The All You Can Eat Buffet: My 600 Pound Life All Episode Discussion

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm betting a lot of the poundticipants are diabetic, since it's mentioned so often, and may be prescribed the GLP-1 drugs.   I was interest to read that Ozempic is for diabetics, and Wegovy was made with a different formula, I wonder how accurate that is?  

I thought that they were the same, along with the other injectible, and the oral pills (Rybelsus or however it's spelled).     But I've read they work in part  because they take your appetite away, and the number of side effects would worry me with long term use.  I wonder how compliant some of the patients are too, with exceeding the recommended dosage to try and lose more weight?  

  

Edited March 14 by CrazyInAlabama

[Suzywriter]

Were those furrows of Pringles?

44 minutes ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

I'm betting a lot of the poundticipants are diabetic, since it's mentioned so often, and may be prescribed the GLP-1 drugs.   I was interest to read that Ozempic is for diabetics.

Some of them have visible insulin resistance (dark or bright pink, thick skin on their necks, knees and hands). I would think they'd have to qualify for GLP-1.

[Suzywriter]

On 7/13/2023 at 11:26 AM, LeesburgLee said:

Speaking of editing… 

I know the editors want to draw out the drama of the weigh-ins, but having the scale screen cycle over and over and over as the voiceover drones on about “my last chance” or “I don’t know what I’ll do” just bugs me, especially when it’s drawn out heading into the commercial break. The voiceovers are so repetitive already (c'mon, we know it’s written for the participants) and then the readout’s dashes bouncing around and around, it just wastes time. Surely the editors can cut all that down.

Or, Dr Now has the slowest-resetting scale on the market. 

The scale is gasping for breath.

[Tuneful]

Hello you lovely people. I'm a fugitive from 90DF.

I just signed on as they were driving to Houston. Weeyum (as Yolanda would pronounce it) is a negative nabob. Whine, whine, whine about the trip, vehicle, everything. It's not enough his Mom is driving him alone for 6+ hours in a full-sized SUV, to get free specialized care for years (by being  on the show); deal with it, bozo, she doesn't have a van or limo to haul you.

Good of Mom to deliver the message that he should not blow this opportunity or s***w around with Dr. Now. Then I see she's well on the way to being the size he is and talks a good line (like he does) about following the diet, while she cooks or buys him non-low-cal food (a huge fast-food salad with regular ranch all over it is not low-cal). 

Are the Pounders ever referred to a group like one of the food Anonymous programs? Or for an inpatient stay for eating behavioral change? I would think it's hard to make these changes alone. 

 

Edited March 14 by Tuneful

[Tuneful]

Soviet apartment? Check. 

One piece of furniture in each room? Check. 

No top sheet? Check. At least there's a bottom sheet although no mattress pad. I bet it smells.  

No rugs of any kind (no standard "80% of floor must be covered"?) so neighbors can hear him pound around 24/7?

No doormat? Nasty bare feet on nasty walkway getting into nasty shoes, untied so he can fall and break his [insert body parts]?  

Since when is a bunch of scrambled eggs with cheese, a tall smoothie, a fried dinner-sized sausage, plus (I didn't catch the rest but probably) hash browns, etc., a weight-loss breakfast? 

Edited March 14 by Tuneful

[Hellga]

1 hour ago, Tuneful said:

Are the Pounders ever referred to a group like one of the food Anonymous programs? Or for an inpatient stay for eating behavioral change? I would think it's hard to make these changes alone. 

 

They get referred to therapy (usually after surgery for Dr. Now).  Some have been placed into inpatient programs for a month or two but only if they were in imminent danger of dying.  Otherwise, it's just too expensive.

David and Benji episode is on tonight... I am not plannign to re-watch but I did go back to see what they look like now.  David was still doign well weight-wise as of last fall when he last updated... 

 

[CrazyInAlabama]

They showed a patient of Dr. Now's leading a group meeting for post surgery patients years ago at his office, at least I think it was at the office.    I'm guessing some don't want to be on TV, and it would require a lot of releases to show everyone.  

Dr. Now apparently has patients that don't qualify for the show, and they might not want to be shown on TV either.  I'm sure there are some who don't publicize they've had WLS.  

If any of them were going to any 12-step programs, I'm sure the rules wouldn't allow filming or publicly saying what group they belong to for the privacy of other participants.   

[Elizzikra]

Quote

I thought that they were the same, along with the other injectible, and the oral pills (Rybelsus or however it's spelled).     But I've read they work in part  because they take your appetite away, and the number of side effects would worry me with long term use.  I wonder how compliant some of the patients are too, with exceeding the recommended dosage to try and lose more weight?  

