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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