My 600lb Life
ChickenKillerPuppy
Posts: 297 Member
So My 600lb life came up recently in a thread and I see a few folks on these message boards watch the show. I watch the show. One thing I have wondered is why does Dr. Now start them on such an extreme deprivation? I assume it's because they are in such bad shape that they need to just sustain their life functions and otherwise lose as much weight as possible so they won't die. But it's so extreme - is it contributing to the many failures? Would love to hear what people think!
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There is something called a Very Low Calorie Diet - it is used with doctor supervision in cases of extreme obesity for basically the reasons you said. There comes a point where the obesity is a bigger threat to the lives of the people put on them than from the diet itself. Like chemotherapy being used to treat cancer.
It probably would contribute to failure if used indefinitely but it isn't intended to last for a very long time. Just to enable people to shed weight that is threatening the lives of the patients quickly.
That said there's an element of 'get viewers' in these shows that makes the... reason for decisions sometimes a bit questionable. (ETA: And to make it LOOK more dramatic than it may be in reality).9 -
ChickenKillerPuppy wrote: »So My 600lb life came up recently in a thread and I see a few folks on these message boards watch the show. I watch the show. One thing I have wondered is why does Dr. Now start them on such an extreme deprivation? I assume it's because they are in such bad shape that they need to just sustain their life functions and otherwise lose as much weight as possible so they won't die. But it's so extreme - is it contributing to the many failures? Would love to hear what people think!
For the first bolded, yes, the VLCD is to save the patients' lives.
For the second bolded - I haven't watched in a while, but when I did, there weren't many failures at all. (I'm assuming you don't mean the INITIAL failure, which is common to all episodes I've seen, but failure by the end of the episode.)
What season has lots of failures?5 -
Weight loss surgery is a tool. Dr Now wants them to be able to do the work of losing weight before their surgery to show them it’s not a simple fix. Most of the episodes I’ve watched, the people are very high risk for surgery. Losing weight helps lessen the surgical risks.
Sometimes I wonder if they have ever watched the show. They almost always fail to initially lose the amount of weight Dr Now sets for them. It’s a huge adjustment from eating incessantly all day, to 1200 calories. I would hope that they would realize what they would have to do before ever contacting Dr Now. It’s really heartbreaking to watch sometimes.6 -
missysippy930 wrote: »Weight loss surgery is a tool. Dr Now wants them to be able to do the work of losing weight before their surgery to show them it’s not a simple fix. Most of the episodes I’ve watched, the people are very high risk for surgery. Losing weight helps lessen the surgical risks.
Sometimes I wonder if they have ever watched the show. They almost always fail to initially lose the amount of weight Dr Now sets for them. It’s a huge adjustment from eating incessantly all day, to 1200 calories. I would hope that they would realize what they would have to do before ever contacting Dr Now. It’s really heartbreaking to watch sometimes.
The AA model doesn't work for me personally, but I know it works for a lot of people. I suspect they make Dr. Now their "higher power" and this is why it finally works for them.
Could be the pressure of being on a reality show as well. "The Observer Effect" messes up studies.0 -
I watch frequently and this season has been very frustrating. I want them all to succeed but so far only one patient has gotten surgery before the end of their 2-hr episode. My heart breaks when I hear their traumatic stories about how they got to be in such bad shape, he should start therapy on day 1 song with the diet. Waiting so long doesn’t do anyone any good and can cause more failure. Oh, and their enablers/family need therapy too, many of these individuals are all but bed bound, so they can’t eat food if it isn’t brought to them...
But yes, since they are closely monitored, the 1200 calories isn’t too low for them. It does 2 main things when done properly, 1) slowed them to lose significant weight quickly (a lot of water weight for sure) to make it a little safer for them to have surgery and 2) forces them to realize that after their surgery they physically won’t be able to eat the quantity of food they are accustomed to and that the surgery isn’t a “magic pill”and they still have to put in some work.3 -
Huh, I wonder what's going on with this season. Is it current - during the pandemic?0
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I agree with one of the original posters....
