Oprah Winfrey is no stranger to dieting, having tried dozens of weight loss programs over the years, with little success. After staying mum on the subject, leading the public to believe she dieted and increased her exercise, the former talk show host has finally admitted that she’s been using the diabetic drug Ozempic to shed the unwanted pounds. Winfrey is not alone. Other celebrities who are using the drug to lose weight include Sharon Osbourne, Amy Schumer, Tracy Morgan, and Rosie O’Donnell. As for how Weight Watchers members feel about Winfrey’s use of medication instead of the diet she’s promoted for the past 8 years, they’re not very happy. Social media comments include "What happened to Weight Watchers? Too much work?”; "I guess weight watchers don't work,.. right Oprah!!”; and "I know Oprah's metabolism is a mess. She's been a spokesperson for every weight-loss product, except surgery, since the 80s.” Doctors are pleading with people to stop this fad as the soaring demand for it is affecting people who truly need it. The medication is designed to stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin for people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but those who are not diabetic may face life-threatening complications if they need surgery or other procedures that require empty stomachs for anesthesia. The drug can slow digestion so much that it puts patients at increased risk for pulmonary aspiration, which can cause dangerous lung damage, infections and even death.
