S05.E13: Steven and Justin's Story, Part 1

[MichelleTX]

Anyone notice that weird creepy smile on his face when he was being bathed in the hospital?  He obviously likes the attention and is unlikely to ever change. Mentally I don't think it's possible. Like others have said, their growth is too stunted. Is it even possible to grow up at this stage?

[Lizz]

I knew it had to be bad when he had no wife/girlfriend/partner like most on the show.  No lid for that nasty pot.  The way he leered at the females bathing him was beyond disgusting.  

He is so indignant that the Rhode Island hospital threw him out for ordering pizza.  Guaranteed there are more reasons, starting with his abusive behavior. The hospital can't comment for privacy reasons and he knows it.

He won't last a day in drug rehab or any inpatient psych facility where they will not allow his phone, iPad or pizza deliveries.  I don't see him changing much.... nobody is going to tell him what to do.  

I would hate him for no other reason than his smug gloating of the taxpayers paying for his phone, computer, pills, hospital, his very existence. Millions of dollars so far, while deserving people work, struggle and don't act like deranged assholes.  

[MichelleTX]

7 minutes ago, mamadrama said:

You can actually request a specific hospital. They only have to take you to the closest for immediate trauma. I've had several ambulance rides over the past 5 years.(My gallbladder, kidney, spleen, spleen, intestines, and the dura patch in my brain have all spontaneously ruptured over the past few years.) I live in a very rural area. We DO have a hospital but it's just a trauma center-no operating room. It's about 20 minutes from my house. The neighboring county has one that is more equipped for surgeries. It's 30 minutes away. The big, university research hospital is about an hour. I request one of those three depending on what I feel is happening. More often than not, I go local. They usually end up transferring me anyway. If I feel like it's kind of serious but I am not going to die, then I'll go next county over. There have been a few occasions, however, where I requested that they take me straight to the big one. On one of those occasions, my appendix had ruptured and gone septic. I wasn't in that much pain but I had a feeling and it turned out to be right. On the other, it was a heart attack. 

He may very well have been taking a cab, though. I could totally see him huffing it out to the sidewalk if it meant more pain meds. 

Mamadrama, that sounds awful! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. (((Hugs)))

[gonecrackers]

I have this DVR'd & can't get to it until the weekend, unless I can get time to watch it online when it gets there. I've never had an issue watching any of these shows, even when they show disgusting things. This one has me thinking it's going to be way more disturbing than anything else.

I had trouble watching those videos of Steven. My thoughts, without having seen the show yet, are that he should not be helped regarding his morbid obesity. The thing is, if this guy actually were to lose weight (sounds slim from reading here), unleashing a thin, physically functional but still clearly mentally ill Steven on society could be extremely dangerous.

He obviously needs in-house psych treatment.

Maybe since Justin sounds less toxic he should have more intervention to get him progressing, heal whatever his issues are & get him away from his family so he can have his own life.

Edited March 30, 2017 by gonecrackers
emphasis

[AnnaBaptist]

I confess that I am quite ignorant of how some aspects of the health-care system work, so please enlighten me. How does Steven manage 20 hospital visits in a month to feed his drug addiction? Does he go to 20 different hospitals? If he goes to one hospital several times in a month, don't they catch on to what he is doing? 

Once, when I had severe chest pain, I called an ambulance to take me to the hospital. The ambulance ride was around $500 when I looked at my insurance statement. Is Medicare paying for the thousands of dollars in ambulance rides for Steven? Again, I would think that there are certain criteria for Medicare (or other insurance) to cover ambulance rides. If Steven's visits do not meet the criteria, and Steven does not pay for the ambulance, what happens then? Do ambulance companies just refuse to pick him up? What happens to chronic abusers of the system?

[Thriftykins]

Steven's videos make me think of this Kids in the Hall sketch:

Screw you, taxpayers!

