S07.E22: Janine

[PrincessPurrsALot]

Quote

A year since her weight loss journey began, Janine is still in the 500s and mostly immobile, and now, Dr. Nowzaradan is running out of options for how to treat her if she can't find  way to control her eating habit and start walking again. 

It's another "Where Are They Now?" episode, following up on Janine, the scooter queen.  Will she get her gastric balloon removed?  Will she get surgery? Will she scoot her way all around town?  

This is the regular episode thread.  It will open after the US East Coast showing. 

Original air date 2019.05.29

[Kenzie]

Mostly pepper said:

"Janine loves being supine in her hospital bed, being waited on hand and foot. Its as close as she'll ever get to luxury."

I think you really nailed it.

Edited May 30, 2019 by Kenzie

[Cherrio]

I think homeless Doug just found a home.

Wait till he finds out she is flipping his burgers with those tongs.

[Granny58]

Can't stand how she closes her eyes while she speaks.  It's so unnerving.   Also, regarding her thinning hair,I suspect she isn't getting enough iron.   That'll do it.

[Julyolo]

It occurred to me that with Doug in the picture, Janine's sister and niece lost a lot of weight too.

[iwasish]

15 minutes ago, Granny58 said:

Can't stand how she closes her eyes while she speaks.  It's so unnerving.   Also, regarding her thinning hair,I suspect she isn't getting enough iron.   That'll do it.

My friend had the gastric sleeve surgery and even with vitamin supplements she lost a lot of hair. She’s gained a lot of weight back too. No Dr Lola or Paradise for her. 

[Gbb]

Quote

In the live thread, iwasish said:

Her feet actually look human

I noticed the same thing, and it just occurred to me why. She never used them for walking!

[Cherrio]

Janine has taken up swimming.

[Meowwww]

I found her thoroughly unlikeable.  Bunny-boilerish. No idea why....well, ok, the screaming and acting precious contributed.  

Her “happy happy joy joy” voiceovers really bugged.  

[babyhouseman]

1 hour ago, Granny58 said:

Can't stand how she closes her eyes while she speaks. 

A cousin did the same thing. My mother said the cousin's father was the same way. There were no weight problems though. 

Janine was really getting on my last nerve on the scooter. At least she got to a walker. The other patients in her section must've thought she was having surgery without anesthesia with all the noise she was making. When she went from the bed to the stretcher, the closed captioning showed her saying "Eek!" 

[sagittarius sue]

Poeticlicensed mentioned in Live Chat

I realize that many people in scooters need them because of disability, but when I see hugely obese person riding around the grocery store, it's like they have given up. Plus those damn things are dangerous

I re watched Janine's episode yesterday, and noticed that she almost hit a guy in her first trip to the airport.  He was obviously upset, said something, and the airport person told him to move along.  Janine said she was just trying to get to a security person as if it justified her running the guy down.

[Tabbygirl521]

I will say I like her sounding animated when narrating. I think she’s one of the few that doesn’t plod through the script. 

[missnoa]

I honestly cannot handle how whiny she is, good lord it's so irritating. And then the rest of the time everything she says comes off as incredibly fake. I don't know how to explain it but that's how it came off to me.

[Scratches19]

Comments as watched:

I joined tonight's episode already in progress. 

We see an infected cavity between stomach folds. Dr. Now recoils when it is exposed. 

We see Janine swallow a balloon. Will people be trying this at home?

We see Janine eat a salad. Not a serving of salad, but an entire serving bowl of salad. 

Predictably, the next weigh in goes poorly. As a TLC bonus, we get another look at the previously infected area. It resembles a very large taint. If you don't know what that is, Google it. 

Janine goes to therapy. Or, therapy goes to her. Because even a scooter isn't enough convenience. I'm glad she went. In watching many episodes, the psychological / outlook aspect seems so crucial to success. 

We see a flashback to, what is a first for me, a scooter drive thru visit to buy twenty piece nugget purchase.  McDonald's should use this footage for a touching commercial about their power of their nuggets. "Even homebound morbidly obese people come for them."

But then a happy turning point, 478, and 82 lbs lost. The taint removal surgery is approved. 

