Question:
my hubby and I have been asked to appear on the Oprah to discuss gastric bypass

surgery. i wna to do it but other than my family one person at work, my pastor and his wife, I did not tell anyone. When people ask I say I eat a lot less less and excericse like a nut, all true. I have lost 100 lbs and my hubby has lost 140, I ma 7 mos post op and he is 5 1/2 months. I just dont know if I want to be bothered with my co workers knowing my business. However, I do think I can be a voice for us. Should I do it? The show tapes Monday    — Lisa G. (posted on January 7, 2004)

January 7, 2004
Go ahead and be proud! You made a big decision to help your life and health! If by chance you decide not to appear I would be tHRILLED to go in your place:)
   — bob-haller

January 7, 2004
I agree - go for it! There are so many people out there, and I was one of them at one time, that thought this surgery was the easy way out. They need to know how much drive you have to have to commit to this. I would also be thrilled to go in your place, but I am only 11 weeks and 1 day out. Good luck and let us know when it will air!
   — Karen K.

January 7, 2004
Go for it! You will represent all of us on that show.
   — doglover

January 7, 2004
I think I remember someone posting here that they had been on a talk show and it was a very upsetting experience. I think if both you and your husband go on, it would be great, and not as easy to be "run over" or ignored. If you decide to do this you MUST tell us when the show will be aired! Go for it!
   — koogy

January 7, 2004
I was on two talk shows, Geraldo (I now hate that man) and Charles Perez. MOST talk shows want people acting angry and like freaks. I've never seen Oprah, so I don't know what her show is like as she does'nt interest me in the least. My guess is her show probally is'nt like the two I was on. Although I have heard she is anti wls and you may also be bummed with this talk show if she is. However having said that, IF she invited me.... I'd probally go! ;(Does she need another... lol)?
   — Danmark

January 7, 2004
I think you should go so that you can be an inspiration to others. And frankly, what do you have to be ashamed about? Why all the secrecy? The world deserves to see that this surgery is successful and is saving the lives of thousands of people every year.
   — mrsmyranow

January 7, 2004
I say go for it! A positive voice from you and your husband could be an inspiration to others. Here you have a chance to represent folks in a positive way. Oprah, of all people, understands what it is like to deal with weight.
   — Missy B.

January 7, 2004
I would go in a minute!! I am proud that I had this surgery and I think I am an inspiration to others. This has truly been a life changing experience and I love to share that with others that are in the shoes I was in before.LOL...Make us proud!! Also please, please let us know when it airs so we can watch it..Best of luck to you both!!
   — Sharon1964

January 7, 2004
IF I were to ever do any kind of talk show, Oprah would be the only one I would feel safe appearing on. I'm just weird about people being all up in my business. Those I know, I don't care...but strangers....eeeek, I don't know. That being said...ya, I prolly would do it. But only because it's Oprah....but not if that Dr. Phil ass (oops) would be on it as well.
   — RebeccaP

January 7, 2004
Go for it if you are ready for your co-workers to know. However if you still want to keep it a secret from them I would not step anywhere near the show. Myself I have no desire to go on TV telling everyone about my surgery. And before I get flamed I am not ashamed, just honestly don't think it is anyones business. I've only told 2 people and that's how I plan to keep it. I do however think going on the show is a great idea for someone who wants the exposure. It would be a great way to let people know this is not the easy way out. It might help those who are on the fence as to whether they should or shouldn't. My suggestion to you is if you want it out in the open then go for it, if you prefer to keep it quiet, maybe you could suggest some of our more vocal members to take your place. Whatever you decided do it for yourself and not everyone else. Good Luck.
   — D L.

January 7, 2004
if it was me i would do it in a heart beat!!!!!! good luck if you decide to do it and let us know when the show will air!!!!! Ginger
   — Ginger G.

January 7, 2004
I'd do it in a minute. I love Oprah. And, you can tell her that gastric bypass surgery is not as easy as some psople seem to think. It is a drastic measure for people with a serious medical condition. And Oprah, if you're out there, PICK ME! I've lost 170 pounds (LOL)!!!
   — Ann H.