Edited March 30, 2017 by Michael Stabosz

[Cherrio]

2 minutes ago, AnnaBaptist said:

I confess that I am quite ignorant of how some aspects of the health-care system work, so please enlighten me. How does Steven manage 20 hospital visits in a month to feed his drug addiction? Does he go to 20 different hospitals? If he goes to one hospital several times in a month, don't they catch on to what he is doing? 

Once, when I had severe chest pain, I called an ambulance to take me to the hospital. The ambulance ride was around $500 when I looked at my insurance statement. Is Medicare paying for the thousands of dollars in ambulance rides for Steven? Again, I would think that there are certain criteria for Medicare (or other insurance) to cover ambulance rides. If Steven's visits do not meet the criteria, and Steven does not pay for the ambulance, what happens then? Do ambulance companies just refuse to pick him up? What happens to chronic abusers of the system?

I still do not believe he went to 20 different hospitals.  He could go once or twice to the same place at most before they start doubting his pain. Add in his size and behavior and more likely they peg him right away as an abuser.

My work brought me into contact with a lot of drug abusers and you can peg them right away most of the time.   Hospitals, pharmacies or other medical agencies also communicate with each other frequently and pass the word about specific people.

[WrongReasons]

Sweet baby Jesus that was a WILD ride!  

Steven is a total monster and Justin needs to peace out of his family and accept help with his weight loss. He is so damaged but I can see why, having to grow up with that black hole of suck Steven. My god. The personality disorder was out of control. 

I must be going to hell because I cackled when Dr. Now said they'd drop him off at a homelsss shelter.  

And that drug seeking behavior. I wanted to kick him when he acted like his pain was a 9. As someone who has experienced level 9 pain and I was literally writhing on a floor (thank you appendicitis and gall bladder) I call bullshit. I remember telling my mom I'd stick a knife in my stomach and remove my own appendix if someone didn't take me to the ER immediately, lol, so Steven is full of shit. 

I don't even know how someone can be addicted to pain meds (I mean yes I understand they can be addictive for the high) because holy crap I hated taking Vicodin/Percocet when I had my two surgeries. They made me feel like crap and they give you awful constipation. 

Next week should be interesting. Much like James, I find myself not caring if Steven kicked the bucket. But I do hope Justin at least tries to help himself. That family has a whacked out ugly dynamic. 

[Hockeymom]

 I was more upset with the dad than anything.  As others have said, I think there was way more to this story than we got to hear.

Steven Jr. is a master manipulator. His story of childhood trauma seemed well rehearsed for maximum drama. He was so smug. "Let me tell you about my childhood. It was terrible." Like he was about to drop some juicy gossip. Boo Hoo, get the tissues. Do you know how many kids have been through way worse? Sometimes you are just a jackass and it's not mommy's fault. All these guys blame their mothers, but why do dads get a pass?

Mom drank too much so the parents divorced. Wonderdad sends the kids to live with her. He knows she has a problem. He knows she's out every night, but does nothing until finally she bails and he's forced to step in.

What dirt does Steven Jr. have on Steven Sr.? He's always threatening dire consequences if dad doesn't pony up that pizza. And dad jumps! When dad told Justin that what he does for Steven was none of his business, I had an aha moment. Sounds like some fishy blackmail scheme going on.

And dad just lets Steven terrorize Justin? That wall banging and yelling would last about five minutes for me. Dad could have shut this down at any point but chose not to. Steven Jr. runs that house and their lives. My question is why?

[bubbly]

I can't handle watching part two of this next week.  This has broken me and I won't watch again - it's just too much and life is too short.  I feel depressed and creeped out and almost dirty now.

Edited March 30, 2017 by bubbly
My mind is blown

[Ivylady]

4 hours ago, ThinkerBell said:

I read this with bleary eyes and thought your post said, "I feel like we're missing important pieces of the pizza."  :D 

Haha! Well, that too, of course. There's no pizza left. I'd be surprised if there's any in all of Houston. ;-)

Do these people not know how to block folks on their phones? Steven would have been blocked Asap.

