Rosie O’Donnell Makes Hurtful Comments About the Lap-Band on “The View”
Ms. O’Donnell herself is a gastric sleeve patient who had struggled with her weight throughout her professional life. She got the procedure done in July of 2013, and has since lost about 50 pounds.
Upsetting Effects of Ms. O’Donnell’s Words
Ms. O’Donnell not only insulted Governor Christie, but also every lap-band patient. She stated outright that the lap-band has a 50 percent rate of removal, and is an inefficient way to lose weight. She strongly implied that anyone who gets the lap-band chooses to do so because they haven’t done enough research.
This kind of divisiveness between weight loss surgery patients is harmful to everyone who is affected by obesity. Weight loss surgery can literally save lives and give people back their quality of life. It can be the only way to lose weight for many people. The only way to improve weight loss surgery outcomes and acceptance is to provide a unified front. When someone like Ms. O’Donnell bashes lap-band surgery, it only adds to the public’s general misconception of weight loss surgery as a foolish choice.
The Lap-Band Is a Good Choice for Many
The gastric sleeve is the right choice for some weight loss surgery patients, and it may have been the right choice for Ms. O’Donnell. For other patients, the lap-band is the right choice – and, in contrast to Ms. O’Donnell’s accusations, they can arrive at that decision after careful research. They may be hesitant to permanently remove most of the stomach, as in the gastric sleeve, and may value the ability to adjust their bands.
There’s no shortage of evidence that the lap-band can work. In fact, it may even be working for Governor Christie! He will not publicly discuss specific numbers, but he’s clearly lost weight since getting the lap-band in February of 2013. Rumor has it he’s down 85 pounds, but he hasn’t confirmed this amount.
A Better Choice of Words
Ms. O’Donnell is certainly entitled to her opinion, but it doesn’t seem necessary for an influential celebrity to insult all lap-band patients in front of millions of viewers on national television.
- She could easily have praised the gastric sleeve and all that it has done for her without bashing the lap-band.
- She could have discussed why she chose the sleeve over the lap-band and gastric bypass.
- She could have praised Governor Christie for his weight loss without insulting his choice of weight loss surgery.
How Can “The View” Make Amends?
“The View” could have handled the situation a little differently. The show could have done something as simple as asking Ms. O’Donnell for evidence for her claims. For example, where did she learn that half of all lap-bands are removed? That flies in the face of what patients learn from their surgeons, who spend years studying the lap-band and other types of weight loss surgery.
There’s still time to make amends and show weight loss surgery patients some respect. “The View” could dedicate a segment of a future show to discussing weight loss surgery more accurately. Any number of bariatric surgeons and allied health professionals could serve as credible guests in an informative interview.
Make Your Voice Heard!
What you think matters to Hollywood celebrities and TV shows. Their success depends on your approval and continued support. If you want to weigh in on how you feel about Ms. O’Donnell’s insensitive comment about the lap-band, why not tell her and “The View” what you’re thinking? You can tweet them at @Rosie and @theviewTV to explain how hurtful her words were. They’re on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RosieODonnellOfficial and https://www.facebook.com/TheView.
Ms. O’Donnell may benefit from learning that the lap-band is a good choice for some weight loss surgery patients, and “The View” may learn that the show needs to take responsibility for presenting a more accurate picture of this – and any other – sensitive topic.
Alex Brecher
I am a native New Yorker who loves spending time with my children and working out at the gym.
I had struggled with my weight my whole life. Diets worked for me until I went off them and gained back more weight each time. Finally, a friend who used to be obese told me that he had gotten weight loss surgery. I could see how great he looked, and I got weight loss surgery in 2003. Thankfully, I can say that I have never looked back. It helped me lose more than 100 lbs. and keep the weight off since 2003.
I am the founder of BariatricPal and proud of everything that it means to the entire weight loss surgery community. Together, we can fight obesity and work toward living healthier lifestyles!
You can view The BIG Books on Weight Loss Surgery book series at the BariatricPal Store.
