Rosie O'Donnell Weight Loss Photos: Former Talk Show Host Debuts Before And After Photos Of 50 Pound Weight Loss
Rosie O'Donnell has lost 50 pounds.
On Thursday, the actress and former co-host of The View debuted a set of photos, showing off her dramatic transformation.
"Almost 50 lbs off—I can see it now," she wrote on Twitter, along with the before and after photos of her face.
In Feb. 2014, after years of struggling with her weight, O'Donnell announced she had lost 40 pounds after undergoing vertical gastric sleeve surgery, according to PEOPLE Magazine. During the Go Red luncheon, sponsored by the American Heart Association, O'Donnell told press she had the surgery in July 2013, taking her from 230 lbs. down to 190 lbs.
Prior to the surgery, O'Donnell suffered a life-threatening heart attack, which eventually led her to the decision to have the procedure.
"I did it to save my life," O'Donnell explained at the time.
After her heart attack, O'Donnell embarked on a healthy lifestyle, dieting and exercising in hopes at getting her weight under 200 pounds. She also reduced her intake of red meat, carbohydrates and sugar and began walking regularly. However, despite her efforts, O'Donnell was unable to lose the weight naturally and opted to undergo vertical gastric sleeve surgery.
"She tried to lose weight on her own but it wasn't working," O'Donnell's spokesperson told PEOPLE. "It was a life saving surgery, but it's only a tool, not a cure."