuLaRoe, documenting testimonies from insiders about concerning organizational practices related to body modification and employee wellness standards.

How are MLM companies associated with cult-like behaviors?
MLM companies exhibit cult-like characteristics including intense group loyalty, pressure to conform to organizational standards, reluctance of members to speak critically, and hierarchical structures that discourage dissent or independent thinking among participants.

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