Hey there, folks! You know, Al Roker, the beloved meteorologist from Today, has had quite the journey when it comes to health. Over the years, he’s faced some pretty big challenges, but he’s always managed to come out stronger on the other side. Through surgeries, weight loss, and even a cancer battle, Al has remained an inspiration to millions of viewers. Scroll down to learn more about his incredible health journey.
When Did Al Roker First Tackle Knee Replacement Surgery?
Let’s rewind to 1996, when Al first joined the Today team. He quickly became one of the most recognizable faces on the show, entertaining us with his weather updates, hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and even penning several best-selling books. But behind the scenes, Al faced his fair share of health challenges. After the birth of his two eldest children, Courtney and Leila, Al decided it was time to address the pain he’d been feeling in his left knee since a car accident years earlier. In 2001, he underwent his first knee replacement surgery. While recovering, Al took a break from Today, and his colleagues, Willard Scott and Janice Huff, stepped in to keep things running smoothly.
How Did Al Roker Transform His Health Through Weight Loss?
Al’s journey to better health didn’t stop at knee surgery. Back in 2002, weighing in at 340 pounds, Al realized he needed to make a change. Inspired by the tragic loss of his father, Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., Al decided to take control of his health. That same year, he underwent gastric bypass surgery, which helped him lose an impressive 100 pounds. This transformation wasn’t just about the number on the scale—it was about living a healthier, more fulfilling life. Al and his wife, Deborah Ann Roberts, even welcomed their son, Nicholas, during this time. In his 2013 memoir, Never Goin’ Back: Winning The Weight Loss Battle for Good, Al opens up about the emotional weight of making a deathbed promise to his father and the motivation it gave him to prioritize his health.
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Even after the gastric bypass, Al continued to face health challenges. In 2005, he had a spinal microdiscectomy to relieve pain in his spine and right leg. Then, in 2014, he underwent shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff, followed by another shoulder procedure in 2020 due to arthritis-related pain. Despite these setbacks, Al never lost sight of his goal to live a healthy, active life.
What Happened to Al Roker’s Hand?
Just before making his Broadway debut in Waitress, Al faced yet another health challenge. He underwent emergency carpal tunnel surgery after experiencing significant pain during rehearsals. “Thursday, I lost use of my thumb during rehearsals,” he explained on an October 2018 episode of Today. But Al didn’t let this setback slow him down. In fact, just a year later, in 2019, he underwent total hip replacement surgery. Amazingly, Al was back on Today just 12 days after the procedure, sharing updates about his recovery with viewers and documenting his physical therapy journey on Instagram. “I had no pain,” he said during a September 2019 segment, marveling at how quickly he was able to walk again just three hours after the surgery.
Al Roker Opens Up About His Cancer Battle
In November 2020, Al shared some tough news with his fans: he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine exam. He underwent surgery to remove lymph nodes around his prostate and kept viewers updated on his condition through virtual appearances on Today. “I’m very fortunate,” he told viewers during one segment. “I just went to the doctor yesterday, and everything is fine. Right now, there’s no cancer evident, but I’ll need to get tested every six months for the next five years.” Al’s resilience and positivity shone through, even in the face of such a serious diagnosis.
Why Was Al Roker Hospitalized in 2022?
In November 2022, fans noticed Al was missing from several episodes of Today. He later revealed the reason in an Instagram post, sharing that he had been hospitalized due to a blood clot in his leg, which had sent clots into his lungs. “So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been,” he wrote. “After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers, and I hope to see you soon.”
Just days after being discharged from the hospital, Al was back for a second round of treatment. During a seven-hour surgery, doctors discovered two bleeding ulcers and had to resection his colon, remove his gallbladder, and repair part of his small intestine. Despite these challenges, Al kept his trademark sense of humor. “I went in for one operation, I got four free,” he joked during a January 2023 episode of Today. “So, I got that going for me.”
Did He Have Another Surgery?
After recovering from his 2022 health scare, Al hinted at scheduling another surgery. In early 2023, he appeared virtually on Today to update fans on his progress. “You lose a certain amount of muscle mass for every week you’re in the hospital, and I was in the hospital for four weeks,” he explained. “So, it’s just a certain amount of weakness. I’ve got to just get my strength back. And in the meantime, I was thinking in January of getting my knee replaced, so I’ve got to push that back. So, I’ve got a number of issues.”
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Al finally returned to the Today studio on January 6, 2023, after being away for two months. His cohosts were thrilled to have him back. “My heart is just bursting,” Al said, beaming. “I’m just so thrilled to see all of you and the crew. Right now, I’m running on adrenaline.” In May 2023,