I'm on Ozempic and I'm diabetic. It definitely reduces your appetite and takes away cravings. I can't really describe what eating is like - it's not unpleasant but it's not as enjoyable as before. You really don't want to eat beyond when you are full. I eat about half as much as I did before and I didn't eat huge portions in the past. 

For me, the side effects were primarily nausea and heartburn and they were much worse in the beginning. They are pretty much gone now now although I do get some nausea from time to time. 

You can't really exceed the recommended dosage, at least not at insurance's expense (and it is expensive - about $1,500 a month). The meds are in injectable form and if you go through it faster than prescribed, insurance won't pay to refill it early. When you stop taking it, you start eating normally again. I had a gap between prescriptions because of drug shortages and when I restarted after about two weeks, I had a resurgance of side effects. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I used to live near El Paso, and lots of people would go to Juarez to pharmacies for all types of drugs.  If it needed a prescription, the pharmacist would call their local doctor, get a prescription for you, and it cost you $5.    I wouldn't be surprised if people in Houston either take the trip to Mexico, or have a middle man who gets their drugs cheaper, and without a doctor's oversight.   

I've read that of U.S. patients who live near the Canadian border are going across, and getting the cheaper drug prices.  The article said that 10% of prescriptions filled in B.C. pharmacies for U.S. vistors were for Ozempic and the similar drugs.  

Sad news, I posted in the Vianey and Allen WATN topic, but Vianey died a few months ago of pneumonia, there are some lovely photos and postings on the Tribute Wall. 

https://www.cremationsoftheozarks.com/obituaries/Vianey-Vanessa-Edith-Rodriquez?obId=30011341

She was only 41.  

Edited March 17 by CrazyInAlabama

[JunkFoodTV]

Is there any list of pounders that have passed?

[CrazyInAlabama]

5 hours ago, JunkFoodTV said:

Is there any list of pounders that have passed?

https://www.looper.com/724444/my-600-lb-life-stars-you-may-not-know-passed-away/

This one has the most recent, with poor Vianey included.  

[JunkFoodTV]

1 hour ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

https://www.looper.com/724444/my-600-lb-life-stars-you-may-not-know-passed-away/

This one has the most recent, with poor Vianey included.  

There were way more I thought. 🥺 I had no idea! Thanks so much for the information. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

This week is a new poundticipant, Charles.   Next week 24 April is WATN One-Ton Family Supersized.    So, I guess tonight's episode is the end of the regular season. 

I'm suspicious about the WATN One-Ton Family being new, or if they slapped Supersized on it to make it 'new'.   I remember a follow up with the family the last time, so it might not be new.  

Edited April 18 by CrazyInAlabama

[Suzywriter]

Skidding in from dancing class. I'm so glad there are only 5 or 6 more weeks.

Eating habit, grocery store sushi and box wine.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I couldn't find a topic for the WATN for Lonnie and John.  I'm watching the rerun of the WATN on TLC, and I'm so happy for both of them.    I love Lonnie's boyfriend, and their trainer at the gym.    Lonnie is so full of life, and enjoying everything he can do without the weight, and the excess skin.  He's really tall I guess.   John still needs to buckle down, and then go to a plastic surgeon for a lot of skin surgery.   The wife certainly is supportive. 

[JunkFoodTV]

Is there a forum for quarter ton teen?

[CrazyInAlabama]

2 hours ago, JunkFoodTV said:

Is there a forum for quarter ton teen?

Yes, it's in Candid Reality.  I'll try to post a link, but if it doesn't work, scroll down to the Recently Added Section and it's in the list.   Don't know if the link will work, since I suck at computer stuff. 

 

[JunkFoodTV]

Watching Nathan's original episode ahead of the update. Such a nice guy. Such an evil wife. 

[Mollywolly555]

I saw Carlton and Shantel...bro and sis.  . Last night and misfiring said it was new... was it new or did anyone else see it?

[CrazyInAlabama]

No, that was a rerun.  The network is splitting two hour episodes into Part 1, an hour, and Part 2, an hour, and calling it new.   It isn't.  

Discovery Life or Discovery Family, whatever they're calling it now) have reruns of episodes from a few years ago too.   Also, the WATN epsiodes are really Season 9, at least as listed on Max.  However, other guides say Season 7, starting with the numbers that season ended with.   I suspect everything we're seeing from WATN new are a couple of years old film shot right after the original episode ended.   So, I'm leaving the numbers as Season 7.   

Edited May 3 by CrazyInAlabama

[Mollywolly555]

Thanks.  