Have these people ever watched the show? Don't they realize they are going to be asked to lose at least 100 pounds before having the surgery?
This season has been truly awful. One thing I never fail to be shocked at is how difficult it is for people to make the trip to Houston....I mean down right painful and nearly impossible. Getting them into the vehicle is heartbreaking.
Just knowing I'd have to return in 2 months in that shape would make me afraid to NOT lose weight in that time frame.
Tough season....
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I watch frequently and this season has been very frustrating. I want them all to succeed but so far only one patient has gotten surgery before the end of their 2-hr episode. My heart breaks when I hear their traumatic stories about how they got to be in such bad shape, he should start therapy on day 1 song with the diet. Waiting so long doesn’t do anyone any good and can cause more failure. Oh, and their enablers/family need therapy too, many of these individuals are all but bed bound, so they can’t eat food if it isn’t brought to them...
But yes, since they are closely monitored, the 1200 calories isn’t too low for them. It does 2 main things when done properly, 1) slowed them to lose significant weight quickly (a lot of water weight for sure) to make it a little safer for them to have surgery and 2) forces them to realize that after their surgery they physically won’t be able to eat the quantity of food they are accustomed to and that the surgery isn’t a “magic pill”and they still have to put in some work.
I think it's for show. Getting them in therapy and having them talk through their issues and develop strategies to cope is less entertaining than watching them struggle to make the changes needed.
Don't forget, the network covers the surgery and all care for the year of filming. I'm cynical, but their goal is ratings. https://www.thelist.com/197393/heres-how-much-the-surgeries-on-my-600-lb-life-cost
I did some research and many insurance companies do actually require some level of counseling before being cleared for surgery.3 -
ChickenKillerPuppy wrote: »So My 600lb life came up recently in a thread and I see a few folks on these message boards watch the show. I watch the show. One thing I have wondered is why does Dr. Now start them on such an extreme deprivation? I assume it's because they are in such bad shape that they need to just sustain their life functions and otherwise lose as much weight as possible so they won't die. But it's so extreme - is it contributing to the many failures? Would love to hear what people think!
It's basically to save their life. It is dangerous for them to eat that little, but it's more dangerous for them to lose the weight at what would be a safer rate, because they need the weight loss surgery sooner rather than later.
By the time a person gets to such an extreme weight, their relationship with food, their hunger and satiety signals, their ability to judge appropriate servings and volume, are all out of whack, and they are probably psychologically resistant to change and typical diet advice. I'd guess theres as much chance they'd fail a few times at a more reasonable deficit (as most of us do!) but there's no time for them to go thru the two lbs down one lb up swings a regular dieter would. They've basically backed themselves into a corner where the only answers are drastic
and theyre racing against a ticking time bomb. 3 -
This IMO would be the main reason. The brain doesn't catch up with the surgery. So it's not uncommon for some after to want to eat more than what's the see on the plate after surgery. Until they realize in a few bites that they can't eat large portions anymore like they used to.I watch frequently and this season has been very frustrating. I want them all to succeed but so far only one patient has gotten surgery before the end of their 2-hr episode. My heart breaks when I hear their traumatic stories about how they got to be in such bad shape, he should start therapy on day 1 song with the diet. Waiting so long doesn’t do anyone any good and can cause more failure. Oh, and their enablers/family need therapy too, many of these individuals are all but bed bound, so they can’t eat food if it isn’t brought to them...
But yes, since they are closely monitored, the 1200 calories isn’t too low for them. It does 2 main things when done properly, 1) slowed them to lose significant weight quickly (a lot of water weight for sure) to make it a little safer for them to have surgery and 2) forces them to realize that after their surgery they physically won’t be able to eat the quantity of food they are accustomed to and that the surgery isn’t a “magic pill”and they still have to put in some work.
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I also watch 1000lbs sisters. Tammy is a train wreck and getting worse. I truly wonder if she's gonna make it.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I have found my people! Love watching 1000 lb sisters, haven't been keeping up on the current season of 600lb but will return to it soon.