Dr. Now delivers this wisdom:

"The scooters are addicting. And sometimes taking the scooter away, is harder than taking the carbs again." 

Anyone remember the space cruise ship from WALL-E?

"It's all because you're working hard now, so keep it up."  I love Dr. Now. 

Random thought on the possible want  ad: Used scooter for sale. Only taken to the drive thru on Sundays. 

Surgery day. The lymphodema must go! (And so must that scooter). The visuals are juicy. A literal tub of lard and skin is hauled away.  A thought flashes about possible donations for Kardashian butt and lip implants. 

Weeks later, Janine just isn't ready to walk yet. Too much pain. "It's challenging" she says in her perky voice. And it is. She feels the pain and crumbles. "Oh my leg. Oh my leg." 

Thought flashes in my mind. Maybe wheel her down to the chemo/radiation  ward for some perspective on what pain is and how people can do with it. 

Then the screaming. She's reverting. 

The balloon comes out. One MONTH in bed at home. The legs don't work. Or is it Janine.  Time will tell.  But she still lost weight.  347. 

Surgery day again. We find a hiatal hernia as a bonus repair. Not a fun thing to have. The stomach comes out and looks pretty small. I guess reduced food intake DOES shrink it. 

Will she finally walk? During the next 12 minutes of show (plus 18 minutes of ads) we may find out. Come on Janine. Dig deep. Dump that Lark once and for ALL! 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Scratches19
Typo, added third half hour.

[DropTheSoap]

I haven’t seen whole ep yet. I’ve seen bits. 

I recall she’s the woman who knows everything, does nothing, and cries and whines as she fails. Plus she had the overly made up and overly dramatic niece. 

I’m partway through. She’s still annoying and failing. 

I did see a little bit near the end last night I’m hoping Frankenstein-looking boyfriend was a first date when she was dropping trou at Dr. Now’s while wearing the Halloween wig. 

[nokat]

9 hours ago, Cherrio said:

I think homeless Doug just found a home.

Wait till he finds out she is flipping his burgers with those tongs.

Who was it who said we need a vomit emoji? I think you just put me off food for at least a day. I may lose a pound. :)
 

[nokat]

7 hours ago, Scratches19 said:

As a TLC bonus, we get another look at the previously infected area. It resembles a very large taint.

I enjoyed your entire post, but this had me both cringing and giggling. Especially the "as a TLC bonus."
 

[jacksgirl]

Such a cautionary tale.  You cannot abuse your body that badly and for that long and not have permanent effects. Janine seems intelligent but the little girl act wore thin. Glad she is happier and healthier, but what a sad life she leads.

[Jeeves]

8 hours ago, missnoa said:

I honestly cannot handle how whiny she is, good lord it's so irritating. And then the rest of the time everything she says comes off as incredibly fake. I don't know how to explain it but that's how it came off to me.

This. That's how I perceived her.

3 hours ago, DropTheSoap said:

I recall she’s the woman who knows everything, does nothing, and cries and whines as she fails. Plus she had the overly made up and overly dramatic niece. 

That gets right to the gist of it. Well said!

37 minutes ago, jacksgirl said:

Such a cautionary tale.  You cannot abuse your body that badly and for that long and not have permanent effects. Janine seems intelligent but the little girl act wore thin. Glad she is happier and healthier, but what a sad life she leads.

Another fine recap. She was annoying AF and I was really surprised that she achieved such a dramatic weight loss. By the end of the episode she was a lot lighter. But no less annoying.

Her sister-in-law seemed nice. I can only imagine what Janine must have put her family through over the years. I get the idea that the family has been supportive but has established some boundaries along with it. 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Jeeves

[Cementhead]

The best part was when Dr. Now was trying to get her out of the hospital bed so that he could go and weigh her and he walks in and says 'Here's a super-sized wheelchair for you'  Ha!!  I laughed at that for a good 10 minutes.

[nokat]

21 minutes ago, Cementhead said:

The best part was when Dr. Now was trying to get her out of the hospital bed so that he could go and weigh her and he walks in and says 'Here's a super-sized wheelchair for you'  Ha!!  I laughed at that for a good 10 minutes.