[Pi237]

I Hate when they do that because I have to keep going through my DVR and deleting the reruns labeled as new. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Next WATN Wednesday 8 May, is Ontreon & Wess.   I'm looking forward to it.   Ontreon is S10.E11, Wess was S11.E03.   If you want to see the original episodes, TLC often shows them in the days before the WATN runs.   

[Snarkastikate]

So I just read that per Redditers, Allen (RIP Vianey) is dating Angie Johns?! 😱. She claims Vianey have the couple her blessing before she died.  Yes, Angie - the foul mouthed drug addict with the methy husband who treated everyone around her like crap.  A memorable moment in her WATN showed her homeless in her wheelchair & bag of clothing sitting under a tree in the park. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Angie was not only homeless, sitting in the park, but had a tiny little floating balloon that said "Get Well Soon", that she claimed was from her family.   I suspect it was from the film crew. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Seanna's episode is being run as Part 1 and Part 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. Central.   

Edited May 8 by CrazyInAlabama
Misspelled Seanna.

[Dibs]

On 3/12/2024 at 12:53 PM, kassa said:

The big sticking point is insurance, which many/most participants seem to lack - the cost per month for Zepbound is ~1200/month so the population studied on these shows may be stuck with surgery. 

I've often wondered what these new drugs will do to Dr. Now and his show...

Medicaid (the gov't insurance for indigent patients) covers it, so there's that. 

Medicare (earned by retirees) doesn't.

Where's tonight's live discussion?

Edited May 8 by Dibs

[CrazyInAlabama]

34 minutes ago, Dibs said:

I've often wondered what these new drugs will do to Dr. Now and his show...

Medicaid (the gov't insurance for indigent patients) covers it, so there's that. 

Medicare (earned by retirees) doesn't.

Where's tonight's live discussion?

It's called Season 12 Live Chat.   This link might work:

 

[Snarkastikate]

Seana?  How on earth did they manage to make that into 2 episodes?  No progress, no willingness to improve her life, no support system, no personality & certainly no ability to hang on to Dr Now's book. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

On 5/8/2024 at 6:41 PM, Snarkastikate said:

Seana?  How on earth did they manage to make that into 2 episodes?  No progress, no willingness to improve her life, no support system, no personality & certainly no ability to hang on to Dr Now's book. 

They've been doing this lately, cutting the two hours into two one-hour programs, called Part 1 and Part 2, so it shows up as new on the cable guide.    It's just the same as the two hour episode.  Very sneaky.  

I just saw an ad on TLC, right before the Supersized edition of Ontreon and Wess.  The new show next Wednesday after 600 lb.  is called Botched Bariatrics.   

Edited May 10 by CrazyInAlabama

[CrazyInAlabama]

Next week's WATN S9.E05 is a must see, Megan & Margaret.    Apparently the show theme for this episode is enmeshed mothers who are killing their daughters with food.   

Margaret is the one with the super-enabler, and too closely enmeshed mother, the physical therapists quit after going to Margaret's home, and Dr. Paradise's housecall was scary as hell for me to watch.   I was really afraid he was going to be attacked.   

[babyhouseman]

https://parade.com/news/my-600-lb-life-lonnie-hambrick-drastic-weight-loss-selfie-may-2024

This is about Lonnie from the show. He was the hairstylist, and his brother was supposed to lose weight. 

[Elizzikra]

2 hours ago, babyhouseman said:

https://parade.com/news/my-600-lb-life-lonnie-hambrick-drastic-weight-loss-selfie-may-2024

This is about Lonnie from the show. He was the hairstylist, and his brother was supposed to lose weight. 

I love him! I'm glad he was successful and I hope he hasn't now lost too much weight. 

[MagicEyes]

On 5/8/2024 at 7:41 PM, Snarkastikate said:

Seana?  How on earth did they manage to make that into 2 episodes?  No progress, no willingness to improve her life, no support system, no personality & certainly no ability to hang on to Dr Now's book. 

I've just watched the part where her ex stole the van with all of her stuff in it, so she had nothing. You might wonder, like I did, why she didn't call the police. Then she mentions the meth problem. Oh.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I only see the Supersized of Megan and Margaret tonight on TLC 7 to 9 p.m. Central.  Next week is another WATN Seana and J.T. on Wednesday 5 June.   Then, 12 June they have other shows on, not 600 lb.  

[CrazyInAlabama]

The lawsuits by multiple poundticipants including Jeanne and her mother Barbara, were tossed out by the court: 

https://tcjl.com/corpus-christi-court-of-appeals-tosses-suit-against-producer-of-my-600-lb-life/

 

I think so many of the poundticipants seem challenged because they simply exist.  They only sit around and eat all day, don't go out, or meet people, very few have jobs, or any real activities.   No mental stimulation, and they focus totally on themselves.  That kind of life won't lead to someone who is anything but self-centered, and selfish.    

