Question:
Did anyone watch Oprah on friday where it talked about WLS?

I was wondering if anyone watched Oprah on friday? She had Randy Jackson(Guy from American Idol)there and he was commenting on his surgery and progress. They also showed the actual lap Rny surg on tv. I thought it was interresting to see the emotional side with that one lady. Any comments would be great!    — Erin E. (posted on April 5, 2004)

April 5, 2004
I thought it was great. I think Oprah needs to do a better job researching the issues she plans to talk about on her show, but everyone else on the show was wonderful. I especially like Dr. Wren from NYU. She is a fabulous spokesperson for WLS. And she is right...surgery is the only treatment that works for MO...people wouldn't call it drastic or controvertial if we were cancer patients seeking treatment. It's just another way for the world to belittle fat people. They take us having surgery as a sign of weakness, but it's a good thing we all know how strong you must be to take this step. Hugs:-)
   — Sara A

April 5, 2004
I found that show very interesting and very truthful. A lot of people have said negative things in the past about that show, but I find it to be very true. I do agree Oprah needed to research the subject a little better, but I feel overall the show was very good and to the point. It showed positive as well as negative sides. Usually, talk shows only talk about the negative. It was kind of like a chat session ; that is a great show for preops to watch. That shows what they could face as postops. Have a great day. *Holly* 8-18-03 down 215 pounds
   — Holly H.

April 5, 2004
this is a re-run show. i watched it the first time and was very upset by it. the topic of the show is "what really happens after gastric bypass surgery", but i don't feel it showed what the subject was supposed to be about. they have randy jackson on there from american idol. is was a new post-op and i felt that he didn't have enough info to talk about this subject eventhou he was postop himself. he talked about how he would get sick alot. yes some people do get sick, but i think it had alot to do with how he was eathing. they showed a clip of him eating. remember how we have all been told little bites and chew chew chew. well he took huge globs of food and complained that he would get sick...go figure. there was also a doctor on there and they showed a woman having wls. they never talked about life after wls. they only talked about the first few months. this is why i think so many people are against wls because they only hear little bits and pieces. when someone is healing for wls it is totally diffent than being 1 year out or more. i think people who have had wls and talk about it are great, but i do think if you are going to speak to the public about it that you should be very well educated of the subject. if you aren't well informed and speak in a public forum all you are doing is helping to spread incorrect information to the masses.
   — franbvan

April 5, 2004
I have to say that the actual show was a bit misleading. I was so excited when this show originally aired because I was glad that Oprah was finally going to touch on the topic. Then, the show started and she sort of switched it around into a show being against the surgery. However, when the show aired the second time around I was able to catch Oprah after the show on the Oxygen network. I think that piece showed more compassion. Oprah said that she was too big of a carb freak to even think about the surgery. Hopefully you can catch that episode. It comes on @6p Central.
   — Brandi C.

April 5, 2004
I wasn't able to catch the show but I've heard that she was a little condescending about it (Oprah). Yes it is true that obesity is the last accepted form of prejudicness. It is socially acceptable for people to view fat people as glutonous lazy slobs with no self control. My question is this: if a person smokes (which is now not "acceptable" in society) and this person knows that smoking causes lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, etc. and they can't stop because they are addicted to the nicotine (i.e. they can't "control" themselves) and they end up with lung cancer or ?? Are the insurance companies going to deny this person a potentially life saving treatment (i.e. surgery to remove the diseased lung)? I hardly think so. What the heck is the difference? I know that alot of people are having this surgery who may not need it. But that is up to their doctor to decide, not the insurance company. Thanks for letting me vent a little. I just think we need to stand up for our rights as human beings, as citizens of the human race!!
   — Janice B.

April 6, 2004
I would have loved to have seen that show but forgot to tape it. I have a problem with Ophra in the past -- a private trainer and a personal chef and not much compassion for individual's who choose wls. It's not a cop out out...it's wanting live life to the fullest. Thank God for the surgery and Obesity help .com
   — debmi

April 6, 2004
I recorded to and watch it today I was Impressed that it did not give you a appearance of the (easy way out). I felt it was compassionable to people that have a weight problem and are trying to have a better healthier lifestyle. There was a woman that was having some emotional problems with eating less, but the one I thought was interested was a 16 yr. teenager trying to fit in to a high school surrounding without being, humiliated , tease , an being left out. I think she showed a truly compassionable side to this surgery >>> RNY. That's my opinion Charlene
   — charanewme