14 DAY TRIAL // Since coming out of the hospital after a mysterious illness and surgery, Aretha Franklin has lost no less than 85 pounds. In a recent interview, the singer addresses rumors of gastric bypass surgery and pancreatic cancer.
Franklin sat down with Access Hollywood to talk about the health scare that put her in hospital in December last year – and said that her health is a subject she only discusses with her doctors.
As for the other hot topic, that of whether she’s had gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, Franklin wants the world to know that she hasn’t – and would never.
People magazine has video of Aretha denying ongoing rumors.
“Somewhere I heard that somebody thinks I got some bariatric surgery, I think that’s it. That is surgery I would never ever ever ever ever ever. Believe me. I would not. That is crazy,” the iconic singer says.
“If I had to have that surgery I’d be fat. Believe me. I had a cousin who had that surgery and she turned green and she did pass too. That's something I would never ever do,” Franklin adds.
In a very short period of time, Franklin lost an amazing 85 pounds and she insists it wasn’t because she had her stomach stapled.
“But it definitely was not the bariatric or, what is it, gastric by- – Yeah, I can’t even tell you the correct name of it. It’s really not necessary to talk about one’s personal medical [health],” the singer stresses.
Nevertheless, she does hint that the excellent shape she’s now in has a lot to do with the surgery she underwent back in December, saying her doctor promised her it would add “10 to 15 years” to her life.
In recent interviews, Franklin has also been saying that she’s been eating much healthier, having renounced fast food in favor of customized salads, and working out regularly.