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

[auntjess]

Thanks, still don't remember him, but he seems mobile.  I'll probably look at it, at least.

[Otter]

I just finished watching his episode again (hooked on marathon Wednesdays) and I like him and his wife.  She wasn't an enabler but it was like talking to a brick wall and I can understand her frustration.  And his -- knowing that he was killing himself.  Mommy issues, but valid ones IMO.  The issues were on his side as a little kid put into an impossible situation in a custody battle.  He had tons of guilt.  

Hoping for a follow up.  His stepson loves him so much, and Gideon loves Jonathan.  And his wife, and she loves him.  They're good together.  

[Otter]

Watched another old episode recently and we talk so much about the enablers.  For this life of me I can't remember her name but once she decided to make a change, her entire family that she lived with (along with her husband) also went on the diet and they were normal weight.  I remember they were Hispanic, so maybe Laura?  At dinner, someone said "even the cat is on a low carb-high protein diet""!  Encouragers and not enablers!

Would really love to see a follow up on her.  So sweet.  

[55Unicorns]

Just now, Otter said:

Watched another old episode recently and we talk so much about the enablers.  For this life of me I can't remember her name but once she decided to make a change, her entire family that she lived with (along with her husband) also went on the diet and they were normal weight.  I remember they were Hispanic, so maybe Laura?  At dinner, someone said "even the cat is on a low carb-high protein diet""!  Encouragers and not enablers!

Would really love to see a follow up on her.  So sweet.  

I remember her...can't recall the name though.

[Otter]

29 minutes ago, 55Unicorns said:

I remember her...can't recall the name though.

Now I'm pretty sure that was Laura.  Lovely people.  :)

[Pretty5Vacant]

I think it was Ashley R.from earlier this season. I liked her alot, that line about the cat being on a diet was cute. I really hope she succeeds

[Otter]

1 hour ago, Pretty5Vacant said:

I think it was Ashley R.from earlier this season. I liked her alot, that line about the cat being on a diet was cute. I really hope she succeeds

I believe you're correct!  I really like her too!  Such a refreshing episode, even in a rerun after Steven and James.  

[DC Gal in VA]

FYI, for those who never saw it it or for those who did but might like a refresher, especially in prep for tonight's Live Chat, Dottie's episode is on right now.

Screen message says, as of the original episode, she was 34 years old and 641 pounds. Also noticed that she has major buttwings like Charity.

She is/was the mother of two, with a one year old and a 12 year old with severe cerebral palsy from birth. Dear old dad abandoned them both shortly after the son's birth. The reason I said was is that from what I've read her son Daniel with cerebral palsy died after the filming of this episode.

See any of you participating in the Live Chat at 8:00 pm EST tonight.

[chickenella]

Oh, good, I've seen her episode before. Sorry about her son.

[Otter]

I just watched Dottie's episode too.  She must be devastated and my condolences. I had a friend I lost contact with, an adult with CP.  Confined to a wheelchair but nothing as severe as Daniel.  Horrible disease and not unlike ALS in that there's nothing wrong with their minds.  Maybe since Daniel was so severe, that may not be true.  My friend is smart as whip and funny as all get out.  Just trapped in a useless body.  :(

But Dottie brought to mind other people on the show.  Hadn't she ever watched the show?  Obviously she sought the show out and not the opposite.  Why in the world was she surprised that her diet didn't allow her to eat vast portions of food?  Healthy or not (and it was not).  A big part of the diet is portion control too.  She wasn't the only one who this came as a shock to.  

[Had gastric by pas]

I had gastric by pass in 2000   I weighed 250. I now weigh 135. Size 6 was. 22. I stay at 135 when I don't try.  I have kept it off  if I don't try I can go up 20 lbs and if I really try I can go down 10 lbs   But I can't gain more than that  if I eat too much I have to throw it up.  Even if I would eat cookies all day I would still lose weight for two reasons

i can't eat much and don't even want to because with as little as I do eat I don't digest my food the same so what I eat produces less weight than normal. And when I am full it is very satisfying. Like I ate a thanksgiving dinner  I don't grave anything or feel deprived   I do eat anything I want  the hardest part is to eat enough protein   It is too dense to eat it   So I eat veggies carbs sweets.  With no problems 

i lost the weight in 6-8 months, I had to have my extra skin removed which was great.  I wear swimsuits now, and I am now 64, and guys still try to pick me up, not my husband favorite part

I watch my 600 lb life. I don't understand why these people have a hard time losing any weight. Some can't lose any. Some even gain. I think that they made my stomach a lot smaller than they made the larger people, but I lost weight no matter what I did. I am guessing that the doctor isn't doing small enough for them. 

