One of the things that helped me to be honest with myself about my weight and obesity was watching My 600 Pound Life on TLC.

The new season started last night and I just finished watching the new episode that I recorded last night.

It was preceded by a compilation episode that I did see last night. Since that one included a segment on Penny I needed to take a break before seeing the new episode.

Some random thoughts:

I thought it was sobering and heart wrenching as usual.

I HATE the obligatory shower scenes. We get the idea. They could spend a lot less time on them or eliminate them entirely and spend time on other aspects of obesity, the surgery process, or the post-surgery segment.

Nikki (I think that was her name) is a beautiful girl with a lot of style. I noticed the drawings on her walls before they revealed she is a costume designer. It was great to see her get her MOJO back.

With a disabled brother and two older sisters, it was obvious to me she was starved for affection and attention.

Dr. Now mentioned when doing the sleeve instead of the bypass something that the sleeve can be just as effective even though the bypass is more aggressive.

Watching this post-sleeve, watching her eat the volumes and types of foods (donuts) she was eating pre-op looked really gross and unappealing. (Thank, God!)

I started at a lower weight than she did and I would never dream of trying to sit on one of those balance balls or on the ground. What a difference being 20 years younger than me makes!

It is heartbreaking how young so many of these patients are who are on this show. Nikki isn't the youngest by far, but she was still really young to have reached over 650 pounds. That is an awful lot of donuts.

It was interesting to see the rate of her weight loss pick up again after she started seeing a therapist and addressing her emotional issues.

I liked the analogy that the therapist used of not being able to look at and address issues until you physically put them down/let them go.

I wanted to slap her sister until they had their talk. I know we only get one side of the story, but to not allow NIKKI to be around her nieces and nephews is outright cruel.

I think her mom has a lot of food issues and is also probably dealing with a lot of stress due to both her son and daughter.

Her dad was sweet if clueless.

I am looking forward to seeing a follow-up on her in a year. I really liked her.

I know it's January and every other advertisement and commercial on TV is about diet or exercise, but still find it jarring to see those commercials on during this show. It just seems so transparent.

Did anyone else watch it? What did you think?

Well that was disappointing...you can't see her results because she gained weight and as usual, the surgeons did NO contouring.

I do want to say....Derek is HOT.

That is all.

@@Babbs I agree with how they act like losing weight without surgery is the end all be all. I know how hard it is to try and lose without surgery so I am not offended.

Still I feel like it's flipping the bird to all the people that lose naturally. The thought has always been the loose skin comes with rapid weight loss from WLS. It is good to see that people that do it the hard way and take years are just as screwed as us. It makes me feel better about my WLS choice and the loose skin. There is no way to avoid it once your skin is stretched, no matter how you lose the weight. I would rather lose fast without feeling like I am starving. Now I know even if I took 5 years and slaved away in the gym, I'd still be screwed.

@@OutsideMatchInside

I know, right? But honestly, I really do admire them. Obviously, I couldn't do it without surgery, but that doesn't make my accomplishment any less. I just chose a different route to get there. But the SHOW seems to be a bit bias against WLS in my opinion.

The doctors are terrible, the young "plastic surgeons" so their opinions are meaningless.

It is a TLC show my expecting were low and they are being met. They are still making people do the humiliating shower scenes.

A lot of these people need counseling though, they have bigger issues that skin

I do want to say....Derek is HOT.

That is all.

Right?? He reminded me a bit of Vin Diesel! His nipples, however, were still too close together. Those surgeons need some help with placement.

I watched 600 lb. life and Skin Tight last night. Was glad to see June get her act together. I was sure she was going to be another Penny. As far as Skin Tight, I agree completely that there is an obvious bias against WLS. Most of those who've had surgery also change eating habits and spend alot of time at the gym so I call BS on it being thought of as the easy way out...but heck, I'm preaching to the choir here. We all know how hard we still have to work. All I kept thinking is that both of these folks who lost it the 'old fashioned way' would likely gain it back. We all know losing it is easy compared to maintaining.

My thoughts on June:

She was obviously not psychological ready for surgery although I see Dr. Now's concern about her not living another month and wanting to treat her physical symptoms right away.

I am glad he made the point of how it is possible for obese people to be malnourished.

I just don't see how they couldn't have her seeing a therapist that first month she was in the hospital. I just can't imagine how she would have ever passed a psych clearance without at least starting some therapy pre-op.

I also think this is a great example of how both partners need extensive nutrition counseling and training.

I am coming to the conclusion that spouses, partners, children, and other live-in "helpers" need a formal program to prep for surgery, including their own psych clearance. There seem to be so many codependent, and abusive relationships (from both directions) on this show. As well as just a lot of ignorance.

Did anybody else think that June's girlfriend was a teenage boy in the shower scene?

