S08.E05: Gina's Story

[PrincessPurrsALot]

I wouldn't be surprised if someone got bounced for not doing the prep correctly.  Can't have a stomach full of food when you're having this surgery.  In this case Dr. Now sent her home for not meeting the weight loss goal which logically he could check a day or two before.  So, to me, having her all prepped, etc., was for TV drama. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, PrincessPurrsALot said:

So, to me, having her all prepped, etc., was for TV drama. 

Oh, it's 100% this. If this surgery were weight-loss dependent, her weight would have been checked days prior to this -- or at the very least, prior to be being hooked up for an IV and gowned up. I've had plenty of procedures and once that IV's in and the gown's on, they're wheeling you into the OR. 

[Stripper Glitter]

Her voice....I wanted to gouge my eardrums out. 

Beth oughta leave the lot of 'em.

[Stripper Glitter]

On 1/30/2020 at 8:43 PM, mmecorday said:

The visit by the nutritionist was such a non-event. She told Gina and Beth to get fat-free mayonnaise, which is full of chemicals to make it taste like mayonnaise (and it doesn't.) Why didn't she stick around long enough to teach them how to cook nutritious meals instead of departing with a garbage bag full of their groceries? 

The nutritionist ticked me off. Every bit of her advice was stupid and outdated, IMO. "Fat-free, fat-free". Yeah, fill up on the carbs why dontcha instead of some fat & protein which will actually satiate you. Well, theoretically *side eyes Gina*.

Gina being shocked at the chocolate syrup containing sugar; that was rich. Baby talk or whatever her manner of speech can be called, is annoying AF and NOT CUTE GINA.

[OoogleEyes]

Now *this* one is suing 

You have got to be kidding me

[mmecorday]

Good Lord! 1200 calories a day is NOT an extreme diet. I've often wondered if the people on this show are told to exaggerate their eating habits in front of the camera, but you don't get to 650 pounds by eating watercress and kale. This woman isn't just a a drama queen, she's the whole fucking court.

[Guest]

Gina should sue herself. She's the one who caused her OWN distress by shoveling food into her maw for however many years she's been on this earth. And @mmecorday is correct: this wasn't some "extreme" diet -- it was a NORMAL diet that NORMAL people do every day. In fact, other people who've appeared on this show have followed the same diet and have actually LOST the weight. So what she plowed food into her mouth on the show? It wasn't like those scenes was the ONLY time she did shit like that. She didn't get morbidly obese by eating lettuce leaves three times a day. 

Frankly, ***I*** should sue her. Who's gonna pay for all the therapy I need after watching her gross p0rns? 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Gina signed on with the attorney after Maja did.   No, I'm not kidding. 

[88Keys]

18 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

Gina signed on with the attorney after Maja did.   No, I'm not kidding. 

According to the article, there have been several lawsuits recently.  I'll bet Gina just saw a chance to make some extra money.  I don't buy a word of what she says.  The show made her shovel in extra food so she would fail?  I'm sure they wanted to film her regular eating habit in the beginning, but after she saw Dr. Now, it was all on her to succeed or fail.  I mean, does anyone really think it makes Dr. Now look good if his patients don't succeed?

[BradandJanet]

Attorney Buzbee has a heavy pool of potential clients to draw from. I anticipate they will all lose--lawsuits, not weight.

I suppose it's possible the production company didn't pay medical bills specified in the contract, but that's pretty easy to settle. As for emotional damage, people volunteer to go on these shows and sign contracts they probably should read. "Reality" show participants complain on social media about how they are portrayed (I'm thinking of 90 Day Fiance especially), but it doesn't seem many sue, so it's probably not worth it. In fact, many of them are eager to get right back on air, no matter how bad they are made to look. 

 

[fonfereksglen]

58 minutes ago, BradandJanet said:

Attorney Buzbee has a heavy pool of potential clients to draw from. I anticipate they will all lose--lawsuits, not weight.

I suppose it's possible the production company didn't pay medical bills specified in the contract, but that's pretty easy to settle. As for emotional damage, people volunteer to go on these shows and sign contracts they probably should read. "Reality" show participants complain on social media about how they are portrayed (I'm thinking of 90 Day Fiance especially), but it doesn't seem many sue, so it's probably not worth it. In fact, many of them are eager to get right back on air, no matter how bad they are made to look. 

 

Good chance the production company will claim breach of contract based on non compliance.  A simple missed appointment without proper notification could cause a contract problem.  After all, so many are too busy or stressed out to show up for a weigh in.

