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.
I'm as liberal as they come. Obnoxious is someone just obnoxious. 
Sorry....obnoxious is just someTIMES just obnoxious.
Come on people...we really have to support each other and not bash each other. Just yesterday, I had a wonderful conversation with a colleague in my office who works in IT. He upgraded my computer and when he set me up with the new one, he commented on my photos. I have a couple before and after ones on my desktop that I keep there for when I want to post them with a thread.
At first I was embarrased that he saw them, and then perturbed that he mentioned it. Then he asked how much I lost and I though oh gosh, what nerve to ask something so personal. Then I took a good look at the guy and realized the reason for his interest. I asked him which surgery he had and he told me the sleeve. He also said he had dropped 230 lbs. in just over a year. Well....then I told him I was banded and what my stats were and before you knew it, we were like two old friends and talking about challenges, successes, excess skin, all of it. I congratulated him on his loss and he just said to me, 'you are lookin' real good girl'. I'm probably twice his age but a compliment is a compliment and it was really nice to hear it.
It didn't matter that we had different WLS, all that mattered was that we were both successful and so very happy with our outcomes. Why can't we do that here on this site? Let's stop the nonsense, OK?
Yes, but what does WHOOPIE have to say about it?!
Really, WHO CARES. It's a silly chat show where they spend all of their time talking over each other anyway. And not one of them would influence any life altering decision I would make by what their "opinions" are on the subject. I leave that to professionals, family and friends. Not some overbearing, self serving buffoons that flap their jaws for a living and think people really care about what they have to say. Just sayin'.
As someone recently accused of bashing the lapband and making blanket statements, (which in fact was not my intention I just didn't think the lapband should be used like it was a trial surgery) I found her statements to be a disservice and very judgemental. People need to do what is right for them and get their doctors advice. My doctor said I would probably need a lapband out in 5-10 years, other doctors may not say that. I didn't want to go back and forth for fills/unfills. I had enough doctor visits already between my BC and heart, thank you very much! Rosie is probably echoing what her doctor their practice/ experience has seen. Hopefully no one sane would use her for medical advice but would listen to their doctor. For a sleeved person she has done average as far as weight loss goes. I am happy for her but I don't understand the superiority complex (which I was also accused of!). To me it's like the android/apple wars on blogs though that is even more silly than a health decision. Everyone has their preference and reasons after talking to their doctors so why bash.
I strongly believe that all procedures are safe and effective and that the choice of weight loss procedure is between the patient and their surgeon.
Here are key data points for the Safety and Efficacy of the LAP-BAND:
1. The LAP-BAND is the only FDA-Approved device for patients with a BMI of >30 with a comorbidity or BMI>40
LAP-BAND for Lower BMI: 2-Year Results from the Multicenter Pivotal Study
Obesity (2013) 21:1148–1158. doi:10.1002/oby.20477,
Robert Michaelson, et al.
· 149 Patients
· BMI of 30 -39.9 w/ Comorbidities
· Primary Endpoint - >40% of subjects achieved >30% EWL at 1 year
· Results:
o 84.6% achieved >30% EWL at 1 year
o 65% Mean EWL at 1 year
· Conclusion - LAGB is safe and effective for people with 30-30.9 BMI, with weight loss and co-morbidity improvement through at least 2 years.
2. The LAP-BAND has shown Long-Term success when patients are managed with appropriate aftercare
Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: Fifteen-Year Follow-Up of Adjustable Gastric Banding and a Systematic Review of the Bariatric Surgical Literature
Annals of Surgery , Volume 257, Number 1, January 2013,
Paul E. O’Brien, et al.
· 50.5% EWL at 3 Years
· 49.6% EWL at 5 Years
· 47% EWL at 10 Years
· 47.2% EWL at 15 years
· 3227 patients, 714 with 10+ years follow-up only 5.6% removal rate for the entire group
3. The LAP-BAND has been shown as safe or safer than any other bariatric procedure
There are a number of databases that healthcare organizations and professionals use to monitor bariatric procedures after surgery.