Hands you a pair of gasoline soaked under drawers. :D  And a complimentary basket of oranges, grapes, crackers, and sugar free jam.
 

[Persnickety1]

At the wig shop, I giggled my ass off when the camera zoomed in on the LOLA wig 😆

Does anyone know off hand which season/episode Janine first appeared?  I can't seem to locate it and I must have missed her original appearance.  

I didn't actively dislike Janine in this episode, but I'll reserve judgment until I see her debut.  

[Stiggs]

10 hours ago, sagittarius sue said:

Poeticlicensed mentioned in Live Chat

I realize that many people in scooters need them because of disability, but when I see hugely obese person riding around the grocery store, it's like they have given up. Plus those damn things are dangerous

I re watched Janine's episode yesterday, and noticed that she almost hit a guy in her first trip to the airport.  He was obviously upset, said something, and the airport person told him to move along.  Janine said she was just trying to get to a security person as if it justified her running the guy down.

An ASSHOLE woman on a scooter was like, raging down the sidewalk, lost control of her scooter and hit one of my dogs (he's a golden). She cussed me out for having such a big dog. (She thought it should be illegal to have such a big dog in public - I'm not joking, lol.)  I live in South Florida, and I live in a walking town, so I fear the scooter. I can see the sense of power the scooter folks have on their faces, lol. Before my dog got hit we had many close calls, no joke. I got literally nervous watching Janine speed around on her death bullet. 

How different she looked with that wig! I could have really done without her efforts to be cutesy. Her visit with Dr. Now when she brought a date was icky. She was acting like a tween and it was weird.  

I hope I am never at a point in my life where I'm asking people to push my butt. 

[Tabbygirl521]

I listened more than watched because I was compulsively working on a jigsaw  puzzle, which I love and which also helps keep me from eating out of boredom** (you’d think this show would be sufficient, but no). But after reading all the comments I know I have to rewatch, with my eyes, if only to check out Doug. And I need to see Lola’s wig  

** Just a hint, poundticipants! Free advice!

@Scratches19, yer killin’ me! 😂😂😂 Bonus points for the WALL-E ref: too perfect! 😂😂😂😂

Edited May 30, 2019 by Tabbygirl521

[Colleenna]

I didn't watch last night's episode because HOCKEY! But I did check in to the live chat during intermissions. After reading the comments, I was not the least bit saddened by not watching the episode. 

[DC Gal in VA]

58 minutes ago, Stiggs said:

An ASSHOLE woman on a scooter was like, raging down the sidewalk, lost control of her scooter and hit one of my dogs (he's a golden). She cussed me out for having such a big dog. (She thought it should be illegal to have such a big dog in public - I'm not joking, lol.)  I live in South Florida, and I live in a walking town, so I fear the scooter. I can see the sense of power the scooter folks have on their faces, lol. Before my dog got hit we had many close calls, no joke. I got literally nervous watching Janine speed around on her death bullet. 

How different she looked with that wig! I could have really done without her efforts to be cutesy. Her visit with Dr. Now when she brought a date was icky. She was acting like a tween and it was weird.  

I hope I am never at a point in my life where I'm asking people to push my butt. 

I'm a total dog lover Stiggs and I am bowing down to your amazing self control at not bitch slapping that woman, scooter or not! Death bullet? Love that!😆

[rlc]

1 hour ago, Persnickety1 said:

At the wig shop, I giggled my ass off when the camera zoomed in on the LOLA wig 😆

Which one? There are several fine options.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm glad Janine finally had the surgery, and if Doug, the wonder date is her incentive to use the walker, and retire the scooter, then I'm glad he came into her life.     I only hope she gives up her dependence on her family, and lets them have a life of their own.    

However, when she started yelling in the hospital as if they were murdering her, then I lost sympathy.      I also hope she goes to a makeover specialist, who will steer her to wigs that are a more flattering color, and help her find makeup that enhances her, instead of looking so harsh.      It's good she's opening herself up to new experiences, but I'm hoping she did some background check on Doug, because I found him more than a little creepy, and wonder what his motives are.   