"Ummmmm....can we just talk about the fact that everything she said is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!?!? As someone who HAS done my research and has lived in the WLS world for quite some time now, she's correct. Half of lapbands ARE in fact removed, and the long term success rates of lapband are much less than that of gastric sleeve or RNY. Everyone is so freaking quick to get insulted these days and I wish you would just stop it already. She spoke her opinion, which by the way was riddled with fact after fact, and you guys all get your panties in a wad? Grow UP already.
There isn't enough long term data on the sleeve. My neighbor had the RNY, and after 8 years started gaining weight. She went in to have the band placed over the bypass. There is no hard fast rule on any of this. I've known a couple of people who gained all of their weight back after the sleeve. They just eat small amounts of junk food throughout the day. It doesn't matter what you choose.... If you lose your motivation, you can eat around, and gain weight with all of the surgeries. For me, knowing that, choosing to have most of my stomach removed permanently was not even an option.
I did extensive research before making my choice; left no stone unturned. I chose to have plication with the band, as a secondary source of restriction. It has worked out quite well, and at the one year mark my surgeon said that I could not have done any better with one of the other surgeries. And the reality is, with ALL of these surgeries, the big difference is the first 12-18 months. After that, people get used to whatever they got, and learn to eat around it......if they are so inclined.
Edited by mrsto
Let me just take a moment here to reiterate what some have already stated. WLS no mater the modality of it is all dependent on the patient. With the sleeve or bypass the results are faster and yes they are both restrictive and metabolic in nature and yet our bodies are a miracle of humanity and we can and do overcome and adapt. After that initial weight loss and shock the body can adapt and if eating habits, eating mechanics, attitude and life style changes are not been made the chances of regain in the long term are equal.
No one can say that one surgery is better then another. Recently I read a post by a patient who was diagnosed with Lupus. A lupus patient can not have such mal-absorptive surgeries as sleeve or bypass due to their condition which makes the lapband the perfect and only choice for such a patient.
No one of us is better or worse then the other. You can't say that people have not done their research, many of us who are banded have done more research then a college student writing a doctorate. I have my reasons for choosing the band and I have no regrets about it.
Making broad statements like those made by Rosie O'Donell in public forum only show her own ignorance and lack of empathy for the obese. Maybe she never saw her self as obese, but her health conditions, photo's and doctors tell another story all together don't they?
Don't knock those who are trying to make their lives better and become healthy. A smart intelligent woman would use her big mouth, comedic wit, and additional 5 minutes of fame to advocate for her comrades at large and open doors instead of shutting them as she did with her comments.
People who might have been thinking about getting help now maybe afraid that their "choice" is not the right one because some TV personality who has nothing better to do with her time but to cause controversy said it wasn't. She just called several Doctors who are banded, Lawyers, PHD's and people much smarter with higher educations then she has stupid.
Forest Gump had it right...stupid as stupid does aka Rosie O'Donelle.
All of these surgeries are life altering, expensive, and risky - I think many of us go through a process where we need to believe our choice is the best choice, or we might not do it at all. Her comment, divisive as it was among the WLS community, was nothing that we haven't seen right here on the forums.
Let me just take a moment here to reiterate what some have already stated. WLS no mater the modality of it is all dependent on the patient. With the sleeve or bypass the results are faster and yes they are both restrictive and metabolic in nature and yet our bodies are a miracle of humanity and we can and do overcome and adapt. After that initial weight loss and shock the body can adapt and if eating habits, eating mechanics, attitude and life style changes are not been made the chances of regain in the long term are equal.
No one can say that one surgery is better then another. Recently I read a post by a patient who was diagnosed with Lupus. A lupus patient can not have such mal-absorptive surgeries as sleeve or bypass due to their condition which makes the lapband the perfect and only choice for such a patient.
No one of us is better or worse then the other. You can't say that people have not done their research, many of us who are banded have done more research then a college student writing a doctorate. I have my reasons for choosing the band and I have no regrets about it.
Making broad statements like those made by Rosie O'Donell in public forum only show her own ignorance and lack of empathy for the obese. Maybe she never saw her self as obese, but her health conditions, photo's and doctors tell another story all together don't they?