I wonder how closely monitored they really are. From what is shown, the first month or two of their journey the people on 600lb life are often living in a different state than Dr. Now and don't move to Texas until they are ready for the surgery. I suppose they might be set up with a more local doctor to help monitor them in the interim, but I wish they would show that in the episodes if that is the case.2 -
I also watch 1000lbs sisters. Tammy is a train wreck and getting worse. I truly wonder if she's gonna make it.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I watch 1,000lb Sisters too and it is hard to watch Tammy fall apart like that, especially with Amy doing well (I'm just a few episodes in to Season 2 but it seems to be the case.)0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »For the second bolded - I haven't watched in a while, but when I did, there weren't many failures at all. (I'm assuming you don't mean the INITIAL failure, which is common to all episodes I've seen, but failure by the end of the episode.)
What season has lots of failures?
In this most recent season, more and more the participants can't stick with it long enough to get approved for weight loss surgery, or it seems they need to pick people who live far away from Houston which makes getting to Houston (safely) for weigh-ins and such really hard, and it means they are less invested and not really losing much, so you don't have the same arc of the show where they meet with Dr. Now, they need to lose X amount of weight in the first month or two, then maybe they fall short, they try again, they make it, they get the surgery, and then they get used to post-surgery. They often don't even make it to the surgery portion anymore.
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As mentioned ,i think it's a few reasons.
1)To lose as much weight as possible because it's dangerous for them to be at these weights.
2)To prove that they're willing to do the work. Like he tells them, he gives them the tools to succeed but they have to do the work. Initially they all think it is not going to be hard, and once they realize how little they will now eat ,they can't do it.
3)To make it to a safer weight for the surgery. The strain on their heart with all this weight is huge and they're at risk for cardiac arrest during surgery.
4) To show them and make them realize that after surgery this is how their life will have to be from now on. Small meals, low calories,protein rich diet .Basically you can kiss the complex carbs goodbye after surgery. I think you need to take supplements for the rest of your life, so your regular meals would have to have nutritional value.
What surprises me most are their enablers. You can cuss and swear as much as you like from that bed, but i ain't bringing you any of that stuff .I know if you love someonetheir weight shouldn't matter ,but the truth is if you love them you should never have let them get to that weight.5 -
Yeah, I don't get the enablers. Like what are the 600lbs gonna do? Get up and kick your *kitten*?jennypapage wrote: »As mentioned ,i think it's a few reasons.
1)To lose as much weight as possible because it's dangerous for them to be at these weights.
2)To prove that they're willing to do the work. Like he tells them, he gives them the tools to succeed but they have to do the work. Initially they all think it is not going to be hard, and once they realize how little they will now eat ,they can't do it.
3)To make it to a safer weight for the surgery. The strain on their heart with all this weight is huge and they're at risk for cardiac arrest during surgery.
4) To show them and make them realize that after surgery this is how their life will have to be from now on. Small meals, low calories,protein rich diet .Basically you can kiss the complex carbs goodbye after surgery. I think you need to take supplements for the rest of your life, so your regular meals would have to have nutritional value.
What surprises me most are their enablers. You can cuss and swear as much as you like from that bed, but i ain't bringing you any of that stuff .I know if you love someonetheir weight shouldn't matter ,but the truth is if you love them you should never have let them get to that weight.
And it would very easy to call any fast food place and let them know NOT to accept any orders from the phone number or address for delivery.