[skippy]

10 hours ago, Moloch Must Die said:

I have a family member who needs total care because of dementia... this, after doing everything right-- eating right, exercising, staying active in the community, working since age 18, etc. Dementia struck for no reason and without any warning. We pay $9,000 OUT OF POCKET every month because insurance will not cover the care of someone with a broken brain. Someone who chose NOT to eat 6 pizzas a day. Someone who said, "Hmmm, my cholesterol is up a few points; I'm going to change my diet and bring it back down." Someone who never asked for a penny from the government. Someone who who die of shame to need toilet assistance. Someone who was never rude to doctors, nurses, or anyone. 

I'm so sorry for your family's situation.  You might be surprised how many people have faced the same thing and feel the same way you do.  At one point, Steven even makes fun of the taxpayers who are supporting him! He knows exactly what he's doing and enjoys it.

[Pepper Mostly]

10 hours ago, Moloch Must Die said:

They need subtitles. Is it their New England accents, their fucked up teeth, or what?

Hahaha--I'm from Boston! I understood them perfectly!  Steven Sr. sounded like probably everyone I ever knew as a kid.

9 hours ago, Morgalisa said:

I need more Princess.  

Princess was a bright spot. Her side eye was EPIC. No one gets the better of Princess. I love her and want to be president of her fan club.

9 hours ago, bethster2000 said:

Speculation, total speculation: anyone else here think that Steven abused Justin in more ways than one?

I don't want to say it, but catch my drift?

Yes I think that is very likely. Justin hates his brother. Steven may only be able to verbally abuse him now, but he relies on intimidation and control. I'm sure Justin remembers their childhood when Steven could also overpower him physically. 

1 hour ago, operalover said:

I have only watched 1/2 of it. He is a vile. disgusting "human being" who seems to enjoy being naked. I can't believe he was naked the whole half of the show that I watched. The other brother is just sad and stuck at 8 years old. Steven seems to enjoy being huge and he says all the things  like this is how I get my way, I bully and I make everyone miserable, ha ha ha. He is disgusting. Poor Dr. Na.

Steven loves being naked because he loves to shock. He loves to keep people off balance. He loves to be huge--it makes him physically intimidating. He loves to scare people by yelling, then he turns on the tears to evoke their pity. He went to Justin because he knew that if he was in the room he could control the situation and Justin's response. Justin's only defense is to stay away from him. To me the creepiest moment was when, after Dr. Now washed his hands of him and prepared to leave the room, Steven said "can I have a handshake?" all plaintive and fawning. His smile when Dr. Now came to him and shook his hand gave me the shudders. He got Dr. Now to do something. He thinks he the king of persuasion and manipulation.

He and his brother both have those dead fish handshakes. Gave me the creeps.

[Thriftykins]

3 minutes ago, Hockeymom said:

What dirt does Steven Jr. have on Steven Sr.? He's always threatening dire consequences if dad doesn't pony up that pizza. And dad jumps! When dad told Justin that what he does for Steven was none of his business, I had an aha moment. Sounds like some fishy blackmail scheme going on.

It's an emotional blackmail situation.  Like sometimes people get desperate for attention so they threaten suicide.  Steven Sr. did this because he was trying to stop his son from doing something even more destructive, like overdosing on pain pills.

[skippy]

10 hours ago, Dru Blood said:

I am glad they did THAT, but why not prosecute this dung heap?  What he is doing is straight up abuse.  I know damn well the legal system in Texas DOES NOT PLAY!  Texas is not a state where I would ever do anything that could get me looked at from a legal stance.  I get the impression Rhode Island, where he is from, coddled the crap out of this cry baby, which is why he is in the shape he is in.  I think if the hospital has anything substantial on that video, they should use it and prosecute him.  It might be the exact thing this freak needs.

Unfortunately, he's not breaking any laws.  Abusing the medical system (running to different doctors to get prescriptions for pain killers, showing up at the ER just to get drugs, etc.) is not illegal.