Edited February 20, 2020 by fonfereksglen

[BradandJanet]

8 minutes ago, fonfereksglen said:

Good chance the production company will claim breach of contract based on non compliance.  A simple missed appointment without proper notification could cause a contract problem.  After all, so many are too busy or stressed out to show up for a weigh in.

True that. Reality shows are sleazy in my opinion, but the participants are claiming they couldn't help their behavior because they  were depressed and Megalomedia didn't recognize their problem and protect them from their own bad impulses. I'm surprised they aren't suing Dr. Now, although he seems to fend off these lawsuits successfully. I'm not a lawyer (but have been a paralegal), and I think Mr. Buzbee is a medical transport chaser whose efforts won't pay off with these clients. Contract law isn't that squishy, and he's probably working on contingency. We'll see. 

[fonfereksglen]

2 minutes ago, BradandJanet said:

True that. Reality shows are sleazy in my opinion, but the participants are claiming they couldn't help their behavior because they  were depressed and Megalomedia didn't recognize their problem and protect them from their own bad impulses. I'm surprised they aren't suing Dr. Now, although he seems to fend off these lawsuits successfully. I'm not a lawyer (but have been a paralegal), and I think Mr. Buzbee is a medical transport chaser whose efforts won't pay off with these clients. Contract law isn't that squishy, and he's probably working on contingency. We'll see. 

One more thought...TLC is notorious for having cast members sign lengthy nondisclosure agreements.  

[CrazyInAlabama]

1 hour ago, BradandJanet said:

Attorney Buzbee has a heavy pool of potential clients to draw from. I anticipate they will all lose--lawsuits, not weight.

A truly magnificent pun "heavy pool".  

Yes, attorney will lose big time, and deserves to.    

[BradandJanet]

The puns just write themselves for some of the people and situations on this show. 

[DNR]

I’ve had this episode on my DVR and finally sat down to watch .... a few minutes in i was disgusted with Gina.   Bathed ONCE a month when forced? And wonders why her partner isn’t initiating sex?  I think that’s even past laziness or ‘i only have a bucket’ bullshit... that’s Gina pulling some power moves on those around her : you will smell my stench!!!!!!! 

When Gina’s morbidly obese Mom, had the nerve to say ‘ i can’t stand the way she treats you ‘( or whatever ridiculousness she said )after Gina orders Beth to pick up diner food, i was like are you kidding me. There is a whole family of hippos sitting there and no one could cook? Or order the food and pick it up? And sorry Mom ,the first 300 pounds are on YOU not Beth. The next 300 are on GINA not Beth.  Why Beth would stay around and be beaten down by these behemoths is a mystery. That family were candidates for Family by the Ton.  Gina is gonna need some rock bottom moment to get her to change her ways. She’s nowhere near ready to drop the elbees. 

Gina is one of my top hated 600 pounders .  

Edited February 22, 2020 by DNR
W o r d s

[CrazyInAlabama]

Actually, after the episode aired, and a video she posted about the time this was filmed, of her dancing around.   Then when other things came to light, a lot of us decided she was a liar, who just wanted to be on TV.  

I suspect everything we were told about Gina, and her family was a bunch of horse apples.     I think she was only on the show to get her own show, or something similar.   

Edited February 26, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[kassa]

On 2/19/2020 at 12:37 PM, mmecorday said:

Good Lord! 1200 calories a day is NOT an extreme diet. I've often wondered if the people on this show are told to exaggerate their eating habits in front of the camera, but you don't get to 650 pounds by eating watercress and kale. 

Oh, I don't doubt for an instant that a bunch of the fast food delivery chowing down solo scenes are production giving them menus and saying "anything you want! We need footage of you overeating and sad so when you're all happy picking out a bikini a year from now you look even better!" 

One major repeating element in this show is generational poverty.  Yes, they no doubt spend more money than they should on fast food... but most are probably not getting fat because they're eating too many pizzas, burgers and fries, but because they're drinking gallons of off-brand soda and eating gallons of mac and cheese and other carbage that doesn't fill you up but just triggers more cravings. Remember the woman whose pre-surgery binge meal was some godawful tater tot casserole?  That short of thing.  Decades of it.

 

 

[GoldaVining]

On 1/30/2020 at 3:30 AM, KateHearts said:

 Dogs longingly watching as the entire family sits, immobile and mute, spread out on giant couches doing nothing?