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I remember Dr Now telling a patient that at their current weight, they would have to be eating 10,000 calories/day just to maintain that weight. This person was gaining. Enablers, carry some blame, but the real responsibility lies on the person putting the food in their mouths. They’re all adults. Some of them are real bullies, hard to sympathize with. Blaming others for their eating habits. The bottom line is, as with all of us trying to lose weight, you have to make the effort and want to lose weight, more than you want the temporary gratification overeating gives you. A simple concept, but not easy for many of us. Ever had the thought that I’ll do better tomorrow? I know I have. You don’t get to 600+ pounds with good self control. All of us that watch this show have to keep in mind the words on screen at the beginning of each episode, less than 5% keep the weight off.6
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Just an observation: The reality-show producers control the video editing. Sometimes the producers even trigger or orchestrate/order scenes to enhance the drama, if participant reports from other such shows are to be believed.6
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It’s funny this was brought up as I’ve recently been watching again... it’s been quite awhile since I have. I always have questions that run through my mind as the show airs, and it would be nice to spring board some of those thoughts and questions here.
One thought that comes to mind are the enablers. I know at the end of the day it wouldn’t be up to me to decide what someone eats, however I know for a fact I would not bring them the requested food amount they want had it been asked of me. I’ll give you my real life example.
My sister was in a horrible relationship much like many of the women on the show. Her weight started around the 150’s and now that I’ve moved away is on the high end of the 300’s. Whenever she wanted something to stuff all the hurt away I would talk to her for hours, let her lose time in the moment expressing her fears, heart break, anger, frustration, anything she felt. We would cry together. At the end of it, literally several hours later, we would be exhausted and cook a happy meal together. Typically a steak/broccoli stir fry dish and feel such a sense of peace and relief after.
IMO, bringing them the food and the amount of food they want is a quick fix. Deal with the issue, no matter how long it takes. Don’t be in a hurry for them to not feel hurt, you’re just making them feel guilt for burdening you. Go through the darkness together. And if they don’t want to do this, then they know you’re not their enabler. My sister would never ask me to bring her those things, because I will go that distance with her. I won’t let her wallow in her despair alone. Now that I’m gone everyone just does what she says because they think it’s easier. And she’s never been bigger or more miserable.
One question that comes to my mind- is therapy a part of our government program for obesity since they are living on disability?? This is something that can be fixed, so I was wondering if that was a requirement or not? It seems like trying to get surgery is the first time therapy is even a consideration. They need help, they are not a lost cause! Isn’t therapy a better course of action from the jump?
I have more questions and thoughts but I’ll leave it here for now. Super interesting show! I would like to add as a final thought, I am amazed by how sweet, sincere, and humble many of the individuals on the show are! I envy their sweetness and some of the relationships they have with their SO. Despite their challenges, so many of them aren’t jaded by others. It makes me feel grateful and humble for who I have in my life and my capabilities. I had the same experience watching the biggest loser. Some of the best people I have ever seen have been those people. I can’t help but love them.6 -
By dropping calories and getting some weight off helps shrink the liver. An oversized liver can interfere with the surgery.4
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psychod787 wrote: »By dropping calories and getting some weight off helps shrink the liver. An oversized liver can interfere with the surgery.
In the UK version of this show, they go on a two week (I think, it has been awhile since I watched) milk diet. Basically, a fast, but with two pints of milk a day. They say it shrinks the liver, but it doesn't seem like there should be anything special about milk, vs just choosing a random fad diet.1 -
concordancia wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »By dropping calories and getting some weight off helps shrink the liver. An oversized liver can interfere with the surgery.
In the UK version of this show, they go on a two week (I think, it has been awhile since I watched) milk diet. Basically, a fast, but with two pints of milk a day. They say it shrinks the liver, but it doesn't seem like there should be anything special about milk, vs just choosing a random fad diet.
WTH 🤢 I would love an explanation for that.2 -
kiwilimeade wrote: »I wonder how closely monitored they really are. From what is shown, the first month or two of their journey the people on 600lb life are often living in a different state than Dr. Now and don't move to Texas until they are ready for the surgery. I suppose they might be set up with a more local doctor to help monitor them in the interim, but I wish they would show that in the episodes if that is the case.
I think Dr. Now is well aware that there is no need to monitor them because not one is going to adhere to the 1200 calorie limit or even close. When they come in for their first weigh-in and fail to meet their target, you'll often hear him say that if they had stuck to 1200 a day they would have lost (substantially) more than the goal he gave them. He usually estimates their actual calorie intake at a much higher level based on their demonstrated weight loss.