[Trees]

My reactions =

• TLC chose this guy for ratings.  They knew he would fail because one glance and you know he is completely psycho.  This is a whole new low for the show.  Looking back at the episodes where they truly helped messed-up individual gains their lives back - that was cool.  Now, it's like psycho-porn.  I feel dirty today for having watched this episode.
• When you're a parent of little kids and if you're responsible enough to learn about how to raise them, you find out that the awful acting out they do, knowing that they will get punished, is intentional.  Even *bad* attention is better than being ignored.  IMO, this is what we observed in this guy (and the TLC producers clearly saw this).  Absent-due-to-booze mom and absent-due-to-who-knows-what dad, the kid learns to do whatever it takes to be seen.  He is locked into that age emotionally.
• Shame on Dr Now for yelling at him to just cut out the drugs and eat right, pretending to think he *might* do it and lose 60 pounds as a last chance.  Dr Now was not born yesterday.  Why?  I think I know the answer - so they could extend this "actor" out into a part 2 and some follow-ups.  Keep this trainwreck of a loser on the payroll so they can roll out more episodes.  Next thing we know, we'll have a reality show where Princess and Steven get married.
• The brother - maybe I missed it but I didn't see anyone mention that heartbreaking scene where he is so shut down, that he cannot face Dr Now when he is in the hospital bed, newly to Houston. He turns on his phone and watches the screen the films Dr Now and his dad, as he keeps his back to them and remains silent.  Wow that's sad. All I could think of was the beaten-dog dog in the animal shelter, who has learned not to go to the front of the cage to great visitors anymore because they all pass him by.  Those dogs curl up at the back and just shut down.  This guy was exhibiting the same pain.  Oh my.
• How perfect this is for TLC.  2 emotionally-stunted obese men and their enabling, abusive dad who keeps them locked into their psychotic prisons.  Every producer, film editor, heck probably even the janitors - it must be party time over at that network.  "Score!  We've got years of trash to film! Ratings will go through the roof!  We're all gonna get rich!"
• I used to fool myself that watching this show was somehow better than watching other fake-scripted reality shows like Real Housewives, etc, that exist only to show obnoxious people fighting and being outrageous.  I could say that I was learning something about the psychology of these people, about addiction, about medical treatments.  Not anymore.  This episode, the "finale" to what we have seen coming with James and Nicole - the other really horrible people with no chance of success - shows us that this is not about medicine or help anymore.

Damn!  That was bad, and I didn't even watch his YouTube videos! 

[Ocean Chick]

10 hours ago, 55Unicorns said:

WOW!  Does he think we're that stupid?!?

Wow!  Does he think we even care?!?

[Ivylady]

9 minutes ago, Michael Stabosz said:

It's an emotional blackmail situation.  Like sometimes people get desperate for attention so they threaten suicide.  Steven Sr. did this because he was trying to stop his son from doing something even more destructive, like overdosing on pain pills.

Steven Sr. needs to get to the "if he dies, he dies" stage soon, or Steven Jr. will be the death of him.

[Trees]

9 minutes ago, Michael Stabosz said:

It's an emotional blackmail situation.  Like sometimes people get desperate for attention so they threaten suicide.  Steven Sr. did this because he was trying to stop his son from doing something even more destructive, like overdosing on pain pills.

And remember, he did blackmail dad before with a lie, claiming Dad hit him.  His threat was that if you don't buy me pizza, I'm calling the cops again to say you are abusing me.  That explains it when they are in R.I. but not Houston.

I think Dad here is just a "Lisa" - broken down, feeling some weird emotion which they identify as "love", which they connect with a sense of obligation.   Enablers.  Co-dependency.

[Kid]

8 hours ago, swankie said:

anyway, this guy Steven makes James look like a contributing member of society. 

Naw, he was just another kind of parasite.

