Aretha Franklin Denies Gastric Bypass Rumors

By Sarah Crow Posted Mar 11th 2011 10:40AM

Aretha Franklin has shed a shocking amount of weight in recent months, but the singer isn't about to share her slenderizing secrets just yet.

At age 68, Franklin has lost a whopping 85 pounds, but tells Access Hollywood that her newly slim figure was not the result of weight-loss surgery.

When asked point-blank whether or not she had undergone a gastric bypass, Franklin responded, "Definitely not, and would not."

The singer, who, according to multiple sources, was suffering from pancreatic cancer last year, said of those rumors, "I don't have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors," adding only, "The problem has been resolved."

What Franklin has revealed is her desire to continue making progress by adopting a healthier lifestyle. "It's just really hard. [But] you can't continue eating things that will hurt you eventually," she told Wendy Williams.

Without revealing the exact nature of her past or present health issues, Franklin says, "I couldn't be feeling any better than I'm feeling right now."

Check out a clip from Aretha's interview at PEOPLE, or watch the full interview on Access Hollywood this Monday and Tuesday.

Tags: Aretha Franklin

Comments

(35)

Friday 11 March

By CeCi

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Have always loved Aretha Franklin and glad she is taking better care of herself. Her weight loss is her business and she doesn't have to discuss it with anyone. YOU GO GIRL!!

By Al Schrader

Aretha is one of a kind. She get's my respect for this...Alfred-

By elysummers

Yea ... Star Jones said the same thing. We ain't buyin' it.

By stu

YAY she slimmed down...maybe she'll do longer concerts.
She only does 50min. But she's great!

By tikijohns1

What bothers me is, it was announced she had pancriatic cancer when she first was in the hospital. If that was true, my heart goes out to her. But if she used it to cover up to have SOME type of weight loss surgery that is terrible. I lost someone to that type of cancer and it is not at all pretty. You are right it is no ones's business what health issues you have. However,saying nothing is better than using cancer as your excuse.

By Trouble

If she's feeling better and has lost weight, I don't care about anything else. She is still the queen.

By Evil Jack

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

85 pounds - Great start - 200 pounds more and she'll start looking like a woman again.

By sassy

Why dont you drop off the faceof the earth and it can lose about 180 or more pounds.

By Sekinu2

Your being generous lol 85 is almost not noticeable on her but if she drops 300 more you ll be able to tell and she can stop the moo moo wearing

By Flo

Why in the world does the general public think that it OK to know everything about someone's personal life. Get a life and leave REE REE alone. The fact that she is doing well and looks good should be enough. Rock steady my Queen.

By Stephanie

I seriously doubt that she would 'use' cancer as an excuse for the weight loss. Since 'several sources' said last year that she has pancreatic cancer, I believe she does. And if she DOES have it, than the cancer IS the reason for her weight loss. And that is not a good thing. My heart goes out to Ms Franklin and her family. My brother just died of pancreatic cancer, and it is a horrible to go through. If she does have it, she will continue to lose weight drastically and she will live no longer than 5 years, if that. Pancreatic cancer is always a death sentence. And no, she does not have to nor does she owe the public any explanation.

By barbara

i agree i lost my dear brother to the same cancer almost two years ago and i miss him dearly. i pray for ms franklin and hope it is not cancer. what ever it is is her business, so get off her back and let her deal with it her way. she looked great on the oscar clip.

By Gregory

It's nobody's business and what difference does it make anyway? An overweight person lost weight and states she's feeling better than ever before, isn't that enough? Aretha was absolutely correct when she stated the business is between her and her Doctor only.

By New York

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Whatever the reason Aretha looks beautiful & seemed in great spirits in that Oscar segment. She never looked better. God Bless you Aretha. You will always be the Queen & we miss you.

By YellowRose3218

Aretha owes no one anything.
Its really no ones business what she had, or didnt have.
As long as she didnt use cancer as a excuse, I dont believe she would stoop so low though.
Yes, she is still the queen, and always will be.

By GBeth62

Many years ago Aretha was on Soul Train explaining how she lost a lot of weight by eating six small meals a day. Maybe she's at it again. Regardless, I find her inspirational, and I wish her the best of health. I love her singing voice.

By Mike

Who cares? She's nasty...

By LiarLiarPantsOnFire

i dont appreciate Liars of any sort-she has always had a big weight problem-and she is Lying, just like Star Jones lied--I am nobodys fool...

By Donna

You have to wonder if the weight loss is due to an illness. That is a lot of weight to lose in a relatively short time.

Saturday 12 March

By sue

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I say illness

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