I do watch. I wish they would follow more "mainstream" cases. It does seem like they set these folks up to fail.

I remember how my fat friends and I were so totally against WLS and we'd talk about how bad and dangerous it was and how we would NEVER do that! 15 years later several of those friends are dead from weight related issues, a couple more in wheelchairs/ scooters, and have diabetes... Two with congestive heart failure. My friends are dying in their 40s and 50s. Is it a victory to die in your early 60s? (One was on My 600 lb life) So now we are not close. Only 2 are Facebook friends. They don't know about the surgery. But one said "Are you done with this weight loss thing yet?!" as she sat in her scooter, right before her husband had to pick her legs up to get her in the SUV, because they are too large for her to lift them. This is when you remind yourself that just because you've known them 25 years it doesn't make them a close friend. So no, I can't watch those shows without feeling sad and relieved that I chose a different path when I weighed 400 lbs.

garber6th wrote: »

I actually never saw My 600lb Life until after I had surgery. The show does follow their stories for a length of time, but of course they aren't going to show the day to day stuff, that doesn't get ratings! When I watched it, sometimes I would recognize in the subjects some of my habits, thought processes, etc. I can really empathize with some of these people. Others, I want to smack them for not "getting" it, you know?

As for My Big Fat Fabulous Life - I've only seen bits and pieces of a few episodes, but oh boy, that chick... I'm sorry but I am not buying that she loves herself just the way she is and that her life is so fabulous. I think a lot of us know what it's like to put on that happy face, that front, when deep inside we feel stuck and pretty miserable. I think the whole "fat acceptance" movement is pretty dangerous, mainly for the health aspects. I know some women who are extremely obese who claim to be healthy, and sure, when you are 30 and obese you might be squeaking by, but your body can only take so much. That's what made me choose to have surgery, I wanted to be healthy. I wish I would have done it at 30 and not 50 though!

I echo a lot of your thoughts. I watched the entire 600-pound life series over a few weeks (post my surgery) and I thought it was a complete chameleon of a show. It would reinforce pretty much whatever you thought coming into watching it. If you thought the surgery was a bad idea, there were plenty of stories that had people looking for the easy way out and not making the life changes necessary. If you were working the plan and succeeding, you could see the positive power of the surgery for those who made it work. My main complaint is that it was almost completely focused on the last-chance patients, over 600 pounds and almost completely immobile and homebound.

My story was similar to what I see in the future for the "happy" Fat folks. I was making do at 400+ pounds. Staying athletic, successful in career and family. There was a deeper sadness, though, and I knew I was heading in a bad way. When my physical abilities started to decline in my 40's (primarily due to hip arthritis rearing its ugly head), the future all of a sudden looked very bleak if I didn't do something drastic. In all honesty, though, having that impetus contributed to my early success, as a switch was flipped and I jumped into the program with both feet.

I think the tv shows are valuable for those who are looking to see what goes on with WLS, but it certainly is not a full picture of the process or the impact on lives.

Rob

Sooooo...anyone watch "skin tight" tonight? I love it!!!!! I think that this will totally help me to prepare and know a little of what to expect from my body as I lose weight. I even watched "my 600lb life" and love the lady on the show this week.

While I have seen My 600 Pound Life, I have mostly been disgusted by it. I feel pity for the people going into it who don't seem to have a "handle" on what they need to do nutritionally and most just really aren't emotionally prepared for what is ahead. Very few I have seen have been really successful and made a new, "real" life for themselves. Sadly, I see a lot of that in real life too. As far as other shows such as cooking shows I do like them, but I am 3 years post op and I am able to watch recipes and tweak them to make them lighter, healthier. Now The Biggest Loser often bothers me because I have heard about what the contestants have endured in the past--dehydration prior to weigh ins, etc. I am excited for anyone who wants to improve their lives and it seems that The Biggest Loser is finally trying to move toward the emotional reasons behind the weight gains for the contestants. My hope is that people who do watch these shows, instead of seeing everything as a "quick fix" gets out them what they should--that weight loss is hard, doesn't happen over night, and is a lifetime change, a life style change. Also, it's not about being a size 6 (for us women), but about being healthy and happy with who we are.

Well said Annwyatt69! I too dislike my 600lb life I think they choose to highlight cases they can exploit, it saddens me I don't think the people are ready emotionally, mentally or physically....and I agree there are many in real life with the same battle. We need real life advocates who show the "REAL" side of WLS, it's work - harder than any other weight loss plan of my life - there are no days off, no cheat Sundays, no bites here or there...this is real life if you want to succeed, your own body feels like a traitor somedays when you are doing everything right...#thatstherealtruth But I am happier and healthier than ever and wouldn't trade it for anything

I watched a lot of 600lb Life right before I made the decision to look into surgery. That show and a show called Fat Doctor (BBC show I believe), both about weight loss surgery, is where I first really started learning what it was all about.

Obviously now that I'm about 6 months into the process I realize those shows aren't a representation of most weight loss surgery patients. But I still watch them here and there as a reminder of where I was likely to get to one day if I didn't do something about my eating habits.

gdnplnty wrote: »

One thing that I noticed on Skin Tight was that I felt that there was some regret that they displayed. Like, if I had known that I would have all of this left over, I am not feeling more miserable than I was before. But, I love that they are now showing the other side, the afterwards.

Now, as far as the 600, I have been watching it, more now as a reminder of what I need to do to not ever go back again. I was never near 600, but at 300 I was pretty out of control myself. It is an alarm to me to keep working my program, because just remember where I have been and where I am going. Not sure if that makes sense there.

Pretty much how I feel. I did not watch a full episode of Skin Tight but I found it to be a little more interesting. Not sure if I will go down that road in the future. It did give me some information that I did not know like the varicose veins making surgery more difficult and the nipple removal and reattachment with the man. I will try to catch a full episode.