[Thriftykins]

2 minutes ago, Trees said:

My reactions =

• TLC chose this guy for ratings.  They knew he would fail because one glance and you know he is completely psycho.  This is a whole new low for the show.  Looking back at the episodes where they truly helped messed-up individual gains their lives back - that was cool.  Now, it's like psycho-porn.  I feel dirty today for having watched this episode.
• I used to fool myself that watching this show was somehow better than watching other fake-scripted reality shows like Real Housewives, etc, that exist only to show obnoxious people fighting and being outrageous.  I could say that I was learning something about the psychology of these people, about addiction, about medical treatments.  Not anymore.  This episode, the "finale" to what we have seen coming with James and Nicole - the other really horrible people with no chance of success - shows us that this is not about medicine or help anymore.

I couldn't agree more.  It used to be about watching people, their lives heavily damaged by addiction, turning things around.  I liked that show.  Now it's ordinary reality show trash, thriving on conflict, like everything else TLC airs.

[Hockeymom]

2 minutes ago, Michael Stabosz said:

It's an emotional blackmail situation.  Like sometimes people get desperate for attention so they threaten suicide.  Steven Sr. did this because he was trying to stop his son from doing something even more destructive, like overdosing on pain pills.

I hear you.

But, I think there's more to it. Dad doesn't seem so emotionally invested in his sons. He put them in harm's way. He lets one abuse the other. Justin needs care. He couldn't even look Dr. Now in the eye. That is not normal behavior for an adult. Dad ignores that. His other son is an odious excuse of a man. Again, instead of stepping back and letting the doctors do their job, he sabotages their efforts. Instead of letting his son face the consequences of bad behavior, he orders pizza.

The kid is thousands of miles away. He can't hurt you! What is dad afraid of?

If he was truly worried about his son overdosing, there are other ways to handle it. They all knew he had a drug problem - or should have.

[Thriftykins]

1 minute ago, Hockeymom said:

If he was truly worried about his son overdosing, there are other ways to handle it. They all knew he had a drug problem - or should have.

Yes but giving in to his demands and ordering the pizza is the easiest way.  Their father doesn't seem to want to expend much effort.

[Trees]

Think about it - Dr Now's son created this series.

Dr Now is a talented, accomplished surgeon.  But he has turned into a player in a reality TV show that exploits other actors his patients.

You know that the film crew set him up and wrote a script for him that included, "Well then we'll drop you at a homeless shelter."  Think about it.  No way did they just catch this randomly.

So, what has happened between Dr Now and his son?  They have a weird dynamic going on, too.  Dr Now has crossed over to loving being a reality TV star and his son is the enabler.

Fame and money can go to anybody's head, I guess. 

[Wings]

I think he is naked all the time because he is mentally divorced from his body.  You cannot see his genitals and his ass does not resemble anything familiar.  It takes a tremendous effort for him to dress, so he doesn't.  

4 minutes ago, Trees said:

Shame on Dr Now for yelling at him to just cut out the drugs and eat right, pretending to think he *might* do it and lose 60 pounds as a last chance.  Dr Now was not born yesterday.  Why?  I think I know the answer - so they could extend this "actor" out into a part 2 and some follow-ups. 

What else is supposed to say?  He spoke the truth, it is up to Stephen to take responsibility for his condition and life.   It is not his job to hold this guys hand.  He told him the facts and set him up with rehab. 

[Cherrio]

My big question for Rhode Island is where were the mandated reporters?  Neighbors? other parents? anybody?

The boys should of been removed by age 5 and maybe they would of had a chance of a normal life.

The father seems borderline mentally challanged

Reminds me of that father and son hoarders from Ohio.

[Trees]

1 minute ago, wings707 said:

I think he is naked all the time because he is mentally divorced from his body.  You cannot see his genitals and his ass does not resemble anything familiar.  It takes a tremendous effort for him to dress, so he doesn't.  

What else is supposed to say?  He spoke the truth, it is up to Stephen to take responsibility for his condition and life.   It is not his job to hold this guys hand.  He told him the facts and set him up with rehab. 

He's naked because he loves to shock.

