What’s it like to be well-known, in the public eye and struggle with weight? I happened to see a couple items in the news today. A terrible boardwalk fire has New Jersey’s governor, Chris Christie, in the media spotlight. Here’s a photo from a current news story:
You may be aware the Governor had lap band surgery back in February, a good six to seven months ago depending on exact dates.
Here’s Governor Christie in 2011. I was trying to find a photo that would be somewhat similar for the view of his face:
I really don’t want to have to say I don’t think he looks that much different. Maybe just a little. I would expect that a full half year after weight loss surgery we’d see a dramatic difference. Especially given how closely his health is likely monitored for a man in high public office. What do you think? Does he look to you like you’d expect someone to look many months out from lap band surgery?
I also happened to see a current photo of herself that Rosie O’Donnell tweeted:
Rosie O’Donnell had a very serious health scare in August 2012. She was only 50. She had the kind of heart attack called “the widow maker” which means her coronary artery was 99% blocked. After an experience like that, a lot of people drop quite a bit of weight from the sheer fear of having faced death. I wanted to find some better photos. Here’s Rosie in 2011, the year before her heart attack:
And here she is in April 2013:
She looks exactly the same to me.
My point here is that even people in the public eye, under great pressure to lose weight, and who can easily afford the very best in support and resources, will still struggle with weight. To have risen to the position of governor, Chris Christie is a very accomplished and highly intelligent man. On a daily basis, he manages a level of responsibility most of us will never come close to experiencing. Rosie O’Donnell has starred in major motion pictures and hosted a hugely successful daily talk show, making her a multi-million dollar industry unto herself.
Oprah Winfrey of course, is a billionaire media mogul, admired around the world. Jonah Hill is a young movie star who has already headlined a string of huge box office successes, including as a producer. John Goodman has been at the top of TV stardom and continues to be featured in blockbuster movies. Each of these people have something in common: They’ve each lost weight and then gained it all back. Shall we assume they all suffer unbearable stress? Does their weight mean they’re crying out in pain and ” hurting” as this psychologist would have us assume? Are they filled with self-loathing? How about Melissa McCarthy? An Emmy winner, Oscar nominee, and top box office draw, Melissa has endured public insults from other celebrities. The movie and television star is almost always asked about her weight in interviews. She insists that she’s comfortable with her life where it is and will address her weight in the future. Is that denial? Is it a cry for help in a coded message?
Intelligent, disciplined, accomplished, and successful people deal with weight. Their wealth, resources, and status can’t overcome their body physiology. Their motivation, drive, and ambition can’t rewire their brains. The struggles with weight they share with millions of other fat people should shed light on the many factors that contribute to weight that are NOT about willpower, motivation, strength of character, positive self-image, or emotional stability. Why is it so difficult for so many people to figure that out?
Have you figured it out?
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I think Christie looks like it’s expect someone to look this far out from lap band who is working the tool like he’s supposed to. I personally have never met a bander who drops all their weight up front and maintains that. But I do know some who have taken years to reach goal and now maintain. I think the difference is that one group jumps into a new way of living without understanding what they are changing. The others made more gradual, realistic changes that became concrete. Banding and surgery aren’t had diets, but do often they are treated like that.
And all the celebrities who struggle our who don’t make changes face the same inner decisions the everyday person does. For whatever reason, these people dint make the small changes that are the success steps. Too often we are enamored with the glitter of goal and wow of amazing fast results that the true life changing steps necessary for success are glossed over.
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I think a man his size should be losing at least 10lbs a month MINIMUM and could be down about 60lbs by now. I think it should be showing and he really doesn’t look much different to me. I have known people who lost a few pounds initially with the band and then nothing further. For some people, their band needs to be adjusted until they find a perfect amount of restriction. His band may need adjustment and he’s never gone back, who knows?
My real point is that fat people are believed to be lazy, weak, irresponsible, victims of stress and trauma who can’t handle their issues. Chris Christie is a man of incredible intelligence, strength, determination and he manages the stress of an entire state every day and even HE has trouble with his weight! Obviously there’s a LOT more to it than “what’s eating you”!!
I’ll be quite honest: when I heard that Christie had lap band surgery, my first reaction was “why didn’t he have gastric bypass or the sleeve?” When I went in for my initial consultation, my surgeon advised me that anyone who has over 100 lbs to lose should probably not choose lap band as it’s designed for an approx 80 lb loss. I’m a bit surprised that he didn’t choose another option, but maybe his doctor has a different view of the success rate.
I can’t even imagine having to face the scrutiny that these people do.
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I agree with you, Taunia. I wondered why he didn’t just go for the industrial strength solution! Perhaps it had to do with downtime and recovery? The guy does have a STATE to run and we figured out afterward that he wanted to have the surgery quietly and with no publicity so he had to be able to keep it off the radar.
I’m concerned for him if this doesn’t work because I’ve known people who got little to no results with the band. It’s like Jen said above. The band really requires specific and consistent lifestyle changes or nothing will happen.