This! Drives me NUTS. That dog seemed so patient and sweet and hopeful. I just want to grab that dog and take it for a run. I hope somebody (Beth is probably my only hope and she is already doing everything) is walking that dog on the daily.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/29/2020 at 11:36 PM, DC Gal in VA said:

I really thought I was gonna hurl when Gina wondered why their sex life was non-existent after sharing that she's "forced" to bathe "about" once a month! Oh yeah, I love the smell of Gina in the morning; smells like victory misery! Eeeeewww!😷

I just started watching, and the first thing in the show is how she hates to bathe, and sometimes her family forces her to clean up. I don't know if I can watch this episode.

Oh, now she and her sister are talking about living with their father.

...

I think I should just go and read everyone else's comments.

Wow. "Thank God! I'm starving!" Oh my word.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/30/2020 at 10:18 AM, Carolina Girl said:

That scene in the beginning where Beth, who had worked all day, was ordered to pick up food for the human mountain range (and apparently also the boyfriend that showed up conveniently at dinner time) and wanted to just come home and cook really pissed me off.  Snotted at by Gina when she asked if the lazy mound of fat could call ahead.  NO YOU CALL!  Because apparently dialing the number would take too much out of that sow.

And then her mother saying "you shouldn't be treated that way."  What the ever loving FUCK??  I turned it off at that point.  I knew it was going to be one of those "I'm doing everything (chomp) I (chomp) can! (chomp).  

I hope Beth finds someone who appreciates her and divorces that worthless sack of shit.  Anyone have a Twitter address for her?  

I found that scene utterly confusing.

B: I'll cook.

G: No! you have to go to the diner. You don't want to cook.

B: No, I'll cook, it will be fine.

Mom: How awful that someone would be willing to cook you dinner!

I thought maybe something was edited out. It made no sense at all.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/30/2020 at 10:04 AM, ThereButFor said:

I would love to have seen Gina’s meals while she was “working really hard”.

What Gina (and many other poundticipants) need is a very strict rehab for overeating.  They would be banned from any outside food sources and required to attend classes to learn what comprises an appropriate meal for a 1200 calorie (per day, not meal) diet.  Heck they should even have to learn to cook.  Not to mention exercise.  Along with all that, daily group therapy to discuss how to stop using food every time they feel anxious / sad / bored / stressed / every emotion under the sun.  I know it would be very expensive but might improve the success rate.  Who knows, they might even learn the motivation to keep it up when they get back home.

G: Oh, that's my chocolate milk.

Me: Why the bleep does she have chocolate milk?

Nutritionist: "Light" sour cream doesn't mean it's healthy.

G: Oh, I never knew that. Did you know that? No one knew that. How can anyone know these things?

OK, I'm sorry for paraphrasing a bit too much. I am someone who shouldn't be allowed near a refrigerator full of food, but I do know what a food label looks like.

I was telling my poor hub that the poundticipants get a food plan from the doctor, but I was thinking maybe they should get a bunch of recipes also -- something on the simpler side.

@ThereButFor, I just want to add cookbook (so it's written out) to your idea.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/30/2020 at 5:38 PM, doglover3489 said:

Speaking of bowel movements.....

Do these people ever have them? I say this because, when they take 2,3,4,5 day trips to Houston from their home, eat at several fast food places and eat and drink  and stay in different hotels along the way, don’t they ever have to stop to pee or poop? Do they worry about fitting in the stall of a convenient store or gas station bathroom? They could break or crack a toilet! How can they wipe? Sorry for the gross questions but does anyone else wonder about these things?

I wonder this *every* time. They often have such mobility issues that they barely get into the vehicle (I guess Gina had less of that problem than most), and then they stay right there for hours at a time.

I have to have bathroom breaks or just walk-around breaks during long car trips.

I think the show has addressed this at least once, with Rena and Lee -- I think she had to help him pee. I might not be remembering correctly.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/31/2020 at 12:35 AM, PradaKitty said:

Did anyone else notice that Gina sounds just like Lisa Simpson? 

I kept thinking of Louise from "Bob's Burgers."

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/31/2020 at 1:50 AM, LeesburgLee said:

I’m always floored at how the poundticipants so rarely seem to do anything. There's shot after shot of them just sitting in a chair staring into space. The shot of Gina and her clan all sitting there waiting for Beth to come home with the diner order was like that - four people just sitting and staring, not doing anything, not even talking. It’s like they go inert without food to eat.

I think someone else on this forum explained copyright issues -- why they don't show anyone on the show watching tv or listening to music. We have seen poundticipants on phones and computers before. Maybe once we saw someone reading, although I'd think I was being rude if I were reading while sitting together with my family.