Edited May 30, 2019 by CrazyInAlabama

[JJ1]

1 hour ago, Stiggs said:

An ASSHOLE woman on a scooter was like, raging down the sidewalk, lost control of her scooter and hit one of my dogs (he's a golden). She cussed me out for having such a big dog. (She thought it should be illegal to have such a big dog in public - I'm not joking, lol.)  I live in South Florida, and I live in a walking town, so I fear the scooter. I can see the sense of power the scooter folks have on their faces, lol. Before my dog got hit we had many close calls, no joke. I got literally nervous watching Janine speed around on her death bullet. 

My 90-yr old mom moved into a senior living facility a few years ago. It’s sort of a mixture of independent senior apartments and assisted living all mixed together. Nice outdoor areas with walking paths and sitting areas for the residents.  Anyway, their #1 rule for all residents was NO SCOOTERS ALLOWED. No exceptions. None. 

I can see why they had that rule now!

[libgirl2]

14 minutes ago, JJ1 said:

My 90-yr old mom moved into a senior living facility a few years ago. It’s sort of a mixture of independent senior apartments and assisted living all mixed together. Nice outdoor areas with walking paths and sitting areas for the residents.  Anyway, their #1 rule for all residents was NO SCOOTERS ALLOWED. No exceptions. None. 

I can see why they had that rule now!

My friend's mother's place wouldn't let her use on either, only when she went out with family/friends. I didn't understand why, now I do. 

[Friday]

I'm about halfway through this lump of nothing's episode, and can only say:  I despise her.  And her niece better watch it too, she's well on her way to Janine-ville too.

[nokat]

1 hour ago, Stiggs said:

An ASSHOLE woman on a scooter was like, raging down the sidewalk, lost control of her scooter and hit one of my dogs (he's a golden).

You did say you were in south Florida, so maybe more familiar with scooters. I'm of the mind you share the sidewalk, scooter or not. Maybe because I'm used to narrow sidewalks, where people are civil, and one person will stand aside to let another through.

I think there is some unsaid priority that Janine likes to take advantage of. Scooter means she's more important. If she walks, then she's just another pedestrian.
 

[Stiggs]

1 hour ago, DC Gal in VA said:

I'm a total dog lover Stiggs and I am bowing down to your amazing self control at not bitch slapping that woman, scooter or not! Death bullet? Love that!😆

Heh, well, um, I left out the part of the story where I went ape shit on her 80-year old ass, lol. Thankfully I live in a dog town, and the other folks out and about were outraged on our behalf, so she left in a fit of shame, heh. If that woman had hit a person, they probably wouldn't have gotten half as mad, lol. NOT A DOG, lady! (Also, my golden is like an ox and was fine, but I did make a trip to the vet just to make sure. My vet laughed and is like, only in Florida...)

So the rescue cat yoga...at a bar? I like wacky stuff and all, but I think I'm showing my age when I just don't understand shit like this. Like yoga with goats. Why on earth? I'm the least hip person in the world, so I just don't get it. I wouldn't want to do half-ass yoga in a bar with rescue kitties. Separately, I support all of those things, but that looked kind of icky. But hey, she had fun. I thought for a tiny moment she had moved from the scooter to a chair, but no, she was riding side saddle. I'm like, she's even doing rescue kitty bar yoga on her frigging scooter, FFS. I can't with this one, lol. 

When she had the scene without her wig at the end it was a little jarring. Looks like a completely different head. 

[Stiggs]

15 minutes ago, nokat said:

You did say you were in south Florida, so maybe more familiar with scooters. I'm of the mind you share the sidewalk, scooter or not. Maybe because I'm used to narrow sidewalks, where people are civil, and one person will stand aside to let another through.

I think there is some unsaid priority that Janine likes to take advantage of. Scooter means she's more important. If she walks, then she's just another pedestrian.
 