Don't knock those who are trying to make their lives better and become healthy. A smart intelligent woman would use her big mouth, comedic wit, and additional 5 minutes of fame to advocate for her comrades at large and open doors instead of shutting them as she did with her comments.
People who might have been thinking about getting help now maybe afraid that their "choice" is not the right one because some TV personality who has nothing better to do with her time but to cause controversy said it wasn't. She just called several Doctors who are banded, Lawyers, PHD's and people much smarter with higher educations then she has stupid.
Forest Gump had it right...stupid as stupid does aka Rosie O'Donelle.
Well said, Lisa 
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lap-band-surgery-half-patients-complications/story?id=13187452
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4452159/Lap-Band-more-than-50-FAILURE-rate/
http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/dangers-of-lap-band-surgery
Do you need more? You will find that more and more surgeons are not doing lap band anymore. Why would your doctor recommend it for you? Maybe because HE hasn't done his research either. LOL. Either way. Mine stopped doing it this year and mine too has "credentials above reproach."
whatever one WLS one gets (or removes to get another) or whatever,
lets just wish them luck..going back and forth with webpages and statistics solves nothing
and its kinda pointless to be honest...we all got opinions..
i like UNC and catfish likes UK, who cares??
so whoever reads my words, whatever WLS you have or about to get,
congrats and for best results, do as your doctor advises..and get well
that is what it is all about anyhow..
Carolina girl,
I was specifically asked to back up my statements so I did. I think Rosie is entitled to say whatever she wants and for everyone to be all "offended" is ridiculous. She stated true statements...it wasn't a personal jab at anyone and she deserves to be defended so I will defend her. That doesn't mean I don't wish others well, it means I think others are acting childish and ridiculous.
Carolina girl,
I was specifically asked to back up my statements so I did. I think Rosie is entitled to say whatever she wants and for everyone to be all "offended" is ridiculous. She stated true statements...it wasn't a personal jab at anyone and she deserves to be defended so I will defend her. That doesn't mean I don't wish others well, it means I think others are acting childish and ridiculous.
I think I may have my band removed. It is failing me.....
OMG jim
i am sooooo OMG in awe
you were one of the first people who friended me on this site
and you are still my hero..
whatever one WLS one gets (or removes to get another) or whatever,
lets just wish them luck..going back and forth with webpages and statistics solves nothing
and its kinda pointless to be honest...we all got opinions..
i like UNC and catfish likes UK, who cares??
so whoever reads my words, whatever WLS you have or about to get,
congrats and for best results, do as your doctor advises..and get well
that is what it is all about anyhow..
Amen to that! This isn't a freaken contest 
"http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lap-band-surgery-half-patients-complications/story?id=13187452
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4452159/Lap-Band-more-than-50-FAILURE-rate/
http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/dangers-of-lap-band-surgery
Do you need more? You will find that more and more surgeons are not doing lap band anymore. Why would your doctor recommend it for you? Maybe because HE hasn't done his research either. LOL. Either way. Mine stopped doing it this year and mine too has "credentials above reproach."
Sometimes, the doctors are not recommending the band, but it's what the patients want for themselves. That was the case with me. I researched ad nauseam, and made MY choice on what I felt best for my health, and long term options. The band is my surgeons least favorite, but he still does them. He's got plenty of VERY successful band patients, but still favors some of the more invasive procedures. It's all about choice.
Jessipug, try & keep in mind that this isn't a contest of who's doctor has the best credentials, what procedure is the best, etc. No one is slamming the sleeve. That was your choice, and I'm glad it's working out for you.....so far.
Edited by mrsto
kll724 3,055
Posted (edited)
I refuse to get into an argument with anyone on which is best. I would never criticize toerhs opinions. Just remember, opinions are like butts, everyone has one!
But, on teh other hand, I don't liek Rosie O'donnell, so I would not go on her website to advise her that she has her own opinion, and she hasn't done such a great job losing wieght either!
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