Did anyone catch tonight's episode of "My 600 pound life"? It was completely eye opening about how important it is to be mentally prepared for this surgery. Penny had the VSG and 1 year after surgery she had gained 5 pounds. She never dipped below her pre surgery weight of 490 pounds...she had an excuse for everything. She refused to walk or stand and remained bed ridden. She lied to the doctor that she was doing EVERYTHING right when she was indulging in fried foods and carbs. Addiction can makes complete fools out of us, although after watching this episode I would say Penny wasnt just a victim. It was a powerful thing to see pre-op and I recommend you guys watch it!

Ive seen several of those and all that I have seen they have all gained most if not all of their weight back.. Tells you you have to keep your eyes on the prize and as my surgeon said to me.. " im giving you the tool to have a normal life its your job not to abuse it!!".. So So true. -195lbs. 10-15 to go and i am done but Ill never forget,.

Christian

Hey Katt I saw it but tuned in a bit late so I didn't realize The VSG is what Penny had. this WLS journey is definitely something we all have to be mentally prepared/ready for. Over the years I've had a horrible relationship with food. If I was bored I ate, something big happens it was oh let's celebrate with a huge meal, or when I was down I turned to sweets to pick me up. I'm definitely not proud if that but I'm thankful along this journey I've learned a few things about myself. Addictions are nasty and can be hard to break but definitely doable. I wish everyone much success during their own personal journey and if anyone is struggling with an addiction to food there is hope/help. The first step is acknowledging the problem exists. Put you a good support system in place, take it one day at a time, learn your triggers, plan ahead for lunches and outings with friends, don't be defeated by set backs as sometimes they do occur so just forgive yourself and move on. This is a journey not a race embrace it. We didn't put this weight on over night or settle into our unhealthy habits in a day so with the continued support we offer to one another on these boards and a CAN DO attitude we will all reach our goals.

Christian congrats you've done really well. You are absolutely right it is definitely a tool not a magical solution. Skinny vibes to you on that last 10-15 :0)

How very sad. I am watching it now. As I am exercising between teaching my online English classes. Ahe says she is ready but she threw it away.That poor little boy!

Edited January 22, 201412 yr by Bronco0605

I think her husband loves her but he really has his blinders on.

I watched it last night too and really wanted to give that husband a kick in the A**!!! He was absolutely 100% her enabler. If he didn't keep feeding her she would have lost weight and then maybe have gotten out of bed to get her own food. Did you hear near the end when she was lying to the doctor about what she was eating, the doctor left the room and the wife said I am hungry and the husband said, "Do you want some ice cream?". How unbelievable!! I don't feel sorry for either of them, but for the poor child who will undoubtedly be living without a Mother really soon or worse suffer morbid obesity also.

I just recently discovered this show and I LOVE it!!! I watched Penny's episode, last night, and I was so p!ssed and upset with her and her husband! She used every excuse known to man and I found myself getting more and more irritated with her. It's hard to feel sorry for people who do not take advantage of something so great. I couldn't get over the stuff she was eating just 3 months after her surgery. Shocking!!! It's definitely an episode to watch to see what NOT to do after WLS!

She now has a FB page...she blames the crew, the editing, nutritionist,the doctor....everyone but herself..and she is getting slammed.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-Saeger-My-Life/547231915372526?ref=ts&fref=ts

Holy Crap!

I haven't seen the show but may need to watch it so I will know never to take my new tummy and chance for a healthy life for granted.

I watched it last night too! It was very hard to watch. But it's important to remember that everyone is fighting their own battle that we know nothing about. It's hard to watch people make mistakes but who are we to judge? She needs emotional and spiritual help just like any other person who is addicted to drugs.

I just watched it and found it so nauseating and disturbing! I think they should have brought in a psychiatrist for her. I can't believe she lost nothing! It's terrifying to see how mental this is. I have had several 400lb.+ over weight people in my family and it seems like each of them have had an enabler like her husband. This episode really scared me.

I taped it and when I got home I watched it twice because I thought maybe there was something there that should have been a red flag. She seemed to say all the right things before surgery - so who would have known she really has this "fantasy land" type of dealing with life as the Dr mentioned. When she finally went back to see the dr and was telling him how much weight she had lost and she had gained 5 lbs...extreme denial I would say or perhaps she really does have a mental issue that has not been addressed. When the NUT came to her house - oh man, she was hateful to say the least.

This was truly the saddest case of the series so far.

I just wrote a comment on Penny's FB...

Edited January 22, 201412 yr by pinksjo1

I really hated what her poor son had to go through..and it really bugged me that she had recieved finacial support from so many people and just blew it. Its one thing to stumble but to be so damn arrogant about it...

I think this is the most important episode for anyone looking into having WLS or for anyone who has already had it. WLS is NOT a magic solution. I've noticed many of the showcases on this show start out thinking that, then they get smacked upside the head with reality. Some face the demons and straighten it out - while others, like last night's Penny contain their pacifiers.

Living with a co-dependent person such as herself and her husband is a detriment to truly beating any addiction. Whether it be drugs, alcohol or in this case food. IMHO, anyone who has become obese has some element of food addiction. How can they not? Until everyone in that position embraces this fact, they will always fall off the wagon (including myself).

She was playing his love for her against him, and he fell for it hook, line and sinker. He likes the life they're living, based on some of his commentary on the show. He expressed that he hoped she didn't expect all of them to eat on a diet. He is complete denial too. I was in awe at how much! I couldn't believe the excuses coming out of both of their mouths. They truly do live in a "fantasy world". Someone on my FB mentioned that she revised to RnY. If that's true then she's getting a second chance and I pray she gets it right this time. However, it's not likely because she thinks all of her troubles will be over by fixing her stomach. It's really our brains we need to work on simultaneously.