What else is he supposed to say?  The truth.  "You are a drug addict and you are not cooperating with your weight loss.  We cannot help you.  You are no longer our patient or under our care in any form.  Good-bye."

[Thriftykins]

Just now, Trees said:

Think about it - Dr Now's son created this series.

Dr Now is a talented, accomplished surgeon.  But he has turned into a player in a reality TV show that exploits other actors his patients.

You know that the film crew set him up and wrote a script for him that included, "Well then we'll drop you at a homeless shelter."  Think about it.  No way did they just catch this randomly.

So, what has happened between Dr Now and his son?  They have a weird dynamic going on, too.  Dr Now has crossed over to loving being a reality TV star and his son is the enabler.

Fame and money can go to anybody's head, I guess. 

I think things are probably fine between Dr. Now and his son Jonathan.  I don't think Jonathan is still involved, which is why the show went to Hell this year. 

I don't know why Dr. Now keeps doing the show.  Probably because he wants to help people and TLC subsidizing the patients' care makes that easier.  Remember that just because a doctor may want to treat a patient, and even if he is willing to offer his services for free, that the people who control the purse strings at the hospital may have other ideas.  This was a recurring theme on Scrubs, and from what I hear is pretty accurate.

[Cherrio]

4 minutes ago, Trees said:

So, what has happened between Dr Now and his son?  They have a weird dynamic going on, too.  Dr Now has crossed over to loving being a reality TV star and his son is the enabler.

Fame and money can go to anybody's head, I guess. 

Should we ask them about their eating habit?     :)       

[Trixie Belden]

Wow.  Steven has to have a serious mental disorder and it doesn't really matter what happened to him as a child-some people are just born sick.  He completely creeped me out and I don't get freaked out by people very easily.  His video where he smears the pie all over himself seemed like it could have been some sort of fetish video.  His dad also has some sort of weirdness to him as well, gallows humor is normal for a lot of people but he seemed like he actually hated both his kids.  He screamed and cussed at Steven (but really, who wouldn't?) and then treated Justin just as badly.  I don't see any way this can end well for Steven.

Justin, on the other hand, seemed like he might have a decent shot at things IF he was away from his dad and brother.  He came across as gentle, but completely detached from everything going on.  I think he probably lives in his head a lot.  If all the parenting resources were taken up with Steven from early childhood then Justin probably wasn't even taught how to do much more than feed himself and basic hygiene.  He needs to be around supportive people (that don't make any sudden moves lol) and have a lot of therapy and probably a life coach along with the WLS.  

[Trees]

Somebody posted this CBS link from 2015 above.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/steven-assanti-800-pound-rhode-island-man-determined-to-slim-down/

Now think about how many desperate people, who want to have this chance, contact the show and get turned down. 

Then read this -

"... he was kicked out of Rhode Island Hospital for ordering pizza.

The television production company for TLC's "My 600-lb Life" then contacted Assanti. The owner's assistant at Megalomedia said they may be interested in filming him, though not necessarily for that show."

Then knew exactly who this guy was an how it would play out.

[fonfereksglen]

2 minutes ago, Cherrio said:

My big question for Rhode Island is where were the mandated reporters?  Neighbors? other parents? anybody?

The boys should of been removed by age 5 and maybe they would of had a chance of a normal life.

The father seems borderline mentally challanged

Reminds me of that father and son hoarders from Ohio.

The dad reminded me more of Tom, the older heroin addict on Intervention, who was from South Boston.  That hyperactive, scatterbrained, unfocused behavior.  Obviously there is more to the family dynamic than we know.  

[Hockeymom]

And why does Steven get rewarded for being thrown out of the hospital?

He gets a nice new apartment, a helper, and a world of medical care professionals at his beck and call!

For a bed bound guy, he sure got out a lot.

[Trees]

Just now, Hockeymom said:

And why does Steven get rewarded for being thrown out of the hospital?

He gets a nice new apartment, a helper, and a world of medical care professionals at his beck and call!

