The greatest scams going.

http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/2012/05/abc-2020-losing-it-the-big-fat-trap-full-episode-the-greatest-scams-goin.html

 Pamela R Davis Bariatric Program Director of the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity writes 

"I am completely disappointed, irritated and flat out disgusted at the so called "journalism" that went into this ABC 20/20 episode. They completely and totally missed the opportunity to focus on legitimate, successful medically [and surgically] appropriate treatment for obesity and severe obesity. Instead I felt like I was watching a rogue episode of Entertainment Tonight.

When I first heard they were pulling the segment with Dr. Robin Blackstone and Melting Mama, I thought it was so they could dedicate an entire episode to bariatric and metabolic surgery and how it is a life saving treatment for so many. Instead we got a 60 minute long sensationalistic expose on practices those of us who are healthcare professionals working diligently to help those with obesity and severe obesity would never support!

Not good ABC, not good-shame on you."

the full episode '20/20 5/11: Losing It: The Big Fat Trap' from ABC's 20/20 abc.go.com

Thank-you Pamela, you echo my feelings that I was not able to accurately share last night, and surely not before I saw the episode.

I watched it, I did.

This is what I got out of it... and I am full of the snark right now.  (I just started a new anti-seizure medication with a big fat black box warning, so hey!)

I learned a few things from the 20/20 episode!  

 

• It's important to have cute boobs.  NUMBER ONE.
• And Charles Barkley's Vegabuls! 
• If you want to make some fast cash, get famous, really really famous?  Gain weight on purpose to get sponsored by a diet or supplement company.  Celebrity, Inc.: How Famous People Make Money
• This works better if you are Jessica Simpson and have a beautiful frame to start with, because selling diet plans is about selling the IDEA THAT A DESPERATE DIETER MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOOK LIKE JESSICA SIMPSON *WILL LOOK LIKE IN ABOUT 9-12 MONTHS FROM THIS PHOTO-

• It does not work if you are a short balding man celebrity.  *See cute boobs.
• If you want to crash diet for $150 a day, get a NG tube and look super-sexy at work.  Then you can plan to regain and rebuy the diet.
• Diet pills are wicked awesome!  Take them!  Except they don't help you lose weight.  You are buying the idea.  You hope for a Kardashian badonkandonk, but there's about 0.0% chance you can actually do it.
• And, for the quickest weight loss, try the death method a la 1-800-Get-Thin, but they don't care, cause they be RICHER THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE.

And, when you are finished messing around with all of these weight loss methods and you are more desperate than you've ever been AND morbidly obese?

Come talk to me, talk to all of us, because then?  

...You will have a safe and effective weight loss procedure with a Reputable Bariatric Surgeon.

Don't say I didn't tell you so.

 

 After the first 10 mins I changed the channel......I had always considered 20/20 to be a reputable show that covers meaninful topic but now after that stupidness I am reconsidering. " shaking my head" what a waste.

I winced when I saw your other thread that your portion and another were removed from this airing. I didn't want it to be true, but I was not surprised either. Probably same as you.

I have now lived in England for over three years and they unashamedly televise shows which are completely voyeuristic and use the morbidly obese or super, SUPER, morbidly obese, (like I once was), to view as freakish and non-human.  I always hold my breath when a new show comes on and I HOPE I am not going to see a super size soul with a twinkie clenched in her jaws jumping up and down on a trampoline with the camera slow-mo'ing as her body moves up and down. Don't be so sure that I am joking folks!

So-that was the long way around the block to say that I am not shocked that the "media" has opted to go this route. Besides shows like these, look at most other media out there. It's lots of gawking, lots of sensationalism. No one seems to be interested in the "yawn-tastic" facts of what it means to be morbidly obese, have surgery and succeed at it. Rather, folks appear to be more drawn to the carnival atmosphere of shock-o-vision... "OMG-she was SUPER huge..she was like 50 pounds overweight from having a baby and she LOST the weight. She had the baby on Monday and lost of all it..by like..um...Friday!!"

Yeah...I'm just sayin....


Maybe they will save your portion and when there is an actual "awakening" in the media and in others who allow themselves to be drawn into this crap-up you will come on our TV screens telling the truth and really helping others.

Hugs,
T

Funny----I get moderated and my post pulled for mentioning the very same company you do---but you're still here. (The haters will come out and have BOTH of us pulled now.)
Either way, very disappointed in ABC....but at least they exposed the big bucks behind weight loss and the dangers of doctors that are in it for money along ($12 million a month for those guys in LA) 

See my email I received copied and pasted.


Dear sandyfeets,
A moderator has moderated your post.


The moderator left these comments:
Due to legal issues with 1-800-GET-THIN, member posts that reference them are removed. Please do not post on the public message boards that referrence 1-800-GET-THIN. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Member Services

Your post is currently unapproved.


Your message is currently:
20/20 is still about WLS but will detail the 1800GetThinboondoggle in LA--how there have been 5 deaths via these lapband clinics---so many that Allergan the maker of one of the Lap-bands won't sell to them.  Basically a surgery mill and ABC is exposing them.  Even though MM wrote about them several months ago.

Sincerely,
ObesityHelp

 I've been cease and desisted by that company.  Please.  They are going under now anyway.

 I learned that if you are 30 lbs overweight, you are REALLY fat, and even your seven year old daughter will tell you that you are REALLY fat. So get a feeding tube and teach her that the best way to NOT be fat is to look like an asshole for 10 days as you walk around with **** taped to your face. 

 That made me YELL at the screen.  ARGH.

 Thanks MM. I'm disappointed your interview didn't air but hopefully WLS will be covered in the HBO special airing on Monday/Tuesday. 

Keep saying how you feel and don't let anyone stop you. You have a mission!

 HBO Special?  You mean the Weight Of The Nation?

 Yes that's it. The previews on the HBO website look interesting.