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.
The View is a show where women sit around and just chat. Of course those chats are going to be full of personal opinions and viewers of the show know that. I don't think many viewers will take Rosie's opinion as gospel and go forth in the world spreading that gospel to others. Anyone who is truly interested in weight loss surgery will do research themselves and ultimately speak to their doctors and surgeons and make their decision based on THAT information, not a 60-second conversation on a talk show. So I see no reason to get all up in arms about what Rosie said. It's a chat show, not a news program.
I expect that kind of comment from Rosie O'Donnell but I don't expect to feel berated here for choosing one surgery over another. This is where I come to feel better, usually by trying to make others feel better. If people sound defensive perhaps it's because we keep having to defend a basic medical procedure. I did my research, I chose what was right for ME. Not any one else, just me. Why not support me on my weight loss journey? Are there people who want me to fail because I elected a different avenue? We are on the same path of wellness. Be supportive, PLEASE. It's the Star Belly Sneeches all over again.
Now, what I thought I'd be writing before I read all those comments -- great piece, Alex, and thanks for all you do for the WLS community through this site.
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."
Oh Please.... give it a rest. I can find lots of internet sites that spread fear and nonsense... You had a sleeve? Maybe you should read this. It has as much value as any other internet news blurb.
http://gastricbypasskills.blogspot.com/2013/02/think-gastric-sleeve-is-safe-think-again.html
They claim a 1 in 50 mortality rate. I guess you beat the odds?
Surgeons don't like the band because it commits them to years of follow care. If the patient is on Medicare, they don't get a dime for follow post surgical care. It is a lot more profitable to cut and slice, and forget.
Edited by labwalker
Oh Please.... give it a rest. I can find lots of internet sites that spread fear and nonsense... You had a sleeve? Maybe you should read this. It has as much value as any other internet news blurb.
http://gastricbypasskills.blogspot.com/2013/02/think-gastric-sleeve-is-safe-think-again.html
They claim a 1 in 50 mortality rate. I guess you beat the odds?
Surgeons don't like the band because it commits them to years of follow care. If the patient is on Medicare, they don't get a dime for follow post surgical care. It is a lot more profitable to cut and slice, and forget.
Someone asked for the links, so Jessi provided them and now you are tearing her apart for just doing what she was asked?
I honestly don't feel that Rosie or The View owe any follow up apologies. I jumped on Rosie because I can't stand her. To me, it's just more crap coming out of the woman's mouth. I agree with above.....it's a talk show, and they all have their opinions. They talk about so many things that I don't agree with. Too much liberal thinking for my taste. On rare occasion I would watch the program. Now that Rosie is on board, I never watch it.
Edited by mrsto
Someone asked for the links, so Jessi provided them and now you are tearing her apart for just doing what she was asked?
The whole point is that WE as a community of WLS patients should not be tearing each other apart, but building each other up and supporting each other!! That includes Rosie and Gov Christy, you and me alike. We are picked on enough for being obese and we beat ourselves up enough over trying to lose weight we don't need to turn on each other we need to support each other no matter the modality of WLS we have had, revised to or are thinking of having.
I know I am a distinct minority in my opinion. As a socialist, I tend not to watch the view -- definitely not liberal or radical enough. Politics aside. I I didn't fine her comments outrageous or inaccurate. The lap band IS a less efficient way to lose weight. It does have the highest resurgery - than other methods. there are reason people legitimate choose it. That siad You might want O'Donnell to put a smiley face on her critique. I don't. I spent months trying to see how people felt . I am grateful for her straight talk
Edited by MsUjima
My surgeon said the same thing. He does not recommend lap bands to any of his patients because of the higher LT failure rates.
I will say that my surgeon did say a lot of the same things, that it is ineffective, many people end up getting RNY or the sleeve after the band, and that surgeons are going away from doing the band anymore.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Rosie gets paid a whole lot of money to give hers on national television every day. So that's what she does.
Besides, the show is called "The View" after all....
We should note we are discussing that a liberal mouth (i.e. Rosie, The View) criticizing a republican presedential candidate. What were we expecting? Perhaps we should get Rush Limbaugh to speak up on how Rosie sucks and lap bands are cool. 
Everyone is entitled to say what ever they want that is the beauty of living in AMERICA! It's your first amendment right Freedom of Speech.
That does not make what you say, how you say it or to whom you say it or you right......
Well said. I would add that it also entitles you to the consequences/reactions to what you say. That applies to everyone. Being on a national TV show just means you are entitled to a lot more (and probably louder) reactions.
Is anyone really surprised Rosie O'Donnell made comments that were controversial? I'm not, but then again I don't watch the view, I can watch women bickering here at work
So, I am stating the obvious... she makes her living by making outrageous and controversial statements.... otherwise that show would be even more boring than it already is... I think it is nonsense to sign a petitiion or whatever to try to make Rosie shut up...good luck with that...haha!!
I am glad people have choices, and it is very true that any procedure is a crap shoot in the sense that "no results are guaranteed" and alot of it depends on patient education and willingness to committ to the program. I certainly see the appeal of the band, it was my first choice too.
I am told that the band is better now, but in 2001 when I had the bio-enteric lapband their brochure specifically stated that it was a temporary device that would most likely require removal with risk of regain. The brochure did not mention the things I actually struggled with - intolerable reflux and difficulty eating healthy food (veggies and dense protein). I still have the brochure and I still have the letter my surgeon made me sign that I understood the temporary thing. Oddly, I don't remember signing that letter or anything until I dug all my info out when it was time to remove my band. sigh. denial I was. I know that of the people banded in my "era" most/many have had to have it removed. I don't know the stats and don't know if current technology is still like this.
Anyway, it is besides the point. I want everyone to make their decision based on data, hopefully relevant to current techniques and outcomes. I wish all much success! I bet Rosie does too, but, she has a big mouth, it's how she makes her living.
She is and always be an idiot.
lisacaron 5,075
Posted
Everyone is entitled to say what ever they want that is the beauty of living in AMERICA! It's your first amendment right Freedom of Speech.
That does not make what you say, how you say it or to whom you say it or you right. Of course people are offended. If I a former fatty myself called you fat and stupid for not doing your due diligence when you chose the sleeve, a procedure that has been around and was a failure for years and years and only is back in favor now because it's "easy" for surgeons and doctors to not have to "follow up" or "work" for their patients would you be offended? I think so.
No WLS is perfect. How many sleevers or bypass patients have had the lapband added to their surgery because of failure? Are they stupid as well?
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