If operation is done right they WILL lose weight NO MATTER what.  The only thing I can guess is maybe they want a more traumatic show when they have such a hard time

my life wasn't exciting to film when I lost.

i just saw a new 600 lb life and the dr said if you don't lose any weight I will have to give you a full gastric by pass.  I am horrified that that doctor did not start with the full gastric bypass on all these poor patients. They should not be struggling to lose weight and they've come to the TV people to help them and they've made their lives miserable and I put it on TV for everyone to see. As I said I've had that gastric bypass and it works great  it's just plain cruel what they're doing. That doctor should  have his license removed and the TV should be sued by those people !!!!!!

[aliya]

On 5/11/2017 at 11:23 AM, Had gastric by pas said:

I am horrified that that doctor did not start with the full gastric bypass on all these poor patients. They should not be struggling to lose weight and they've come to the TV people to help them and they've made their lives miserable and I put it on TV for everyone to see. As I said I've had that gastric bypass and it works great  it's just plain cruel what they're doing. That doctor should  have his license removed and the TV should be sued by those people !!!!!!

One reason he does the sleeves is that these people are so big, they can't stay under anesthesia very long and the sleeve is faster. Another reason is that there are few, if any, nutrition absorption and malnutrition issues with the sleeve, since the plumbing stays the same. 

Dr Now has been doing both of these operations for years. I'm going to go with his judgment.

[ClareWalks]

46 minutes ago, aliya said:

One reason he does the sleeves is that these people are so big, they can't stay under anesthesia very long and the sleeve is faster. Another reason is that there are few, if any, nutrition absorption and malnutrition issues with the sleeve, since the plumbing stays the same. 

Dr Now has been doing both of these operations for years. I'm going to go with his judgment.

Agreed. Medical care is not "one size fits all," so I trust that he is making educated decisions with his patients for what is best for their particular circumstances.

[Complexity]

50 minutes ago, aliya said:

One reason he does the sleeves is that these people are so big, they can't stay under anesthesia very long and the sleeve is faster. Another reason is that there are few, if any, nutrition absorption and malnutrition issues with the sleeve, since the plumbing stays the same. 

Dr Now has been doing both of these operations for years. I'm going to go with his judgment.

He has also said in some of the shows that some of the patients are so big, his instruments can't reach so he can't do a full bypass so he does a sleeve instead.

[Otter]

I'm on the west coast so can't comment on the live thread, so have to rant here.  The trailer for Pauline's update shows her speaking using the "royal we" in first person singular.  Who the heck does that?  She sure isn't the Queen of England.  

Hopefully Dillon escaped.  Sorry if this post isn't allowed.  Just needed to vent.  :)

[Pretty5Vacant]

Otter- I'm on the west coast too and feel left out, dammit!! Pauline's full of it, saying in the commercial that Dr. Now fixes their bodies but not their heads. (something like that). She needs a reality check, she was messed up in the head before Dr. Now came along. Dillon, poor guy. Looking forward to his update too

[AVM]

So happy the upcoming episode we have success ,Laura and Chay both seem to have conquered their demons ...

[Calicocats]

Curious...how high do household scales go?  Can someone like Charly track their weight at home?  

[Calicocats]

Googled a bit...found some scales that go up to 400, and even some on Amazon that go up to 500 (more expensive).  I don't know why these people don't track their weight at home once they are able to.  Maybe the show doesn't allow them to on condition of filming?  That would drive me nuts if I was on a diet!  

[RedFox]

Why don't doctor Now send all his patients to family psychoterapy? Usually if mom has weight problems, kids and relateves will have it too. May be psyhoterapist give advice about relax technics, how to feel comfortable without extra food. I don't understand dr.Now diet advices - he says, they should eat two-three times a day, and when l was looking for information, l see advices to eat less portions but more frequently. 

[Otter]

I'm so crazy addicted to this show that I now watch reruns every afternoon.  Two observations:  Almost everyone is tatted up.  Watching Michael's episode right now, and he's got the most.  Can't wait to see what the skin surgery does to all that "art work", when and if there's an update.  Second one is we never, ever see *anyone* with a drink, not even a beer or a glass of wine, including the relatives.  Oh wait, Joe had wine at the wedding IIRC.  I've often thought there's got to be a lot of beer in the diets, especially James K.  

