Question:
Al Roker

Hi: Does anyone else think Al Roker always intended to reveal the details of his WLS? Grace    — Grace H. (posted on November 26, 2002)


November 26, 2002
While he may be celebrity I think Al Roker is basically just like the rest of us. Can you imagine the embarrassment of announcing on national television that you're having surgical weight loss and then you aren't successful? Even though most of us post ops know that everyone will be successful to some degree, as a pre op he had the same fears we all had. I think he ultimately knew that he wanted to share his journey with the world but he's human and he needed to know he'd be succesful first. I applaud him for coming out and I don't care that he waited to do it. He's just a human being and I was humbled by his willingness to share his vulnerability with the rest of the world. When he was talking about his fears and feelings of failure I found myself thinking "Yeah, I know just how you felt." I say "Way to go Al"!! We're proud of you!
   — ronascott

November 26, 2002
I think Al did it the right way and it was so well documented, and watching him on tv during his weightloss, I noticed the loss, but when he aired the special and showed, his video diary WOW it realy showed how much he'd actually lost. I dont think it would have been as dramatic if he had openly said I'm having surgery. The media would have ate him up in the beginning, and then it would have dwindled away, and then forgotten about. This was a tremendous boost to WLS, and has opened alot of eyes. I'm proud too of his and Carnie's and all of the WLS loosiers, I will be one too someday. I thought it was great!
   — wizz46

November 26, 2002
Grace, I do and I don't. I can tell you that this EXACT question was posted to his Doctor, Dr Marina Kurian, last week in our Support Group and she was very non-commital. What does it really matter why he documented it. The fact that he did is WONDERFUL! His hour long Dateline special did more for me and the WLS community than 3 yrs of Carney Wilson! Just my 2cents.
   — heathercross

November 26, 2002
It's pretty funny. I had the SAME BMI, had surgery on the SAME day and have also kept up with a VIDOE DIARY. I cannot tell people enough how important it was for me to do a video diary. If any of you out there are pre-op and haven't started one, do it TODAY. You will be so happy you did. I know I didn't really answer this question, but I thought I'd give my 2 cents.
   — Robby E.

November 26, 2002
Personally Al Roker telling his story has gotten me thinking about this surgery again. I looked into it last summer but was so put off on what I found about how people lived afterwards - liquid diets, couldn't eat most things etc., that I just did not know if I could deal with the long term requirements. I hadn't found this site at that time. I now know from Al's story and reading here that the stories I was finding before appear not to be the norm. I'm kinda in a high gear push in that I don't want a lot of time to second guess the direction I am going. I hope to get an approval in December and surgery in Feb. I've got big plans for the summer and I want to be healed enough to enjoy it.
   — zoedogcbr

November 26, 2002
He probably was going to tell "some day". The reason he was pushed into it is because someone leaked confidential information at the hospital where he had his surgery. As far as videotaping the whole thing....he's in TV, he's a TV personality with friends in the business. Why wouldn't he document it, even if only for himself?
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 26, 2002
I think the fact that a camera crew followed him around, even filming his surgery was evidence enough for me that he had every intention of publicizing it eventually.
   — cherokey55

November 26, 2002
First let me start off by saying, I wish the best for everyone that needs the surgery and appreciate the courage it takes to share their experience. But the flip side of this is now as more tv-personalities and stars publicize thier wls, in my opinion it makes it even harder for regular" folks. I can just imagine the number of calls wls doctors recieved after all the publicity from people who just want to look better or think the surgery is a quick fix and hadn't even given a second thought to all that's involve. I think Carnie and Al's stories are wonderful but I also think the publicity has its down fall. It would be totally different if the insurance companies didn't give qualified individuals such a hard time to get approve and recieve coverage because then maybe it would be okay for any and everybody to join in. I apologize in advance if some of you view this as selfish or bashing - that's not my intention. Vesta
   — vesta D.

November 26, 2002
Hi Everyone: I am the original poster of this question. Thanks for all of your responses. I agree that his special was inspirational. Many of us do not want anyone to know for that old time fear of failure. Unfortunately, being a public figure is a blessing and a curse. You are watched more closely. As a hospital worker for many, many years, when a news camera comes in, people (employees and visitors) play close attention. Although we are all sworn to secrecy, and I myself would never breech the confidentiality clause, some swarmy, greedy National Inquirer reported could certainly get the information that they needed. If indeed an employee leaked this story, they should be fired. But things like that seem to get out, no matter what. Love Grace
   — Grace H.

November 26, 2002
Al Roker, because he is in the public eye and he would clearly have to answer to us all sooner or later what he did to lose all that weight,I think he was prepared to do so when the time was right. Did anyone see him this morning? He was here in Chicago, subject was Chicago's infamous foods. They had set up small bite size samples of famous Chicago foods. The only thing he "pretended" to taste was the Brats, with brown musterd and onions. I wached closely because of the skin on the brats, he only took a tiny bite of the bun. Also he didn't look like he felt good, not much laughing or jokes. He was outside & it is cold, but he didn't seem like his self. Hope he is ok.
   — Donna T.

November 26, 2002
I think Al knew that eventually he would have to come out about his surgery...obviously, because he's such a public person. He chose a video diary...I have about 10 notebooks full of things that I chose to write about during my pre op and post op life...if I were a weather man on NBC, maybe I would have had a camera crew follow me around...or if I were independently wealthy, I might have done that too. Is it very much different than those of us "regular folks" who take great pains to update our diaries/profiles monthly...who take pictures every single month on the anniversary of our surgery??? He just used something that was familiar and comfortable to him. GO AL!!! YOU ROCK!! Have a Sparkling Day!! ~CAE~
   — Mustang

November 27, 2002
Yes, I think Al Roker taped his surgery with the intention of going public with it. Like some of the previous posters, I believe he was being cautious in case he didn't do well post op. I am very happy for Al, and any other celebrity who publicizes his/her WL surgery. The more the American public and insurance companies see the favorable publicity, the greater likelihood people will accept it as medically necessary and stop putting down people with obesity.
   — Arlene S.

November 28, 2002
I don't think he intended to tell. I saw a couple of interviews with him and he looked so ashamed of doing it. I think he was videotaping the procedure b/c he had the resources to do so. I know I'm taking all the pictures I can of my pre-op self. Every angle of fat I can get, b/c the fat is a part of me and I just think I need some documentation not sure why I've even plan on videotaping myself the day of surgery it's like a big step that I won't have to take again.
   — Kimmie C.




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