Star Jones Debate

OHer's--- Star Jones claims that this month, she will "clear-up" all the mystery about her weight loss before her new show starts on cable. So, here's my question, I don't feel WLS should be covered by secrets or shame. Obesity is a national crisis and I feel role models like Star should advocate for all healthy weight loss options-- including WLS. I think when she wrote a book about her weight loss and didn't even mention her surgery, this was hypocritical. Were any of you influenced by celebs who had WLS. I think Al Roaker, Carnie Wilson and Sharon Osborn brought alot of attention to surgical options. What do y'all think?  -Jenn C. in AZ

Hi Jenn. I agree with you. I don't think we should hide. Lots of celebs have PS and probably most of it goes undocumented, but they still felt the need to have a boob job or nose job or chin job, or whatever it may have been. Each and every human being is going to have something they don't necessarily like about their appearance. None of us are perfect and we weren't intended to be. There is still a lot of awareness that needs to be done in the world about WLS from what I am seeing. People are more cautious about making racial remarks these days, but yet they don't stop and think about making size comments. Also, I was not affected by any celebs doing this. I was affected by how I feel and knowing my own personal journey that led me to this point. From here, I hope to be an encouraging voice to others that may feel they have no options and I also hope to make a point with certain people I personally know who feel this is a cop out - which it is not. No matter which program a person chooses, there is still hard work involved. There is no difference in my opinion. WLS may get the pounds off quicker but in the end, WLS patients probably have even a little more hard work to put in because of vitamins, mental ping-pong, etc. JMO though.  I also have to say that since I started my journey, I have noticed my feelings about those who say "oh, these last 10 pounds I have to lose are killer" - it was hard for me to understand when I'm staring 150 pound weight loss need in the face. But learning from all of the post ops on this board, I can now be more compassionate about that and understand how much harder that is than I ever understood before.  Thanks for the great topic. Enjoy your day!

I have such mixed emotions on this subject. Since i am still doing the PT and Diatician things for insurance qualifications I can't really put myself in anyone elses shoes.  I think the fact that they are foamous and willingly have lead very public lives the WLS should be no different and should be told about openly.  On the other hand my husband, my brother and our parents, are the only people I have personally told what I am doing or considering. And I asked them not to spread the word- because I don't know if I ever want to tell. Not because I am ashamed...but  because I am tired of people saying just eat less and you'll lose or just exercise more. For people who haven't encountered WLS they tend to think it is the "easy way out" which trust me I know its not. I have had co-workers and friends at church that have done WLS I know their struggles and their joys.   I figure wants it's I get closer to actual "crunch time" I will have a better idea of my  opinion on the subject and wether or not to tell                                                                    just my to cents

Hello, I am scheduled for the RNY on Aug 21st 2007, and i have been reading lots of posts here and the one thing i have never read, from anyone who has had WLS, is that its easy!!  I personally think that Starr Jones and others who have had WLS should stand up and dispell the myth that it is the easy way out!! 

I'm one of few words so......Star Jones is a Blow Hole Not only did she keep it a secret....She LIED about not having it.......She's off my christmas list!

Oh goodie!!! Someone else with an opinion just like mine. Not only did she lie about it, she turned into one of those "skinny *****es" who now talks mad crap about fat people. Makes me mad!!!

I dont think Star Jones is even worth the energy to debate it.  She is a woman with so many issues that she is trying to cover up that she can't even see straight

You just KNOW that woman is a publicity hound and its so interesting that she had her moment of "revelation" and had to share her story just as she is starting her new gig as a Court TV talk show host.  She has ZERO credibility with me. I can't stand her. Even if she looks fabulous! And I really didnt appreciate her comments to the effect that ".............all us heavy girls try and tell ourselves we are fly  even with our weight."  Oh yes, thats really very encouraging to all of us struggling out there to not let our weight define who we are!!! Whats the message there, that you can't have confidence and still have some weight on your bones?   My whole life would be a lie if that were true.... I would have given up long ago.  But on the other side, I do think that this surgery is a very private matter and if people want to figure it out fine but I have only told my closest friends and only my closest family members. I wont deny it if anyone asks but I also don't feel I need to publicize that I am planning on getting surgery.

    I think everyone has pretty much cleared up whatever mystery there is to Star Jones.  She was nasty when she was heavy and now she is thin and nasty. Too bad she couldn't lose that bad attitude along with her weight!   I am glad to see that there are some celebrities talking about what a struggle obesity is and that the struggle continues even after surgery.  Maybe more insurance companies will take notice and make this surgery a benefit rather than an exclusion....      I haven't told anyone but my close friends and family what I am considering, not out of shame, but simply because I don't care to hear their opinions on what THEY think I need to do. People are sweet and all ,but those who have never been obese can't really know the desperation that I feel when I think about continuing on @ my current weight.  I don't want to hear about how I should eat better exercise more etc.  I KNOW these things already and it just becomes frustrating!! I have tried all of these things already, I need this extra help provided by WLS to give me that extra push to help keep it off long term.