Star Jones Tells Oprah Her Weight Almost Killed Her

Losing weight in the spotlight can often be hard, especially since most tend to question whether the celebrity doing it is cheating or not. This is precisely the topic of a new “Oprah” episode that will air this week, with Star Jones revealing that her getting gastric bypass in 2003 was the only thing that could save her life.

Star Jones, as fans must know, used to be overweight. Then, she lost all the extra pounds and became the woman we know today. In several television talk shows, she spoke about how she had dieted and worked out really hard to get back in shape, only to let it slip later that she had had, in fact, gastric bypass.

Understandably, the audiences felt cheated and lied to, which is precisely why Jones is now speaking to Oprah about how the surgery was her only option at the time. “I’m still 300 pounds in my head some days.” Star tells Oprah.

“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.” the talk show host further admits.

Naturally, she chose to have gastric bypass surgery, but not because that would have been the easiest way out of her problem, but on account of the fact that her life was really in danger. People who see things otherwise are simply not getting the full picture, Jones adds.

“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 explains.

Since Jones left The View shortly after word of her surgery got out in the media (two occurrences that are not completely unrelated, some say), former co-host Barbara Walters has often suggested that, either way, the audience could no longer relate to or believe Star. “I was hurt and upset initially.” Jones tells about Walters’ remarks. “I’m so sorry that I placed a burden on my colleagues. I never asked them to lie.” she adds.