Why they aren't having some sort of discussion, though -- no idea. I wonder if the producers tell them not to discuss certain topics, like politics, that could be controversial.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 1/31/2020 at 7:47 PM, fonfereksglen said:

Add me to the list to follow fans who refuse to ever stay in a handicapped or first floor room along a major interstate highway.  And this is after countless years as business travelers on a budget.  And now the handicapped room is important to our travel plans. As a final caveat, anything on I40 should be avoided. Upscale  airport hotels are slightly better.

Some travel-safety training I had to take for work last year specified that we should always request lower floors (in case of evacuation, to get out quickly). Now you have me rethinking everything.

If Gina was barely bathing, and she slept on the couch every night... I think I'd stay away from that couch.

I apologize because I think I posted this before, but bathing always makes me feel *good*, and I can't imagine just not having the option.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 2/18/2020 at 9:23 AM, BradandJanet said:

I've never been weighed the day of any surgery or procedure.

In 2013 I had two surgery procedures (one was in preparation for the larger 2nd procedure). They weighed me both times on the day of the surgery. It was part of the whole intake process. My surgery wasn't contingent on my weight. It was just routine for my doctors or for that particular hospital.

ETA: the weigh-in was pretty much the first thing after I had done all day-of paperwork, so if the procedure had depended on my weight, they would have sent me home early in the process.

*whispers* apparently my dad had to reschedule a colonoscopy because he didn't do the prep. Hate to say it, but when I heard the story, I was like, that does sound like dad.

Edited March 29, 2020 by IKnit4Cats
Edited to clarify.

[IKnit4Cats]

On 2/26/2020 at 5:05 PM, kassa said:

Remember the woman whose pre-surgery binge meal was some godawful tater tot casserole?

I really respected her for owning up to that and calling Dr. Now to explain, though.

Gina was saying one thing to the confessional cameras and different things to Dr. Now and others.

[Irate Panda]

On 1/30/2020 at 10:18 AM, Carolina Girl said:

That scene in the beginning where Beth, who had worked all day, was ordered to pick up food for the human mountain range (and apparently also the boyfriend that showed up conveniently at dinner time) and wanted to just come home and cook really pissed me off.  Snotted at by Gina when she asked if the lazy mound of fat could call ahead.  NO YOU CALL!  Because apparently dialing the number would take too much out of that sow.

And then her mother saying "you shouldn't be treated that way."  What the ever loving FUCK??  I turned it off at that point.  I knew it was going to be one of those "I'm doing everything (chomp) I (chomp) can! (chomp).  

I hope Beth finds someone who appreciates her and divorces that worthless sack of shit.  Anyone have a Twitter address for her?  

[Concerned]

When Gina and her wife paint the elephant purple — they need to address the elephant in the room. Or is that elephants? Actually real elephants would be disappointed if you compared them to slobs like Gina. Elephants are big and graceful, but Gina is a waste.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Apparently Gina, and Beth like elephants, especially purple ones.  I just can't believe what a fake Gina, and her entire family turned out to be.   The woman, and her sister, and the sister's boyfriend/husband were all doing porn, Gina was dancing up a storm at her top weight, and I suspect everything else we were shown from Gina, and Beth, and family were made up for publicity.   She wants to be the next Twitney. 

Edited May 21, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[Kid]

I bet a protein shake and a banana is not on Dr Now’s diet.

[Elizzikra]

On 3/29/2020 at 2:13 PM, IKnit4Cats said:

Speaking of bowel movements...

I don’t understand how the prodigious amount of poop they must produce isn’t constantly clogging the pipes...

On 3/29/2020 at 4:19 PM, IKnit4Cats said:

 

*whispers* apparently my dad had to reschedule a colonoscopy because he didn't do the prep. Hate to say it, but when I heard the story, I was like, that does sound like dad.

I did the prep, had the colonoscopy and the prep was insufficient so I had to do the whole thing again starting the same day as the failed colonoscopy. I couldn’t eat solid food f,or five days.
 

the kicker... I GAINED five pounds that week.

[Ralphster]

On 1/31/2020 at 10:32 PM, ShoePrincess said:

I don’t have much to lose, but I’ve added a few unwanted pounds due to a period of enforced inactivity due to a very painful condition called piriformis syndrome, which is caused by overexercising.

Piriformis syndrome can also occur as a result of SIJ dysfunction.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Rerunning this one today from 3 to 5 pm today (central time), 6 January 21.   

[mmecorday]

I am watching this episode now. It still makes me heave when Gina says she only bathes about once a month. I would say, "Aw, her poor family!" but they were just as gross.

