Question:
Has anyone watched

I watch "Ed" on NBC wed nights I think it is. There is a character on the show, his real name is Michael R. Genadry, who got the gastric bypass and they wrote it into the show. (He's not in every single episode- but plays a h.s. student) Just wondering if others have seen it. I thought it was great they wrote it into the show, need to exlain his substantial weight loss. I believe he was 450 or so and in a few months has already lost well over 100lbs., maybe more. And last night's episode was about his friend getting the surgery, but he ended up with complications, so Michael felt guilty. Just thought it was wonderful that they weren't just gorifying it, but showed the risks as well!    — Lezlie Y. (posted on March 6, 2003)

March 6, 2003
Hi Leslie, I did watch the program that you mention. I was so happy that they didn't give a false ideia about this surgery and the fact that the second person having the surgery had a complication is the reality of this surgery. My surgeon will be doing a interview with people magazine and he will talk about the complications that you can have with the surgery. I think that many people only talk about the goos things andthey leave out the bad things that can happen. I will have my surgery on 4/3/03 and I feel so confident that I am making the right decision for my life although I am very aware of the risks. Claudia Potts
   — Claudia P.

March 6, 2003
I also catch the show fairly regularly and I have felt they have handled it very respnsibily. One time the 2 boys were sitting drinking and Warren was also eating. The larger boy (sorry don't remember his character's name) was drinking and he said that the protein drinks were awful. Now if that ain't the truth. <p>Last night's episode had him going to a support group meeting and taking some of his friends along. The people made a comment that Michael was similar to someone else but ended up dying. They then told Michael to really check it out and be sure that surgery is what he truly wanted. <p>They have written in some of the positive things that he is able to do etc. and with some humor but they have not made it all glorious. The reasoning for the boy to have the surgery was a very real situation - his father dying and also being very MO. It's situations that make many of us make that fine decision to go forward. I think it certainly has helped the name of WLS through responsible handling and increasing awareness to others.
   — zoedogcbr

March 7, 2003
I've seen a few magazines and talk shows refer to 'ED' handling WLS responsibly. I did happen to catch bits & pieces of this past Wednesday's show (3/5/03). It is good that they've tactfully added a lighter side to the issues around WLS as well as how non-obese relate with/to obese. David Lettermen is a producer or something with this show. I've always been disappointed in television's portrayal of 'ugly' and think that this show has made exceptional progress in proving that EVERY person is a person...with feelings, thoughts, dreams. And yet they keep it entertaining. KUDOS to 'ED'.
   — Diane S.