I had a very good friend who weighed over 300.  Oh gosh she loved her beer.  Her diet was really pretty normal but for the beer.  I understand any alcohol is terrible if you're trying to lose weight.  

[auntjess]

On ‎5‎/‎31‎/‎2017 at 3:35 PM, RedFox said:

I don't understand dr.Now diet advices - he says, they should eat two-three times a day, and when l was looking for information, l see advices to eat less portions but more frequently. 

It may vary whether you're on solid food, or the protein shakes.
Too, these people kid themselves over their portion sizes, so if they ate more often, they might still have large portions.

On ‎5‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 8:18 AM, Calicocats said:

Googled a bit...found some scales that go up to 400, and even some on Amazon that go up to 500 (more expensive).  

You do realize that amazon has you marked for life, and you'll get scales and if amazon knows you, you'll get emails saying "since you liked big scales, you might like..."
Says she who looked for Perfect Smile, and also super-sized beauty parlor chairs.  (Something that came up in a Whitney Thore discussion.)

[leighroda]

Chucks episode was on a little bit ago, he's definitely up there on the most obnoxious list... 

nessa: can you go get my pain meds?

chuck: you want me to make a trip just for that?

from the same guy who threw a fit when she dared to leave his side at the hospital to take the baby home.

[auntjess]

I'll have to look for it. 
The repeats also show up on other Discovery channels, when I find one, I click "more showtimes."

[silverspoons]

Was that the last episode for the season? Did I miss Bette Jo? I remember she said they were filming and I really wanted to see her as a mom.

[Otter]

4 hours ago, auntjess said:

I'll have to look for it. 
The repeats also show up on other Discovery channels, when I find one, I click "more showtimes."

Sadly Chuck did say that,  He knew she was pain.  And then he cried, again.  "I'll change!"  He never did  He lost 4 of me's and I applaud his for that.  But the rest of him .. nope.

[SunnyBeBe]

On 6/6/2017 at 6:51 PM, Otter said:

I'm so crazy addicted to this show that I now watch reruns every afternoon.  Two observations:  Almost everyone is tatted up.  Watching Michael's episode right now, and he's got the most.  Can't wait to see what the skin surgery does to all that "art work", when and if there's an update.  Second one is we never, ever see *anyone* with a drink, not even a beer or a glass of wine, including the relatives.  Oh wait, Joe had wine at the wedding IIRC.  I've often thought there's got to be a lot of beer in the diets, especially James K.  

I had a very good friend who weighed over 300.  Oh gosh she loved her beer.  Her diet was really pretty normal but for the beer.  I understand any alcohol is terrible if you're trying to lose weight.  

I have a theory about the absence of alcohol.  I think that food ruins your buzz, so, if you're eating large quantities of food, it's unlikely you would retain any buzz when you drank.  I suppose you could just drink for the taste, but, ..........most people that I know, who drink a lot, are thin and eat very little.  Not sure if that makes sense, but, it's one explanation.  

Also, I've heard that post bariatric surgery patients often encounter substance abuse problems with drugs and alcohol.  I get the meds part, but, I did't think you were supposed to drink alcohol after that kind of surgery.  

[aliya]

Stuff you don't notice until the 20th viewing --- I'm watching Christina's show. Dr. Now is standing in the hallway and you can see three eye charts down the hall, up against the wall. Why does he have eye charts in his office? Is there some correlation between vision and obesity that I don't know about? 

[ClareWalks]

21 minutes ago, aliya said:

Stuff you don't notice until the 20th viewing --- I'm watching Christina's show. Dr. Now is standing in the hallway and you can see three eye charts down the hall, up against the wall. Why does he have eye charts in his office? Is there some correlation between vision and obesity that I don't know about? 

There is a correlation between vision and diabetes (it can cause blindness), so maybe that's it? Good catch, I'm not sure exactly why those would be there!

[aliya]

4 minutes ago, ClareWalks said:

There is a correlation between vision and diabetes (it can cause blindness), so maybe that's it? Good catch, I'm not sure exactly why those would be there!

I'm diabetic. I get a dilated eye exam every year. I just had a post-surgery exam today (had cataract surgery a few months ago). I am not going to my internist's office to get an eye exam and I'm sure not standing in the hallway to do it. Besides, at my eye doc's office, they use a TV screen kinda thing; the charts are long gone.  If I had diabetic retinopathy, I sure as heck wouldn't be going to a bariatric surgeon for treatment. I think this comes across more snippy than I mean it. I'm just thinking out loud and hoping like heck no one is getting his/her eyes examined at Dr. Now's. 

