“I was an addict for all practical purposes, that I had never stuck to a real diet, that I’d never stuck to a real exercise program, and that when confronted by my doctor and the doctor said if you don’t make changes, you will die. I had no choice. When you hear people say, oh, you took the easy way out, I would have longed for an easy way. It was not an easy way. It was this — the hardest struggle of my whole entire life and I still struggle.”
Star Jones, discussing her gastric bypass surgery with Oprah on a special weight-loss episode airing Wednesday.
I’m not a giant Star Jones fan, but I’m glad she’s out there saying this. I’m firmly of the belief that many people who are obese suffer from an addiction to food, as psychologically powerful as any addiction. You can’t effectively address the disease JUST by putting someone on a diet, in the same way that you can’t effectively treat alcoholism by handing someone a Diet Coke. There’s much deeper work to be done before a person can hope to be successful in the long term.
It’s obviously a huge issue in this country, and I feel like the longer we treat it like these people just need to find a diet that works without addressing the — excuse the pun — giant elephant of addiction in the room, the longer we’ll continue to see obesity-related illnesses and expenses on the rise. So, ya know, good for you, Star.
I think the issue here is that she didn’t own up to having gastric bypass surgery until, you know, 3 years later.
Lying about the problem! Typical addict behavior. :)
Star Jones looks more and more alien-like every time I see her.
Oprah looks like an ape here.
Don’t hate, I speak the truth.
You’re spot on, Beet. My Mum’s a major food addict, its a deeply psychological condition. Unhappy people medicate themselves with food for the endorphin rush. I’m lucky enough to be able to get off my face on vegetables. Food = mood.
I hardly recognize her face… it needs to be filled out.
I completely agree with you, and think that it’s great you are addressing this topic.
OH, and I forgot to mention
I fucking hate Oprah.
I couldn’t agree more. I have a food addiction, and it’s made me have such insane weight problems. I wouldn’t say I’m fat, but I certainly fluctuate and I don’t know how to control my cravings. Today, I was driving home from work and really wanted chocolate…. like I needed it. I started to feel itchy all over and felt like I needed it. I actually pulled into a 7-11 so I could scarf down a hersheys to feel better. Then I had to work out like crazy and felt horrible for it.
I hate when people say that overweight people need to “just get on a diet.” It’s not that easy. People shrug it off and just don’t get it…
Steph, one Hershey after work is no issue. Your guilt and unrealistic need to compensate by working out and still feeling horrible about it anyway is the issue.
It’s not the amount that I ate… it’s that I felt like I HAD to have it, not that I wanted some chocolate. It’s that I couldn’t wait until I got home where I have some chocolate, that I needed it RIGHT THEN and had to pull into a convenience store…
yeah. it’ a shame she lied about it in the first place. at least she is owning up to it now.
Has anyone here seen the TLC shows, half ton mom, half ton dad and half ton teen. Unbelievable. You cannot watch these shows and say that people do not have an addiction to food. It is very alarming. I wish Star all the best!
YES! I LOVE THOSE.
Those people wouldn’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t be a half ton without an enabling family.
I think another important caveat is treating such addictions. Major insurance reform is needed for weight loss in this country. I have a weight problem, and I recently went to my doctor to discuss a nutrition and exercise plan. My insurance DENIED coverage for the visit. They do not cover any services related to weight loss and nutrition. Yet they are happy to pay for treatment related to diabetes, depression, asthma, sleep apnea, etc. It made me sick.
And, by the way, I have a major insurance carrier and work for a very large corporation. The carrier name includes a color, a religious symbol and a medieval defense tool, based in the Sunshine state.
I have a close friend. She worked as a dispatcher for the State Troupers. She weighed 450lbs at her heaviest. Their insurance would not cover her to have weight loss surgery but would pay for her to have her knees replaced. I worked for the NO1 retailer in the world for 26 years. The insurance we had sucked. They will pay for a child to be born but wouldn’t pay for a vasectomy. Which is cheaper? Hu Now I see on TV all the time that now Medicare will now pay for a device to make old men’s dick get bigger and harder. What is wrong with the insurance companies and this country?
I totally agree, Beet. And addicts need compassion and understanding.
Interesting how you can write a compassionate post about fat people (like this one) and then a post like the Jimmy Fallon ‘Fat Arms’ wife in the same 24 hour period. I see a little Jekyll/Hyde going on here, Beet.
One uglier than the other. Bleah….
i am so watching this shiz. you know, even though she was a public figure, i think it was her right to keep her surgery to herself. some things are allowed to stay private. she just should have no commented, instead of lying.
My insurance company added gastric bypass and took breast reduction surgery off my insurance. I am 5’7 140lb and am in an 34E . They have been steadily growing since i was 11. I am now 22. I have been recommended by many doctors to have a breast reduction for the pain and discomfort they cause and have been repeatedly denied by my insurance company. You can lose weight, you can’t shrink your breasts.
you can’t effectively address the disease JUST by having gastric bypass surgery either. carnie wilson is proof of this. there is indeed much deeper work to be done before a person can be successful. that work needs to be done whether a person has gastric bypass surgery or not. if a person understand this, then go for the surgery, but know a lifestyle change must also be made. it’s not a bandaid and it won’t make your issues with food go away. for someone who is four or five hundred pounds, gastric bypass may be the only option before they can change their lifestyle. however, someone who is one hundred pounds overweight really does not have a reason for not exercising and changing their relationship with food.
You can’t effectively address the disease JUST by putting someone on a diet, in the same way that you can’t effectively treat alcoholism by handing someone a Diet Coke. There’s much deeper work to be done before a person can hope to be successful in the long term.
I agree. The surgery is a drastic weight loss TOOL. It’s not magic, it’s not easy, and it will be ineffective if you continue to eat the way you did before. People still need counseling and a support system.
woops, i didn’t mean to copy and paste that there.