For a bed bound guy, he sure got out a lot.

... which confirms that TLC knows they have a "cash cow" (pun intended) on their hands and they're going to do what it takes to keep him around for more filming.

Imagine somebody like Nicole getting this same treatment?  She'd have stood a great chance at success.

[ClareWalks]

I have just started this episode but can fetal alcohol syndrome cause this behavior? There is something REALLY wrong with Steven, and I think maybe FAS, since their mother is such a raging alcoholic. But I don't know much about it. Perhaps I will do some Googling.

[Ocean Chick]

So I figured out that green stuff on Steven's leg.  You know how slow moving sloths grow moss on their fur?  Well, just imagine Steven as the biggest sloth you've ever seen.  Moss it is, so he can blend in with the background.

If only....

[TurtlePower]

11 minutes ago, Trees said:

Somebody posted this CBS link from 2015 above.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/steven-assanti-800-pound-rhode-island-man-determined-to-slim-down/

Now think about how many desperate people, who want to have this chance, contact the show and get turned down. 

Then read this -

"... he was kicked out of Rhode Island Hospital for ordering pizza.

The television production company for TLC's "My 600-lb Life" then contacted Assanti. The owner's assistant at Megalomedia said they may be interested in filming him, though not necessarily for that show."

Then knew exactly who this guy was an how it would play out.

I hope this show doesn't continue this trend--towards the uber crazy and dramatic. I still want to see success stores with a minimal amount of drama--not overgrown, dislikable babies who are batshit crazy that "make good television".

And if I were Dr. Now, I'd find this trend questionable. It's so Dr. Phil with the crazy bullshit. 

Edited March 30, 2017 by TurtlePower
Commenting before Coffee, made a boo boo

[Toaster Strudel]

I liked psychodad's reason to buy his idiot son more pizza... it's better to buy him pizza than him ending up at some hospital!  Psychodad's bumbling and tripping over his words while he said that was a testament to his sincerity, LOL.

[BabyRocker]

I usually love this show, but I cannot watch the Assanti brothers or their idiot father.  I am deleting and apparently have to skip next week, too.  I am going to rewatch last week's episode because Tracey was uplifting and worth whatever money was spent to help her.

[Hockeymom]

Just now, ClareWalks said:

I have just started this episode but can fetal alcohol syndrome cause this behavior?

I never thought of that!

Good idea. Sad, but a good idea.

Who knows if she really was a raging alcoholic. We just have their version of events. They said she chose her boyfriends over her kids. I know there was mention of the boyfriends abusing the boys, but I question everything Jr. says. Clearly, Steven doesn't like being told no. It may have just been a firm "go to bed". Who knows? Good mothers don't abandon their kids. I just think there are missing pieces here.

[xwordfanatik]

12 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

Physically abusive drunks ... just saying.  

The waste of our taxpayer money on this entire family is appalling.  We are all paying for all three of them.  Including the dad.  Any one of us who has dealt with trying to get benefits for family members with legitimate disabilities should have a copy of this to pump us up for the endless appeal process.  This giant piece of excrement was given an RV ambulance ride for free, where most insurance companies don't cover  any of an ambulance drive to a hospital in an extreme medical emergency.  This waste of resources bothers so much I just can't articulate my disgust properly.  I just want to scream!

I'm just about halfway through, and words can't express how appalling this is.  I totally agree with you!

He's getting 5 star hotel treatment, and he's a total waste of all the resources given to him.  I'm beyond disgusted!!

[Thriftykins]

He was in the hospital for a few months wasn't he?  Why did it take so long for his true colors to come out and him to start acting abusive?

[TurtlePower]

6 minutes ago, xwordfanatik said:

I'm just about halfway through, and words can't express how appalling this is.  I totally agree with you!

He's getting 5 star hotel treatment, and he's a total waste of all the resources given to him.  I'm beyond disgusted!!

If this trend continues, I'll stop watching for sure. Between James K and this episode it's a shitload of why bother. Someone else could use and appreciate the help.