[CrazyInAlabama]

After the original showing, a video surfaced of her in the same townhouse, and dancing around, at her peak weight.     So the immobile garbage was totally fake. I bet the once a month shower was a total lie, because Dr. Now does say when they need to improve their hygiene, so they don't get infections (also so the office staff don't start puking from the stench).   The only legit stuff was Dr. Now.  

Spoiler

She also had some very naughty online porn she had on a very well known site, of her with the sister, and someone who looked like the brother-in-law.    She apparently was raking in a lot from that.     She had no interest in losing weight.    I think she wanted a reality show.

 

Edited April 2, 2021 by CrazyInAlabama

[Teri313]

My jaw just about hit the floor when she was so rudely brow beating her wife (Beth? IDK, I'll just call her that) into bringing food home for everyone in the house, AND insisted that she call in the order, and when she hangs up, the mother says she can't believe how badly her Beth TREATS HER! And they're all just sitting around on their asses badmouthing the only one who works all day and then picks up and pays for their food. This is one of the reasons I don't like it when Dr. Now goes after the "enablers" - I'd be like, YOU try to live with her every day.

[auntjess]

Run, run Beth.  Run Beth, run!
Gina and her entire family are BIG, and her mom's a bitch.
Watching it now, but may just erase it.

 

[GrammyPammy]

Sad but not surprising. RIP.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21917835/gina-marie-krasley/little-egg-harbor/new-jersey/maxwell-funeral-home

Edited August 5, 2021 by GrammyPammy
Add comment

[Teri313]

9 hours ago, GrammyPammy said:

Sad but not surprising. RIP.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21917835/gina-marie-krasley/little-egg-harbor/new-jersey/maxwell-funeral-home

"Her greatest passion was dancing..." Huh? I guess I have to go watch this one again. I do remember poor Beth though, and it looks like she was there until the end. Thanks for posting this.

[Scarlett45]

30 years old. It is sad. I dont remember this episode clearly, but it is sad to see another one die so young.

[AZChristian]

16 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

30 years old. It is sad. I dont remember this episode clearly, but it is sad to see another one die so young.

I'll never forget Gina and her mother, sister, and brother-in-law sitting around complaining they are hungry.  Gina's wife, Beth, calls (from work) and they complain to her.  She says, "Don't worry, I'll be home soon and will cook something up for you all."

Nope.  They don't want her to cook.  They want take-out.  So she says, "OK, call and order what you want, and I'll pick it up on the way home."

Nope.  They want HER to call and order it AND pick it up.  Like none of the slugs can be bothered to look at a menu and press buttons or go online to order.

Gina complained how hard it was to take a shower, so she only did it about once a month . . . and then complained because Beth wouldn't have sex with her.

[Scarlett45]

On 1/30/2020 at 9:28 AM, calpurnia99 said:

I never had the feeling that she had hit rock bottom. She could walk, she wasn't really in THAT much pain. She never gave an actual reason why she needed to do this. The "saving my life" is years off. She will die at 48 not at 29.

I really do not remember this episode. Perhaps I was busy that week, and I didn't see the rest of season 8 after the lockdowns cause I wasn't in the mood; but I had to quote you as I look through the thread- you were right. 

While I am always sad to hear of participants passing away, it is useful to be able to look back through the thread and review issues people saw during their episode. Hindsight is 20/20 as it were.

[mmecorday]

She really didn't have much of a life, but 30 years old is way too young to die. Gina is the one we see in the intro. She's eating what appears to be half a bagel smothered with cream cheese and a hash brown on top. The family had a recliner in the kitchen. Like you do.

[DVDFreaker]

Rest in peace Gina, 30 years old is too young to go 

[SunnyBeBe]

Here’s another article about it.

https://people.com/health/my-600-lb-life-star-gina-krasley-dies-at-age-30/

I wonder what killed her. And I’m not trying to be funny.  I mean, there’s heart attack, stroke, covid, sepsis, etc.

Edited August 6, 2021 by SunnyBeBe

[DVDFreaker]

1 hour ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Here’s another article about it.

https://people.com/health/my-600-lb-life-star-gina-krasley-dies-at-age-30/

I wonder what killed her. And I’m not trying to be funny.  I mean, there’s heart attack, stroke, covid, sepsis, etc.

We have to wait until the autopsy and toxicology results to find out what killed her

[Wanda]

Never bathed, didn’t manage to lose weight…I’m guessing infection or even covid 

[DVDFreaker]

33 minutes ago, Wanda said:

Never bathed, didn’t manage to lose weight…I’m guessing infection or even covid 

She lost 200 pounds