If June had been in the hospital 20 times, why has they not even brought up surgery? It seems that Dr. Now could have been brought in to consult. If her health concerns were anything other than obesity I am sure they would have considered all options.

June's legs reminded me a lot of mine in the shape, fat distribution, and lymphedema. I saw a lot of myself in her mobility challenges. It was very sobering and made me very grateful for all the progress I have had so far.

If my son was killed in the way her son was, therapy should have been one of the first tools I reached for. It breaks my heart how culturally and socially there are so many barriers to people seeking and accepting help. At the very least she could have benefitted from some serious pastoral counseling. Our mental health system is so broken in this country.

I don't watch Skin Tight.

@@KristenVSG2014

What is it with the nipples on the guys?? I was telling my husband about it before we saw Derek's, and when he saw them he was perplexed. He couldn't figure out if they looked fake, too close together, or what?

My husband lost 120 pounds almost 10 years ago with a RNY and has kept most of it off. He has some moobage going on, but not too bad actually. I would rather him have his little moobs than look at those freaky nipples all the time!

Does nobody on that show realize that if they have 50 folks on that show who lost weight "the natural way" 48 or 49 of them are going to regain all their weight (and probably more)?

Sheesh!

Those are the actual statistics re how effective "the natural way of losing weight" is long-term.

@@VSGAnn2014

Funny you should mention that. The gal on this week's show had gained 40 pounds during her recovery in a matter of a few months.

I honestly don't think that large of a gain in that short amount of time would have been possible with WLS.

But what do I know anyway. I just post here

My thoughts on June:

She was obviously not psychological ready for surgery although I see Dr. Now's concern about her not living another month and wanting to treat her physical symptoms right away.

I am glad he made the point of how it is possible for obese people to be malnourished.

I just don't see how they couldn't have her seeing a therapist that first month she was in the hospital. I just can't imagine how she would have ever passed a psych clearance without at least starting some therapy pre-op.

I also think this is a great example of how both partners need extensive nutrition counseling and training.

I am coming to the conclusion that spouses, partners, children, and other live-in "helpers" need a formal program to prep for surgery, including their own psych clearance. There seem to be so many codependent, and abusive relationships (from both directions) on this show. As well as just a lot of ignorance.

Did anybody else think that June's girlfriend was a teenage boy in the shower scene?

If June had been in the hospital 20 times, why has they not even brought up surgery? It seems that Dr. Now could have been brought in to consult. If her health concerns were anything other than obesity I am sure they would have considered all options.

June's legs reminded me a lot of mine in the shape, fat distribution, and lymphedema. I saw a lot of myself in her mobility challenges. It was very sobering and made me very grateful for all the progress I have had so far.

If my son was killed in the way her son was, therapy should have been one of the first tools I reached for. It breaks my heart how culturally and socially there are so many barriers to people seeking and accepting help. At the very least she could have benefitted from some serious pastoral counseling. Our mental health system is so broken in this country.

I don't watch Skin Tight.

They may have suggested therapy to her in the hospital and she may not have been receptive to it at that time. With so much editing it is hard to tell the true story of what is really happening. But I agree, definitely in the Black culture, seeing a therapist means that you are "crazy" therefore we are a bit hesitant to the idea. Luckily, that taboo has changed some. I think Dr. Now is just no-nonsense. I am sure he has heard every excuse and now he has a low tolerance for it. I dont get offended when they make the losing weight naturally comment. It takes a lot of dedication and determination to lose weight and keep it off both "naturally and surgically." As far as "Skin Tight" I am very disappointed in their results. I expect Dr. NOW results to be sub par because he isn't a plastic surgeon and it shows. The nipple placement last night were hideous. And the plastic surgeon's results aren't any better. They must not be allowed to do liposuction on the show because they all can benefit from it. They need to be more aggressive and learn how to contour the body. So disappointing for them I'm sure, especially for the females.

I actually think I would be pissed and depressed if I went through the multiple surgeries and recovery... and ended up with those results.

I know 3 ladies that have Tummy tucks, and 2 that have had breastlift/augmentation. All of them have far superior results than what I see on the show.

Okay tonight's episode with Chad:

Did anyone else get annoyed with Dr Now for getting mad at Chad for not wanting to take TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR A MONTH MEDICATION??

I mean, really? I wouldn't take it, either! I'm sorry!

But, Dr Now did say why didn't you let us know it was too expensive instead of not taking it?

Okay tonight's episode with Chad:

Did anyone else get annoyed with Dr Now for getting mad at Chad for not wanting to take TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR A MONTH MEDICATION??

I mean, really? I wouldn't take it, either! I'm sorry!

But, Dr Now did say why didn't you let us know it was too expensive instead of not taking it?

He did. I missed that apparently.