Logan Reid
Tom Skilling, the WGN-TV chief meteorologist, took a break from his usual duties in 2020 to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Skilling, who has been with the network for over 40 years, was open about his surgery and recovery process, keeping his thousands of followers on Facebook informed. He was expected to be off work for four to six weeks but returned to the screens in 2024, when he announced his retirement from WGN-TV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Gastric bypass surgery for weight loss |
| Date of surgery | 4 March 2020 |
| Expected recovery time | 4 to 6 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Tom Skilling's gastric bypass surgery
Tom Skilling, the WGN meteorologist, underwent gastric bypass surgery in March 2020. Skilling shared the news about his surgery with his thousands of followers on Facebook. He wrote that he had been preparing for the surgery for the past six months.
Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure to help with weight loss. Skilling's surgery took a little longer than expected due to a small hernia that was found and repaired during the operation. However, he was reported to be in good spirits after the surgery.
Skilling stepped away from his duties at WGN to focus on his health and recovery. He was expected to be off work for four to six weeks. During this time, his coworkers filled in for him.
Skilling expressed his reluctance to miss work but acknowledged the importance of prioritizing his health. He also mentioned that the surgery marked a new phase in his life, involving a significant overhaul in his eating habits.
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Skilling's weight-loss procedure
Tom Skilling, the WGN meteorologist, underwent a weight-loss procedure in the form of gastric bypass surgery. Skilling announced on social media that he would be taking time off work to undergo the procedure, expressing his dislike for missing work but also relief at finally getting the surgery done. He had been preparing for the surgery for almost half a year.
Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure to aid weight loss. Skilling's surgery took place on a Wednesday, and he was expected to take four to six weeks off from his on-air duties to recover. Skilling shared the news of his surgery with his thousands of followers on Facebook, and a photo of him after the procedure was posted by WGN weather producer Bill Snyder, who reported that Skilling was doing well and in good spirits.
The surgery took a little longer than expected due to a small hernia that was found and repaired during the operation. Skilling's last day on air before the surgery was on Monday, and his coworkers filled in for him until his return later in March or April.
Skilling's procedure was successful, and he began his recovery after the hours-long operation.
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Skilling's recovery after surgery
Tom Skilling, the WGN meteorologist, underwent gastric bypass surgery for weight loss in March 2020. Skilling had been preparing for the surgery for around six months and informed his followers about the procedure through a Facebook post.
The surgery took place on a Wednesday evening and lasted for several hours. Skilling was in good spirits after the surgery, and he was resting and recovering. A photo of him after the procedure was shared by WGN weather producer Bill Snyder, who reported that Skilling was doing well. The surgery took a little longer than expected due to a small hernia that was found and repaired during the operation.
Skilling was expected to be off work for four to six weeks during his recovery. He had shared in his Facebook post that he hated missing work and that he did not want his followers to wonder about his absence without an explanation. Skilling also mentioned that the surgery would be accompanied by a significant change in his eating habits.
Skilling's last day on-air before the surgery was on Monday, and his co-workers filled in for him during his absence. He was expected to return to work later in March or April 2020.
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Skilling's return to work
Tom Skilling, the WGN meteorologist, took a break from his usual duties to undergo a weight-loss procedure, specifically gastric bypass surgery. Skilling communicated his upcoming absence to his followers on social media, expressing his dislike for missing work but also his relief at finally addressing his weight issues. He had been preparing for the surgery for about six months.
Skilling's last day on air before the surgery was on a Monday, and he was expected to take four to six weeks off from his on-air weather duties to recover. He underwent the surgery on a Wednesday and later shared the news on Facebook, where he has thousands of followers.
Skilling's procedure took a little longer than expected due to the discovery and repair of a small hernia. However, he was reported to be in good spirits and resting following the hours-long surgery. During his absence, his coworkers filled in for him, and he was expected to return to work later in March or April 2020.
Skilling has long been a beloved and respected figure in meteorology, known for his in-depth reports, striking accuracy, and use of cutting-edge technology in his weather broadcasts. His dedication to his work and his audience was evident, as he provided a transparent explanation for his absence and kept his followers updated on his progress.
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Skilling's Facebook update
Dear friends,
I wanted to give you all a heads-up that over the next several weeks, beginning Tuesday, I'll be stepping away from my weather duties at WGN to undergo gastric bypass surgery. It will take place on Wednesday. I'll be on air Monday, and then I'll head off to make preparations for the operation.
As anyone who's struggled to get weight off and keep it off, you realize at some point there are some people who need help beyond merely dieting. I reached that point some time ago and realized an intervention was needed. I've been preparing for this surgery for the past six months, and I'm finally taking the plunge and doing something about it.
I hate missing work. Suddenly you're not there—and you leave those who follow your work wondering, 'Where is he? Where did he go'? I didn't want anyone wondering for a minute what's going on without a heads-up and some kind of explanation of what's happening.
I expect to be off work for as many as four to six weeks. Hand in hand with the surgery goes an overhaul in how, what, and where one eats. You literally enter a new phase of your life when you take this on.
I'll keep you updated on my progress.
Best wishes,
Tom
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Frequently asked questions
Tom Skilling underwent gastric bypass surgery to aid with weight loss.
Yes, Tom Skilling announced on social media that he would be taking a break from his duties to undergo surgery.
Tom Skilling's last day on air before the surgery was on Monday, 29th February 2020, and he underwent surgery on Wednesday, 4th March 2020.
Tom Skilling was expected to take four to six weeks off from work to recover from the surgery.