Oh, don't get me started. And I don't want to sound like I'm ragging on senior citizens, because I adore them. It's one of the things I love about where I live. But between the scooters and the golf carts, it can be dangerous to dog walk sometimes, heh. I have routes I take to avoid high-traffic areas, but that day I was going to lunch. Janine reminded me of the scooter ragers around here - they really do think because they are on the scooter that everyone should part like the red sea. My dogs are huge and I usually step aside when it's more than one person coming my way on the sidewalk. My dogs might be nice, but their size just scares some people and it's okay. I don't mind stepping aside - I think that's why I get so mad at the people who take over the walkway. And I guarantee you Janine is one of them, heh. She is a death bullet rager! lol. 

I was worried for a bit that maybe - maybe - Dr. Now wasn't understanding how bad her pain really was? I was worried maybe something was actually wrong - and now I'm kinda mad that I even thought that for ten minutes. Dr. Now KNOWS, man. 

[calpurnia99]

How the fuck did she get a boyfriend? I am her age, only 10 pounds overweight, and I can't get one, especially not one as decent looking as that guy was. I mean something was up. I just don't get what he saw in her unless she has a ton of money in the bank or what? She did look much better with the wig. But she claimed she had her profile up there before she got the wig.

I understand chubby chasers and that appeal but this is just baffling to me. She can't even walk!!! Fat, bald and can't walk and big cry baby and you get a boyfriend?

[JJ1]

2 minutes ago, calpurnia99 said:

How the fuck did she get a boyfriend? I am her age, only 10 pounds overweight, and I can't get one, especially not one as decent looking as that guy was. I mean something was up. I just don't get what he saw in her unless she has a ton of money in the bank or what? She did look much better with the wig. But she claimed she had her profile up there before she got the wig.

I understand chubby chasers and that appeal but this is just baffling to me. She can't even walk!!! Fat, bald and can't walk and big cry baby and you get a boyfriend?

I assumed TLC simply hired him for the storyline. 

[Persnickety1]

1 hour ago, rlc said:

Which one? There are several fine options.

😄 😄 😄

It was the long curly one with bangs, the one Lola appears to wear more often than the others.  

I kept waiting for Lola to show up to assist with the wig fitting but alas I was disappointed when that didn't happen.  

[Scratches19]

All these tales of "scooter rage" remind me of a recent trip to Walmart. (Yes, Walmart. I had to get my Atkins bars and shakes.)

Anyway, there was this elderly dude on a scooter who was honking the little horn, running over people's ankles and side sweeping their carts while growling "move aside, coming through". For a second I thought it was another sequel filming for Jackass. He nearly maimed a woman in the pharmacy section. I spotted him later and risked a candid photo. Now where is that photo. 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Scratches19
Found the scooter rage dude photo.

[nokat]

12 minutes ago, calpurnia99 said:

How the fuck did she get a boyfriend? I am her age, only 10 pounds overweight, and I can't get one, especially not one as decent looking as that guy was. I mean something was up. I just don't get what he saw in her unless she has a ton of money in the bank or what? She did look much better with the wig. But she claimed she had her profile up there before she got the wig.

I understand chubby chasers and that appeal but this is just baffling to me. She can't even walk!!! Fat, bald and can't walk and big cry baby and you get a boyfriend?

Calpurnia, you don't want that boyfriend. Set the bar really low, and you can get one, but I'm assuming you have some standards. Yes, her "boyfriend" wasn't homely, but her bank account will be emptied, or he'll be collecting her disability checks while her body rots. I was going to say sits in the chest freezer, but that is unlikely. (puts on ignitable drawers)
 

[ilovebeaarthur]

1 hour ago, Stiggs said:

So the rescue cat yoga...at a bar?

My germaphobe self was grossed out at the bare feet on the bar floor.

[Scratches19]

“Yes, her "boyfriend" wasn't homely, but her bank account will be emptied, or he'll be collecting her disability checks while her body rots. ”

(I need to figure out how to quote posts properly) 

I get the sense Janine had money. Maybe? Nicer clothes,  nicer glasses, fewer (no?) nasty tattoos, nicer home. Maybe she’s got a small pension with disability feature or an inheritance. I didn’t watch the prior episode for her detailed back story. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I think Janine's scooter is the deluxe model, where the seat swivels to the side to make it easier to get on and off of it.        I hope by now the scooter is history, and donated to someone who needs one, and she's walking full time.   

