My 600 Pound Life - If you don't get it now? You will.
I too am recording this series. My husband asked me "why do you watch this stuff"? I told him because I can relate to some of it having walked in those shoes, and I also wanted to see if these extreme cases were accurate representations of WLS patients. If all four stories are represented like this one, then all I can say is "Bravo TLC". I think they showed the good, bad and ugly of a typical life after WLS, but not necessarily a "roadmap" of "what to expect" after WLS. Each person is unique; their backgrounds, psychological issues and many other things that will ultimately determine how life after will be. And as you stated, "life happened".....and that is just life, whether you have WLS or not. Most importantly, the show reminded me of where I've been and humbled me.
While I cannot relate to much of what the WLS community has experienced, I certainly faced my share of prejudice. I was not nor have I ever been depressed. I am not addicted to food or anything else. I have always had high self esteem. I've always loved myself regardless of my weight. I am successful, snagged the man of my dreams, and never let my weight hold me back. However, I endured the "staring" and the judgment due to my weight. I suspect I was underpaid and passed over for several promotions due to my weight.
I got really scared when I couldn't walk from the car to my office building without losing my breath-THAT is what made me seek WLS as a solution to my lifelong battle with obesity. My main issue was a severely broken metabolism, fraternal and maternal SMO entire families and an enormous appetite that could not be satisfied. For the most part, I had a pretty healthy diet as far as what I ate....the amount was off the charts.
Therefore I am still learning from shows like this and from the OH community how many other facets there are to the obesity spectrum. There were many things on the show I could not relate to such as hanging onto the cheating husband, the all consuming fear of regaining weight and her justification for NOT following the rules of her surgery when those demons cropped up and played head games on her. There were times during the show when I wanted to hug her, and times when I wanted to shake her to reality.
An interesting point about the grocery store. As an obese shopper, I did feel like I was being harshly judged for anything that was in my cart that wasn't fat free, sugar free or "diet". But an interesting thing happened recently.....I always shop at the same store on the same day of the week, so I know the people that work there. The lady who was checking me out commented "you always buy the healthiest stuff-you must really be health conscious". I realized that maybe people check out what EVERYBODY has in their cart.....just being nosy....not just the "fat" people's stuff. I know I do!
While I cannot relate to much of what the WLS community has experienced, I certainly faced my share of prejudice. I was not nor have I ever been depressed. I am not addicted to food or anything else. I have always had high self esteem. I've always loved myself regardless of my weight. I am successful, snagged the man of my dreams, and never let my weight hold me back. However, I endured the "staring" and the judgment due to my weight. I suspect I was underpaid and passed over for several promotions due to my weight.
I got really scared when I couldn't walk from the car to my office building without losing my breath-THAT is what made me seek WLS as a solution to my lifelong battle with obesity. My main issue was a severely broken metabolism, fraternal and maternal SMO entire families and an enormous appetite that could not be satisfied. For the most part, I had a pretty healthy diet as far as what I ate....the amount was off the charts.
Therefore I am still learning from shows like this and from the OH community how many other facets there are to the obesity spectrum. There were many things on the show I could not relate to such as hanging onto the cheating husband, the all consuming fear of regaining weight and her justification for NOT following the rules of her surgery when those demons cropped up and played head games on her. There were times during the show when I wanted to hug her, and times when I wanted to shake her to reality.
An interesting point about the grocery store. As an obese shopper, I did feel like I was being harshly judged for anything that was in my cart that wasn't fat free, sugar free or "diet". But an interesting thing happened recently.....I always shop at the same store on the same day of the week, so I know the people that work there. The lady who was checking me out commented "you always buy the healthiest stuff-you must really be health conscious". I realized that maybe people check out what EVERYBODY has in their cart.....just being nosy....not just the "fat" people's stuff. I know I do!
I could so relate to so much of Melissa's journey even though at my highest my BMI was 83, not 113. On a 5'2 arthritic frame, I could not get around as well as she did at her highest weight. I depended (and still do) on my husband for a lot of care. Coincidentally, we live in Texas, too, and he is a forklift operator LOL
People ARE cruel. Never mind what people say to your face--on any message board, especially the news, anytime a story is posted about a fat person they typical "waste of space" or "disgusting" comments appear. People tell how they really feel. When you are morbidly obese, these feelings from others are palpable. Even feeling all that hate from strangers, no one could hate me as much as I hated myself. It is still something I struggle with daily, even after years and years of psychological treatment. I think for probably most severely morbidly obese people therapy is a MUST.