Edited June 6 by CrazyInAlabama

[LeesburgLee]

On 6/6/2024 at 10:34 AM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I think so many of the poundticipants seem challenged because they simply exist.  They only sit around and eat all day, don't go out, or meet people, very few have jobs, or any real activities.   No mental stimulation, and they focus totally on themselves.  That kind of life won't lead to someone who is anything but self-centered, and selfish.    

This bothers me, too. So many of the scenes show the poundticipants just sitting, staring into space. There’s an occasional video game and Sean's crocheting, but most aren’t shown doing anything but eating and staring. It’s kind of spooky, like they’re inert or a turned-off robot.

And the frosting on the cake for me is when the therapist tells a poundticipant that he/she needs to “focus on yourself and your needs.” Really? There are people waiting on them, bathing them, feeding them while (some, not all) of them make demands, whine, wait for everything to be brought to them… but the poundticipant should really focus more on himself/herself? Again, it’s not all of the subjects who are like this, but it’s a pretty good number of them. 

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, LeesburgLee said:

This bothers me, too. So many of the scenes show the poundticipants just sitting, staring into space. There’s an occasional video game and Sean's crocheting, but most aren’t shown doing anything but eating and staring. It’s kind of spooky, like they’re inert or a turned-off robot.

And the frosting on the cake for me is when the therapist tells a poundticipant that he/she needs to “focus on yourself and your needs.” Really? There are people waiting on them, bathing them, feeding them while (some, not all) of them make demands, whine, wait for everything to be brought to them… but the poundticipant should really focus more on himself/herself? Again, it’s not all of the subjects who are like this, but it’s a pretty good number of them. 

Their lives revolve around food, that is it. Think of a heroin addict.... what are they doing most of the time? They are using, they are high, they are passed out or they are looking for their next high. There is nothing else, a good movie, a good book, visiting with friends..... hobbies? Forget it. 

[Snarkastikate]

On 6/6/2024 at 10:34 AM, CrazyInAlabama said:

The lawsuits by multiple poundticipants including Jeanne and her mother Barbara, were tossed out by the court: 

https://tcjl.com/corpus-christi-court-of-appeals-tosses-suit-against-producer-of-my-600-lb-life/

 

Good!  There are contracts they sign. What I find interesting is that many of these patients were also in a follow up show.  So if they were treated so horribly, why would they go back to film again?  Dr Now literally saved Barbara's life, she was in dire condition & not even his patient. So ungrateful.  Maja ugh.  Annejeannette ugh.  Destinee (RIP) had big issues.  Just attempts for some quick cash settlements. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

The WATN's have usually been filmed not too long after the first episode ended.   Many of the lawsuit people were on WATNs.   Then, they filed right after that.    Anything for a try at a quick buck I guess.  

Edited June 7 by CrazyInAlabama

[AngelaHunter]

I just stumbled on this show on YT. *Waves @CrazyInAlabama. I watched in numb amazement, mostly that skin - even on bony parts like ankles - could stretch that much.

Anyway, my question is this: Most of the eps I've seen show people who seem not well-educated, don't work, and live in less than upscale dwellings. I need to know HOW they can afford to spend between $150 - $200 a DAY, much of it on fast food (one order-in breakfast I saw which was enough to feed 4 lumberjacks and was over $50), to keep themselves at 600+ pounds.

Does anyone know? I've seen replies mentioning disability payments, food stamps, welfare, or whatever, but that wouldn't begin to cover not only all the massive quantities of food but the rest of the bills like light, heat, car payments, internet, phones (which they all have), etc.

[Awfarmington]

Do we know if there is a new season planned? Or has the lawsuits thrown a wrench into that? 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I haven't heard anything about another season.  However, Dr. Now turned 80 this month, so I suspect the show ended.    I think we were watching leftover filming.    I don't think the lawsuits had anything to do with the show filming.   

[CrazyInAlabama]

Last time I read about the lawsuits they were against the production company, Megalomedia, nothing against Dr. Now personally.    

[CrazyInAlabama]

Discovery Life is showing some of the original episodes, from 2012.  Before Dr. Now had his current office, and used Rannaissance Hospital, but Renaissance became St. Anthony's (They declared bankruptcy in 2014).   His hair wasn't the sprayed black the way it is now.   Ashley is on now from Season 1.   He uses St Joseph Hospital in later years. 

Edited November 11 by CrazyInAlabama