KateHearts

Sitting can cause it to be obstructed. The trajectory could be inappropriate. That thing ain't going to point downwards with his huge thighs on either side of it.

Having seen plenty of obese people (and I'm not even talking super-morbidly obese), the pannus (hanging abdominal fat) makes it hard to visualize the man's -er- junk. So standing and aiming (not that I'd imagine he cares much about a mess) would be challenging, to say the least. Shoving a urinal up there is probably a more surefire way of making sure it doesn't end up on the floor.

I still don't agree that offering him more reasons to stay in (a TV from dad for what? being so cooperative and wanting to improve himself?) and rewarding his childish demanding behavior will help either. And while he did get psychotherapy (after he was pretty much forced to), he was not in a place where he could develop insight into his issues. The entire session that they showed with Dr. Paradise seemed acted on his part. I don't think he exhibited depression so much as psychosis... a depressed person doesn't grin with satisfaction when they know they've gotten what they want, or connive to get ambulance rides and drugs. He is a sociopath, and I don't know if anything at all on that show was anything but an act. I said earlier, the hair-pulling seemed like something he came up with when googling "concerning behaviors in adolescents." For that reason, I think the urine bottles, the food boxes, the general filth of his living conditions may well have been another thing he did for shock factor. After all, he fancies himself a star/actor/celebrity; the outlandish behaviors just keep him in the limelight and others talking a few days longer.

Not a good reason; dad doesn't have to answer his calls. He can block Steven's number and check in with him daily when it's convenient for him. It's like giving a kid candy to shut him up from a tantrum.

Why on earth would you think it made sense for Dad- the ultimate enabler who is practically at his wits' end to begin with- to provide ANY type of entertainment for his son, a totally non-productive, resource-sucking member of society? Steven is not bored, obviously. There are liters of soda to consume, harassing phone calls to make, youtube videos to create, and urinals to fill. I would never, ever feel that anyone is obligated to provide his ass with anything other than what he's gotten- multiple opportunities to help himself. And he's shown how much he appreciates that. I'm sure if Dad rented him a TV he'd be screaming that it wasn't big enough or that he needed surround sound and a full premium channel package. Obviously someone was paying for wi-fi. He can suffer.

I was really curious about what he was doing when he kept saying, "come with me!" after reading him the riot act about his 14 million pills. I wondered if he had the cops waiting in another room to arrest him for fraudulent means of obtaining controlled substances.

Eh, I'm sure the families of those lovely, engaging heroin addicts would beg to differ with your assessment. Addicts are in general self centered, manipulative, and willing to step over their dying grandmothers to get their way. And I speak not only from my experience watching Intervention, but from treating them as a provider in a large urban teaching hospital.

The bones are not touching. You can see space between them (dark). That is where the connective tissue (cartilage) lies. If it were severe you would see the top bone- the femur- sitting directly on the bottom one- the tibia. Likely with the bone edges looking "shaggy" or rough. Like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=sever+degenerative+knee+xray&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS738US738&hl=en-US&prmd=isvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0kZrB1pLTAhXJzIMKHZcNDbIQ_AUIBygB&biw=1024&bih=1251#imgrc=WWpfujP-DAw4IM:

I saw it. That's not true... it actually looks pretty good, for having borne 400 lbs of stress over the years. She's not in dire straits with the knee X-ray she shared online.

I think you are talking about the opposite extreme- whereas Whitney scorns normal-weight people because, as she says, they don't struggle like she does. Perhaps not physically, but how dare she trivialize things so much as to imply that thin people don't have struggles in their lives. We all do. That's life, honey.

The property manager wasn't liable. Steven got on that golf cart by choice. It's not as if he tripped in a hole on a poorly maintained sidewalk. Steven assumed the risk.

yes, and what's with the gym class outfit of mid-calf black socks, fashion sneakers and gym trunks?

What did Babs say? I missed it. Todd is not holding back. "I wasn't asked to do the video because I'm not fat." But I've got to say, he gets as pissy as a middle school mean girl.

the "body-positive community?" Pfft.