So, another thing I just thought of - I know we all joke about Dr Now being in a strip mall, but it dawned on me - maybe he needs to be where the seriously obese can come up in an ambulance or have quick wheelchair access, and, there might be elevator issues with that kind of weight. It makes sense for him to have an office at street level and not some fancy office in a high rise.  That's for people like me. : ) Not for the James K and Sean types. : )

[AZChristian]

Speaking of Dr. Now's office location . . . I wonder if they were flooded out during the hurricane.  I've driven by there, and it seems to be in a low-lying area.

[crazycatlady58]

I do not  know about  that, but I was wondering  about the ones  who stayed  here and did not lose weight , if theyou were  flooded. Hopefully  not because  there  is no way the could  be rescued.

[zoemom]

On ‎8‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 10:30 AM, AZChristian said:

Speaking of Dr. Now's office location . . . I wonder if they were flooded out during the hurricane.  I've driven by there, and it seems to be in a low-lying area.

I wondered this as well.  I'm not sure where the apartments of his patients (that stay there for extended periods of time) are located, but I would imagine that they wouldn't be too far from his office.  While all rescues are hard, I can only imagine how difficult it would be for his patients.  Every episode I've seen I believe they live in ground floor units.   The opportunity for them to even escape to a second floor, since most can't climb stairs would be out of the question. 

My best friend lives close to University of Texas Medical Center and works for MD Anderson Hospital.  I talked to her briefly on Tuesday -(she's been on duty since Sunday as a member of their Ride-Out Team, covering for staff who are unable to get to the hospital).  The hospital has been "closed" (roads are flooded) they are hoping to get back to "normal" operations next Tuesday.    Dr.  Now's office is about five miles east of the hospital, so I imagine that his office was also affected.

It's going to take many years for Houston to recover from this disaster.  I'm hoping that they're not actively filming episodes right now for the sake of all involved.   The stress of having to survive/recover from going through a flood (especially when you're new to the area) is incredibly overwhelming.  When you add to that the stress that comes not only with gastric bypass but learning to "eat" again and basically adopt a complete lifestyle change, I imagine would be an incredible hurdle. 

Edited September 1, 2017 by zoemom
Houston Strong!!!!

[Gbb]

Does anyone know when new episodes start?

[auntjess]

Do we know if it was being renewed, and if so, how the hurricane may affect it?

[Otter]

It's still popular so I'd bet it's been renewed, if not just for updates.  BTW, Steven posted another video on FB (since deleted) and he has lost a lot of weight, or the angle was deceiving, but I don't think Steven is smart enough to understand angles.  Regardless, lots of sagging skin on top.  He can't keep his mouth shut, but Lisa can besides they're still in Houston.  Otherwise not a clue in her FB.   

[auntjess]

Steven has a Lisa?  Or do you mean James?
Wonder how they've all fared in the hurricane.

[leighroda]

I live in Houston and while I can't say 100% whether dr now's office flooded or not, it is located in an area that did flood pretty bad so there is a good chance it did. 

I would hope his patients would have evacuated, I'm fairly certain if any of them required emergency evacuation we would have likely heard something by now (maybe on the local news at least) but who knows. While by large the city of Houston was told to shelter in place I would think common sense would be to have evacuated Tuesday/Wednesday when the storm hitting to some degree was imminent if you have the mobility issues dr now's patients have. 

[DangerousMinds]

3 hours ago, Otter said:

It's still popular so I'd bet it's been renewed, if not just for updates.  BTW, Steven posted another video on FB (since deleted) and he has lost a lot of weight, or the angle was deceiving, but I don't think Steven is smart enough to understand angles.  Regardless, lots of sagging skin on top.  He can't keep his mouth shut, but Lisa can besides they're still in Houston.  Otherwise not a clue in her FB.   

Not sure what you mean by "regardless."

[Otter]

21 hours ago, DangerousMinds said:

Not sure what you mean by "regardless."

I meant whether or not the video was deceiving.  He was laying on his belly, so maybe the skin would sag "regardless" of weight loss.  Steven's weight wasn't so much above his waist.  I hope he's getting the mental health treatment he so desperately needs.

And @auntjess, yes, meant James K's Lisa who is quiet on her FB.  The only hurricane update is that she's safe.  Not a word about James K.  

[auntjess]

I was watching Charity's repeat, and I saw lots of water on her drive, canals or drainage ditches, a big retention pond in front of the apartment.
I'm surprised that TLC doesn't say anything on their Facebook page, because they do mention other Houston area shows.