January 7, 2004
i think it is great, but if you go just remember you will be reperesenting all of us who had wls...even if that is not your intent and only wanted to talk about yourself. please make sure that you are very informed and study as much on wls before you go. i know since you are post-op that you should already know a great deal, but just refresh if you need to. i have seen some people who have had wls go on tv and say that they can do and eat anything and still lose weight. that kind of thing keeps up the saying "it's the easy way out" saying. i read somewhere on an old post when someone told them if they thought wls was the easy way out and they said "which is easier ..to go out a locked window or an open door?" great quote to explain how this is just a tool and if used in the right way(like you are with your eating and working out)can help you to become and stay healthy. i would even call your doctor and tell him/her that you want some info on long term results(20-30 years or so). so people know this isn't just a fade. and that there are also more than one type of surgery. i wish you all the best of luck. but please be informed and remember who you represent.
   — franbvan

January 7, 2004
lisa i think it is a wonderful opportunity for you to represent yourselves & your wls 'siblings' on nationwide television & speak for all of us. i say 'go for it' but, i would like to remind you to be extremely cautious about how your story is treated by oprah & her staff. it is a well known fact that on at least one 'oprah', the wls community was accused of 'taking the easy way out'. dont let her or her staff, twist your story or your words to their benefit in making this particular show a 'let's beat up on the wls patients'episode. have a great time & let us know how it goes!!
   — sheryl titone

January 7, 2004
I would love to go on too, but I am pre-op LOL!!! I wanted to say something about what others have said, that to remember that you're representing all of us ect... and to make sure you have all of the facts and info. I don't mean to be the bad guy here, but I really feel even if you had all the correct facts and represented us well, these shows can edit and twist EVERYTHING around to make the show sound like THEY want it too. So don't feel bad if you do the show, and represent us well, and then they edit and TWIST your words around. Good Luck!! I am really glad they even asked you all to be on. This is fantastic!!!
   — bufordslipstick

January 7, 2004
AMEN TO THE LAST TWO POSTERS! That is exactly what these talks shows do. Perhaps not Oprah. I don't watch her as I don't like emotional stuff. Very phonny in my opinion. But talk shows like confrontation and agruement. That is how they get their ratings. My "guess" is that this will be an ANTI-WLS show. Just be carefull. Take it from someone who has been screwd twice in what I was told was going to be a SERIOUS show. They will say anything to "bait the hook and reel you in". Maybe Oprah's show will be decent, but I surely would'nt count on it. Get your facts together to answer WHY you took the easy wat out. You will be hit by that.
   — Danmark

January 7, 2004
I for one have watched Oprah quite a bit. I disagree that the show will be anti-WLS (unless Dr. Phil is there and then it will DEFINITELY be anti-WLS). Oprah is very supportive. However, remember that if you do this, you're going on national television. Everyone will know--co-workers, childhood friends, remote family--everyone. You have to be CERTAIN you're ok with this before you go. Best wishes, Laura
   — Laura B.

January 8, 2004
I admire the fact that you want to go on the show and speak for all of us. I watched a couple of weight loss shows where Ophrah was definetly against weight loss surgery and she kept refering negatively to it. I lost a lot of respect for her over the last couple of years in her dealings with obese people in general, its almost like she "talked down to them like second class citizens". I will always be an advocate for larger people. Please be careful with facts about your personal life, its all about ratings, money and prestiege for her show. I wish you the best...sorry to be so negative but that's the way the entertainment business works.
   — debmi

January 8, 2004
I hope that you do it so people can hear the real side of things. I would do it and be damn proud of myself!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!! (hubby too)
   — Saxbyd

January 9, 2004
Let us know when the show is going to air!
   — Brenda R.

January 11, 2004
Hi,How exciting for you to meet Oprah. I don't know how you feel about people knowing. I just had my surgery on the 7th, but I was so excited about it I told everyone, even perfect strangers that I was going to do it. I would love to know how you got invited to do the show. I would love to have an opportunity like that after my weight loss. Good Luck and be sure to let us all know when the show will air.
   — Carolyn B.

January 13, 2004
I think that you should do this, because it is Oprah. From what I have seen she treats her guests with respect, and allows them to speak their minds. Let us know when it airs.
   — Yvonne R.

January 13, 2004
I think that you should. I would not worry about what other people think. You went through the big step of doing all of this which is not a breeze so who cares if someone finds out that you had wls surgery. Besides think of all the people out there that would love to hear your story. I would love to meet Oprah. That is a once in a lifetime experience. To end, I would tell my co-workers that it is none of there business, unless they have something positive to say about it then I would not listen. Have fun if you go.
   — Elizabeth T.

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