I think so much of the attention she tries to draw about being a fab fat girl has turned into self-deprecating fat girl jokes. Like "hey, look how awkward the flight attendants are that I ask for a seat extender! Haw haw haw; I'm that fat!" and "I really can't hoist myself into this rickshaw! Poor horse- I weigh 350 and Todd weighs-what- 125? The driver is going to burn out his legs!! Hee hee haw! Life is so fun and funny when you're fat!" Sad thing is she doesn't realize that viewers aren't really laughing with her, they're laughing at her.

Must every "reality" show feature vomiting? First her, now Todd. Along with the sounds. Blech. I think one thing I'm not able to tune out? is that Whitney? says everything? like a question? like a 13 year old girl? Mr. Fitness Marshal has weird facial features and layout. He's bizarre. But hey- he's now her soulmate; she's everything he stands for and they are each others' spirit animal.

Interesting point. I found Justin's comment that "I'm just a guy who wants to have fun all the time" rather sad and telling. To him, being alone and playing his games or assembling his models is being happy and accomplished. Most of us would prefer to be self-sufficient, independent and assimilate into the world. Oh, I think it's something Steven read about online and decided to try as another attention-getting tool. Hair-pulling (trichotillomania) is an OCD/anxiety manifestation. He seemed rather coy and pleased when Dr. Nowzaradan pointed it out and asked him about it. He was pleased as punch that he got a few moments' worth of concern and attention for his behavior. All planned.

Oh, come on. Someone always has to say this in a thread. Obviously people here watch the show, each for his or her own reasons. The forum is a place to express oneself- whether it be shock, disgust, empathy, curiosity, or any of a number of other reactions. If anyone really is grossed out or fed up enough, they will indeed turn off the TV. We all know how to do that. For those of us who are morbidly fascinated by the program, we should feel free to say whatever the hell we wish here.

"by the way I was forced to keep the bed and put center blocks under it and live with it" ...I guess someone should take the bed away, so that he isn't "forced" into anything. (center blocks?)

The transport guys do just that, transport. He wasn't technically under anyone's care at that point. In the hospital the physician orders the diet and those who provide it are required to provide what's allowed according to the order.

According to the pop-ups, Justin aspires to having a career "painting model cars." Reminds me of "Being John Malkovich," where the lead character is searching in the want ads for jobs for puppeteers. So much to say about this episode. For those expressing that empathy is required for Steven- I'm inclined to think that his behavior is much more calculated than it is a result of psychosis/inability to understand normal behavior. He's all about the attention- right down to the hair pulling ("see? I'm mentally disturbed and need lots of coddling!") to the pulling-out-all-the-stops YouTube videos. Watching him able to cry REAL TEARS because (sob) he "messed up- but I'll do anything and I WILL lose the weight this time, doctor!!!" to smiling with a totally dry face ten seconds later was a good indication of how much he sees life as nothing but play-acting to get the next pizza/bed bath/hit on his video. Princess must have been making some good coin to put up with that- she was on to him from the beginning and I can't see that there would be one enjoyable aspect to spending time as his "caregiver," or rather his punching bag. He seemed to think she was his partner in crime- giving her his smarmy looks when he felt he'd pulled one over on the ER nurses and even on Dr. Nowzaradan. She did her fair share of eyerolling- but I'd have loved to listen to her interview about what life with Queen Steven was like all those long days. I can't really figure out Dad's issues here, except that, as others have said, maybe there is more Steven is hanging over his head. Drug dealer? Who knows, but to be able to blackmail him from 1800 miles away to order takeout pizza is a jaw-dropper to me. Justin did have the sense to tell Dad "cancel the order! You're doing the wrong thing!" and of course, Dad did not. The overly exaggerated emoting and ridiculous actions by Steven Sr (like handing Jr a pizza box without taking some first and then going hungry) make me think he is either really mentally deficient himself or just loving acting out in this "play" that they are all trying to cash in on.

I've worked in hospitals all my adult life and this has never been allowed.

Thank you... I learned something today. I'm sure these people's sheer weight can lead to lymph obstruction/lymphedema, which is what they seem to be saying in the voiceovers. But the massive amounts of fat sure sound more like lipedema. thanks!

It's lymphedema!!!

It absolutely IS his responsibility. Any reputable bariatric surgeon does just that.