Star Jones Opens Up About Her Weight Loss

By Access HollywoodNovember 20, 2007, 3:44 pm PST

NEW YORK, NY (November 22, 2007) - For years, Star Jones Reynolds refused to reveal how she lost half of her body size, but now a confident and secure Star is talking in detail about her gastric bypass surgery --- to Access Hollywood's Tim Vincent.

"The only reason I am talking to you today is to help other women understand they are not by themselves. They are not alone," Star told Tim.

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"Do you regret not having said something earlier?" Tim asked.

"I really wished, god, I could have. I really do. If there's a regret that's it," Star said. "The regret is I wish I was stronger."

Undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 2003, it wasn't until August of this year that Star Jones Reynolds finally went public on how she dramatically lost 160 pounds.

[ Star Jones Reynold's Talks Weight Loss - Watch the Video ]

"I was ashamed that I couldn't talk about it," she told Tim. "I was ashamed that other people who looked up to me would feel as if I had abandoned them."

Starting her weight loss journey at an unhealthy 307 pounds, Star revealed to Tim on the set of her Court TV talk show "Star Jones," the day-to-day struggles she once endured while morbidly obese.

"I was going to die, I was killing myself. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't walk a flight of stairs," Star said. "My asthma had debilitated me to the point where I couldn't not walk a block without taking a puff from a asthma inhaler.

"I can remember sitting on an airplane and not wanting to ask for a seatbelt extender because I know that somebody sitting next to me might call the media and report that 'she was so fat she needed a seatbelt extender,'" Star said.

While her surgery curved her weight, it left her depression untouched.

"I did not do the one prong of addiction that is absolutely necessary and that is to speak to a therapist and get some emotional help," she said. "I think having weight loss surgery saved my life but having therapy saves my life everyday and if there is a message it is don't be afraid to say you need help because we all do."

With her new svelte size, surprisingly, Star still has trouble believing her own reflection in the mirror.

"I have fat days all the time," she said. "I had someone ask me, 'Are you still 300 pounds in your head?' and I said 'No, I am still 250 though.'"

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comments

  • Dcupcakeoris G
    Believe me, I am no cupcake. As far as someone calling Star any name, the old saying is," It takes one to know one." I could easily drop several pounds & would feel better. Keep your chin up !
    report abuseposted June 14, 2008, 6:52 am PDT
  • iamintmins
    Star YOU GO GIRL! you saved your life and unlike others,You're not just a pretty face. The Real Star was inside hiding.Now she has to find out who the Real Star is,and what's her real style is. She will be back! Hey her name says it all STAR.
    report abuseposted June 14, 2008, 4:13 am PDT
  • lavish
    It is not nice to be so mean,Star didn't have to let no-one know about how she lost her weight until she was ready to reveal that to the public.I'm sure this has been very difficult for her.Every-one talked about her befor she lost the weight,and now what! she can't win for losing.If you dont have nothing nice to say dont say nothing!
    report abuseposted May 7, 2008, 4:59 pm PDT
  • fiddlegirl60
    even though Star is pretty on the outside she is a b------ on the inside.I am glad that Barbara got rid of her.
    report abuseposted May 7, 2008, 3:04 pm PDT
  • Ruby T
    rube
    report abuseposted April 24, 2008, 2:55 pm PDT
  • jimthemat
    Foolish people do the things that make them foolish Star has never been strong, just foolish
    report abuseposted April 23, 2008, 12:36 pm PDT
  • GTC
    I thought Star was strong before she lost weight. I loved her sense of humor and ability to be a sucessful woman of size. THAT was being a role model. Now... pfff. She's lost her charm and seems so angry all the time.
    report abuseposted March 25, 2008, 10:19 am PDT
  • wasp
    she is no role model.
    report abuseposted November 29, 2007, 5:23 am PST
  • Marva W
    Star, I wish you were stronger too and stop dressing like a hoochie - if you believe you are/were a role model, why not amplify your talents instead of your cleavage, a sad example indeeed to emulate.
    report abuseposted November 22, 2007, 2:45 pm PST

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