In the older shows they used to send a dietician to the home to give them some education about food choices and I don't see that happening any more. I don't think it's realistic to assume that any of them have the knowledge to make appropriate choices, particularly around portion sizes, nor that they can they can learn all that from reading the material he gives them.3 -
@ythannah very true. I wish they would do the dietician support again.
I remember an episode where the woman claimed 3 or so times that she lost that reading material describing the diet and that's why she kept failing LOL3 -
kiwilimeade wrote: »@ythannah very true. I wish they would do the dietician support again.
I remember an episode where the woman claimed 3 or so times that she lost that reading material describing the diet and that's why she kept failing LOL
I remember that one! I think in the end she decided that Dr. Now's weight loss expectations were too aggressive and that losing 2 pounds a month was "right" for her, she knew her body the best.
I rarely see any of them measuring or weighing their food though. Maybe along with the diet sheets he should be handing them a $20 food scale.4 -
concordancia wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »By dropping calories and getting some weight off helps shrink the liver. An oversized liver can interfere with the surgery.
In the UK version of this show, they go on a two week (I think, it has been awhile since I watched) milk diet. Basically, a fast, but with two pints of milk a day. They say it shrinks the liver, but it doesn't seem like there should be anything special about milk, vs just choosing a random fad diet.
WTH 🤢 I would love an explanation for that.
From the NHS:
“Liver shrinkage diet (LRD) is a diet based on low energy (calories), in particular low in carbohydrate and fat.
By following a liver shrinkage diet, your body will be forced to use up the stored carbohydrate (glycogen) from the liver. The glycogen and a quantity of water will leave the liver, and therefore liver will shrink and become softer, more flexible and easier to move during surgery.
During laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery the liver has to be lifted out of the way to access the stomach lying beneath it. Most people needing bariatric surgery have a large, fatty liver which can cause difficulty for keyhole surgery.”
There are options other than the milk diet - Slimfast is one of those options, or a very low carb, low fat, low calorie meal plan. I can see, though, that the milk option is probably the one recommended by the NHS as it’s super simple to understand for patients who have already demonstrated a lack of knowledge around food behaviours.5 -
Me too. Denial is a strong excuse for many of them who just can't seem to lose the amount they need to before surgery.kiwilimeade wrote: »@ythannah very true. I wish they would do the dietician support again.
I remember an episode where the woman claimed 3 or so times that she lost that reading material describing the diet and that's why she kept failing LOL
I remember that one! I think in the end she decided that Dr. Now's weight loss expectations were too aggressive and that losing 2 pounds a month was "right" for her, she knew her body the best.
I rarely see any of them measuring or weighing their food though. Maybe along with the diet sheets he should be handing them a $20 food scale.
What's always been so interesting to me is how people who KNOW they are at high risk for losing their life (and that includes people like skyscraper climbers, daredevils, etc.) still walk the line. It may not be till they face near death that they would ever really change. Shows how strong endorphins can be.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I kind of wish they’d give more of the details on the successes. A positive incentive for motivation of others.
Too many episodes showing Two months later, and they lost 10 pounds, or gained. And of course “I followed the diet, I don’t know what happened “. It’s sometimes depressing to watch, I can only imagine how depressing it must be for the people themselves.
I’m currently watching season 8 episode 10. I’m going to start watching the Where are they now, shows after this season and skip season 9 after reading some of the comments here.1 -
While this isn’t strictly weight loss related I often wonder how in the world they afford all of that food, especially the take out/fast food. Many of them don’t work and are on disability so they have a small income stream, but they must spend thousands of dollars on food alone. I just can’t fathom...8
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kshama2001 wrote: »Huh, I wonder what's going on with this season. Is it current - during the pandemic?
Yes I believe so, some have been shown with masks. There hasn't been a single success yet. I think 2 men looked like they were on their way to possibly working in the right direction, but most this season have failed0
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