[aliya]

Sad to see Henry's story repeated tonight. He was so happy at the end, so grateful...it's just sad to know how it all ended for him and Ms. Kirk. Poor, sweet Henry is gone, but despicable Penny and James K. live on. 

[auntjess]

I haven't watched Henry's yet. 
I watched Donald's last night, and it was 5 or more years in one hour, which was a lot easier to watch than the original.  Didn't ever show the druggie girlfriend, just mentioned her.

[SunnyBeBe]

I will still watch this show at times, but, to me, it's almost like the same story, just different people.  Most have so many similar facts.  I know Dr. Now must get so frustrated.  He sometimes gets a little feisty, but, normally, he keeps his cool.  I do get how depressing it would be to see this self destructive behavior over and over.  The same goes for substance abuse professionals too, I suppose.  There's so much enabling and denial.  So tragic, but, yet common in our country. 

[Caoimhe]

On 10/25/2017 at 11:43 AM, SunnyBeBe said:

I do get how depressing it would be to see this self destructive behavior over and over.  The same goes for substance abuse professionals too, I suppose.  There's so much enabling and denial.  So tragic, but, yet common in our country. 

I saw a story recently about First Responders called to drug overdoses being counseled about "compassion fatigue".  Apparently most of them have had to resuscitate the same people five or more times!  After the first few times I am not sure I would see it as worthwhile but of course you never know and the 10th time might be the one that makes them willing to change.  

Food addiction is different because you can't give up food entirely (though sugars and starches are another story) and studies have shown how the brain becomes addicted much like narcotics in some people.  You're right that so many of the stories are the same, and a few patients have gone from drug addicts to food addicts before becoming morbidly obese.

[scowl]

That's the reason I gave up watching Intervention. It only showed me that over 80% of addicts will be on drugs for the rest of their short lives no matter what happens. Why would I want to watch it every week?

[SunnyBeBe]

On 10/28/2017 at 5:36 PM, scowl said:

That's the reason I gave up watching Intervention. It only showed me that over 80% of addicts will be on drugs for the rest of their short lives no matter what happens. Why would I want to watch it every week?

Yeah, plus, the enabling.  That's what is so disturbing to me.  Actually, I don't see how the drug addicts or those who are super morbidly obese could maintain their addiction without family and/or friends supporting them, especially the obese.  They can't get out of bed or to the store, so, what they eat is directly a result of their enablers.  It's hard to believe that they think catering to a 600 pound loved one is better than listening to them bitch about not having their favorite treats as reasonable. I suppose it's dysfunction in the highest form.  I just don't have much patience for it. 

[crazycatlady58]

SunnyBeBe  I understand  what  you are saying  but listening  to someone  curse  you, yell at you threaten to call APS on you all day can be demoralizing .  Also it seems  a lot of the caregivers , and I don't  know how to say this nicer, just do not seem to be very smart . 

[AZChristian]

2 hours ago, crazycatlady58 said:

SunnyBeBe  I understand  what  you are saying  but listening  to someone  curse  you, yell at you threaten to call APS on you all day can be demoralizing .  Also it seems  a lot of the caregivers , and I don't  know how to say this nicer, just do not seem to be very smart . 

Just curious.  I wonder if the obese person followed through on the threat to call APS actually did so, might APS put them into a nursing facility?  Might be the best thing for them . . . if you think your family is being mean by not giving you junk food, wait until the nursing home says, "That's your dinner.  Period."

[SunnyBeBe]

On 10/30/2017 at 9:01 AM, crazycatlady58 said:

SunnyBeBe  I understand  what  you are saying  but listening  to someone  curse  you, yell at you threaten to call APS on you all day can be demoralizing .  Also it seems  a lot of the caregivers , and I don't  know how to say this nicer, just do not seem to be very smart . 

The threats are part of their food addiction.  And sometimes, when a person's life is in danger from obesity, things can't just be kept calm, with no upset.  The food addict may get very upset, but, if he's always indulged with food that is life threatening, he learns that it works. Unless, he learns that it won't work, he has no incentive to change.   I'd likely discuss it with a mental health professional.  And I may call APS first, just so they know what is being threatened.  I'm just saying that helping  people with addictions save their life, may be sticky and uncomfortable.  But, eventually, they will have to eat what is provided or go out and get it for themselves.  Verbal abuse may not be easy to take, but, I would imagine that neither is living as a slave to an addict.  It must be excruciating.