Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Sounds like she is trying to get back out into the limelight.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070716/ap_en_ce/people_star_jones_reynolds_5

I think it's funny that she is now 'coming clean'.... It's to her advantage to draw attention to herself now that she is getting ready to start a new show. I think it is part of a PR campaign.. and drumming up interest in her new show.

I think she is still self serving..

I hope she does well on the show. I'd like to see Rosie as a guest. That episode would bring high ratings.

I've always thought her hiding the weight loss surgery was silly. Of course, she has the right to disclose or not disclose any personal details about her medical condition, but any body with a brain knew she had it. And it's no disgrace. It's a life saving medical procedure. I just don't get what she thought she was gaining by avoiding the topic. I still side with her about how she was treated unfairly when she left The View, however, the silly avoidance of the surgery issue has always annoyed me.

I wonder if it will be a big surprise and not traditional gastric bypass but maybe Lap band instead?

I think the stigma of having the procedure is not an issue anymore.
Which could be why Star may have chosen not to be public about it..

I've been watching that TLC program on Monday nights called Big Medicine.. and seeing some of the dramatic transformations of people. Following that show is one about a clinic in New York for the morbidly obese.. Pairing these 2 shows up sure has to have an impact on people... Hopefully shock some people into altering lifestyle habits before it's too late.. (I'm trying!) The doctors do emphasize that it is still alot of work and personal responsibility to have a good outcome from the gastric bypass... So Star is due some credit irregardless of how she lost it.

I've learned a bit more about the lap band surgery from watching it.. that's why I wonder if that may be how Star may have lost hers. You do lose a little less drastically. Not sure how quickly she lost it.. But definitely had some sort of 'procedure'..

We shall see...

Maybe Star is trying to rebuild her image and be a bit more transparent..

She could use some good people around her to give her good advice and some people that she will listen to.

I saw a special on weight loss surgeries last week. There are about 14 different variations of the surgery. I had no idea.

It was a documentary on Gill Gerad (sp?) He played on a soap once, I think The Doctors and then on some primteime show. I can't recall the name. He was very fit and handsome....somewhat of a heartthrobe. Then he gained a lot of weight and couldn't lose it. He was suffering from so many health problems. He didn't think he would live more than another 5 years.

He went to see a specialist in Las Vegas and had one of the varities of surgery. It was amazing. They followed him months later to see his progress. He is now very normal and lost almost all the weight he wanted. MOst all of the health problems have disappeared! They showed all the pre-op, surgery and aftercare. I was impressed. He is so happy he did it.

Did anyone catch this show. It was on Discovery I think.

I been watching Big Medicine when I can, but it comes on when Big Love comes on HBO. Big Love is my favorite show right now. I try to catch Big Medicine on reruns. I have a question. Why can't they get the patients to sign a contract that they will not order take out food into the facility. That way no take-out would be allowed and the patient would not be tempted to sabatoge themself. Take-out seems to be the problem that messes up their progress.

I have another question. When the staff finds Twinkies and candy bars stashed under their nightstand, why not throw them away. What could the patient do but complain. If it's against the rules, it's against the rules.

When I was in the hospital for ketoacidosis, I had to call in advance to the kitchen and order from the menu of what I wanted. They would not allow me to order more than one starch in my meal because I am diabetic. You must take extra insulin for extra carbs. I only weighed about 130 pounds at the time so it wasn't a calorie thing. It was a medical thing and nobody catered to me about it. That's just the rules. Why can't the staff in those obesity hospital do that too? I'm not trying to be mean, but when someone life is at stake, drastic measures are necessary.

The Las Vegas doctor seemed very learned in his field. He said that morbidly obese people, are not likely to gain long term success with a balanced diet and exercise program. He says research shows there is a chemical in their brain that makes them want to eat more than the average person. He says most people can only fight that impulse for so long before they give in. It's not about will power. He seemed credible to me and what he said made sense.

Sorry I got off the topic. Maybe I'll start a new thread.

I think you are thinking of Brookhaven... re: the patients ordering takeout food. What a joke! Maybe they should just hire a security guard. I think those who want to cheat will figure out a way. I know there are a couple they've highlighted who still are able to be get around and are able to leave the hospital during the day..

Big Medicine is the one with the Father/Son team whose practice seems to be primarily of the gastric bypass variety.

I only saw them finally do a lapband procedure last week and this week a 17 year old boy got it.. They also enlist a psychiatrist as part of their team. I knew the lap band procedure was reversible and less complicated. It requires some sort of maintenance though and showed the 2 patients I've seen thus far have to have some sort of injection through the wall of their midsection. I guess maybe the ring is full of fluid and has to be refilled... It didn't take long but it's the one aspect of the lap band procedure I don't understand fully.

I have a feeling that this will be the wave of the future or the preferred method of treatment. The common Joe can probably get it affordably too. Even if insurance won't cover it..

Yeah Debbie, a new thread might be good... I just reread your last post more carefully and you are right about the brain and it's chemistry and addiction issues.

I heard a reference to Dopamine being an issue with regard to the impulse for those dealing with food addictions. I think the same could apply to other addictions.. Something about dopamine and the nervous system.

I looked up dopamine and want to research it more.. I tend to be a food oriented person myself.. and make some poor choices.. I tend to think of myself as a compulsive eater. I also have a brother who is an alcoholic...

I've wondered about the dopamine, I think some addicts are treated with drugs that help increase dopamine levels. I saw ritalin mentioned.. which is often used for ADHD symptoms.. Perhaps OCD issues and addiction issues and ADHD issues have some similarities..

I want to research it more and see if there are some natural therapies out there.. Specifically wonder if melatonin would be helpful..

I just looked it up on Wikipedia...and am amazed at the number of things melatonin can help.. One in particular is a thyroid function in perimenapausal women.. I'm currently being treated for a sluggish thyroid.

I think melatonin is available otc.. It is especially helpful I think with sleep problems..

Here's the link for melatonin on Wikipedia.. I'm sure there are better sources for information of melatonin... I'll plan to look into it more this week.