[scoopski potata]

44 minutes ago, Ivylady said:

Steven Sr. needs to get to the "if he dies, he dies" stage soon, or Steven Jr. will be the death of him.

He needs to get up with Candy Finnigan from Intervention and listen to her favorite saying which I think is pertinent here: "you're going to love him to death."

He is literally loving his son to death. At this point, it's a race to see whether the drugs or the weight stop his heart first. Princess has that epic side eye because she knows this shit. She knows his game and what he's about - he is severely emotionally damaged and is heavily addicted to both food and opiates and she knows what's up and isn't about that enabling life. That would violate the oaths she took as a healthcare provider. I stand by my statement that he needs psychiatric care...and amend that to he needs an addiction specialist.

[Wings]

38 minutes ago, Trees said:

He's naked because he loves to shock.

What else is he supposed to say?  The truth.  "You are a drug addict and you are not cooperating with your weight loss.  We cannot help you.  You are no longer our patient or under our care in any form.  Good-bye."

That is exactly what he did!  We are saying the same thing.  

Edited March 30, 2017 by wings707

[Toaster Strudel]

And I thought Steven was daddy's favorite son!  Justin is off daddy's radar unless he dares to question his favoritism of Steven.

Steven likes pepperoni and cheese pizza.  God forbid he should have a vegetable on it!

[Toaster Strudel]

Steven is also a disgusting pervert.

[IOU Payne]

If only Dr. Drew and Dr. Now could tag-team on this case!  Dr. Now has nothing to offer Steven in terms of treatment because his addiction and psychopathology far outweigh his obesity issues (pun intended).  First, the addiction needs to be addressed, then he should go to a structured out-patient program for severe personality disorders.  

Poor Justin needs intensive treatment for his anxiety disorder before he's ready for bariatric surgery.   

And Daddy Dearest needs help, too.  I would seriously suggest he find a family support group.  Then he can learn how to tune out to Steven's histrionic tantrums.  And perhaps deal with some of the guilt that's driving the intense enabling of one son and ignoring of the other son. 

[POPTARTIN]

Lurker on many boards, first post.

With everything said about Dr.Now and shouldn't have let him be a patient, he is totally in this for the viewers and rating himself and saw nothing but viewers and ratings for him with this case.

I live in the Houston area and my mom works in healthcare, and has worked with Dr.Now. Shes on the admin side so sees all their licenses/lawsuits/reviews, gets their hospital privileges  and everything and he is no saint. He is known to only take the bigger people who should not have the surgery due to their risks. This show is such a cash cow for him. Many many people have died on the table and during his treatments than ever should, most due to they should have never even been close to the OR or the crazy diets he puts in place. He definitely has a reputation in Houston and the med center of what kind of doctor he is, how hard he is to work with and for, and generally just not a great person. I wouldn't let him touch my dog. 

[bubbly]

I'm usually very sympathetic and empathetic with the subjects on this show even when they're dispicable.   For transparency: pretty much the entire maternal side of my family are morbidly obese and my cousin had to be cut out of his mother's house not too far away from Now's practice.  I love my family and have seen first hand the struggles they've had and the cruelty some of them have been treated with (my first cousin was asked to the prom in high school.  The entire family went over to see her and her date.  The guy never showed because it was a huge joke...I think about it now and die a little inside when I remember how she cried with zero sound.  She just turned bluish white and the tears poured.  Damn, now I'm crying myself)

I'm not hard hearted, I think I'm a morally strong person,  but I felt things I've never experienced while watching this episode.   I went from disgust to actually feeling a kind of fear when he was shown.  I have a horrible feeling the only reason he isn't a sadistic serial killer is because he's too fat to sneak up on anyone and is too out of shape to dispose of a body by himself.   There's a primitive part of our brain that reacts before our conscious mind really realizes we're in danger and Steven triggered my primal fear instinct.  Heavy, heavy episode y'all.