Gastric Bypass Surgery: Al Roker’s Big Loss

Chances are that you know who Al Roker is even if you don't watch NBC's Today Show. This weatherman went under the knife for a gastric bypass operation in March of 2002, but didn't tell anyone about his surgery until months later. Roker initially claimed that he had his gallbladder removed because he was nervous that the gastric bypass might not work and he would simply gain the weight back, just like after every diet he had ever tried.

Roker's weight began affecting his lifestyle when he couldn't even do simple things like give his daughter Leila a piggyback ride—his weight was impairing the joint in his knee, which he had already had replaced. Roker chose to go ahead with the operation because, “ felt horrible. didn't look good. didn't feel good.”

The laparoscopic procedure was performed at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and involved a small incision in his belly. In general, the procedure entails stapling across the top portion of the stomach in order to significantly diminish the size of the stomach pouch, which is why this procedure is sometimes referred to as “stomach stapling.”

The new, smaller stomach pouch restricts the amount of food that may be eaten with each meal. The new stomach pouch is then connected to the small intestine, bypassing a portion of its absorptive segment. The effect is a decreased amount of food both eaten and absorbed into the body, which results in significant weight loss.

After his surgery, Roker was home after a weekend and back at work in one week. He is thrilled with the procedure and says that there are no downsides. He is still able to enjoy his favorite foods (i.e. BBQ), just in significantly reduced portions—his stomach quickly lets him know when he is full. Roker predicts that this operation will become much more common as America's obesity problem continues to grow.

However, Roker stresses that you should only consider this procedure if you have a minimum of 100 pounds to lose, which is exactly the number that Roker himself lost. Since the size of your stomach is reduced from that of a football to an egg, this surgery is not something to take lightly. It is considered reconstructive (as opposed to cosmetic) surgery because there are many health risks associated with obesity. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, joint and back pain, and sleep apnea.

So, more likely than not, your insurance will cover at least a portion of the bill. However, it's not as easy as getting the surgery, waiting the week it takes to heal, and then magically shedding pounds. You'll have to follow your doctor's instructions down to every last detail. Not only will this make the procedure more effective, but it will also decrease the likelihood of side effects that can occur if you deviate from the orders.

You will also need to continue to be under a physician's care following the procedure, which may include consultations with nutritionists, psychologists, and even physical therapy. Quite often gastric bypass patients complete a course of physical therapy or work with a trainer to begin a safe and effective exercise routine.

Research shows that patients who have this surgery typically lose and keep off 60% of their excess weight five years later. But there is still only one certain way to lose weight: by eating less and moving more. Although the surgery helps greatly with this, you'll still have to work at it to make your weight loss both successful and permanent.

By Liz Smith