September 9, 2004
CARNIE WILSON is on a
mission. After successfully dealing with her own
weight problem, she's on a crusade to help educate
others about the serious risks associated with
obesity and ways to overcome their dilemma.
Tonight on ET, we're behind the scenes as Carnie
shares her struggle in a helpful, new
infomercial!
"It's very important I do this because, in a
nutshell, it's me providing the best care, the
best surgeons for people who are in desperate need
of help with their disease of morbid obesity,"
Carnie tells our own MARK
STEINES. "I'm linking them up with the
best doctors and I feel really darn good about
that."
At one point weighing over 300 pounds, the
WILSON PHILLIPS singer
underwent Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS) in 1999 to
help her lifelong battle with obesity. Five years
later, she says she's doing great.
"I've beaten the odds and it's wonderful,"
exclaims Carnie. "Ninety percent of this weight
I've lost I've kept off, and I've put on 10-12
pounds, but I don't shudder at this -- this is a
normal fluctuation, so I'm thrilled. I'm living a
healthy lifestyle."
The author of Gut Feelings and I'm
Still Hungry shot an infomercial at her home
in Los Angeles entitled "Lite and Hope," in which
she explores her personal feelings about GBS and
discusses the issues involved with the surgery,
including pre- and post-surgical concerns,
insurance costs and supplementary issues such as
support groups, diet and exercise. Viewers will be
able to call a toll-free number, punch in their
zip code and get referrals to "qualified surgeons"
in their area.
"The purpose isn't to convince somebody to have
gastric bypass surgery," says Carnie. "The purpose
is to offer them the best care available. I'm not
selling a product. I'm not selling Tupperware.
It's our heart, it's our shame, it's everything
I've ever known, so I'm empathetic. You know, it's
not just having sympathy for them -- I know where
they've been."
The infomercial, which airs on the Lifetime
cable network beginning next year, also includes a
special moment in which Carnie gave a dear friend
a gift. A woman who always wanted GBS, she could
not afford it and her insurance wouldn't cover the
operation. So Carnie arranged with the doctors who
have donated their time and facilities to the
program to do the gastric bypass surgery for
free.
"She was completely blown [away]and I could
barely keep it together," says Carnie, who reports
that they both broke down and cried, they were so
happy. "She had no idea; she thought she was
coming on to talk about how difficult it is for
insurance companies to provide care for this
[procedure]."
Watch ET for more with Carnie and her
crusade!