Sheryl Cramer, MD, MPH, FACS

Dr. Sheryl Cramer knows what it means to fight for life. A surgeon who once weighed 326 pounds, she faced the reality of having to lose 100 pounds or die. She did more - she lost 176 pounds, over half her size. She chose transformation—and found a “bonus season” of life. Today, she lives at a healthy, maintainable weight and is passionate about helping others do the same.

Drawing from her medical expertise, research, writing, and speaking, Dr. Cramer’s book helps physicians and patients alike with practical tools for real, lasting change. Her approach blends medical insight, personal experience, and humor to break through the doom cycle of dieting and weight regain.

In this book, she:

Helps patients define their ideal, sustainable body weight—one they can maintain for life.

Offers guidance to those considering surgery or weight loss medications, showing with personal experience how to establish realistic expectations and whole-person strategies for lasting change.

Suggests ways physicians can support their patients with practical, compassionate solutions.

Dr. Cramer speaks candidly about the challenges of obesity and the hope of recovery, offering honesty and encouragement. Her message is clear: though the journey is difficult, victory is possible.

Dr. Cramer is a board-certified general surgeon with a master’s degree in Public Health Promotion. On every page she writes and with every audience she addresses, Dr. Sheryl Cramer offers medically sound, relatable, and hope-filled guidance to those who feel defeated by obesity—and to the doctors who long to help them.