A recent review of data from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons databases showed the following:
LAGB Sleeve RYGB
Total Complications 6% 18% 24%
Reoperation Rate 1% 3% 5%
Hospital Stay After Procedure Less than 1 day Approximately 3 days Approximately 3 days
Illness After 30 Days 1% 6% 6%
· 75% lower 30-day morbidity compared to sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· 1/3 the complications compared to sleeve through 1 year (BOLD – DeMaria 2010)
· 68% lower readmission rate than sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· 1/3 the reoperation rate compared to sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· Shorter length of stay than sleeve and bypass (ACS – Hutter 2011)
Her comments weren't really about the surgery, she was just using the occasion to take a pot-shot at a Republican. People like her inject their political views into every miniscule aspect of their day. Then they turn around and call everyone else "mean-spirited."
If she were speaking about, oh say...Michael Moore choosing the lap-band procedure, she would not have said what she did.
It's sickening.
Her comments weren't really about the surgery, she was just using the occasion to take a pot-shot at a Republican. People like her inject their political views into every miniscule aspect of their day. Then they turn around and call everyone else "mean-spirited."
If she were speaking about, oh say...Michael Moore choosing the lap-band procedure, she would not have said what she did.
It's sickening.
So true....
Just like the time Tom Selleck went on her show to promote a movie and she attacked him about his association with the NRA. She found an open window to allow herself to inject her political beliefs. Check out the youtube video.
I strongly believe that all procedures are safe and effective and that the choice of weight loss procedure is between the patient and their surgeon.
Here are key data points for the Safety and Efficacy of the LAP-BAND:
1. The LAP-BAND is the only FDA-Approved device for patients with a BMI of >30 with a comorbidity or BMI>40
LAP-BAND for Lower BMI: 2-Year Results from the Multicenter Pivotal Study
Obesity (2013) 21:1148–1158. doi:10.1002/oby.20477,
Robert Michaelson, et al.
· 149 Patients
· BMI of 30 -39.9 w/ Comorbidities
· Primary Endpoint - >40% of subjects achieved >30% EWL at 1 year
· Results:
o 84.6% achieved >30% EWL at 1 year
o 65% Mean EWL at 1 year
· Conclusion - LAGB is safe and effective for people with 30-30.9 BMI, with weight loss and co-morbidity improvement through at least 2 years.
2. The LAP-BAND has shown Long-Term success when patients are managed with appropriate aftercare
Long-Term Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: Fifteen-Year Follow-Up of Adjustable Gastric Banding and a Systematic Review of the Bariatric Surgical Literature
Annals of Surgery , Volume 257, Number 1, January 2013,
Paul E. O’Brien, et al.
· 50.5% EWL at 3 Years
· 49.6% EWL at 5 Years
· 47% EWL at 10 Years
· 47.2% EWL at 15 years
· 3227 patients, 714 with 10+ years follow-up only 5.6% removal rate for the entire group
3. The LAP-BAND has been shown as safe or safer than any other bariatric procedure
There are a number of databases that healthcare organizations and professionals use to monitor bariatric procedures after surgery.
A recent review of data from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons databases showed the following:
LAGB Sleeve RYGB
Total Complications 6% 18% 24%
Reoperation Rate 1% 3% 5%
Hospital Stay After Procedure Less than 1 day Approximately 3 days Approximately 3 days
Illness After 30 Days 1% 6% 6%
· 75% lower 30-day morbidity compared to sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· 1/3 the complications compared to sleeve through 1 year (BOLD – DeMaria 2010)
· 68% lower readmission rate than sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· 1/3 the reoperation rate compared to sleeve (ACS – Hutter 2011)
· Shorter length of stay than sleeve and bypass (ACS – Hutter 2011)
BOOM
I strongly believe that all procedures are safe and effective and that the choice of weight loss procedure is between the patient and their surgeon.
well said alex
Fascinating thread.
You can join in on my convo with Rosie at https://twitter.com/Rosie/status/515475737269510144
kyrickchick64 468
Posted
That is amazing Jim! Send this pic to the loud mouth. Lol it's a personal choice, some people just can't stand the thought of that aggressive surgery. I liked Rosie O'Donnell when she had her first show, maybe because they had her under the corporate leash. But she just grates on my nerves now.
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