I didn't like the boyfriend.     Who takes a new boyfriend to Dr. Now's, and shows all of the growths that need removal?     The boyfriend could have waited in the reception room, not right there in the office. 

 I think she would have a lot of success with a personal trainer that works on weight training for physical therapy, building up gradually.    She needs more muscle strength, and I hope she works on that.      

Edited May 30, 2019 by CrazyInAlabama

[nokat]

36 minutes ago, Scratches19 said:

(I need to figure out how to quote posts properly)

scratches, you should be able to select some text out of a post, and an option to quote selection will appear.
 

[Cementhead]

54 minutes ago, Scratches19 said:

I get the sense Janine had money. Maybe? Nicer clothes,  nicer glasses, fewer (no?) nasty tattoos, nicer home.

Yes, when she finally got her ass to Houston, that was definitely the nicest kitchen and apartment complex exterior I have seen on this show. 

I only watched the first hour and made it up to the part where she asks the nurses to give her giant ass a shove so that she can make an attempt to stand up and get on the scale.  I wept for them at that moment.  And Mission not accomplished.  With all of this wig shopping and boyfriend talk I must try and catch the second half on the weekend when they replay episodes. 

Edited May 30, 2019 by Cementhead

[Scratches19]

The wig salon scene. 

Am I the only one who thought of Roger the alien from American Dad as she tried on the various wigs and it transformed her identity? 

[calpurnia99]

t

1 hour ago, nokat said:

Calpurnia, you don't want that boyfriend. Set the bar really low, and you can get one, but I'm assuming you have some standards. Yes, her "boyfriend" wasn't homely, but her bank account will be emptied, or he'll be collecting her disability checks while her body rots. I was going to say sits in the chest freezer, but that is unlikely. (puts on ignitable drawers)
 

I was thinking he was after her bank accounts or else hired by TLC or or something. It just seemed so completely FICTIONAL. This doesn't happen in real life. No normal guy is going to even write to her, let alone date her and let alone be in a relationship with her. I'm sorry this screams insane to me.

[calpurnia99]

17 hours ago, Granny58 said:

Can't stand how she closes her eyes while she speaks.  It's so unnerving.   Also, regarding her thinning hair,I suspect she isn't getting enough iron.   That'll do it.

There is a condition, which is very common, very similar to Male Pattern baldness known as Male Pattern Baldness in Women or Androgenetic Alopecia. Bald men are not bald because they did not get enough iron. She has all the signs of androgenetic alpecia.  There is nothing you can do about it, except try rogaine when it first starts, same as men.

17 hours ago, iwasish said:

My friend had the gastric sleeve surgery and even with vitamin supplements she lost a lot of hair. She’s gained a lot of weight back too. No Dr Lola or Paradise for her. 

Your friend had a type of alopecia from surgery, it is usually temporary from shock to the system.  This is known as Telogen Effluvium. Also surgery can cause Pressure Alopecia. This is not the kind of thinning hair that Janine has, since she had it well before the surgery.

Edited May 30, 2019 by calpurnia99

[Guest]

2 hours ago, calpurnia99 said:

I understand chubby chasers and that appeal but this is just baffling to me. She can't even walk!!! Fat, bald and can't walk and big cry baby and you get a boyfriend?

If it's a comfort, this is who Doug immediately struck me as a dead ringer for:

And the both loved the larger-framed ladies. Just sayin'.

Janine reminded me of that other Poundticipant whose name eludes me who took up with her high school ex-boyfriend and couldn't keep his name out of her mouth for a second. 

And I mean, here's Janine who's like 50-something years old getting all giddy with Dr Now, "This is my booooooyfriend!" Like that's something to brag about! That's like me inviting my friends over so I can gush over my new vehicle—only for them to be horrified to see that it's a rusted-out school bus sitting on cinder blocks filled with live chickens.  

[SunnyBeBe]

I missed the live last night.  I have some catching up to do.  

[dahling]

Janine has cloying, inappropriate simpering down to an art form.