My 600 lb Life: Whoa

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

I recently saw "My 600 Pound Life" for the first time, featuring Melissa Morris. I was flipping through channels and I stumbled upon this and I couldn't look away. I watched the show with a mix of astonishment, disgust and yes - recognition.

I am not 600 pounds. No. I am *only* 275 pounds. But let's be honest: during the first 10 minutes of watching, you're sitting there thinking, "Oh my gosh, how did she get like this? How did she let this happen? What a tragedy." And for the final 50 minutes you watch in a sickened sense of recognition. Recognition of the same focus on food, the same addictions, the same shame and the same feeling of helplessness to really fix it all by yourself.

I won't watch the show with my husband or kids because I don't want want them to recognize me in those behaviors. I don't want to see the thought dawn on them - somehow I want to keep up the delusion that I'm not that bad.

But I could be. It makes me grateful that I'm getting help and support. It strengthens my decision to have surgery (12 days away!!). It keeps me out of denial. Let's face it - I'm not just a few Weight Watchers meetings away from a healthy weight anymore.

[Beach Lover 1,084]

I watched this episode and the woman has major denial issues and is completely enabled by her husband. I felt bad for the doctor who was really trying to help her but you can't help someone who isn't willing to help themselves. Most of us that have this surgery have it because we are not in denial to what is before us. Until she accepts that it is her fault that it failed then it will continue. I did not feel bad for her I was mad at her. Maybe she has some mental disorders that would make it a little more acceptable but what I really saw was someone who wouldn't accept her own failures and put it on everyone else. Sad episode!

Edited January 24, 2014 by Beach Lover

[rbtnln 81]

First, let me congratulate you on your decision to get healthy! I have watched this show as well and there was a recent one showing Penny who had the sleeve but sabotaged herself and didn't lose weight after surgery. I look at this show because I need to know that there are other people who are like me out there and that 1) they are heavier than I am, 2) they can lose weight and so can I, and 3) we are all human. You're right that you have gotten into bad habits like the rest of us have. The folks on this program are the exact same way. We've all learned bad habits and bad ways of destressing (i.e. eating ourselves silly). I'm a sugar lover. Ice cream, candy, Cookies, etc. Can I still eat those things after surgery? You bet. Should I? Nope. I think the primary difference between those of us with weight issues and those without (like my husband who is only 135 pounds) is that we live to eat and they eat to live. My husband only eats when he's hungry or needs to fuel his body. I eat because I'm happy, sad, stressed, relaxed, in a bad mood, in a good mood......you name it. The primary switch for all of us is to use food as it's intended which is as fuel for our bodies. If you overfill your gas tank you get gas all over the side of your car, all over the ground and all over yourself. You only put gas in the car when you need it - not when it's already full. You're going to be shocked how un-hungry you are after surgery. But your mind will tell you you're hungry. That's not going to change. Surgery only solves for 1 thing, not everything that causes us to be overweight. I don't mind if my family watches my 600 lb life because I do feel like they have empathy for the patients and have perhaps more empathy for what I've gone through, They also see what works and what doesn't work with the families of these folks. I've been very blessed to be very supported by my family. Others have been sabotaged by theirs and it helps to see that as well.

I feel as though I've been rambling - sorry about that. I hope your surgery goes well and that you get to the goal you've set for yourself. I have faith!!!

[Susysleever 265]

Great thread. I too, watched the series of My 600 lb. Life. I was especially interested in the mindset and enabling of these people. When Melissa lost weight, her husband began cheating on her. Talk about enabling. She got strong and took care of her daughter. Eventually she got a job with the bariatric surgeon as a patient liason. Bravo Melissa.

[SuperFab 689]

Great thread. I too, watched the series of My 600 lb. Life. I was especially interested in the mindset and enabling of these people. When Melissa lost weight, her husband began cheating on her. Talk about enabling. She got strong and took care of her daughter. Eventually she got a job with the bariatric surgeon as a patient liason. Bravo Melissa.

I have a thread called "making me cry" on here about my 17yo daughter watching the Melissa episode. I hadn't really shared my wls much with my daughter but she went on her own and watched YouTube videos and read up on it. Anyway, she told me about the Melissa episode. That her family saw her walk unassisted for the first time and it made them cry. And her. She then told me she was so proud of my wls decision and not to worry about what other ppl say or think. She was like "if Melissa can do this so can you. You got this".

It really opened my eyes about not only sharing more with her, but that she saw something in this lady that reminded her of me. I can't wait to watch it.

April

[Carlotta1 401]

Our family does notice and is totally aware of our eating issues, even if we think we are hiding it from them. . They know. I have had three way conversations my daughters and I about my food addiction. They would tell me what they observe and discuss their loving concerns. This is what family is al about, support, concern, and most of all love. So don't be ashamed or afraid to let into your world ..

[BigGirlPanties 957]

Recently there has been several threads about this show...and I want to watch it as motivation... when I feel like I can't do it, I will watch and be remotivated...

[gmanbat 5,889]

I recently saw "My 600 Pound Life" for the first time, featuring Melissa Morris. I was flipping through channels and I stumbled upon this and I couldn't look away. I watched the show with a mix of astonishment, disgust and yes - recognition.

I am not 600 pounds. No. I am *only* 275 pounds. But let's be honest: during the first 10 minutes of watching, you're sitting there thinking, "Oh my gosh, how did she get like this? How did she let this happen? What a tragedy." And for the final 50 minutes you watch in a sickened sense of recognition. Recognition of the same focus on food, the same addictions, the same shame and the same feeling of helplessness to really fix it all by yourself.

I won't watch the show with my husband or kids because I don't want want them to recognize me in those behaviors. I don't want to see the thought dawn on them - somehow I want to keep up the delusion that I'm not that bad.

But I could be. It makes me grateful that I'm getting help and support. It strengthens my decision to have surgery (12 days away!!). It keeps me out of denial. Let's face it - I'm not just a few Weight Watchers meetings away from a healthy weight anymore.

Great post. Good self evaluation, your commitment goes deep. You are not going in blind, your mind is fully engaged. You are going to have a new life next year at this time.

[bobheist 85]

I have been watching this show too. Overall I feel like it's a fair and accurate portrayal. The one lady who had the son and husband who temporarily moved from Maryland to Texas (can't remember her name) was frustrating to watch, I thought. As frustrated as I was though, I did really feel for her and the denial.

I really like the doctor. His dedication and sincere sense of caring and wanting to help really shines through...he's also tough when he feels he needs to be.

[SuperFab 689]

I have been watching this show too. Overall I feel like it's a fair and accurate portrayal. The one lady who had the son and husband who temporarily moved from Maryland to Texas (can't remember her name) was frustrating to watch, I thought. As frustrated as I was though, I did really feel for her and the denial. I really like the doctor. His dedication and sincere sense of caring and wanting to help really shines through...he's also tough when he feels he needs to be.

Geez. I guess I need to get cable. Lol

[HumanMerelyBeing 287]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. As I head into surgery I am really working on staying out of denial and coming out of hiding.