Other parallels--I, too, was molested as a child. The first time was when I was with my grandpa and his brother-in-law sitting in the pickup waiting to see a fireworks show on Independence Day. I was about 3-4. Grandpa went to check on the teenagers who were popping fireworks and my aunt's husband hurt me and told me I better not tell anyone. I didn't until I was over 30 years old. After I did tell my grandmother I found out that he had hurt several of my cousins. That wasn't the only time I had sexual trauma as a child, but that is enough for this post.
I totally saw and realized the "Honeymoon" phase of Melissa's journey, but I believe there was more episodes than just the lowest weight loss point. After she had lost 200 pounds and traveled to see family, she was definitely in the HMP. At that point she was the size I was at my highest. My daughter and I were watching and we were MORTIFIED that she thought she could, at over 400 pounds, climb and slide down the jumpy slide! It is great to try new things as we lose the pounds, but we have to be realistic about our size and limitations. Sometimes we just don't see it.
I am so glad that Melissa & Chris worked out their challenges. Marriage isn't easy. I've been married for 28 years and we've went through many of the situations portrayed on the show. If people love each other and are dedicated just about anything is fixable.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the other shows and I really appreciate these people sharing their stories.
People ARE cruel. Never mind what people say to your face--on any message board, especially the news, anytime a story is posted about a fat person they typical "waste of space" or "disgusting" comments appear. People tell how they really feel. When you are morbidly obese, these feelings from others are palpable. Even feeling all that hate from strangers, no one could hate me as much as I hated myself. It is still something I struggle with daily, even after years and years of psychological treatment. I think for probably most severely morbidly obese people therapy is a MUST.
Other parallels--I, too, was molested as a child. The first time was when I was with my grandpa and his brother-in-law sitting in the pickup waiting to see a fireworks show on Independence Day. I was about 3-4. Grandpa went to check on the teenagers who were popping fireworks and my aunt's husband hurt me and told me I better not tell anyone. I didn't until I was over 30 years old. After I did tell my grandmother I found out that he had hurt several of my cousins. That wasn't the only time I had sexual trauma as a child, but that is enough for this post.
I totally saw and realized the "Honeymoon" phase of Melissa's journey, but I believe there was more episodes than just the lowest weight loss point. After she had lost 200 pounds and traveled to see family, she was definitely in the HMP. At that point she was the size I was at my highest. My daughter and I were watching and we were MORTIFIED that she thought she could, at over 400 pounds, climb and slide down the jumpy slide! It is great to try new things as we lose the pounds, but we have to be realistic about our size and limitations. Sometimes we just don't see it.
I am so glad that Melissa & Chris worked out their challenges. Marriage isn't easy. I've been married for 28 years and we've went through many of the situations portrayed on the show. If people love each other and are dedicated just about anything is fixable.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the other shows and I really appreciate these people sharing their stories.
Distal RNY 6/11 SW 456 CW 311 Complications: Small bowel strangulation 12/23/2012, non healing surgical incision--ongoing. Still.
(deactivated member)
on 2/2/12 8:43 am, edited 2/1/12 8:45 pm
on 2/2/12 8:43 am, edited 2/1/12 8:45 pm
Sweetheart I HAVE to thank you for being so BRAVE (((((()))))) I myself am a craven COWARD but I gain strength from YOU 
.
OK I was molested FOREVER .. I was like a walking target on LEGS....
I had guys waiting in cars for me when i walked home from school in the SEVENTH grade!
They called on the phone ..asking about my masturbatory habits ...and i TALKED to them ( because Nobody Loved me ) ( the SHAME !!!)
They tried to pick me up and take me to Florida and ( probably ) KILL me ( the SHAME )
I'm so glad i'm Still ALIVE ( oh but when can the abuse please END ?!! )n
.OK I was molested FOREVER .. I was like a walking target on LEGS....
I had guys waiting in cars for me when i walked home from school in the SEVENTH grade!
They called on the phone ..asking about my masturbatory habits ...and i TALKED to them ( because Nobody Loved me ) ( the SHAME !!!)
They tried to pick me up and take me to Florida and ( probably ) KILL me ( the SHAME )
I'm so glad i'm Still ALIVE ( oh but when can the abuse please END ?!! )n
I watched it and plan on watching the other episodes. As I listened to Melissa, I thought, either she's had some good counseling and really internalized it, or she's "just" very wise innately. I was horrified at her post PS ordeal, and so happy that she (spoiler alert) had the baby she wanted so much.
I hope they do a follow up episode at the end.
I would so much rather watch this than the Biggest Loser bull****
I hope they do a follow up episode at the end.
I would so much rather watch this than the Biggest Loser bull****
Open yourself to possibility and possibility will present itself.
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